Retinoid level dynamics during gonad recycling in the limpet Patella vulgata

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2016

Authors

Gesto, M (Author) Other; Ruivo, R (Author) Other; Pascoa, I (Author) Other; Andre, A (Author) Other; Filipe F C Castro (Author) FCUP; Santos, MM (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: General and Comparative Endocrinology

Vol. 225

Pages: 142-148

ISSN: 0016-6480

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 9 Citations

Scopus - 10 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00J-Z5N

DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2015.10.017

Abstract (EN): Germ cell commitment and meiosis initiation are among the multitude of physiological roles of retinoic acid (RA) in vertebrates. Acting via receptor-mediated transcription, RA induces the expression of meiotic factors, triggering meiosis. Contrasting with vertebrates, invertebrate RA metabolism is scarcely understood. Still, some physiological processes appear to be conserved. Here we set to evaluate the role of retinoids in the gonad maturation process of the marine gastropod Patella vulgata. We found that retinoid concentration in gonadal tissue, namely RA, varies between breeding and resting specimens, with maxima attained in the latter. Additionally, we isolated and quantified the expression of both the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and the retinoid X receptor (RXR) in gonads. In view of the stability of retinoid receptor expression, we suggest that the balance of RA levels operates through the enzymatic control of synthetic and catabolic processes. Overall, the reported data are supportive for a developmental role of RA during gonadal maturation in P. vulgata, which should be addressed in other protostome lineages.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7