General and comparative endocrinology最新文献

{"title":"Putative genes coding for pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide and immunohistochemical localization of their mature peptides in the brain-pituitary axis of the inshore hagfish Eptatretus burgeri.","authors":"Masafumi Amano, Shima Furuya, Naoyuki Yamamoto, Yoko Yamaguchi, Toshio Sekiguchi, Tomohiro Osugi","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114817","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114817","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hagfish and lampreys, which are both members of the class Agnatha, are widely considered to represent one of the most basal evolutionary lineages of vertebrates. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) are both members of the secretin/PACAP family. We searched the Ensembl database for putative PACAP and GHRH sequences in the inshore hagfish, Eptatretus burgeri. We identified three putative GHRH/PACAP precursors (hagfish-1/2/3) whose expression in various tissues, including the brain, was confirmed using RNA sequencing. The hagfish-1 precursor encodes both GHRH/PRP (PACAP-related peptide) and PACAP, whereas the hagfish-2 and -3 precursors encod only PACAP. Of the three putative hagfish PACAPs, PACAP-2, encoded by hagfish-2, showed relatively high identity (77.8%) and similarity (85.2%) with PACAP from other species. In contrast, hagfish GHRH/PRP encoded by hagfish-1 showed low identity (27.3%) and similarity (50.3%) with other GHRHs, and low identity (26.7%) and similarity (46.7%) with other PRPs. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the hagfish-2 sequence clustered within the same clade as lamprey PACAP. PACAP-like-immunoreactive (ir) cell bodies and dense punctate fibers have been detected in several brain regions, including the preoptic area, infundibular nucleus of the hypothalamus, midbrain tegmentum, and medulla oblongata. In the pituitary gland, PACAP-like-ir fibers were observed in the dorsal wall of the neurohypophysis. GHRH/PRP immunoreactivity was also observed in the medulla oblongata. The present study demonstrated that PACAP-like- and GHRH/PRP-like peptides are expressed in the brain of the inshore hagfish E. burgeri.</p>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":" ","pages":"114817"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145069443","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ad4bp/sf-1 regulates cyp11b1 and cyp17a1 in the Asian catfish, Clarias batrachus","authors":"Sonika Kar,&nbsp;Balasubramanian Senthilkumaran","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114818","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114818","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Testicular function in fish is mediated by steroids, with cytochrome P450 11B1, mitochondrial, or 11β-hydroxylase, encoded by <em>cyp11b1</em>, and cytochrome P450 17A1, or 17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase, encoded by <em>cyp17a1</em>, being key steroidogenic enzymes. However, the regulation of <em>cyp11b1</em> and <em>cyp17a1</em> has not yet been studied in fish. To address this, the 5′ upstream regions of <em>cyp11b1</em> and <em>cyp17a1</em> from catfish, <em>Clarias batrachus</em>, were cloned and sequenced. Predicted putative transcription factor binding sites included Ad4bp/sf-1, Foxp1, Pax1, Pax2, Gata1, and Oct1 in both promoter fragments. Luciferase reporter assays in TM3 mouse Leydig cells, with and without human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) induction, showed significant promoter activity in constructs containing <em>ad4bp/sf-1</em> and <em>foxp1</em>, but not with the other transcription factors. Site-directed mutagenesis and chromatin immunoprecipitation further confirmed the binding of Ad4bp/sf-1 to the promoters of both <em>cyp11b1</em> and <em>cyp17a1</em>, while Foxp1 binding was observed only in the <em>cyp11b1</em> promoter. Immunolocalization of Ad4bp/sf-1 revealed its presence in interstitial/Leydig cells and also in the testicular lumen. The expression of <em>ad4bp/sf-1</em> increased after hCG induction <em>in vivo</em> and following 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT)/methyl testosterone stimulation <em>in vitro</em>, indicating gonadotropin- and androgen-dependent regulation. Additionally, transient gene silencing of <em>ad4bp/sf1</em> using small interfering RNA (siRNA) decreased the expression of <em>cyp11b1</em>, <em>cyp17a1</em>, and <em>foxp1</em>, suggesting co-regulation. Finally, decreased serum testosterone and 11-KT levels upon <em>ad4bp/sf-1</em> siRNA silencing further support its role in regulating male steroidogenesis in males.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"373 ","pages":"Article 114818"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145063706","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genotype for hypocretin receptor (hcrtr2) affects appetite in zebrafish","authors":"Nathan Lewandowski,&nbsp;Miranda Brainard,&nbsp;Chelsea Kalb,&nbsp;Ashley Wong,&nbsp;Qin Liu,&nbsp;Richard Londraville","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114808","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114808","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We investigated the role of hypocretin receptor in signaling appetite in zebrafish (<em>Danio rerio</em>). Hypocretin is a small neuropeptide known for its effects on circadian rhythm and appetite. Wild-type and heterozygous hu2098 (knockout for <em>hcrtr2</em>) zebrafish were raised to adulthood (3–4 months post fertilization) and genotyped. Feeding rate was measured directly using a novel technique that analyzed images of fish feeding continuously on brine shrimp, in which all individual brine shrimp were identified in a tank with a feeding fish. Fish were food restricted for 19–29 h before a feeding session, and feeding rate was determined by the regression of brine shrimp consumed/min over an eight-minute feeding period. Utilizing a mixed-effects ANCOVA model and accounting for mass as a covariate, heterozygous fish (<span><math><mrow><msup><mrow><mi>h</mi><mi>c</mi><mi>r</mi><mi>t</mi><mi>r</mi><mn>2</mn></mrow><mo>+</mo></msup><mo>/</mo><msup><mrow><mi>h</mi><mi>c</mi><mi>r</mi><mi>t</mi><mi>r</mi><mn>2</mn></mrow><mo>-</mo></msup></mrow></math></span>) ate brine shrimp at a significantly faster rate (mean 23.4 ± 12.6 shrimp/min, n = 12) than wildtype fish (<span><math><mrow><msup><mrow><mi>h</mi><mi>c</mi><mi>r</mi><mi>t</mi><mi>r</mi><mn>2</mn></mrow><mo>+</mo></msup><mo>/</mo><msup><mrow><mi>h</mi><mi>c</mi><mi>r</mi><mi>t</mi><mi>r</mi><mn>2</mn></mrow><mo>+</mo></msup></mrow></math></span>) (20.5 ± 13.8 shrimp/min, p = 0.033, n = 11). These results support a role for <em>hcrtr2</em> in appetite regulation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"373 ","pages":"Article 114808"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145000382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The role of the Steroidogenesis-Associated gene cyp11a in regulating gonadal development in Hyriopsis cumingii.","authors":"Liusiqiao Tang, Zongyu Liu, Mulian Cao, Yingrui Mao, Guiling Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114789","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114789","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Cyp11a gene is essential for steroid hormone synthesis, which is closely associated with gonadal development. To explore the role of Cyp11a in the gonadal development of Hyriopsis cumingii, we cloned the 2951 bp H. cumingii Cyp11a gene (Hccyp11a), which includes a 2376 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding 791 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that HcCYP11A is closely related to other molluskan homologs. Tissue distribution analysis showed that Hccyp11a was predominantly expressed in the gonad, with significantly higher expression in the ovary compared to the testis (p < 0.01). In juveniles, Hccyp11a expression peaked at 5 months of age. In the gonads of 12-, 24-, and 36-month-old individuals, Hccyp11a consistently exhibited higher expression in females. During ovarian development, Hccyp11a expression was highest at the ovulation stage. In situ hybridization localized Hccyp11a mRNA to the follicular wall and oocytes. RNA interference of female Hccyp11a significantly reduced the expression of Hsd3b and Srd5a1 genes, estradiol (E2) and methyltestosterone (MT) levels. Female H. cumingii were exposed to low (40 ng/L) and high (200 ng/L) concentrations of 17α-methyltestosterone (17α-MT) and 17β-estradiol (17β-E2) for 24 d. Low concentrations of 17α-MT and high concentrations of both 17α-MT and 17β-E2 significantly increased (p < 0.05) Hccyp11a expression. These findings suggest that Hccyp11a is involved in sex hormone synthesis and may regulate gonadal development in H. cumingii through its effects on steroidogenic gene expression and hormone levels.</p>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":" ","pages":"114789"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144764811","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chlorpyrifos and neuroendocrine function: Concerns for research with free-living mammal populations","authors":"Kelly M. Mitzel,&nbsp;Angela R. Freeman","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114807","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114807","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate pesticide widely used in many countries to control insect pests. This pesticide causes neurotoxic effects in target species through cholinergic toxicity, but also has several secondary effects on neural substrates. Chlorpyrifos can modulate several neurotransmitters, including the nonapeptides oxytocin and vasopressin which are well-known for their modulation of social behavior and reproduction. Scientists have championed the need for the use of non-traditional models to understand the underpinnings of these nonapeptides in the evolution of social behavior. However, exposure to pesticides like chlorpyrifos can alter the organization of vasopressin and oxytocin circuits during neurodevelopment, which then leads to changes in adult behavior. In this review, we explore the research that connects chlorpyrifos and the nonapeptides, emphasizing the potential impacts of this pesticide on behavioral neuroendocrinology using these non-traditional models.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"373 ","pages":"Article 114807"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144950671","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"No Breakfast? physiological effects of morning food deprivation in spotted munia (Lonchura punctulata)","authors":"Vibha Yadav,&nbsp;Jyoti Tiwari,&nbsp;Shalie Malik,&nbsp;Aakansha Sharma","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114806","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114806","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Food is essential for an organism to meet its daily energy requirements. For this reason, animals show a highly motivated behaviour towards the acquisition of food. Food availability, however, is fairly irregular in nature as it is influenced by a number of environmental and ecological factors. Hence, food availability is a key factor in shaping the life history of an organism. In the present study, we tested the effects of timed food restriction on behaviour, physiology and hormone levels in Spotted Munia (<em>Lonchura punctulata</em>) subjected to a food availability for only four hours in the evening (Food restriction- FR). We also measured the indicators of stress to assess how birds responded to the restricted feeding schedule. The birds showed a significant change in their daily activity rest pattern where FR birds showed minimum movement during the time window when food was made available to them. Further, after two weeks, we found a lower body weight, plasma T3 and cort levels in FR birds, as compared to <em>ad libitum</em> controls. While the Heterophil/Lymphocyte ratio was higher, we observed a lower spleen weight and size in FR birds. These findings suggest that a predictable food scarcity led to behavioural and physiological adjustments in munia(s) reflective of an adaptive energy reallocation during food restriction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"373 ","pages":"Article 114806"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144908952","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genetic ablation of Pth4 disrupts calcium-phosphate balance, bone development, and kidney transcriptome in teleosts","authors":"Luis Méndez-Martínez ,&nbsp;Paula Suarez-Bregua ,&nbsp;Laura Guerrero-Peña ,&nbsp;Elisa Barreiro-Docío ,&nbsp;Carolina Costas-Prado ,&nbsp;Antonio Cobelo-García ,&nbsp;Josep Rotllant","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114805","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114805","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Parathyroid hormone 4 (Pth4) is an evolutionarily conserved member of the PTH family, expressed in hypothalamic neurons and lost in eutherian mammals. In order to elucidate its role in mineral homeostasis and skeletal development, a <em>pth4</em> knockout (<em>pth4^KO</em>) zebrafish line was generated using CRISPR/Cas9 and transcriptomic profiling was conducted across six key tissues: brain, kidney, intestine, gills, scales, and bone. The results obtained demonstrated that the loss of Pth4 led to pronounced disturbances in calcium and phosphate homeostasis, skeletal deformities, and widespread tissue-specific transcriptional alterations. Notably, dysregulation of mineral regulatory genes—such as<!--> <em>fgf23,<!--> <!-->phex</em>, and<!--> <em>slc34a1a</em> was particularly evident in the kidney, suggesting disruption of the FGF23-Klotho axis. In parallel, differential expression of extracellular matrix genes (<em>col1a1a,<!--> <!-->col10a1a,<!--> <!-->col11a1</em>) and matrix remodeling enzymes (<em>mmp9,<!--> <!-->mmp13a,<!--> <!-->mmp2</em>) in bone and scales indicated impaired skeletal remodeling. Together, these findings highlight a pivotal role for Pth4 in the endocrine and local regulation of mineral metabolism and skeletal integrity, expanding our understanding of PTH family functions in vertebrate physiology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"373 ","pages":"Article 114805"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144904648","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"In vivo induction of crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster spp.) spawning using a synthetic relaxin-like gonad-stimulating peptide","authors":"Adam K. Hillberg ,&nbsp;Richard J. Harris ,&nbsp;Cherie A. Motti ,&nbsp;Abigail Elizur ,&nbsp;Hongkang Wu ,&nbsp;Mohammed Akhter Hossain ,&nbsp;Ross A.D. Bathgate ,&nbsp;Scott F. Cummins","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114804","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114804","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The corallivorous Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (COTS; <em>Acanthaster</em> cf. <em>solaris</em>) has become a major pest across the Indo-Pacific, primarily due to anthropogenic environmental factors that have increased populations beyond sustainable levels. These effects are costly to both the economy and ecology of coral reefs and require human intervention. A better understanding of endogenous reproductive factors could help establish more effective management strategies. Based on information regarding an endogenous spawn-inducing peptide in COTS, known as the relaxin-like gonad-stimulating peptide (RGP), a version of this peptide (called synthetic <em>Aso</em>-RGP; inspired by the sequence from <em>Acanthaster</em> cf. <em>solaris</em>) was chemically synthesized. In this study, we demonstrate that <em>in vivo</em> intra-coelomic injection of reproductively mature COTS with 1 µM synthetic <em>Aso</em>-RGP (100 µl) induced spawning of males and females at 20 ± 6.8 min and 32.3 ± 17.2 min post-injection, respectively. Typical spawning behaviours were also observed, including seeking high-ground, crowning/arching and upwards curling of arms prior to gamete release, leading to &gt;95 % fertilization rate. Subsequent testing of synthetic <em>Aso</em>-RGP at 1 µM on mature COTS ovarian fragments stimulated 100 % oocyte germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), similar to that observed for the positive 1-methyladenine (1 and 10 mM) control, confirming activation of the RGP cascade. Synthetic <em>Aso</em>-RGP was not, however, effective in inducing spawning or triggering GVBD outside of the reproductive season, demonstrating it is seasonally functional. Finally, we showed that synthetic <em>Aso</em>-RGP can also stimulate spawning in the COTS sibling species, <em>Acanthaster brevispinus</em>. In summary, this research has established the bioactivity of the synthetic <em>Aso</em>-RGP, which in turn, may prove critical for the development of a novel control approach to manipulate COTS spawning.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"373 ","pages":"Article 114804"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144931651","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Methimazole suppresses, and 3-iodothyronamine (T1AM) activates GPCRs, TRs and Na+/K+-ATPase subunit isoform expression in air-breathing fish hearts","authors":"P.U. Ushas ,&nbsp;M.C. Subhash Peter","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114802","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114802","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>3-iodothyronamine (T₁AM), an endogenous aminergic derivative of thyroid hormone (TH), exhibits cardioprotective effects in mammals. However, it is unclear whether T₁AM has similar effects in fish hearts to counteract hypothyroidism. We hypothesise that T₁AM may regulate the expression patterns of GPCR-associated neuroendocrine receptors, thyroid hormone receptors (TRs), and Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase (NKA) subunit isoform genes, and may exert protection against hypothyroidism. The effects of T₁AM on ion transporter activities in fish hearts under euthyroid conditions were first examined <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em> to ascertain its direct impact on euthyroid fish hearts. Subsequently, the effects of methimazole (MMI), an antithyroid drug, and T₁AM replacement in hypothyroid hearts of the air-breathing fish (<em>Anabas testudineus</em>) were studied. Dose-dependent effects of T₁AM on ion-dependent ATPase activities were observed both <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em> in euthyroid hearts. While MMI treatment increased NKA activity, T₁AM replacement decreased its activity in hypothyroid hearts. The downregulation of NKA subunit isoform expressions (<em>nkaα1a, nkaα1b, nkaα1c, atp1b1, atp1b2</em>) by MMI was reversed when T₁AM was added in hypothyroid hearts. Similarly, MMI suppressed and T₁AM activated the transcript of trace amine-associated receptors <em>taar1</em> and <em>taar8c</em>, as well as TR isoforms (<em>thra, thrab, thrb</em>) in the hypothyroid heart. MMI activated <em>adra2a</em> and suppressed <em>adrb2</em> expression, while T₁AM reversed these effects; however, both MMI and T₁AM downregulated <em>drd2</em> expression. These data indicate a novel targeted action of T₁AM on cardiac GPCRs, TR function, and NKA-mediated ion osmotic homeostasis in hypothyroid fish, suggesting potential cardioprotective effects of T₁AM against hypothyroidism.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"373 ","pages":"Article 114802"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144895385","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of mineralocorticoids on α-Na+/K+ ATPase expression and parasite morphology in T. crassiceps WFU cysticerci","authors":"Jesus Angel Aguirre-Pineda ,&nbsp;Ricardo Arturo Valdéz Perez ,&nbsp;Alfredo Pérez-Guiot ,&nbsp;Raúl J. Bobes ,&nbsp;Marta Catalina Romano","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114803","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2025.114803","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mineralocorticoids are corticosteroid hormones that, in vertebrates, regulate extracellular fluid volume and salt balance by modulating the expression and activity of Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase, the enzyme that generates and maintains Na⁺ and K⁺ gradients across plasma membranes. However, the function of mineralocorticoids in invertebrates has not been well studied. Cysticerci (larvae) of the parasite <em>Taenia crassiceps</em> WFU synthesize the corticosteroids 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC) and corticosterone <em>in vitro</em>. Here, we searched the genome and transcriptome of <em>T. crassiceps</em> for the presence of α-Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase sequences. We also studied the effects of corticosteroids on α-Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase expression and on the morphology of <em>T. crassiceps</em> WFU cysticerci <em>in vitro</em>. Cysticerci were obtained from the peritoneal cavity of previously infected female mice and cultured in the presence of corticosterone, DOC, spironolactone (a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist) or metyrapone (a corticosteroid synthesis inhibitor) at different concentrations and for different periods of time. ATPase expression was evaluated by Western blotting. Genome and transcriptome searches revealed two highly conserved α-Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase sequences in <em>T. crassiceps</em> WFU. DOC was found to increase α-Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase expression in a concentration-dependent manner. The incubation of parasites with spironolactone, but not with metyrapone, significantly decreased the expression of the enzyme. In addition, DOC increased parasite size, whereas spironolactone and metyrapone altered parasite shape and size, respectively. These results suggest a role for mineralocorticoids in salt–water regulation of <em>T. crassiceps</em> WFU. A deep understanding of these mechanisms could contribute to improving therapeutic strategies for cysticercosis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"373 ","pages":"Article 114803"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144912528","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}