General and comparative endocrinology最新文献

{"title":"Identification and functional characterisation of the relaxin-like gonad-stimulating peptide receptor in sea cucumbers","authors":"Paul A. Wright,&nbsp;Ross A.D. Bathgate,&nbsp;Masatoshi Mita,&nbsp;Abigail Elizur,&nbsp;Scott F. Cummins","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2026.114987","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2026.114987","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Relaxin-like gonad-stimulating peptide (RGP) regulates final gamete maturation and spawning in starfish through a specific gonadal receptor, the RGP receptor (RGPR). Homologous RGPs have since been identified in sea cucumbers and shown to induce spawning, supporting a conserved reproductive role across echinoderms. However, the molecular basis of RGP-RGPR signalling in sea cucumbers remained unknown, as the sea cucumber RGPR had not previously been identified. Therefore, we systematically searched for G protein-coupled receptors similar to starfish RGPRs using comparative sequence analysis and identified candidate RGPRs in five sea cucumber species: <em>Holothuria leucospilota</em>, <em>Holothuria glaberrima</em>, <em>Holothuria scabra</em>, <em>Apostichopus japonicus</em>, and <em>Isostichopus badionotus</em>. Receptor sequences from <em>Holothuria</em> species shared 77 to 85% identity, while similarity to <em>Apostichopus</em> and <em>Isostichopus</em> sequences was lower, at about 60%. Structural modelling revealed the expected features of relaxin family peptide receptors, including seven transmembrane helices, a large extracellular domain with multiple leucine-rich repeats, and an N-terminal LDLa module. Functional cell-based assays demonstrated that the candidate <em>H. scabra</em> RGPR responded specifically and dose-dependently to recombinant <em>H. scabra</em> RGP, but not to human H2 relaxin, providing the first functional evidence of an RGP receptor in a sea cucumber. An RGPR homologue was detected in the <em>H. leucospilota</em> ovary across all reproductive stages, although expression did not differ significantly among stages. Together, these findings support the conservation of relaxin-like reproductive signalling in echinoderms, while direct functional characterisation of the <em>H. leucospilota</em> RGP-RGPR pair remains necessary.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"383 ","pages":"Article 114987"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148619657","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transcriptomic analyses of limbic structures across photoperiodic phenotypes in the Siberian hamster and Japanese quail brains","authors":"Timothy A. Liddle,&nbsp;Calum Stewart,&nbsp;Jonathan H. Pérez,&nbsp;Simone L. Meddle,&nbsp;Tyler J. Stevenson","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2026.115000","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2026.115000","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Seasonal morphological brain plasticity plays a key role in driving adaptive behavioural responses. Structural changes in the brain including the hippocampus and amygdala (nucleus taeniae in birds), across photoperiods are thought to underlie seasonal shifts in emotional state. For humans, this includes manifestations of short photoperiod seasonal affective disorder (SAD). While morphological brain changes are well documented, the associated transcriptomic dynamics remain poorly understood. Here, we examined the transcriptomes of the hippocampus and amygdala or nucleus taeniae in two highly photoperiodic species, the Siberian hamster (<em>Phodopus sungorus</em>) and the Japanese quail (<em>Coturnix japonica</em>), to identify transcriptomic changes which could underpin seasonal shifts in emotional state. Hamsters and quail exhibited robust physiological changes between long and short photoperiod treatment. Under short photoperiod, hamsters displayed anxiety-like behaviour (increased grooming) in the open field test. Transcriptomic analysis of the amygdala in hamsters identified 76 significantly differentially expressed (DE) transcripts (including transthyretin, <em>TTR</em>) and prolactin receptor, <em>PRLR</em> as differentially expressed, but not significantly. In the quail nucleus taeniae, we found 54 DE transcripts (including tenascin-C, <em>TNC</em>). In the hamster hippocampus, 14 DE transcripts were found, including mahogunin ring finger-1 (<em>MGRN1</em>), and 31 in the quail hippocampus, including eyes absent-2 (<em>Eya2</em>). These findings provide novel insights into the transcriptomic mechanisms underpinning seasonal affective states and suggest potential conserved roles for prolactin and thyroid hormone signalling in mediating seasonal changes in physiology and affective behaviour, particularly in the Siberian hamster.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"384 ","pages":"Article 115000"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148791658","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Proteomic profiling of the aqueous extract from the antennal gland of the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei","authors":"Javier Alvarado-Mesén,&nbsp;Rodolfo Umaña-Castro,&nbsp;Julián Fernández,&nbsp;Bruno Lomonte,&nbsp;Carlos Álvarez,&nbsp;Jorge Alfaro-Montoya","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2026.115001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2026.115001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The antennal gland (AnG) of decapod crustaceans has been proposed as a potential source of bioactive molecules involved in chemical communication; however, its protein composition remains largely unexplored. Here, we present the first reference proteomic map of the aqueous extract from the antennal gland of the Pacific white shrimp <em>Litopenaeus vannamei</em>. Protein extracts from immature and mature females were analyzed using an integrated workflow combining one-dimensional SDS–PAGE, reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP–HPLC), and nanoLC–tandem mass spectrometry. Electrophoretic and chromatographic analyses revealed a high degree of qualitative similarity between reproductive stages. SDS–PAGE resolved six major protein bands (∼227, 166, 77, 42, 35, and 17 kDa), most comprising multiple co-migrating proteins as revealed by LC–MS/MS. Hemocyanin was identified as the predominant protein and was detected across several electrophoretic bands. Additional proteins were associated with innate immunity, including β-1,3-glucan-binding protein and coagulable hemolymph protein; reproductive processes, including vitellogenin, spermatogonial stem-cell renewal factor, farnesoic acid <em>O</em>-methyltransferase, estrogen sulfotransferase, and prostaglandin reductase 1; as well as energy metabolism, protein homeostasis, cytoskeletal organization, and intracellular trafficking. Because several identified proteins are widely distributed or known hemolymph components, their detection cannot be assumed to reflect AnG-specific expression or function. Collectively, these findings establish a molecular reference for the <em>L</em>. <em>vannamei</em> AnG and reveal protein components associated with multiple physiological processes. This dataset provides a proteomic framework for future comparative and functional studies aimed at elucidating antennal gland physiology and experimentally evaluating the potential involvement of proteinaceous or peptide-based molecules in chemical communication in decapod crustaceans.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"384 ","pages":"Article 115001"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148860381","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":"Medaka as a model for seasonal adaptation: molecular insights across multiple biological systems","authors":"Tomoya Nakayama,&nbsp;Takashi Yoshimura","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2026.114967","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2026.114967","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Animals in temperate zones have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to synchronize their physiology and behavior with the seasons. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these seasonal adaptations have long remained poorly understood. Here, we highlight medaka (<em>Oryzias latipes</em>) as a powerful vertebrate model for studying seasonal adaptation, owing to its robust and experimentally tractable seasonal responses. Recent studies using medaka have uncovered the molecular mechanisms underlying several of these phenomena, such as seasonal reproduction, seasonal changes in feeding behavior, seasonal changes in color perception, stress-related defensive behavior, winter depression-like behavior, gut-length plasticity, and photoperiod-dependent metabolic reprogramming. Furthermore, medaka has enabled the first molecular-level investigation of the circannual clock, providing evidence for a tissue remodeling-based mechanism that drives endogenous annual rhythms. Together, these findings establish medaka as an invaluable model organism for deciphering the molecular architecture of seasonal adaptation in vertebrates.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"383 ","pages":"Article 114967"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148382008","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Estrogen signaling counteracts androgen/Ar-mediated suppression of foxl2 expression and ovarian differentiation during sexual fate determination in zebrafish","authors":"Jinli Xu,&nbsp;Xuehui Li,&nbsp;Qiyong Lou,&nbsp;Xia Jin,&nbsp;Jiangyan He,&nbsp;Gang Zhai,&nbsp;Yonglin Ruan,&nbsp;Zhan Yin","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2026.114977","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2026.114977","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In teleosts, gonadal differentiation is a complex and precisely controlled process that requires a proper balance of androgen and estrogen signaling activities. However, the interaction between these steroid signals remains unclear, particularly during the critical stage that determines the sexual fate of the bipotential gonad in zebrafish. In the present study, we investigated the expression of <em>cyp19a1a</em> and <em>foxl2</em>, the amount of primordial germ cells (PGCs), and the status of ovarian differentiation, in response to 17β-estradiol (E2) and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) using the <em>Tg</em>(<em>piwil1</em>:EGFP-<em>nanos3</em>’UTR) zebrafish line. The expression of <em>cyp19a1a</em>, <em>foxl2a</em>, <em>foxl2b</em> and <em>foxl2l</em> was significantly higher in the PGC-rich group reared in control medium (CM) at 23 days post-fertilization (dpf) than in the PGC-less group. Treatment with E2 promoted ovarian differentiation in 83% of individuals and increased <em>foxl2</em> expression. Conversely, 11-KT treatment caused testis-biased differentiation in 86% of individuals and decreased <em>foxl2</em> and <em>cyp19a1a</em> expression at the same stage. Significant differences were observed when the number of PGCs labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP) in E2- and 11-KT-treated fish were compared. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of 11-KT on the expression of <em>foxl2</em> and ovarian differentiation, which was Androgen receptor (Ar)-dependent, could be completely counteracted in wild-type (WT) fish when E2 was co-administered. In summary, our results showed that estrogen signaling is sufficient to counteract the effect of androgen/Ar signaling on upregulating <em>foxl2</em> expression and promoting ovarian development and differentiation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"383 ","pages":"Article 114977"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148396276","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Conservation and plasticity in avian prepro-GnRH-I reflect a modular evolutionary architecture","authors":"María Eugenia Cervantes-Valencia,&nbsp;Teresa I. Fortoul,&nbsp;Adriana Elizabeth González-Villalva,&nbsp;Marcela Rojas-Lemus,&nbsp;Nelly López-Valdez,&nbsp;Fernando Chávez-Maya","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2026.114998","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2026.114998","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Gonadotropin-releasing hormone type I (GnRH-I) is produced from the GNRH1-encoded prepro-GnRH-I precursor, which comprises a signal peptide (SP), the GnRH-I decapeptide, the Gly-Lys-Arg (GKR) processing motif, and the GnRH-associated peptide (GAP). Here, we evaluated conservation and plasticity across avian prepro-GnRH-I using 61 mRNA sequences representing 32 avian orders through multiple alignment, site-specific conservation, locus-based phylogenetic inference, hydropathy profiling, secondary- and tertiary-structure prediction, and phosphorylation-site prediction. Comparisons were performed against a study-specific avian consensus sequence generated from the analyzed alignment. The GnRH-I decapeptide and GKR motif were highly conserved, whereas sequence variability was concentrated mainly in SP and GAP. Nucleotide identity relative to the consensus varied among orders, with higher similarity in Accipitriformes and Cariamiformes, lower similarity in Passeriformes, and intermediate values in Anseriformes and Galliformes. Rare predicted amino acid substitutions were detected within the decapeptide. Hydropathy analysis supported a modular secretory architecture, with a hydrophobic SP and predominantly hydrophilic GnRH-I, GKR, and GAP regions. Secondary-structure prediction indicated substantial α-helical content in SP and GAP, whereas GnRH-I was predicted to adopt a predominantly coil-like/flexible conformation. Homology modeling positioned GAP within a helix–loop–helix-like organization, and predicted phosphorylation sites were concentrated mainly in GAP. These computational findings support a modular evolutionary framework for avian prepro-GnRH-I and identify GAP as a structurally coherent, evolutionarily plastic candidate module requiring experimental validation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"384 ","pages":"Article 114998"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148779309","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hormonal induction of ovulation in the common eastern froglet","authors":"Zara M. Anastas,&nbsp;Phillip G. Byrne,&nbsp;Aimee J. Silla","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2026.114999","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2026.114999","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hormone therapies to induce gamete-release are fundamental to the application of reproductive technologies. These technologies can provide far-reaching benefits to biodiversity conservation by improving reproductive outcomes and affording conservation practitioners greater control of the genetic management of threatened species. As a highly threatened vertebrate class, amphibians stand to benefit considerably from the application of reproductive technologies, including hormone therapies, gamete storage, and assisted fertilisations. To date, research attention has focussed on developing hormone therapies to induce spermiation in males, with research aiming to develop protocols to induce ovulation in females receiving relatively less attention. The aim of the present study was to quantify the effect of either no-priming, or a single gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) priming dose, on the hormonal induction of ovulation in the common eastern froglet, <em>Crinia signifera</em>. Females in the 'No-prime' treatment were administered an ovulatory dose (2 μg/g bw GnRHa) without prior priming, while the 'Prime' treatment received an ovulatory dose (2 μg/g bw GnRHa) preceded by a priming dose (0.4 μg/g bw GnRHa) administered 24 h earlier. Ovulation responses were then quantified (oocyte yield, clutch mass, oocyte mass, yolk volume, and intra-clutch variation in yolk volume) at 12 h and 14 h after the ovulatory dose was administered. During the first stripping attempt, ovulation responses were significantly higher in the Prime treatment, with 86% of females releasing oocytes compared to 0% of females that received an ovulatory dose without priming. After the second stripping attempt the percentage of females to release oocytes increased to 57% in the No-prime treatment and 100% in the Prime treatment. Additionally, females in the Prime treatment released clutches of significantly higher mass and oocyte yield compared to the No-prime treatment. Overall, we describe successful protocols for the hormonal induction of ovulation in <em>C. signifera</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"384 ","pages":"Article 114999"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148791683","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comprehensive identification and analysis of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins family in turbot, Scophthalmus maximus","authors":"Yujie Yu,&nbsp;Jiarong Zhang,&nbsp;Feixia Li,&nbsp;Yudong Jia","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2026.114997","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2026.114997","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) regulate IGFs and thereby influence diverse physiological processes. In this study, degenerate primers were designed for turbot (<em>Scophthalmus maximus</em>) based on conserved IGFBP sequences. Combined with rapid amplification of cDNA end-polymerase chain reaction (RACE-PCR), the full-length cDNA sequences of turbot IGFBP family members were successfully cloned and obtained. Results showed that the full-length cDNA of 11 IGFBPs subtypes (IGFBP1a/1b, IGFBP2a/2b, IGFBP3a/3b, IGFBP4, IGFBP5a/5b and IGFBP6a/6b) cDNA were 1060 to1802 bp long and encoded a protein composed of 189–336 amino acids, respectively. Turbot IGFBPs contain two conserved motifs (GCGCCXXC) in the IGFBP domain and a thyroglobulin type-1 domain (CWCV), and retain multiple key conserved cysteine residues. They share high homology with those of other teleosts and Atlantic halibut (<em>Hippoglossus hippoglossus</em>). Moreover, molecular docking predicted IGFBP3a/3b have universally high IGF affinity, IGFBP4 bind IGF3 most strongly, and other subtypes show predicted distinct ligand preferences. The isoforms of turbot <em>igfbps</em> were detected across all examined tissues and exhibited considerable sex differences. In female, the mRNAs levels of <em>igfbp3a</em> and <em>igfbp2b</em> in the heart and liver were significantly higher than those of other IGFBP isoforms in other tissues. In male, the expression of <em>igfbp2b</em> was similar to that in females, whereas <em>igfbp3a</em> was abound in the gill, testis, and stomach. These findings provided a foundation for the further functional characterizations of turbot IGFBPs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"384 ","pages":"Article 114997"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148808443","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":"Development of a time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay for salmonid insulin-like growth factor-2","authors":"Ayaka Izutsu,&nbsp;Shuntaro Suzuki,&nbsp;Haruka Kitade,&nbsp;Munetaka Shimizu","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2026.114976","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2026.114976","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In mammals, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and IGF-2 regulate postnatal growth and embryonic development, respectively. In fish, as in mammals, IGF-1 promotes somatic growth, whereas evidence suggests the possible involvement of IGF-2 in the regulation of somatic growth. However, the measurement of circulating IGF-2 in fish has been hampered, possibly because of interference from IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs). Extraction of IGFs from IGFBPs is essential before measuring them using immunoassays. We optimized acid-ethanol (AE) extraction method for salmonid IGF-2 and developed a time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TR-FIA) using recombinant IGF-2 as the assay component. In TR-FIA, the standard AE-extraction of IGF-1 was not validated for quantifying serum IGF-2 because of the presence of ethanol. Three treatments–vacuum drying, dialysis, and ultrafiltration–were compared after AE extraction, and ultrafiltration by centrifugation was found to be effective. With this extraction method, circulating IGF-2 levels were measured by TR-FIA in fed, fasted, and refed rainbow trout. Serum IGF-2 levels were similar or slightly lower in fed fish than in fasted fish, and refeeding had no positive effect. Serum IGF-2 levels were not correlated with individual growth rates. GH treatment tended to increase circulating IGF-2 levels albeit not statistically significant. Smolting masu salmon had similar but slightly lower serum IGF-2 levels than non-smolting fish, while exhibiting high serum IGF-1 levels. These results suggest that circulating IGF-2 levels were relatively stable. This newly developed assay should facilitate further exploration of the physiological responses and roles of circulating IGF-2 in salmonids.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"383 ","pages":"Article 114976"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148387546","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":"Alternative transcription of the mouse Gh gene identifies an immune-associated transcript with species-specific structural divergence","authors":"Ai Fukushima,&nbsp;Yu Takeuchi,&nbsp;Hibiki Fukuchi,&nbsp;Sakura Egoshi,&nbsp;Hirotaka Sakamoto,&nbsp;Sayaka Aizawa,&nbsp;Sakae Takeuchi","doi":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2026.114996","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ygcen.2026.114996","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Growth hormone (GH) in mice is primarily expressed in the anterior pituitary, although <em>Gh</em> expression has been reported in extrapituitary tissues, including immune organs. However, the structure of immune-associated <em>Gh</em> transcripts remains poorly characterized. To determine whether splenic <em>Gh</em> transcripts differ from pituitary <em>Gh</em> mRNA, 5′- and 3′-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) analyses were performed. While 3′ RACE showed a shared polyadenylation site, 5′ RACE identified a novel exon located approximately 2 kb upstream of the conventional exon 1, generating a transcript (spl-<em>Gh</em> mRNA) with a distinct first exon but shared downstream exons with pituitary <em>Gh</em> mRNA (pit-<em>Gh</em> mRNA). RT-PCR analysis revealed that spl-<em>Gh</em> mRNA is predominantly expressed in immune tissues such as spleen and bone marrow, and its distribution did not correlate with <em>Pit-1</em> mRNA expression. Quantitative RT-PCR further demonstrated that spl-<em>Gh</em> mRNA was expressed at levels comparable to those of pit-<em>Gh</em> mRNA in the mouse spleen, indicating that spl-<em>Gh</em> is one of the major <em>Gh</em> transcript forms in this tissue. Sequence analysis indicated that spl-<em>Gh</em> mRNA is predicted to retain coding potential for a GH protein. Comparative genomic analyses further demonstrated that genomic features associated with the spl-<em>Gh</em> transcriptional unit are conserved only in a subset of closely related <em>Mus</em> species. In contrast, although a spl-<em>Gh</em>–related transcript was detected in rat spleen, no properly spliced mouse-like transcript was identified under the present experimental conditions. The detected transcript exhibited intron retention and an in-frame stop codon, suggesting that it is unlikely to produce a functional GH protein. These findings identify a distinct immune-associated <em>Gh</em> transcript generated through alternative transcription of the mouse <em>Gh</em> gene and suggest that immune-associated <em>Gh</em> transcriptional mechanisms have undergone species-specific divergence among rodents. Together, these findings reveal previously unrecognized complexity in <em>Gh</em> gene regulation and highlight species-specific differences in immune-associated <em>Gh</em> transcripts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12582,"journal":{"name":"General and comparative endocrinology","volume":"384 ","pages":"Article 114996"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148677393","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}