Imposex development in Hexaplex trunculus (Gastropoda: Caenogastropoda) involves changes in the transcription levels of the retinoid X receptor (RXR)

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

Abidli, S (Author) Other; Filipe F C Castro (Author) FCUP; Lahbib, Y (Author) Other; reis-henriques, ma (Author) Other; El Menif, NT (Author) Other; Santos, MM (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Chemosphere

Vol. 93

Pages: 1161-1167

ISSN: 0045-6535

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 14 Citations

Scopus - 16 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-008-F9M

DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.06.054

Abstract (EN): In order to further demonstrate that TBT-induced imposex through RXR signaling is not species-specific, Hexaplex trunculus was selected as an experimental model species. We first isolated RXR in H. trunculus, and determined gene transcription through quantitative real-time PCR in key tissues (e.g., penis/penis-forming area and central nervous system:- CNS), upon exposure to tributyltin (TBT) (5 and 50 ng TBT L-1). Two months of exposure to TBT induced imposex and led to a significant increase in the severity of the phenomenon in females and an increase in male penis lengths. Exposure to TBT altered RXR gene transcription in a tissue and sex-specific manner. In the CNS, there were no significant changes in RXR gene transcription between control and TBT-exposed females. A similar trend was observed in male CNS. On the contrary, in the penis-forming area/penis of females exposed to TBT, a significant increase in RXR gene transcription was observed in the 50 ng TBT L-1 group. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between overall female penis lengths and RXR gene transcription. In males, although a trend towards an increase in RXR gene transcription in penis was observed, differences did not reach significance. Overall, the results of the present study give further support to a local role of RXR in the penis-forming area during the development of imposex by TBT, thus suggesting a conserved function of RXR in penis formation at least within prosobranch gastropods.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7