Retinoid X receptor gene expression and protein content in tissues of the rock shell Thais clavigera
Horiguchi, T.; Nishikawa, T.; Ohta, Y.; Shiraishi, H.; Morita, M. (2007). Retinoid X receptor gene expression and protein content in tissues of the rock shell Thais clavigera. Aquat. Toxicol. 84(3): 379-388. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aquatox.2007.06.019
In: Aquatic Toxicology. Elsevier Science: Tokyo; New York; London; Amsterdam. ISSN 0166-445X; e-ISSN 1879-1514, more
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| Keywords |
Animal products > Shells
Gene expression
Imposex
Rocks
Tributyltin
Reishia clavigera (Küster, 1860) [WoRMS]
INW, Japan, Honshu, Ibaraki Prefect. [Marine Regions]
Marine/Coastal |
| Author keywords |
imposex; tributyltin; triphenyltin; rock shell (Thais clavigera);retinoid X receptor (RXR); gene expression |
| Authors | | Top |
- Horiguchi, T.
- Nishikawa, T.
- Ohta, Y.
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| Abstract |
To elucidate the role of retinoid X receptor (RXR) in the development of imposex caused by organotin compounds in gastropod molluscs, we investigated RXR gene expression and RXR protein content in various tissues of male and female wild rock shells (Thais clavigera). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry with a commercial antibody against human RXR ? revealed that RXR gene expression was significantly higher in the penises of males and imposex-exhibiting females than in the penis-forming areas of normal females (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Western blotting demonstrated that the antibody could detect rock shell RXR and showed that the male penis had the highest content of RXR protein among the analyzed tissues of males and normal females. Immunohistochemical staining revealed nuclear localization of RXR protein in the epithelial and smooth muscle cells of the vas deferens and in the interstitial or connective tissues and epidermis of the penis in males and imposex-exhibiting females. RXR could be involved in the mechanism of induction of male-type genitalia (penis and vas deferens) by organotin compounds in female rock shells. |
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