Displaying publications 41 - 60 of 60 in total

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  1. Parhar IS
    Fish Physiol Biochem, 2005 Apr;31(2-3):153-6.
    PMID: 20035450 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-006-0018-1
    We have developed a novel single cell real-time quantitative PCR technique, which incorporates harvesting marker-identified single cells using laser-capture. Here, for the first time in a vertebrate species, using this innovative single cell gene profiling technique, we report the presence of G-protein coupled receptors in individual gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons and endocrine cells of the pituitary of the tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. The differential expression of multiple combinations of three GnRH receptor types (R1, R2 and R3) in individual gonadotropic and nongonadotropic cells demonstrates cellular and functional heterogeneity. The differential use of GnRH receptors in corticotropes, melanotropes and thyrotropes during gonadal maturation and reproductive behaviors suggests new roles for these hormones. Further, we provide evidence of the structure of a novel nonmammalian G-protein coupled receptor (GPR54) for kisspeptins, encoded by Kiss-1 gene, which is highly conserved during evolution and expressed in GnRH1, GnRH2 and GnRH3 neurons. We hypothesize GPR54 stimulates GnRH secretion and is crucial for pubertal maturation. We speculate, the use of this method will allow the identification and quantification of known and unknown genes in single cells, which would greatly facilitate our understanding of the complex interactions that govern the physiology of individual cells in vertebrates species.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cichlids
  2. Cham KL, Soga T, Parhar IS
    Front Neuroanat, 2018;12:109.
    PMID: 30574074 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2018.00109
    Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is one of the major neurotransmitters, modulating diverse behaviours and physiological functions. Really interesting new gene (RING) finger protein 38 (RNF38) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase whose function remains unclear. A recent study has shown a possible regulatory relationship between RNF38 and the 5-HT system. Therefore, to gain insight into the role of RNF38 in the central 5-HT system, we identified the neuroanatomical location of 5-HT positive cells and investigated the relationship between RNF38 and the 5-HT system in the brain of the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Immunocytochemistry revealed three neuronal populations of 5-HT in the brain of tilapia; the paraventricular organ (PVO), the dorsal and ventral periventricular pretectal nuclei (PPd and PPv), and, the superior and inferior raphe (SR and IR). The 5-HT neuronal number was highest in the raphe (90.4 in SR, 284.6 in IR), followed by the pretectal area (22.3 in PPd, 209.8 in PPv). Double-label immunocytochemistry showed that the majority of 5-HT neurons express RNF38 nuclear proteins (66.5% in PPd; 77.9% in PPv; 35.7% in SR; 49.1% in IR). These findings suggest that RNF38 could be involved in E3 ubiquitination in the central 5-HT system.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cichlids
  3. Higuchi Y, Soga T, Parhar IS
    Front Pharmacol, 2018;9:1549.
    PMID: 30687104 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01549
    Stress induces various neurobiological responses and causes psychiatric disorders, including depression. Monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) plays an important role in various functions of the brain, such as regulation of mood, anxiety and aggression, and dysregulation of MAO-A is observed in stress-related psychiatric disorders. This study addressed the question whether acute social stress induces changes to transcriptional and/or post-transcriptional regulation of MAO-A expression in the brain. Using male Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), we investigated whether acute social stress, induced by the presence of a dominant male fish, changes the expression of MAO-A. We measured gene expression of MAO-A by quantitative PCR, enzymatic activity of MAO-A by the luminescent method, and 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in the brain of socially stressed and control fish. Socially stressed males showed decreased MAO-A mRNA levels, consistent MAO-A enzymatic activity, increased 5-HT turnover in the brain, and elevated plasma cortisol levels, compared to controls. Our results suggest that acute social stress suppresses the transcription of MAO-A gene, enhances 5-HT metabolism but does not affect the production of MAO-A protein.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cichlids
  4. Soga T, Nakajima S, Parhar IS
    Front Neuroanat, 2020;14:599540.
    PMID: 33776659 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2020.599540
    Repressor element-1 silencing transcription factor (REST) is highly expressed in the dorsal raphe where serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) neurons are located. REST works as a transcription factor for the 5-HT receptor and tryptophan hydroxylase two-gene expression. We hypothesized that REST is co-expressed in 5-HT neurons, which, if demonstrated, would be useful to understand the mechanism of 5-HT dysfunction-related disorders such as negative emotions and depression. Therefore, the present study was designed to examine the expression of the REST gene in the brain (forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain) of adult male Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) using rt-PCR. Besides, using immunocytochemistry, co-localization of the REST gene was examined in 5-HT neurons and with neuronal-/glial-cell markers. We found a high expression of the REST gene in the midbrain region of the dorsal raphe, an area of 5-HT neurons. Double-label immunocytochemistry showed neuron-specific expression of REST co-localized in 5-HT neurons in the dorsal and ventral parts of the periventricular pretectal nucleus, paraventricular organ, and dorsal and medial raphe nucleus. Since midbrain 5-HT neurons express REST, we speculate that REST may control 5-HT neuronal activity related to negative emotions, including depression.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cichlids
  5. Aldoghachi MA, Azirun MS, Yusoff I, Ashraf MA
    Saudi J Biol Sci, 2016 Sep;23(5):634-41.
    PMID: 27579014 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2015.08.004
    Experiments on hybrid red tilapia Oreochromis sp. were conducted to assess histopathological effects induced in gill tissues of 96 h exposure to waterborne lead (5.5 mg/L). These tissues were investigated by light and scanning electron microscopy. Results showed that structural design of gill tissues was noticeably disrupted. Major symptoms were changes of epithelial cells, fusion in adjacent secondary lamellae, hypertrophy and hyperplasia of chloride cells and coagulate necrosis in pavement cells with disappearance of its microridges. Electron microscopic X-ray microanalysis of fish gills exposed to sublethal lead revealed that lead accumulated on the surface of the gill lamella. This study confirmed that lead exposure incited a difference of histological impairment in fish, supporting environmental watch over aquatic systems when polluted by lead.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cichlids
  6. Jamal, P., Jaswir, I., Yusof, N., Jami, M.S.
    MyJurnal
    Gelatin from fish skin is known to be an alternative source for mammalian gelatin. However, it has weaker properties compared to bovine and porcine gelatin, which limits its use in the industry. The conventional method for fish gelatin extraction requires long production time and could cause serious water pollution and chemical treatments are often being used to enhance the yield of fish gelatin and its properties but it may affect the amino acid content of the gelatin. In this regard, High-Pressure Processing (HPP) is a novel method suggested for fish gelatin extraction. The HPP method is classified as green technology as it requires low electricity throughout the process. This study will discuss the impact of HPP the technique gelatin extracted from fish skin. Skins from four types of fish, namely red tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), black tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus), grouper (Epinephelus areolatus) and threadfin bream (Nemipterus tambuloides), were used. High pressure was applied at either pretreatment in citric acid solution or during thermal extraction; and the pressure was maintained at 250 MPa with pressure holding time of 10 minutes and 18 hours of water extraction. Gelatin extract from traditional acid-base method was prepared as a standard for comparison. The study found that there was an increment in the yield of gelatin and the concentration of gelatin extract, and the pre-treatment time was also reduced.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cichlids
  7. Siti Mazlina Mustapa Kamal, Khairul Faezah Md. Yunos, Norhafizah Abdullah
    Sains Malaysiana, 2018;47:309-318.
    Tilapia is a popular freshwater fish and among the important cultured fish grown worldwide. In this study, fish protein
    hydrolysate was produced from tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) by-product (TB) and tilapia muscle (TM) through enzymatic
    hydrolysis using alcalase. The TB and TM protein hydrolysates were evaluated for its characteristics in terms of angiotensin
    I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition activity, peptide size distribution, and functional properties. Hydrolysis for 1 h for
    TB and TM successfully produced low molecular weight peptides (<14.2kDa) with the highest ACE inhibitory activities.
    The findings also demonstrated that both samples have high nitrogen solubility (>80% at pH2-9) and good emulsifying,
    water and oil holding capacities. The study indicated that tilapia protein hydrolysates have the potential to be used as
    functional food products.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cichlids
  8. Jiang B, Fu J, Dong Z, Fang M, Zhu W, Wang L
    PeerJ, 2019;7:e7007.
    PMID: 31179190 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.7007
    Background: Many tilapia species or varieties have been widely introduced and have become an economically important food fish in China. Information on the genetic backgrounds of these populations is deficient and requires more research, especially for red tilapia strains.

    Methods: In the present study, displacement loop (D-loop) sequences were used to evaluate the genetic relationship and diversity of seven tilapia populations that are widely cultured in China; this was done specifically to speculate on the maternal ancestry of red tilapia strains. Three red tilapia varieties of Oreochromis ssp., Taiwan (TW), Israel (IL), and Malaysia (MY) strains and other populations, including O. aureus (AR), O. niloticus (NL), O. mossambicus (MS), and the GIFT strain of O. niloticus, were collected and analyzed in this study.

    Results: A total of 146 polymorphic sites and 32 haplotypes of D-loop sequences were detected among 332 fish and four major haplotypes were shared among the populations. The TW and NL populations had a greater number of haplotypes (20 and 8, respectively). The haplotype diversity (Hd) and nucleotide diversity (π) of each population ranged from 0.234 to 0.826, and 0 to 0.060, respectively. The significant positive Tajima's D value of neutral test were detected in the NL, IL, and MY populations (P  0.05). The nearest K2P genetic distance (D = 0.014) was detected between the MS and TW populations, whereas, the farthest (D = 0.101) was found between the GIFT and AR populations. The results from the molecular variance analysis (AMOVA) showed that there was an extremely significant genetic variation observed among the populations (P 

    Matched MeSH terms: Cichlids
  9. Chong K, Joshi S, Jin LT, Shu-Chien AC
    Proteomics, 2006 Apr;6(7):2251-8.
    PMID: 16385477
    The discus fish (Symphysodon aequifasciata) is a cichlid demonstrating advanced mode of parental care towards fry. Both male and female fish utilized epidermal mucus secreted from specialized epidermal cells to feed developing fry. We utilized proteomics to compare protein profile from parental and nonparental fish. Gel analysis revealed a total of 35 spots that were up-regulated in parental mucus. In tandem, another 18 spots were uniquely expressed in parental mucus. MS analysis of these spots identified proteins such as fructose biphosphate aldolase, nucleoside diphosphate kinase, and heat shock proteins, which are essential to support energy provision, cell repair and proliferation, stress mediation, and defense mechanism in parental fish during parental-care period. Concurrently, the detection of several antioxidant-related proteins such as thioredoxin peroxidase and hemopexin suggests a need to overcome oxidative stress during hypermucosal production in parental-care behavior. A C-type lectin was also found to be uniquely expressed in parental mucus and could have important role in providing antimicrobial defense to both parental fish and fry. In summary, our study shows that discus mucus proteome undergoes changes in protein expression during parental-care period.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cichlids/metabolism*
  10. Sood N, Verma DK, Paria A, Yadav SC, Yadav MK, Bedekar MK, et al.
    Fish Shellfish Immunol, 2021 Apr;111:208-219.
    PMID: 33577877 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2021.02.005
    Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is one of the most important aquaculture species farmed worldwide. However, the recent emergence of tilapia lake virus (TiLV) disease, also known as syncytial hepatitis of tilapia, has threatened the global tilapia industry. To gain more insight regarding the host response against the disease, the transcriptional profiles of liver in experimentally-infected and control tilapia were compared. Analysis of RNA-Seq data identified 4640 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which were involved among others in antigen processing and presentation, MAPK, apoptosis, necroptosis, chemokine signaling, interferon, NF-kB, acute phase response and JAK-STAT pathways. Enhanced expression of most of the DEGs in the above pathways suggests an attempt by tilapia to resist TiLV infection. However, upregulation of some of the key genes such as BCL2L1 in apoptosis pathway; NFKBIA in NF-kB pathway; TRFC in acute phase response; and SOCS, EPOR, PI3K and AKT in JAK-STAT pathway and downregulation of the genes, namely MAP3K7 in MAPK pathway; IFIT1 in interferon; and TRIM25 in NF-kB pathway suggested that TiLV was able to subvert the host immune response to successfully establish the infection. The study offers novel insights into the cellular functions that are affected following TiLV infection and will serve as a valuable genomic resource towards our understanding of susceptibility of tilapia to TiLV infection.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cichlids/immunology*
  11. Ismail MS, Syafiq MR, Siti-Zahrah A, Fahmi S, Shahidan H, Hanan Y, et al.
    Fish Shellfish Immunol, 2017 Jan;60:21-24.
    PMID: 27864157 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2016.11.040
    A tilapia farm experiencing endemic streptococcosis was selected to study the effect of vaccination with a feed-based vaccine on naturally ocurring streptococcosis. A total of 9000 red tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus × Oreochromis mossambicus of 100 ± 20 g were divided into 9 cages. Fish of Group 1 in cages 1, 2 and 3 were not vaccinated. Group 2 in cages 4, 5 and 6 were vaccinated on days 0 and 14 (single booster) while Group 3 in cages 7, 8 and 9 were vaccinated on days 0, 14 and 42 (double booster). Vaccination was done by oral administration of the feed-based bacterin vaccine at 4% bodyweight. Samples of serum for antibody study and the brain, eyes and kidney for bacterial isolation were collected at 14-day intervals. The study was carried out during the critical months between April and June. Following vaccination and booster, there was significant (p 
    Matched MeSH terms: Cichlids*
  12. Shirajum Monir M, Yusoff SM, Mohamad A, Ina-Salwany MY
    J Aquat Anim Health, 2020 06;32(2):65-76.
    PMID: 32331001 DOI: 10.1002/aah.10099
    The production of tilapia Oreochromis spp. is rapidly growing throughout the world, but atypical motile aeromonad septicemia (MAS) is a current threat to the tilapia farming industry. The etiological agent of this disease is usually Aeromonas hydrophila. Mortality rates due to MAS are frequently high, resulting in a devastating negative impact on this industry worldwide; therefore, proper control measures regarding both prevention and treatment are necessary. Although vaccines against MAS for tilapia are available, their effectiveness is entirely dependent on the specific strain of problematic bacteria. Until now, whole-cell inactivated A. hydrophila vaccines for tilapia have exhibited the highest level of protection over live attenuated and recombinant vaccines. Among the various vaccine administration systems, only intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of the A. hydrophila vaccine into tilapia were found to provide prominent immune protection. Vaccine efficacy was primarily measured by using the i.p. injection challenge model and estimating the relative percent survival of the immunized tilapia. Freund's incomplete adjuvant showed to be the most effective for tilapia MAS vaccines. In this review, multiple factors that directly or indirectly influence the efficacy of MAS vaccines for tilapia (adjuvants, challenge models, immunization doses and duration, and size of vaccinated fish) are discussed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cichlids*
  13. Ogawa S, Parhar IS
    Int J Mol Sci, 2020 Apr 15;21(8).
    PMID: 32326396 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21082724
    Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is essential for the initiation and maintenance of reproductive functions in vertebrates. To date, three distinct paralogue lineages, GnRH1, GnRH2, and GnRH3, have been identified with different functions and regulatory mechanisms. Among them, hypothalamic GnRH1 neurons are classically known as the hypophysiotropic form that is regulated by estrogen feedback. However, the mechanism of action underlying the estrogen-dependent regulation of GnRH1 has been debated, mainly due to the coexpression of low levels of estrogen receptor (ER) genes. In addition, the role of sex steroids in the modulation of GnRH2 and GnRH3 neurons has not been fully elucidated. Using single-cell real-time PCR, we revealed the expression of genes for estrogen, androgen, glucocorticoid, thyroid, and xenobiotic receptors in GnRH1, GnRH2, and GnRH3 neurons in the male Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. We further quantified expression levels of estrogen receptor genes (ERα, ERβ, and ERγ) in three GnRH neuron types in male tilapia of two different social statuses (dominant and subordinate) at the single cell level. In dominant males, GnRH1 mRNA levels were positively proportional to ERγ mRNA levels, while in subordinate males, GnRH2 mRNA levels were positively proportional to ERβ mRNA levels. These results indicate that variations in the expression of nuclear receptors (and possibly steroid sensitivities) among individual GnRH cells may facilitate different physiological processes, such as the promotion of reproductive activities through GnRH1 neurons, and the inhibition of feeding and sexual behaviors through GnRH2 neurons.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cichlids/genetics; Cichlids/metabolism*
  14. Aisyhah MA, Amal MN, Zamri-Saad M, Siti-Zahrah A, Shaqinah NN
    J Fish Dis, 2015 Dec;38(12):1093-8.
    PMID: 25704397 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.12351
    Matched MeSH terms: Cichlids/microbiology
  15. Ogawa S, Ng KW, Xue X, Ramadasan PN, Sivalingam M, Li S, et al.
    PMID: 24324459 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2013.00184
    Kisspeptin has recently been recognized as a critical regulator of reproductive function in vertebrates. During the sexual development, kisspeptin neurons receive sex steroids feedback to trigger gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons. In teleosts, a positive correlation has been found between the thyroid status and the reproductive status. However, the role of thyroid hormone in the regulation of kisspeptin system remains unknown. We cloned and characterized a gene encoding kisspeptin (kiss2) in a cichlid fish, the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Expression of kiss2 mRNA in the brain was analyzed by in situ hybridization. The effect of thyroid hormone (triiodothyronine, T3) and hypothyroidism with methimazole (MMI) on kiss2 and the three GnRH types (gnrh1, gnrh2, and gnrh3) mRNA expression was analyzed by real-time PCR. Expression of thyroid hormone receptor mRNAs were analyzed in laser-captured kisspeptin and GnRH neurons by RT-PCR. The kiss2 mRNA expressing cells were seen in the nucleus of the lateral recess in the hypothalamus. Intraperitoneal administration of T3 (5 μg/g body weight) to sexually mature male tilapia significantly increased kiss2 and gnrh1 mRNA levels at 24 h post injection (P 
    Matched MeSH terms: Cichlids
  16. Nayfa MG, Jones DB, Benzie JAH, Jerry DR, Zenger KR
    Front Genet, 2020;11:567969.
    PMID: 33193660 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.567969
    Domestication to captive rearing conditions, along with targeted selective breeding have genetic consequences that vary from those in wild environments. Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is one of the most translocated and farmed aquaculture species globally, farmed throughout Asia, North and South America, and its African native range. In Egypt, a breeding program established the Abbassa Strain of Nile tilapia (AS) in 2002 based on local broodstock sourced from the Nile River. The AS has been intensively selected for growth and has gone through genetic bottlenecks which have likely shifted levels and composition of genetic diversity within the strain. Consequently, there are questions on the possible genetic impact AS escapees may have on endemic populations of Nile tilapia. However, to date there have been no genetic studies comparing genetic changes in the domesticated AS to local wild populations. This study used 9,827 genome-wide SNPs to investigate population genetic structure and signatures of selection in the AS (generations 9-11) and eight wild Nile tilapia populations from Egypt. SNP analyses identified two major genetic clusters (captive and wild populations), with wild populations showing evidence of isolation-by-distance among the Nile Delta and upstream riverine populations. Between genetic clusters, approximately 6.9% of SNPs were identified as outliers with outliers identified on all 22 O. niloticus chromosomes. A lack of localized outlier clustering on the genome suggests that no genes of major effect were presently detected. The AS has retained high levels of genetic diversity (Ho_All = 0.21 ± 0.01; He_All = 0.23 ± 0.01) when compared to wild populations (Ho_All = 0.18 ± 0.01; He_All = 0.17 ± 0.01) after 11 years of domestication and selective breeding. Additionally, 565 SNPs were unique within the AS line. While these private SNPs may be due to domestication signals or founder effects, it is suspected that introgression with blue tilapia (Oreochromis aureus) has occurred. This study highlights the importance of understanding the effects of domestication in addition to wild population structure to inform future management and dissemination decisions. Furthermore, by conducting a baseline genetic study of wild populations prior to the dissemination of a domestic line, the effects of aquaculture on these populations can be monitored over time.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cichlids
  17. Ogawa S, Liu X, Shepherd BS, Parhar IS
    Cell Tissue Res, 2018 Nov;374(2):349-365.
    PMID: 29934855 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-018-2870-6
    Ghrelin, a gut-brain peptide hormone, is implicated in a multiplicity of biological functions, including energy homeostasis and reproduction. Neuronal systems that are involved in energy homeostasis as well as reproduction traverse the hypothalamus; however, the mechanism by which they control energy homeostasis is not fully understood. The present study analyzes the anatomical relationship of neurons expressing gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) in a cichlid, tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Additionally, we examine in vivo effects of ghrelin on these hypothalamic neurons and plasma growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels. Double-immunofluorescence showed neuronal fiber associations between GnRH, NPY and GHRH in the brain and pituitary. Intracerebroventricular injection of ghrelin had no effect on numbers, soma size, or optical density of GnRH and NPY neurons, whereas the number of GHRH neurons was significantly decreased in the animals injected with ghrelin when compared to controls, which may indicate administered ghrelin promoted GHRH release. Plasma GH and pituitary GH mRNA levels were significantly increased in the animals injected with ghrelin. These results suggest that central administration of ghrelin primarily act on hypothalamic GHRH neurons to stimulate GH release from the pituitary in the tilapia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cichlids
  18. Rahmatullah M, Ariff M, Kahieshesfandiari M, Daud HM, Zamri-Saad M, Sabri MY, et al.
    J Aquat Anim Health, 2017 Dec;29(4):208-213.
    PMID: 28787246 DOI: 10.1080/08997659.2017.1360411
    This study describes the isolation and pathogenicity of Streptococcus iniae in cultured red hybrid tilapia (Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus × Mozambique Tilapia O. mossambicus) in Malaysia. The isolated gram-positive S. iniae appeared punctiform, transparently white, catalase and oxidase negative and produced complete β-hemolysis on blood agar, while a PCR assay resulted in the amplification of the 16 S rRNA gene and lactate oxidase encoded genes. The isolate was sensitive to tetracycline, vancomycin, and bacitracin but was resistant to streptomycin, ampicillin, penicillin, and erythromycin. Pathogenicity trials conducted in local red hybrid tilapia (mean ± SE = 20.00 ± 0.45 g) showed 90.0, 96.7, and 100.0% mortality within 14 d postinfection following intraperitoneal exposure to 104, 106, and 108 CFU/mL of the pathogen, respectively. The clinical signs included erratic swimming, lethargy, and inappetance at 6 h postinfection, while mortality was recorded at less than 24 h postinfection in all infected groups. The LD50-336 h of S. iniae against the red hybrid tilapia was 102 CFU/mL. The post mortem examinations revealed congested livers, kidneys, and spleens of the infected fish. This is the first report of S. iniae experimental infection in cultured red hybrid tilapia in Malaysia. Received January 20, 2017; accepted July 16, 2017.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cichlids/microbiology*
  19. Kitahashi T, Ogawa S, Soga T, Sakuma Y, Parhar I
    Endocrinology, 2007 Dec;148(12):5822-30.
    PMID: 17823257
    The role of steroid/thyroid hormones in the regulation of endocrine cells at the level of the pituitary has remained unclear. Therefore, using single-cell quantitative real-time PCR, we examined absolute amounts of transcripts for nuclear receptors [estrogen receptors (ERs) alpha, beta, and gamma; androgen receptors (ARs) a and b; glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) 1, 2a, and 2b; and thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) alpha1, alpha2, and beta] in pituitary cells of immature (IM) and mature (M) male tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. In the two reproductive stages, ACTH cells expressed only ERbeta, whereas all other pituitary cell types expressed ERalpha + beta, and a subpopulation coexpressed ARa, ARb, GR1, GR2b, and TRbeta but lacked ERgamma, GR2a, TRalpha1, and TRalpha2. IM males had high percentages of LH cells (IM 46.0% vs. M 10.0%), GH cells (IM 23.3% vs. M 7.9%), and prolactin cells (IM 68.8% vs. M 6.0%) with ERbeta, and TSH cells (IM 19.2% vs. M 0.0%) and MSH cells (IM 25.6% vs. M 0.0%) with ERalpha + TRbeta. A high percentage of FSH cells in IM males expressed ERbeta (IM 46.9% vs. M 18.8%), and FSH cells in M males showed significantly high GR1 transcripts (IM 76.0 +/- 5.0 vs. M 195.0 +/- 10.7 copies per cell; P < 0.05), suggesting that FSH cells are regulated differently in the two reproductive stages. Coexpression of ERalpha + beta in high percentages of cells of the GH family (GH, IM 43.8% vs. M 14.3%; prolactin, IM 8.3% vs. M 59.7%; somatolactin, IM 22.2% vs. M 42.2%) suggests that the expression of both ERs is important for functionality. Thus, differential coexpression of genes for nuclear receptors in subpopulations of pituitary cell types suggests multiple steroid/thyroid hormone regulatory pathways at the level of the pituitary during the two reproductive stages.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cichlids/genetics*
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