Insulin and IGF-I receptors and tyrosine kinase activity in carp ovaries: changes with reproductive cycle

Implications on growth performance, glucose metabolism, PI3K/AKT pathway, intestinal flora induced by dietary taurine in a high-carbohydrate diet for grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

An 8-week experiment was performed to investigate the influence on growth performance, plasma biochemistry, glucose metabolism and the insulin pathway of supplementation of dietary taurine to a high-carbohydrate diet for grass carp. In this study, fish were fed diets at one of two carbohydrate levels, 31·49 % (positive control) or 38·61 % (T00). The high-carbohydrate basal diet (T00), without taurine, was supplemented with 0·05 % (T05), 0·10 % (T10), 0·15 % (T15) or 0·20 % (T20) taurine, resulting in six isonitrogenous (30·37 %) and isolipidic (2·37 %) experimental diets. The experimental results showed that optimal taurine level improved significantly weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), feed utilisation, reduced plasma total cholesterol levels, TAG and promoted insulin-like growth factor level. Glucokinase, pyruvate kinase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activities showed a quadratic function model with increasing dietary taurine level, while hexokinase, fatty acid synthetase activities exhibited a positive linear trend. Optimal taurine supplementation in high-carbohydrate diet upregulated insulin receptor (Ir), insulin receptor substrate (Irs1), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (pi3k), protein kinase B (akt1), glycogen synthase kinase 3 β (gs3kβ) mRNA level and downregulated insulin-like growth factor (igf-1), insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (igf-1R) and Fork head transcription factor 1 (foxo1) mRNA level. The above results suggested that optimal taurine level could improve growth performance, hepatic capacity for glycolipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity, thus enhancing the utilisation of carbohydrates in grass carp. Based on SGR, dietary optimal tributyrin taurine supplementation in grass carp was estimated to be 0·08 %.

Metabolic control of teleost reproduction by leptin and its complements: Understanding current insights from mammals

Reproduction is expensive. Hence, reproductive physiology is sensitive to an array of endogenous signals that provide information on metabolic and nutritional sufficiency. Although metabolic gating of reproductive function in mammals, as evidenced by studies demonstrating delayed puberty and perturbed fertility, has long been understood to be a function of energy sufficiency, an understanding of the endocrine regulators of this relationship have emerged only within recent decades. Peripheral signals including leptin and cortisol have long been implicated in the physiological integration of metabolism and reproduction. Recent studies have begun to explore possible roles for these two hormones in the regulation of reproduction in teleost fishes, as well as a role for leptin as a catabolic stress hormone. In this review, we briefly explore the reproductive actions of leptin and cortisol in mammals and teleost fishes and possible role of both hormones as putative modulators of the reproductive axis during stress events.

Somatotropic Axis Regulation Unravels the Differential Effects of Nutritional and Environmental Factors in Growth Performance of Marine Farmed Fishes

The Gh/Prl/Sl family has evolved differentially through evolution, resulting in varying relationships between the somatotropic axis and growth rates within and across fish species. This is due to a wide range of endogenous and exogenous factors that make this association variable throughout season and life cycle, and the present minireview aims to better define the nutritional and environmental regulation of the endocrine growth cascade over precisely defined groups of fishes, focusing on Mediterranean farmed fishes. As a result, circulating Gh and Igf-i are revitalized as reliable growth markers, with a close association with growth rates of gilthead sea bream juveniles with deficiency signs in both macro- or micro-nutrients. This, together with other regulated responses, promotes the use of Gh and Igf-i as key performance indicators of growth, aerobic scope, and nutritional condition in gilthead sea bream. Moreover, the sirtuin-energy sensors might modulate the growth-promoting action of somatotropic axis. In this scenario, transcripts of igf-i and gh receptors mirror changes in plasma Gh and Igf-i levels, with the ghr-i/ghr-ii expression ratio mostly unaltered over season. However, this ratio is nutritionally regulated, and enriched plant-based diets or diets with specific nutrient deficiencies downregulate hepatic ghr-i, decreasing the ghr-i/ghr-ii ratio. The same trend, due to a ghr-ii increase, is found in skeletal muscle, whereas impaired growth during overwintering is related to increase in the ghr-i/ghr-ii and igf-ii/igf-i ratios in liver and skeletal muscle, respectively. Overall, expression of insulin receptors and igf receptors is less regulated, though the expression quotient is especially high in the liver and muscle of sea bream. Nutritional and environmental regulation of the full Igf binding protein 1-6 repertoire remains to be understood. However, tissue-specific expression profiling highlights an enhanced and nutritionally regulated expression of the igfbp-1/-2/-4 clade in liver, whereas the igfbp-3/-5/-6 clade is overexpressed and regulated in skeletal muscle. The somatotropic axis is, therefore, highly informative of a wide-range of growth-disturbing and stressful stimuli, and multivariate analysis supports its use as a reliable toolset for the assessment of growth potentiality and nutrient deficiencies and requirements, especially in combination with selected panels of other nutritionally regulated metabolic biomarkers.

Membrane receptor cross talk in gonadotropin-, IGF-I-, and insulin-mediated steroidogenesis in fish ovary: An overview

Gonadal steroidogenesis is critical for survival and reproduction of all animals. The pathways that regulate gonadal steroidogenesis are therefore conserved among animals from the steroidogenic enzymes to the intracellular signaling molecules and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that mediate the activity of these enzymes. Regulation of fish ovarian steroidogenesis in vitro by gonadotropin (GtH) and GPCRs revealed interaction between adenylate cyclase and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases (CaMKs) and also MAP kinase pathway. Recent studies revealed another important pathway in GtH-induced fish ovarian steroidogenesis: cross talk between GPCRs and membrane receptor tyrosine kinases. Gonadotropin binding to Gαs-coupled membrane receptor in fish ovary leads to production of cAMP which in turn trans-activate the membrane-bound epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). This is followed by activation of ERK1/2 signaling that promotes steroid production. Interestingly, GtH-induced trans-activation of EGFR in the fish ovary uniquely requires matrix-metalloproteinase-mediated release of EGF. Inhibition of these proteases blocks GtH-induced steroidogenesis. Increased cAMP production in fish ovarian follicle upregulate follicular cyp19a1a mRNA expression and aromatase activity leading to increased biosynthesis of 17β-estradiol (E2). Evidence for involvement of SF-1 protein in inducing cyp19a1a mRNA and aromatase activity has also been demonstrated. In addition to GtH, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) and bovine insulin can alone induced steroidogenesis in fish ovary. In intact follicles and isolated theca cells, IGF-I and insulin had no effect on GtH-induced testosterone and 17a,hydroxysprogeaterone production. GtH-stimulated E2 and 17,20bdihydroxy-4-pregnane 3-one production in granulosa cells however, was significantly increased by IGF-I and insulin. Both IGF-I and insulin mediates their signaling via receptor tyrosine kinases leading to activation of PI3 kinase/Akt and MAP kinase. These kinase signals then activates steroidogenic enzymes which promotes steroid production. PI3 kinase, therefore considered to be an initial component of the signal transduction pathways which precedes MAP kinase in IGF-1 and insulininduced steroidogenesis in fish ovary. Thus, investigation on the mechanism of signal transduction regulating fish ovarian steroidogenesis have shown that multiple, apparently independent signal transduction pathways are needed to convey the message of single hormone or growth factor.

Expression of two insulin receptor subtypes, insra and insrb, in zebrafish (Danio rerio) ovary and involvement of insulin action in ovarian function

Present study reports differential expression of the two insulin receptor (IR) subtypes in zebrafish ovary at various stages of follicular growth and potential involvement of IR in insulin-induced oocyte maturation. The results showed that mRNA expression for IR subtypes, insra and insrb, exhibited higher levels in mid-vitellogenic (MV) and full-grown (FG) rather than pre-vitellogenic (PV) oocytes. Interestingly, compared to the levels in denuded oocytes, mRNAs for both insra and insrb were expressed at much higher level in the follicle layer harvested from FG oocytes. Immunoprecipitation using IRβ antibody could detect a protein band of desired size (∼95kDa) in FG oocyte lysates. Further, IRβ immunoreactivity was detected in ovarian tissue sections, especially at the follicle layer and oocyte membrane of MV and FG, but not PV stage oocytes. While hCG (10IU/ml) stimulation was without effect, priming with insulin (5μM) could promote oocyte maturation of MV oocytes in a manner sensitive to de novo protein and steroid biosynthesis. Compared to hCG, in insulin pre-incubated MV oocytes, stimulation with maturation inducing steroid (MIS), 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) elicited higher maturational response. Potential involvement of insulin-mediated action on acquisition of maturational competence and regulation of oocyte maturation was further manifested through up regulation of 20β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20β-hsd), MIS receptor (mPRα), insulin-like growth factor 3 (igf3) and IGF1 receptor (igf1rb), but not cyp19a expression in MV oocytes. Moreover, priming with anti-IRβ attenuated insulin action on meiotic G2-M1 transition indicating the specificity of insulin action and physiological relevance of IR in zebrafish ovary.

Regulation of recombinant human insulin-induced maturational events in Clarias batrachus (L.) oocytes in vitro

Regulation of insulin-mediated resumption of meiotic maturation in catfish oocytes was investigated. Insulin stimulation of post-vitellogenic oocytes promotes the synthesis of cyclin B, histone H1 kinase activation and a germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) response in a dose-dependent and duration-dependent manner. The PI3K inhibitor wortmannin abrogates recombinant human (rh)-insulin action on histone H1 kinase activation and meiotic G2–M1 transition in denuded and follicle-enclosed oocytes in vitro. While the translational inhibitor cycloheximide attenuates rh-insulin action, priming with transcriptional blocker actinomycin D prevents insulin-stimulated maturational response appreciably, albeit in low amounts. Compared with rh-insulin, human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) stimulation of follicle-enclosed oocytes in vitro triggers a sharp increase in 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17α,20β-DHP) secreted in the incubation medium at 12 h. Interestingly, the insulin, but not the hCG-induced, maturational response shows less susceptibility to steroidogenesis inhibitors, trilostane or dl-aminoglutethimide. In addition, priming with phosphodiesterase inhibitor, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) or cell-permeable dbcAMP or adenylyl cyclase activator forskolin reverses the action of insulin on meiotic G2–M1 transition. Conversely, the adenylyl cyclase inhibitor, SQ 22536, or PKA inhibitor H89 promotes the resumption of meiosis alone and further potentiates the GVBD response in the presence of rh-insulin. Furthermore, insulin-mediated meiotic maturation involves the down-regulation of endogenous protein kinase A (PKA) activity in a manner sensitive to PI3K activation, suggesting potential involvement of a cross-talk between cAMP/PKA and insulin-mediated signalling cascade in catfish oocytes in vitro. Taken together, these results suggest that rh-insulin regulation of the maturational response in C. batrachus oocytes involves down-regulation of PKA, synthesis of cyclin B, and histone H1 kinase activation and demonstrates reduced sensitivity to steroidogenesis and transcriptional inhibition.

Identification and expression analysis of 26 oncogenes of the receptor tyrosine kinase family in channel catfish after bacterial infection and hypoxic stress

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are high-affinity cell surface receptors for many polypeptide growth factors, cytokines and hormones. RTKs are not only key regulators of normal cellular processes, but are also involved in the progression of many types of tumors, and responses to various biotic and abiotic stresses. Catfish is a primary aquaculture species in the United States, while its industry is drastically hindered by several major diseases including enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC) that is caused by Edwardsiella ictaluri. Disease outbreaks are often accompanied by hypoxic stress, which affects the performance and survival of fish by reducing disease resistance. In this study, we identified 26 RTK oncogenes in the channel catfish genome, and determined their expression profiles after ESC infection and hypoxic stress. The 26 RTK genes were divided into four subfamilies according to phylogenetic analysis, including TIE (2 genes), ErbB (6 genes), EPH (14 genes), and INSR (4 genes). All identified RTKs possess a similar molecular architecture including ligand-binding domains, a single transmembrane helix and a cytoplasmic region, which suggests that these genes could play conserved biological roles. The expression analysis revealed that eight RTKs were significantly regulated after bacterial infection, with dramatic induction of insulin receptor genes including INSRb, IGF1Ra, and IGF1Rb. Upon hypoxic stress, EPHB3a, EGFR, ErbB4b, and IGF1Rb were expressed at higher levels in the tolerant catfish, while EPHA2a, EPHA2, TIE1 and INSRa were expressed at higher levels in the intolerant catfish. These results suggested the involvement of RTKs in immune responses and hypoxic tolerance.

Involvement of PI3 kinase and MAP kinase in IGF-I and insulin-induced ovarian steroidogenesis in common carp Cyprinus carpio

Previously, we observed that in vitro steroidogenesis in intact ovarian follicles of common carp Cyprinus carpio can alone be induced by recombinant human insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) and bovine insulin (b-insulin) and this induction was gonadotropin-independent. To investigate early signal transduction components involved in this process, the possible role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3 kinase) during ovarian steroidogenesis was examined. IGF-I and b-insulin induced testosterone and 17β-estradiol production in carp ovarian theca and granulosa cells in short-term coincubation and this induction was significantly inhibited by Wortmannin and LY294002, two mechanistically different specific inhibitors of PI3 kinase. IGF-I and b-insulin were shown to activate PI3 kinase from 30 min onwards with a maximum at 90 min. In this study, we found the involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) in the regulation of IGF-I- and b-insulin-induced steroidogenesis in carp ovary. An antagonist of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase1/2 (MEK1/2) markedly attenuated IGF-I- and b-insulin-induced steroid production. Cells treated with IGF-I and b-insulin stimulated ERK1/2-dependent phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated protein kinase1/2 (ERKs1/2) in a time-dependent manner, which was significantly attenuated in presence of MEK1/2 inhibitor. PI3 kinase inhibitors strongly attenuated phosphorylation and activation of MAP kinase, which was increased during IGF-I and b-insulin-induced steroidogenesis. Taken together, these results suggest that PI3 kinase is an initial component of the signal transduction pathway which precedes the MAP kinase during IGF-I- and b-insulin-induced steroidogenesis in C. carpio ovarian follicles.

New insights into the signaling system and function of insulin in fish

Fish have provided essential information about the structure, biosynthesis, evolution, and function of insulin (INS) as well as about the structure, evolution, and mechanism of action of insulin receptors (IR). INS, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, and IGF-2 share a common ancestor; INS and a single IGF occur in Agnathans, whereas INS and distinct IGF-1 and IGF-2s appear in Chondrichthyes. Some but not all teleost fish possess multiple INS genes, but it is not clear if they arose from a common gene duplication event or from multiple separate gene duplications. INS is produced by the endocrine pancreas of fish as well as by several other tissues, including brain, pituitary, gastrointestinal tract, and adipose tissue. INS regulates various aspects of feeding, growth, development, and intermediary metabolism in fish. The actions of INS are mediated through the insulin receptor (IR), a member of the receptor tyrosine kinase family. IRs are widely distributed in peripheral tissues of fish, and multiple IR subtypes that derive from distinct mRNAs have been described. The IRs of fish link to several cellular effector systems, including the ERK and IRS-PI3k-Akt pathways. The diverse effects of INS can be modulated by altering the production and release of INS as well as by adjusting the production/surface expression of IR. The diverse actions of INS in fish as well as the diverse nature of the neural, hormonal, and environmental factors known to affect the INS signaling system reflects the various life history patterns that have evolved to enable fish to occupy a wide range of aquatic habitats.

Regulation of ovarian steroidogenesis in vitro by IGF-I and insulin in common carp, Cyprinus carpio: stimulation of aromatase activity and P450arom gene expression

Regulation of ovarian steroidogenesis in vitro by recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and bovine insulin (b-insulin) was investigated in intact follicles and isolated follicular cells of carp, Cyprinus carpio at vitellogenic stage of oocyte maturation. In intact follicles, IGF-I and b-insulin stimulated testosterone and 17beta-estradiol production in vitro. In isolated theca cells, IGF-I and b-insulin stimulated testosterone production, whereas in granulosa cells, they stimulated 17beta-estradiol production when testosterone was added in the incubation medium as precursor substrate. In intact follicles and in theca cells, IGF-I and b-insulin had no effect on HCG-stimulated testosterone production. HCG-stimulated 17beta-estradiol production, however, was significantly increased by IGF-I and b-insulin. To clarify the mechanism of 17beta-estradiol production by the ovarian follicles during vitellogenic stage of carp, effects of IGF-I and b-insulin either alone or in combination with HCG on aromatase activity (conversion of testosterone to 17beta-estradiol) and cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom) gene expression were investigated in vitro. IGF-I and b-insulin alone stimulated aromatase activity and P450arom gene expression and significantly enhanced HCG-induced enzyme activity and P450arom gene expression. Our results thus indicate that IGF-I and b-insulin alone can stimulate testosterone and 17beta-estradiol production in vitellogenic follicles of C. carpio by stimulating aromatase activity and P450arom gene expression. Evidence also provided for the modulation of HCG-induced aromatase activity and P450arom gene expression by IGF-I and b-insulin in such follicles.

Control of puberty in farmed fish

Puberty comprises the transition from an immature juvenile to a mature adult state of the reproductive system, i.e. the individual becomes capable of reproducing sexually for the first time, which implies functional competence of the brain-pituitary-gonad (BPG) axis. Early puberty is a major problem in many farmed fish species due to negative effects on growth performance, flesh composition, external appearance, behaviour, health, welfare and survival, as well as possible genetic impact on wild populations. Late puberty can also be a problem for broodstock management in some species, while some species completely fail to enter puberty under farming conditions. Age and size at puberty varies between and within species and strains, and are modulated by genetic and environmental factors. Puberty onset is controlled by activation of the BPG axis, and a range of internal and external factors are hypothesised to stimulate and/or modulate this activation such as growth, adiposity, feed intake, photoperiod, temperature and social factors. For example, there is a positive correlation between rapid growth and early puberty in fish. Age at puberty can be controlled by selective breeding or control of photoperiod, feeding or temperature. Monosex stocks can exploit sex dimorphic growth patterns and sterility can be achieved by triploidisation. However, all these techniques have limitations under commercial farming conditions. Further knowledge is needed on both basic and applied aspects of puberty control to refine existing methods and to develop new methods that are efficient in terms of production and acceptable in terms of fish welfare and sustainability.

Growth hormone differentially regulates growth and growth-related gene expression in closely related fish species

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have become an important model organism for developmental biology and human health studies. We recently demonstrated differential growth patterns between the zebrafish and a close relative the giant danio (Danio aequipinnatus), where the giant danio appears to exhibit indeterminate growth similar to most fish species important for commercial production, while zebrafish exhibit determinate growth more similar to mammalian growth. This study focused on evaluating muscle growth regulation differences in adult zebrafish and giant danio utilizing growth hormone treatment as a mode of growth manipulation. Growth hormone treatment resulted in increased overall growth in giant danio, but failed to increase growth in the zebrafish. Growth hormone treatment increased muscle IGF-I and GHrI gene expression in both species, but to a larger degree in the giant danio. In contrast, zebrafish exhibited a larger increase in IrA and IGF-IrB gene expression in muscle in response to GH treatment. In addition muscle myostatin levels were differentially regulated between the two species, with a down-regulation observed in rapidly growing, GH-treated giant danio and an up-regulation in zebrafish not actively growing in response to GH. This is the first report of differential expression of growth-regulating genes in closely related fish species exhibiting opposing growth paradigms. These results further support the role that the zebrafish and giant danio can play important model organisms for determinate and indeterminate growth.

Direct actions of cortisol, thyroxine and growth hormone on IGF-I mRNA expression in sea bream hepatocytes

The present study aims to investigate potential regulatory effect of different growth-related hormones including growth hormone (GH), human insulin-like growth factor-I (hIGF-I), thyroxine (T(4)), triiodothyronine (T(3)) and cortisol, on insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) mRNA expression of hepatocytes isolated from silver sea bream. By using real-time PCR, IGF-I mRNA expression profiles of hepatocytes in response to individual hormones were determined in vitro. Hepatocytes incubated with GH at concentrations of 10-1000 ng/mL showed significantly higher IGF-I expression, but the elevation was attenuated at high concentration of GH (1000 ng/mL). IGF-I expression remained unchanged in hepatocytes after incubation with hIGF-I. Hepatocytes incubated with T(4) at concentration of 1000 ng/mL exhibited a significant elevation in IGF-I expression, whereas no difference in IGF-I expression was demonstrated in hepatocytes after incubation with T(3). Upon incubation with cortisol (1-1000 ng/mL), IGF-I expression was significantly decreased in hepatocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Our study demonstrated that GH, T(4), and cortisol had direct modulatory effects on IGF-I expression in fish hepatocytes in vitro.

Expression profiles of growth-related genes during the very early development of rainbow trout embryos reared at two incubation temperatures

Quantitative RT-PCR was used to determine the profiles of expression of 10 growth- or development-related genes in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) embryos prior to the formation of the somatotropic (ST) axis (pituitary somatotrops and liver); embryos were sampled immediately after fertilization and water-hardening (t(0)), 1-h post-fertilization, and 1-, 2-, 5-, 7-, 10- and 13-days post-fertilization (dpf); expression profiles were examined in embryos reared at two temperatures (6.0 and 8.5 degrees C), which had different developmental rates. Accumulation of mRNA encoding for GH1, GH2, IGF-1, IGF-2, two isoforms of GH receptors (GHR1, GHR2), two isoforms of IGF receptors (IGF-RIa, IGF-RIb) and two isoforms of thyroid receptor (TR), TRalpha and TRbeta, was measured. All of these genes were expressed in the t(0) samples, but the rates of expression of the different genes varied markedly. For most of the genes examined, the expression rates tended to fall within the first hour after fertilization, and remained at the lower level for between 2 and 7 days, after which there was a significant (P <0.05) and progressive increase in the number of accumulated copies of mRNA. This increase is probably associated with the commencement of embryonic genome transcription activity (EGTA), and it was generally, although not always, found later in embryos that were reared at 6.0 degrees C compared with the faster developing embryos reared at 8.5 degrees C. The study suggests that the EGTA begins between 2- and 5-dpf, with a staged increase in EGTA between 5- and 13-dpf.

In vitro effects of insulin-like growth factors and insulin on oocyte maturation and maturation-inducing steroid production in ovarian follicles of common carp, Cyprinus carpio

In vitro germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) in Cyprinus carpio oocytes was induced by recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-I and -II (IGF-I and IGF-II) and bovine insulin (b-insulin). Treatment of postvitellogenic ovarian follicles with IGF-I and b-insulin increased concentration of maturation-inducing hormone (MIH), 17alpha,20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnane-3-one (DHP) in the medium. IGF-I and IGF-II both and b-insulin induced GVBD in denuded oocytes. IGF-I analogue R3 IGF-I was more potent than IGF-I in inducing GVBD of postvitellogenic follicles suggesting that ovarian IGF binding proteins may inhibit IGF-I action. Vitellogenic follicles, which were immature for oocytes to complete GVBD in response to DHP or HCG, underwent GVBD by IGF-I, not by b-insulin. IGF-I was also able to stimulate DHP production in such follicles. Addition of DHP and HCG to the culture of vitellogenic follicles containing IGF-I or b-insulin did neither potentiate the stimulation of GVBD induced by IGF-I nor initiate the same in response to b-insulin. Incubation of postvitellogenic follicles with trilostane (3beta-HSD inhibitor) had no inhibitory effects on IGF-I- and b-insulin-induced GVBD but attenuated the same under HCG stimulation. Trilostane, however, strongly inhibited DHP production induced by all these effectors. Induction of GVBD by IGF-I and b-insulin was not altered in the presence of actinomycin D. However, it significantly blocked the HCG-induced GVBD. Cycloheximide was shown to inhibit the induction of GVBD and DHP production by IGF-I, b-insulin and HCG. Both actinomycin D and cycloheximide were found to inhibit DHP production stimulated by all the three effectors. Collectively, these observations indicate that IGF-I and b-insulin can induce GVBD via MIH- and transcription-independent pathway. Incubation of the follicles with gap junction uncouplers, 1-heptanol or 1-octanol, had no effect on IGF-I- and b-insulin-induced GVBD, but attenuated the same induced by HCG. These uncouplers, however, inhibited DHP production induced by IGF-I, b-insulin and HCG. This result suggests that both IGF-I and b-insulin can induce oocyte maturation without coupled gap junction between oocytes and granulosa cells, while homologous gap junctions are required for DHP production. Inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI-3 kinase), wortmannin and LY294002 inhibited GVBD by IGF-I and b-insulin. These two inhibitors also attenuated HCG-induced GVBD. These data suggest that PI-3 kinase activity is required for IGF-I, b-insulin and HCG induction of GVBD in C. carpio.

Insulin-like growth factor signaling in fish

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system plays a central role in the neuroendocrine regulation of growth in all vertebrates. Evidence from studies in a variety of vertebrate species suggest that this growth factor complex, composed of ligands, receptors, and high-affinity binding proteins, evolved early during vertebrate evolution. Among nonmammalian vertebrates, IGF signaling has been studied most extensively in fish, particularly teleosts of commercial importance. The unique life history characteristics associated with their primarily aquatic existence has fortuitously led to the identification of novel functions of the IGF system that are not evident from studies in mammals and other tetrapod vertebrates. Furthermore, the emergence of the zebrafish as a preferred model for development genetics has spawned progress in determining the requirements for IGF signaling during vertebrate embryonic development. This review is intended as a summary of our understanding of IGF signaling, as revealed through research into the expression, function, and evolution of IGF ligands, receptors, and binding proteins in fish.

Insulin-like growth factor-I induces oocyte maturational competence but not meiotic resumption in white bass (Morone chrysops) follicles in vitro: evidence for rapid evolution of insulin-like growth factor action

A combination of recombinant human (rh) insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) (25 nM) and the maturation-inducing hormone (MIH), 17,20beta,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (20beta-S; 72.5 nM), induced germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) in ovarian follicles of white bass incubated in vitro, whereas a four times greater concentration of each hormone was ineffective alone. These results indicate that IGF-I induces oocyte maturational competence (OMC) but not meiotic resumption in white bass. Culture medium concentrations of 20beta-S remained below detection limits for ovarian fragments incubated with rhIGF-I. Actinomycin D blocked GVBD in response to hCG but not to rhIGF-I plus 20beta-S, suggesting that IGF-I requires de novo translation but not transcription to induce OMC. Gap junction uncouplers, 1-octanol and 1-heptanol, and the phosphatidylinositiol 3-kinase (PI 3-K) inhibitors, wortmannin and LY 294002, attenuated hCG-, 20beta-S-, and rhIGF-I plus 20beta-S-induced GVBD. Although these inhibitors reduced hCG-induced progestin release, PI 3-K inhibitors did not alter MIH synthesis in some incubations and addition of 20beta-S to the incubations did not fully overcome the effects of either class of inhibitors, suggesting that decreasing MIH production is not their only inhibitory effect on gonadotropin (GtH) action. Our data suggest that gap junctions and PI 3-K activity are necessary for GtH and IGF-I to induce and maintain OMC in white bass. The induction of OMC but not meiotic resumption by IGF-I in white bass, compared with the induction of meiotic resumption but not OMC by IGF-I discovered in the congeneric striped bass suggests rapid evolution of the reproductive actions of IGF-I among temperate basses (genus Morone).

The effects of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) on tissue IGF-I, IGF-I receptor, and GH mRNA levels in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

Numerous studies demonstrated that rbST increased growth rates in several fish species, and several species exhibit GH production in tissues other than the pituitary. The role of tissue GH and IGF-I in regulating fish growth is poorly understood. Therefore an experiment was conducted to examine the effects of rbST treatment on tissue GH, IGF-I, and IGF-I receptor-A (rA) expression in rainbow trout. Rainbow trout (550 +/- 10 g) received either intra-peritoneal injections of rbST (120 microg/g body weight) or vehicle on days 0 and 21, and tissue samples were collected on days 0, 0.5, 1, 3, 7, and 28 (n = 6/day/trt). Total RNA was isolated and assayed for steady-state levels of IGF-I, IGF-IrA, and GH mRNA using quantitative RT-PCR. Insulin-like growth factor-I mRNA levels increased in liver, gill, gonad, muscle, brain, and intestine in response to rbST treatment (P < 0.10). Liver IGF-I mRNA increased (P < 0.01) 0.5 day after treatment and remained elevated throughout the trial. Intestine IGF-I mRNA increased (P < 0.05) in treated fish from day 1 to day 3, then decreased to day 7 and increased again at day 28, and remained elevated above control levels throughout the trial. Gill IGF-I mRNA levels increased (P < 0.05) 1 day after treatment and remained elevated throughout the trial. Heart IGF-IrA mRNA levels decreased (P < 0.05) while gonad GH mRNA levels increased (P < 0.10) following rbST treatment. These results demonstrate that rbST treatment increased IGF-I mRNA levels in extra-hepatic tissues, and decreased heart IGF-IrA and increased gonad GH mRNA levels. Because the primary source for endocrine IGF-I is liver, the increased IGF-I mRNA reported in extra-hepatic tissues may indicate local paracrine/autocrine actions for IGF-I for local physiological functions.

Insulin-like system and growth regulation in the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas: hrIGF-1 effect on protein synthesis of mantle edge cells and expression of an homologous insulin receptor-related receptor

The involvement of molecules belonging to the insulin/IGF family in regulation of growth has been investigated in the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. In vitro biological effects of human recombinant IGF-1 (hrIGF-1) on mantle edge cells, involved in oyster shell and soft body growth, were studied over an annual cycle. In mantle edge cells hrIGF-1 stimulates protein synthesis of 56+/-5.1% over basal for 10(-10) M in September with in addition a clear dose-effect corresponding to the highest shell growth period, and 57.5+/-3.45% over basal for 10(-11) M in March and 51+/-5.4% over basal for 10(-10) M in April corresponding to the period of mantle growth. These insulin-like effects were associated with the expression of a recently identified C. gigas insulin receptor-related receptor (CIR) in mantle edge cells as demonstrated by RT-PCR. Moreover, in situ hybridisation (ISH) confirmed this expression at the level of the inner and outer epithelia involved in mantle growth and shell formation.

Effects of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone and insulin-like growth factor-I on aromatase activity and P450 aromatase gene expression in the ovarian follicles of red seabream, Pagrus major

To clarify the mechanism of estradiol-17beta production in the ovarian follicle of red seabream, in vitro effects of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) on aromatase activity (conversion of testosterone to estradiol-17beta) and cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom) mRNA expression in ovarian fragments of red seabream were investigated. Of the growth factors used in the present study, only IGF-I stimulated both aromatase activity and P450arom gene expression in the ovarian fragments of red seabream. LH from red seabream pituitary, but not FSH, stimulated both aromatase activity and P450arom gene expression. IGF-I slightly enhanced the LH-induced aromatase activity and P450arom gene expression. These data and our previous results indicate that LH, but not FSH, stimulates estradiol-17beta production in the ovarian follicle of red seabream through stimulation of aromatase activity and P450arom gene expression and IGF-I enhances the LH-stimulated P450arom gene expression.

Characterization of pituitary IGF-I receptors: modulation of prolactin and growth hormone

There have been no studies in any vertebrate that have localized insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I receptors in prolactin (PRL) cells or that have correlated pituitary binding to the potency of IGF-I in regulating both PRL and growth hormone (GH) secretion. We show that IGF-I binds with high affinity and specificity to the pituitary gland of hybrid striped bass (Morone saxatilis x M. chrysops). IGF-I and IGF-II were equipotent in inhibiting saturable (125)I-IGF-I binding, whereas insulin was ineffective. IGF-I binds with similar affinity to the rostral pars distalis (>95% PRL cells) as the whole pituitary gland and immunohistochemistry colocalizes IGF-I receptors and PRL in this same region. Des(1-3)IGF-I, a truncated analog of IGF-I that binds with high affinity to IGF-I receptors but weakly to IGF-I binding proteins (IGFBPs), showed a similar inhibition of saturable (125)I-IGF-I binding, but it was more potent than IGF-I in stimulating PRL and inhibiting GH release. These results are the first to localize IGF-I receptors to PRL cells, correlate IGF-I binding to its efficacy in regulating GH and PRL secretion, as well as demonstrate that IGFBPs may play a significant role in modulating the disparate actions of IGF-I on PRL and GH secretion.

Receptors for insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) predominate over insulin receptors in skeletal muscle throughout the life cycle of brown trout, Salmo trutta

Insulin and IGF-I binding has been studied in brown trout (Salmo trutta) wheat germ agglutinin semipurified receptors from embryos (organogenesis), larvae (yolk sac), juveniles (2.98 +/- 0.21 g bw) and adults (111.6 +/- 6.92 and 522 +/- 53 g bw). Embryos and larvae were sampled at 5 and 12 weeks after fertilization (December 1999 and February 2000) and juvenile and adults were taken simultaneously (July 1999) and under the same feeding conditions to minimize potential nutritional and seasonal effects. Insulin receptor number was maximal at 12 weeks (144 fmol/mg glycoprotein) and progressively decreased in subsequent samplings. No alterations in affinity were detected (K(d) range, 0.21-0.32 nM) and changes in number of receptor paralleled changes in total specific binding. IGF-I receptor number was highest at 5 weeks (1044 fmol/mg) and was significantly higher than values for insulin in all samplings. The affinity of IGF-I receptor did not change (K(d) range, 0.11-0.18 nM) but was consistently higher than that for the insulin receptor. A more rapid decrease of IGF-I binding and receptor number was found with age. However, the ratio of insulin/IGF-I binding established in 12-week-old larvae (0.18 +/- 0.01) was thereafter maintained at very similar values in juveniles and adults (0.15-0.17). Tyrosine kinase activity (TKA) for insulin receptors ranged between 136 and 183% and there were no significant changes with age. For the IGF-I receptor, TKA ranged from 174 to 281% and was significantly higher in 5-week-old larvae coincident with the highest levels of receptor number and declined gradually in parallel with binding levels. In conclusion, the greater abundance of IGF-I receptors during embryonic and larval development is maintained throughout juvenile and adult stages. This would suggest a key role for IGF-I in the growth and metabolism of trout muscle.

Effects of insulin-like growth factor-I on in vitro final oocyte maturation and ovarian steroidogenesis in striped bass, Morone saxatilis

Recombinant human (rh) insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) was more potent than rhIGF-II at inducing in vitro germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), a marker for resumption of meiosis, in oocytes of striped bass. Treatment of ovarian fragments containing oocytes in intact follicles with rhIGF-I increased concentrations of estradiol-17beta and maturation-inducing steroid (MIS) 17,20beta, 21-trihydoxy-4-pregnen-3-one (20beta-S) in the culture medium and decreased testosterone levels. The follicles were too immature for oocytes to complete GVBD in response to 20beta-S (MIS incompetent) or hCG. Addition of 20beta-S to cultures did not increase the percentage of oocytes completing GVBD in response to rhIGF-I or rhIGF-II. Bovine insulin was without effect on GVBD or steroid production. Incubation of MIS-competent follicles with actinomycin D, cyanoketone, trilostane, 1-heptanol, or 1-octanol had no effect on rhIGF-I-induced GVBD, but attenuated hCG-induced GVBD and 20beta-S production. Cycloheximide inhibited rhIGF-I-induced GVBD. Collectively, these observations indicate that IGF-I can induce GVBD via MIS- and transcription-independent pathways without coupled gap junctions between oocytes and granulosa cells or among granulosa cells, but requires protein synthesis to do so. An rhIGF-I analogue that does not bind IGF-binding proteins, des(1,3)IGF-I, was more potent than rhIGF-I in inducing GVBD, suggesting ovarian IGF-binding proteins may inhibit IGF-I action.

Insulin-like growth factor I increases follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) content and gonadotropin-releasing hormone-stimulated FSH release from coho salmon pituitary cells in vitro

The effects of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and insulin on the function of coho salmon gonadotropes in vitro were investigated. Dispersed pituitary cells from immature coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) were incubated with IGF-I for 1, 3, 7, or 10 days, then incubated with salmon GnRH for an additional 24 h. Medium FSH content before and after GnRH treatment and intracellular FSH content after GnRH treatment were measured. Incubation of pituitary cells with IGF-I for 7 or 10 days increased GnRH-stimulated FSH release and remaining cell content, but did not affect basal release. To examine the specificity of the effects of IGF-I, we compared FSH release and cell content of FSH and LH after 10-day incubation with a range of concentrations of IGF-I or insulin. Incubation with physiological concentrations of IGF-I resulted in significantly higher GnRH-stimulated FSH release and remaining cell content of FSH and LH. Conversely, supraphysiological concentrations of insulin were required to produce more moderate effects on gonadotropin levels. These results suggest that elevation of gonadotropin levels by IGF-I may be one mechanism by which somatic growth and nutrition promote pubertal development in salmon.

Insulin-like growth factor receptors and their ligands in gonads of a hermaphroditic species, the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata): expression and cellular localization

Expression of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, IGF-II, and IGF type I receptor (IGF-1R) genes was studied in gonads at different developmental stages of the protandrous hermaphroditic species the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Northern blot analysis. Both IGF-I and IGF-II mRNA levels were highest in bisexual gonads and decreased during gonadal development. Regardless of the stage of gametogenesis, IGF-II mRNA levels exceeded those of IGF-I. Transcripts for IGF-1R RNA were detected in gonads at all stages studied. A major transcript of 11 kb was found in gonads and in gill arch and brain, but it was not found in liver and muscle. Distribution of the two types of IGF-1R and IGF-I in gonads was studied by immunohistochemistry. Immunoreactive IGF-I was found in the granulosa and theca cells of follicles at different vitellogenic stages and in oocytes at the chromatin-nucleolus and perinucleolus stage. In the testis, immunoreactive IGF-I was found in somatic cells of the cyst wall, interstitial cells, and spermatogonia A. In addition, IGF-1R was detected in the membrane of previtellogenic oocytes and in the theca and granulosa cells of vitellogenic and late vitellogenic follicles. In the testis, a positive reaction was identified in spermatogonia A and spermatids for the germ cells and in somatic cells of the cyst walls and interstitial cells. Local expression and production of IGFs and their receptors in fish gonads support a role for the IGF system in fish gonadal physiology.

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptors in an evoluted fish, the turbot: cDNA cloning and mRNA expression

The insulin receptor (IR) and the structurally related insulin-like growth factor type 1 receptor (IGF-1R) belong to the tyrosine kinase (TK) receptor family. In this study, we have carried out the molecular characterization of both receptors from turbot (Psetta maxima), an evoluted teleost flatfish. The cDNA encoding the precursors of IGF-1R and the nearly entire IR (only the first 16 amino acids of the alpha subunit are missing when compared to the published human sequence) were cloned from an embryonic cDNA library. The deduced polypeptides contain all the topological features characterizing the insulin/IGF-1 receptor family. They are highly conserved compared to their mammalian counterparts, particularly within domains involved in the catalytic activity and in the transduction pathways. Nevertheless, some differences in the primary sequences, especially in the carboxy-terminal domain of the precursors, may affect the functions fulfilled by these receptors. As in mammals, the long IGF-1R 5'-untranslated sequence contains open reading frames and potential Sp1 binding sites. Northern blot analyses have revealed a major IR transcript of 11 kb, which is approximately the size of IGF-1R transcript (Eliès, G., Groigno, L., Wolff, J., Boeuf, G., Boujard, D., 1996. Characterization of the insulin-like growth factor type 1 receptor messenger in two teleost species. Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. 124, 131-140.). If IR and IGF-1R transcripts are detected by RT-PCR at all developmental stages and in all tissues examined, in situ hybridization studies have shown that these mRNA can be visualized as ubiquitous signals only in young larvae, whereas IGF-1R and IR expression appears weaker during later development and in adult tissues.

Ontogeny of the insulin-like growth factor system (IGF-I, IGF-II, and IGF-1R) in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata): expression and cellular localization

There is evidence for the presence of an insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system during fish development. The pattern of gene expression of IGF-I, IGF-II, and their cognate receptors during early development of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) was studied by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Transcripts for IGF-I, IGF-II, and IGF-1R were detected throughout development in unfertilized eggs, embryos, and larvae, suggesting that these mRNAs are products of both the maternal and the embryonic genomes. Analysis of IGF-1R mRNA in various adult tissues using RT-PCR revealed expression in all tissues studied, with the highest levels in gill cartilage, skin, kidney, heart, pyloric caeca, and brain. The distribution of the two types of IGF-1R and IGF-I in gilthead seabream larvae was studied by immunohistochemistry and found to be tissue-specific and age-dependent. IGF-I and its receptors are widely distributed and appear in various tissues of seabream larvae. IGF-I immunoreactivity was highest in skeletal muscle and pancreas. The general distribution of the two types of IGF receptors in larval tissues appeared similar except for the muscle and the corpus cerebelli, in which IGF-1R was detected only by SpIR6 antisera. Both IGF-I and IGF-II may thus play a role during early development of teleosts, as in other vertebrates.

Insulin-like growth factor-I and -II in the ovary of a bony fish, Oreochromis mossambicus, the tilapia: in situ hybridisation, immunohistochemical localisation, Northern blot and cDNA sequences

There is accumulating evidence that insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF-II are present in the mammalian ovary but comparable studies on bony fish remain scarce. Thus, the present study aims to analyse several parameters of the IGFs in the ovary of a bony fish, the tilapia, (Oreochromis mossambicus). Molecular biological and morphological techniques were applied. The IGF-I and IGF-II cDNA sequences established from the ovary indicate that the same molecules are present in ovary and liver. Northern blot analysis revealed four IGF-I mRNA transcripts (6.0, 3.9, 1.9, 0.5 kb) and three IGF-II mRNA transcripts (5.0, 4.0, 2.0 kb) in ovary and liver. The amounts of IGF-I and IGF-II mRNA in the ovary were considerably high when compared to those in liver (IGF-I: 80.7%; IGF-II: 63.7%). The expression of IGF-I mRNA and IGF-II mRNA in the ovary were studied by in situ hybridisation and the peptides located by immunohistochemistry. The expression of IGF-I varied between the different developmental stages. Both IGF-I mRNA and IGF-I immunoreactivity were present in small oocytes. Moderate IGF-I expression and immunoreactivity occurred in granulosa cells of follicles at the lipid stage. A high IGF-I expression was observed in the granulosa and theca cells surrounding oocytes at the yolk globule stages and mature oocytes but neither IGF-I mRNA nor IGF-I immunoreactivity occurred in oocytes of the later stages. Thus, the IGF-I production seems to change from the young oocyte to the surrounding follicle cells at the later stages. In contrast, IGF-II mRNA and IGF-II-immunoreactivity occurred only in granulosa cells of the late follicle stages. The results suggest that both IGF-I and IGF-II are involved in the maturation of bony fish oocytes and in follicle development in a paracrine/autocrine manner. IGF-I and IGF-II may exert their effects at different stages of development. Furthermore, the intraovarian IGF-I and IGF-II systems seem to have a long phylogenetic history indicating the importance of the IGFs in reproductive biology.

Insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and glucagon: the evolution of their receptors

Insulin and glucagon, two of the most studied pancreatic hormones bind to specific membrane receptors to exert their biological actions. Insulin-like growth factors IGF-I and IGF-II are structurally related to insulin, although they are expressed ubiquitously. The biological functions of the IGFs are mediated by different transmembrane receptors, which includes the insulin, IGF-I and IGF-II receptors. The interaction of insulin, insulin related peptides and glucagon with the corresponding receptors has been studied extensively in mammals and continues to be so. At the same time, research on ectothermic animals has made enormous progress in the recent years. This paper summarizes current knowledge on insulin, IGF-I and glucagon receptors, from a comparative point of view with special attention to non-mammalian vertebrates. The review covers adult and mostly typical target tissues, and with very few exceptions, developmental aspects are not considered. Binding characteristics, tissue distribution and structure of insulin and IGF-I receptors will be considered first, because both ligands and receptors are structurally related and have overlapping functions. These sections will be followed by similar distribution of information on glucagon receptors. Readers interested in either structure or functions of insulin, IGFs and glucagon in nonmammalian vertebrates are referred to other reviews (Mommsen TP, Plisetskaya EM. Insulin in fishes and agnathans: history, structure and metabolic regulation. Rev Aquat Sci 1991;4:225-259; Mommsen TP, Plisetskaya EM. Metabolic and endocrine functions of glucagon-like peptides: evolutionary and biochemical perspectives. Fish Physiol Biochem 1993;11:429-438; Duguay SJ, Mommsen TP. Molecular aspects of pancreatic peptides. In: Sherwood NM, Hew CL, editors, Fish Physiology. vol 13. 1994:225-271; Plisetskaya EM, Mommsen TP. Glucagon and glucagon-like peptides in fishes. Int Rev Citol 1996;168:187-257.).

The phylogeny of the insulin-like growth factors

The insulin-like growth factors are major regulators of growth and development in mammals and their presence in lower vertebrates suggests that they played a similarly fundamental role throughout vertebrate evolution. While originally perceived simply as mediators of growth hormone, on-going research in mammals has revealed several hierarchical layers of complexity in the regulation of ligand bioavailability and signal transduction. Our understanding of the biological role and mechanisms of action of these important growth factors in mammals patently requires further elucidation of the IGF hormone system in the simple model systems that can be found in lower vertebrates and protochordates. This review contrasts our knowledge of the IGF hormone system in mammalian and nonmammalian models through comparison of tissue and developmental distributions and gene structures of IGF system components in different taxa. We also discuss the evolutionary origins of the system components and their possible evolutionary pathways.

Appearance of insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) receptors throughout the ontogeny of brown trout (Salmo trutta fario)

Insulin and IGF-I receptors were characterized in glycoprotein fractions prepared by affinity chromatography from different developmental stages of brown trout. The specificity of insulin and IGF-I binding was demonstrated by crossed-competition assays: unlabelled insulin displaced bound radiolabelled insulin at concentrations 45-fold lower than unlabelled IGF-I, whilst unlabelled IGF-I displaced bound radiolabelled IGF-I at concentrations 2,000-fold lower than unlabelled insulin. The affinity of these receptors did not change significantly during trout development. Insulin-specific binding was detectable 3 weeks after spawning, after which it increased to a maximum in fry weighing 0.4 g, and decreased progressively to adult levels. IGF-I specific binding was detectable in newly laid eggs and increased to a maximum during organogenesis in eyed eggs. It then decreased progressively during subsequent stages of development to adult levels. The apparent molecular weight (Mr) of the alpha-subunit of brown trout insulin and IGF-I receptors was smaller than that of the alpha-subunit of the rat insulin receptor. Receptor tyrosine kinase activity was stimulated in a dose-dependent manner by insulin and IGF-I. Insulin and IGF-I stimulated tyrosine kinase activity and reached a maximum of 201 +/- 17.6 and 240 +/- 29.6% of basal phosphorylation, respectively.

Localization of IGF-I and IGF-I receptor mRNA in Sparus aurata larvae

Studies of the ontogeny of IGF-I mRNA during embryonic and larval development of the gilthead sea bream Sparus aurata showed its expression during these early developmental stages. The present study applies in situ hybridization to localize IGF-I and IGF receptor mRNAs in 16-day larvae of S. aurata. Paraffin sections were hybridized with homologous RNA probes labeled by [35S]UTP. IGF-I mRNA expression was found mainly in chondrocytes, in both the gill arches and cranial cartilage, in skeletal muscle, in the brain, in the pancreas, in the retina, and in the epithelial cells surrounding the lens. A strong positive reaction for IGF receptor mRNA was found in skeletal muscle, in the pancreas, and in the lymphoid tissue found in the intertubular tissue of the kidney. Signals were less intense in brain and chondrocytes. It is suggested that in teleosts, as in higher vertebrates, IGF-I may be involved in the regulation of tissue growth and differentiation in an autocrine/paracrine manner.

Insulin-like growth factor I in the teleost Oreochromis mossambicus, the tilapia: gene sequence, tissue expression, and cellular localization

Using reverse transcription-PCR and molecular cloning, the complementary DNA sequence encoding preproinsulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) of a teleost, the tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) was established from liver. At the amino acid level, tilapia IGF-I shows all residues necessary for the maintenance of tertiary structure and shares about 80% identity with IGF-I from other teleosts. The B and A domains of tilapia IGF-I show more than 90% homology to those of other teleosts and 86-93% to those of human. However, in contrast to salmonids, the C domain of tilapia is truncated. Reverse transcription-PCR analysis followed by Southern blotting with an internal probe specific for tilapia IGF-I indicated a transcript in liver, pancreas, gut, kidney, head kidney, gill, ovary, testis, eye, and brain. In correlation, parenchymal cells were identified as likely local production sites by the use of immunohistochemistry. IGF-I immunoreactivity was confined to D cells in pancreatic islets, gastroentero-endocrine cells, cells of renal proximal tubules, interrenal cells of the head kidney, gill chondrocytes, chloride cells of the gill epithelium, granulosa cells in the ovary, spermatocytes and Sertoli cells in testis, and neurons in retina and brain. The local production of IGF-I in multiple organs of the tilapia indicates paracrine/autocrine actions of IGF-I involved in organ-specific functions. The results further demonstrate that the primary structure of IGF-I, especially in the B and A domains, is highly conserved during phylogeny.

Ovarian receptors for insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and effects of IGF-I on steroid production by isolated follicular layers of the preovulatory coho salmon ovarian follicle

In this study, receptors for insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in isolated theca-interstitial layers and granulosa cells of the coho salmon preovulatory ovary were characterized, and the effects of IGF-I on ovarian steroidogenesis were examined. Specific receptors for insulin and IGF-I were found in granulosa and theca-interstitial layers. In both follicular layers, IGF-I receptors were greater in number and higher in affinity than insulin receptors. The effects of IGF-I on in vitro production of testosterone (T) and 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17OH-P) by theca-interstitial layers and of 17 beta-estradiol (E2) and 17 alpha, 20 beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20 beta-P) by granulosa cell layers were evaluated during the preovulatory period. Both human and salmon recombinant IGF-I inhibited the basal and GTH II-stimulated T and 17OH-P production by theca-interstitial layers throughout the preovulatory period. In contrast, IGF-I stimulated the production of both E2 and 17,20 beta-P by granulosa cell layers prior to germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) but only stimulated the production of 17,20 beta-P by granulosa cell layers after GVBD. The inhibitory effects of IGF-I on steroid production by the theca-interstitial layer and the opposite stimulatory effects on steroid production by the granulosa cell layer, coupled by the presence of specific IGF-I receptors in both follicular layers, suggest that IGF-I may play a role in the regulation of steroidogenesis in the preovulatory coho salmon ovary.

Characterization of an insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptor and the insulin-like effects of IGF-1 in the bony fish, Lates calcarifer

The present work is part of a broad phylogenetic study of the insulin superfamily of peptides in lower vertebrates. In the bony fish barramundi (Lates calcarifer), the presence of IGF receptors were investigated in the liver by means of competitive binding studies. The results suggested the presence of a type 1-like but no type 2-like IGF receptor. We also demonstrated insulin-like effects of intraperitoneally injected recombinant human (rh)-IGF-1 in barramundi with rh-IGF-1 and rh-insulin showing similar effects with respect to induction of hypoglycemia and stimulation of incorporation of [14C]-glucose into muscle glycogen.

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) binding in fish red muscle: regulation by high insulin levels

Insulin and IGF-I binding to semi-purified red muscle receptors was characterized in brown trout, Salmo trutta and the common carp. Cyprinus carpio. The yield of glycoprotein obtained after semipurification of receptors with WGA-agarose affinity chromatography in microgram g-1 initial tissue was 210.6 +/- 21 micrograms g-1 in trout and 108.5 +/- 2.5 micrograms g-1 in carp. IGF-I specific binding (4.72 +/- 0.64%/10 micrograms glycoprotein) was 4-5-times higher than insulin binding (1.04 +/- 0.12%/10 micrograms glycoprotein) in trout red muscle. This difference in binding was due to a higher number and a greater affinity of the IGF-I (Kd, 0.21 +/- 0.03 nM) compared with the insulin (Kd, 0.67 +/- 0.06 nM) receptors in this tissue. Carp red muscle IGF-I binding (9.14 +/- 0.55%/10 micrograms glycoprotein) surpassed insulin binding (2.59 +/- 0.094%/10 micrograms glycoprotein) mainly because of a greater affinity of the IGF-I (Kd, 0.092 +/- 0.027 nM) compared with the insulin (Kd, 0.1515 +/- 0.0285 nM) receptor. IGF-I and insulin binding in carp red muscle were higher than in trout, as a consequence of a higher affinity of carp red muscle receptors. Arginine injection provoked acute hyperinsulinemia in both trout (23.3 +/- 1.01 ng ml-1) and carp (24.3 +/- 1.34 ng ml-1. Specific binding of insulin and IGF-I to the red muscle decreased 4 h after injection. In trout, a decrease of insulin and IGF-I binding of 47.0% and 63.3%, respectively was observed compared with controls, in carp, these values were 44.0% and 45.0%. The number of insulin and IGF-I receptors decreased (42-55%) but affinities did not change suggesting that receptor down-regulation is a consequence of high insulin levels.

Characterization of the insulin-like growth factor type 1 receptor messenger in two teleost species

The insulin-like growth factor type 1 receptor (IGF-1R) is a tyrosine kinase which plays essential role in the regulation of growth and development. In this study, we have cloned cDNAs encoding the tyrosine kinase domain of the IGF-1R from two species of fish. The turbot and trout nucleotide sequences share 82% identity. Moreover, the deduced polypeptides are also highly conserved (> 90% identity) compared with the IGF-1R sequences described in other vertebrates, particularly within domains involved in the catalytic activity and in the transduction pathway. Northern blot analyses have revealed a unique 13-kb mRNA transcript. Using an RT-PCR approach, we have also shown that the polyadenylation status seems to vary according to the developmental stage in turbot: polyadenylated in oocytes and in the first larval stages, the mRNA becomes undetectable in the polyadenylated fraction in later stages or in adult somatic tissues. These results suggest that IGF-1R mRNA undergoes complex post-transcriptional regulation.

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) mRNA and IGF-I receptor in trout testis and in isolated spermatogenic and Sertoli cells

Few data exist concerning the occurrence and potential role of an insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system in fish gonads. Using Northern and slot blot hybridization with a specific salmon IGF-I cDNA, we confirmed that IGF-I transcription occurs in trout testis. Testicular IGF-I mRNA abundance may be increased by long-term GH treatment in juvenile fish, while shorter treatment with growth hormone (GH) or a gonadotropin (GTH-II) in maturing males had no statistically significant effect. Radiolabelled recombinant human IGF-I binds with high affinity to crude trout testis preparation, to cultured isolated testicular cells, and to a membrane fraction of these cells (Ka = 0.2 to 0.7 x 10(10) M-1; Bmax = 10 to 20 fmol/10(7) cells, and 68 fmol/mg protein of membrane). The binding site was identified as type 1 IGF receptor by its binding specificity (IGF-I > IGF-II >>> insulin) and the molecular size of its alpha-subunit labelled with 125I-IGF-I (M(r)125-140 kDa). 125I-IGF-II also bound to the type 1 receptor whereas IGF-II/ mannose 6 phosphate receptors could not be detected. Separation of isolated testicular cells by Percoll gradient and centrifugal elutriation provided populations enriched in different types of intratubular cells. IGF-I mRNA (detected by reverse transcription + polymerase chain reaction [PCR]) and IGF-I receptors (measured by competitive binding) were observed to a greater extent in Sertoli cell-enriched populations and in spermatogonia with primary spermatocytes. Therefore, IGF-I is a potential paracrine/autocrine regulator inside the spermatogenic compartment and appears as a possible mediator of GH action at the gonadal level in fish.

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I receptors in fish brain

We investigated insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) receptor-binding and receptor intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity in the brain of carp (Cyprinus carpio) and trout (Salmo trutta fario). Glycoprotein fractions of semi-purified receptors were prepared by WGA-agarose affinity chromatography. Insulin receptors were found in the brains of both fish species investigated. Carp and trout brain preparations bound, respectively (per 50 micrograms glycoprotein), with 6.0 +/- 1.5% and 8.0 +/- 2.0% of 125I-labeled insulin added to the assay. Insulin binding was specific: much higher quantity of IGF-I (EC50 165 +/- 11 nM for carp and 88.0 +/- 6 nM for trout receptors) than insulin (EC50 0.26 +/- 0.04 nM for carp and 0.25 +/- 0.02 nM for trout) was necessary to displace bound insulin tracer. In preparations of brain receptors, IGF-I binding (52.8 +/- 6.5% in carp brain and 55.0 +/- 13.0% in trout brain) surpassed insulin binding several fold. IGF-I bound to the brain receptors with high affinity (Kd for carp was 0.13 +/- 0.06 nM and for trout 0.22 +/- 0.11 nM) and specificity. Although IGF-I binding could be displaced with insulin, EC50 were 660 +/- 51 nM for carp and 1557 +/- 194 nM for trout. Both ligands stimulated phosphorylation of exogenous substrates in a dose-dependent manner. Carp brain receptors were not significantly different from trout receptors with respect to basal phosphotransferase activities (250.0 +/- 50.0 fm P/mg glycoprotein in carp and 330.0 +/- 120.0 fm P/mg glycoprotein in trout). In both species IGF-I caused higher maximal stimulation (308.0 +/- 36.0% and 270.0 +/- 39%, for carp and trout, respectively) than insulin (250.0 +/- 13.0% and 209.0 +/- 6.0%, for carp and trout, respectively).

Up-regulation of insulin binding in fish skeletal muscle by high insulin levels

The effects of insulin titres on regulation of receptor binding were studied in several fish species. Insulin receptors were semi-purified by affinity chromatography (WGA-agarose) from skeletal muscle of carp, brown trout and rainbow trout that had been subjected to increases in insulinemia produced either by arginine injection, food administration, or adaptation to an experimental diet (extruded diet with high-digestibility carbohydrates). Arginine injection provoked acute hyperinsulinemia in both carp and trout. Specific binding of insulin to the skeletal muscle was significantly increased 3 h after injection (from 5.8 +/- 0.3 to 9.6 +/- 0.9%/10 micrograms protein in carp and from 0.8 +/- 0.2 to 1.5 +/- 0.4%/10 micrograms in trout). The same effect was observed in carp liver preparations (from 6.0 +/- 0.75 to 9.9 +/- 1.25%/10 micrograms). No alterations in tyrosine kinase activity of the receptors were detected in either carp or trout preparations: basal activities of the receptors were maintained (3100 +/- 200 fmol P/fmol receptors/30 min and 3700 +/- 400 fmol P/fmol receptors/30 min, in carp and trout, respectively), as were the percentage of stimulation over basal levels obtained by incubation with insulin (227 +/- 25% and 160 +/- 10% respectively). Food ingestion raised plasma insulin levels more steadily. Specific binding also increased in skeletal muscle preparations, especially in carp (from 5.7 +/- 0.3 to 11 +/- 1.7%/10 micrograms at 4 h and 10 +/- 0.7%/10 micrograms at 8 h). Tyrosine kinase activity was maintained without significant changes. Rainbow trout adapted for 2 months to an extruded diet presented higher insulin titres and higher glycogen reserves in liver and muscle. Insulin binding to skeletal muscle preparations was also significantly increased (from 0.36 +/- 0.02 to 0.77 +/- 0.1%/10 micrograms), as was tyrosine kinase activity (from 132 +/- 4% to 156 +/- 6%, without alterations in the basal activity). Results showed that fish can respond to both acute and maintained increases in insulinemia by increasing the number of insulin receptors. Tyrosine kinase activity, in contrast, is only modified after long-term adaptation.

Recombinant coho salmon insulin-like growth factor I. Expression in Escherichia coli, purification and characterization

Recombinant coho salmon insulin-like growth factor I (rsIGF-I) was produced in Escherichia coli, purified and characterized. The rsIGF-I expression vector was constructed by polymerase chain reaction and cloning into a plasmid containing a phage T7 RNA polymerase promoter. The rsIGF-I was recovered from bacterial inclusion bodies, solubilized under reducing conditions, immediately refolded, then fractionated by a two-step ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-52 and Mono-S columns. It was further purified by HPLC on a reverse-phase Asahi-Pak C4P-50 C4 column. Purification of rsIGF-I was monitored by SDS/PAGE and immunoblot with anti-[human somatomedin C (SM C)/IGF-I] serum. The rsIGF-I appeared as a single band with molecular mass of 7 kDa, the same size as recombinant human IGF-I (rhIGF-I) and cross-reacted with anti-(human SM C/IGF-I) serum. The amino acid sequence of rsIGF-I contained an NH2-terminal methionine residue followed by the sequence predicted for mature sIGF-I. At concentrations in the range 3.9-250 ng/ml, rsIGF-I significantly stimulated sulfate uptake by the cultured branchial cartilage of coho salmon. The stimulatory effect of rsIGF-I was concentration dependent and slightly more potent than that of rhIGF-I at the highest concentration tested.

Growth hormone (GH) and reproduction: a review

Interaction between growth and reproduction occurs in many vertebrates and is particularly obvious at certain stages of the life cycle in fish. Endocrine interactions between the gonadotropic axis and the somatotropic axis are described, the potential role of GH being emphasised. A comparative analysis of these phenomena in mammals, amphibians and fish, suggests a specific role of GH in the physiology of puberty, gametogenesis and fertility. It also shows the original contribution made by studies on the fish model in this field of investigations.