title: Ecdysone receptor (EcR) and ultraspiracle (USP) genes from the cyclopoid copepod Paracyclopina nana: Identification and expression in response to water accommodated fractions (WAFs).
abstract: Ecdysteroid hormones are pivotal in the development, growth, and molting of arthropods, and the hormone pathway is triggered by binding ecdysteroid to a heterodimer of the two nuclear receptors; ecdysone receptors (EcR) and ultraspiracle (USP). We have characterized EcR and USP genes, and their 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) from the copepod Paracyclopina nana, and studied mRNA transcription levels in post-embryonic stages and in response to water accommodated fractions (WAFs) of crude oil. The open reading frames (ORF) of EcR and USP were 1470 and 1287bp that encoded 490 and 429 amino acids with molecular weight of 121.18 and 105.03kDa, respectively. Also, a well conserved DNA-binding domain (DBD) and ligand-binding domain (LBD) were identified which confirmed by phylogenetic analysis. Messenger RNA transcriptional levels of EcR and USP were developmental stage-specific in early post-embryonic stages (N3-4). However, an evoked expression of USP was observed throughout copepodid stage and in adult females. WAFs (40 and 80%) were acted as an ecdysone agonist in P. nana, and elicited the mRNA transcription levels in adults. Developmental stage-specific transcriptional activation of EcR and USP in response to WAFs was observed. USP gene was down-regulated in the nauplius in response to WAF, whereas up-regulation of USP was observed in the adults. This study represents the first data of molecular elucidation of EcR and USP genes and their regulatory elements from P. nana and the developmental stage specific expression in response to WAFs, which can be used as potential biomarkers for environmental stressors with ecotoxicological evaluations in copepods.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Science, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jayesh
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Puthumana
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Science, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea.
authors.forename: Min-Chul
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Science, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jeonghoon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Science, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hui-Su
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Science, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea.
authors.forename: Dae-Sik
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Science, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea. Electronic address: jslee2@skku.edu.
authors.forename: Jae-Seong
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D020121:5' Untranslated Regions; D000818:Animals; D060829:Arthropod Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D033342:Copepoda / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000187:drug effects; D005819:Genetic Markers; D008675:Metamorphosis, Biological; D010802:Phylogeny; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011987:Receptors, Steroid / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D050436:Regulatory Elements, Transcriptional; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D020121:5' Untranslated Regions; D060829:Arthropod Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D005819:Genetic Markers; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011987:Receptors, Steroid; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C055469:ecdysone receptor
keywords: Copepod; Ecdysone receptor (EcR); Paracyclopina nana; Ultraspiracle (USP)