Involvement of the hyperglycemic neurohormone family in the control of reproduction in decapod crustaceans

The Effect of Glyphosate on the Reproduction of Estuarine Crabs: Neohelice granulata as a Study Model

This review summarizes the bulk of evidence about the effect of glyphosate, both technical and formulated, on the ovarian maturation of Neohelice granulata female crabs, as well as the effects of glyphosate on sperm production in males of the same species. After long-term in vivo assays, made during the 3-month pre-reproductive period of this species, both formulated and technical glyphosate were able to produce a significant incidence of oocyte reabsorption in the ovary, together with a concomitant decreased of vitellogenin content, at concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 1 mg/L. Despite this, after 32-day in vivo assays, glyphosate stimulated oocyte growth, in terms of a higher percentage of vitellogenic oocytes, suggesting that glyphosate could be acting as an endocrine disruptor. In vitro assays made with isolated ovarian pieces showed a decrease of vitellogenin content, in correlation with lower protein synthesis, although some advance in maturation was observed in the histological analysis. In male crabs exposed in vivo to both technical and formulated glyphosate at 1 mg/L, several reproductive imbalances were noted, such as a significant decrease of the sperm count, abnormal spermatophores, and possible disrupting effects of glyphosate on the androgenic gland.

Transcriptomic changes across vitellogenesis in the black tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon), neuropeptides and G protein-coupled receptors repertoire curation

The black tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon) is one of the most commercially important prawn species world-wide, yet there are currently key issues that hinder aquaculture of this species, such as low spawning capacity of captive-reared broodstock females and lack of globally available fully domesticated strains. In this study, we analysed the molecular changes that occur from vitellogenesis to spawning of a fully domesticated population of P.monodon (Madagascar) using four tissues [brain and thoracic ganglia (central nervous system - CNS), eyestalks, antennal gland, and ovary] highlighting differentially expressed genes that could be involved in the sexual maturation. In addition, due to their key role in regulating multiple physiological processes including reproduction, transcripts encoding P.monodon neuropeptides and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) were identified and their expression pattern was assessed. A few neuropeptides and their putative GPCRs which were previously implicated in reproduction are discussed. We identified 573 differentially expressed transcripts between previtellogenic and vitellogenic stages, across the four analysed tissues. Multiple transcripts that have been linked to ovarian maturation were highlighted throughout the study, these include vitellogenin, Wnt, heat shock protein 21, heat shock protein 90, teneurin, Fs(1)M3, hemolymph clottable proteins and some other candidates. Seventy neuropeptide transcripts were also characterized from our de novo assembly. In addition, a hybrid approach that involved clustering and phylogenetics analysis was used to annotate all P. monodon GPCRs, revealing 223 Rhodopsin, 100 Secretin and 27 Metabotropic glutamate GPCRs. Given the key commercial significance of P.monodon and the industry requirements for developing better genomic tools to control reproduction in this species, our findings provide a foundation for future gene-based studies, setting the scene for developing innovative tools for reproduction and/or sexual maturation control in P. monodon.

Interference of an atrazine commercial formulation with the endocrine control of ovarian growth exerted by the eyestalks

Atrazine is currently one of the most used herbicides worldwide. We tested the possible effect of the widely used herbicide atrazine on the endocrine control of ovarian growth exerted by the neurohormones secreted at the eyestalk of the estuarine crab Neohelice granulata. For this, both in vivo and in vitro assays were carried out. The in vivo assay comprised the exposure for 1 month to 3 mg/L of a commercial formulation containing 90% of atrazine as active ingredient (Gesaprim 90 WDG®, Syngenta) on three categories of females: intact, ablated of one eyestalk, and ablated of both eyestalks. At the end of the assay, only the intact females showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in both content of vitellogenic ovarian proteins and proportion of vitellogenic oocytes, compared to a concurrent control. The results of the in vitro incubation of ovarian pieces with the eventual addition to the incubation medium of eyestalk tissue and/or atrazine at 3 mg/L showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the proportion of vitellogenic oocytes only when atrazine and eyestalk tissue were added. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that the assayed atrazine formulation may act as an endocrine disruptor at the eyestalk level, by altering the normal secretion of some eyestalk hormone, therefore inhibiting ovarian growth.

Functional and evolutionary implications from the molecular characterization of five spermatophore CHH/MIH/GIH genes in the shrimp Fenneropenaeus merguiensis

The recent use of RNA-Seq to study the transcriptomes of different species has helped identify a large number of new genes from different non-model organisms. In this study, five distinctive transcripts encoding for neuropeptide members of the CHH/MIH/GIH family have been identified from the spermatophore transcriptome of the shrimp Fenneropenaeus merguiensis. The size of these transcripts ranged from 531 bp to 1771 bp. Four transcripts encoded different CHH-family subtype I members, and one transcript encoded a subtype II member. RT-PCR and RACE approaches have confirmed the expression of these genes in males. The low degree of amino acid sequence identity among these neuropeptides suggests that they may have different specific function(s). Results from a phylogenetic tree analysis indicated that these neuropeptides were likely derived from a common ancestor gene resulting from mutation and gene duplication. These CHH-family members could be grouped into distinct clusters, indicating a strong structural/functional relationship among these neuropeptides. Eyestalk removal caused a significant increase in the expression of transcript 32710 but decreases in expression for transcript 28020. These findings suggest the possible regulation of these genes by eyestalk factor(s). In summary, the results of this study would justify a re-evaluation of the more generalized and pleiotropic functions of these neuropeptides. This study also represents the first report on the cloning/identification of five CHH family neuropeptides in a non-neuronal tissue from a single crustacean species.

Ovarian growth impairment after chronic exposure to Roundup Ultramax® in the estuarine crab Neohelice granulata

Adult females of the estuarine crab Neohelice granulata were exposed to the glyphosate formulation Roundup Ultramax® during the entire 3-month pre-reproductive period. At the end of the assay, a significant higher increment of glycemia was noted at both glyphosate concentrations assayed (0.01 and 0.2 mg/L, acid equivalent). Although no differences were observed in the gonadosomatic index, a significantly higher proportion of reabsorbed vitellogenic oocyte was observed at the highest glyphosate concentration, together with a significant decrease of vitellogenin content in the ovary. In addition, some in vitro assays were carried out by co-incubating small pieces of ovary with or without the addition of Roundup; at both concentrations tested (same as those used in vivo), a decrease in the ovarian vitellogenin content was observed, whereas the ovarian protein synthesis was significantly inhibited by glyphosate at 0.2 mg/L in the Roundup formulation used.

Involvement of the crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) in the physiological compensation of the freshwater crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus to low temperature and high salinity stress

This study was aimed at determining the role of the crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) in the physiological compensation to both saline and thermal stress, in the freshwater crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus. By determining the expression of the CHH gene in the eyestalk of juvenile crayfish, we found that maximal induction of CHH was induced at high salinity (10 g/L) and low temperature (20 °C). In order to investigate the role of CHH in the physiological compensation to such stressful conditions, recombinant CHH was supplied to stressed animals. CHH-injected crayfish showed increased hemolymphatic levels of glucose, in accordance with a significant utilization of glycogen reserves from the hepatopancreas. Furthermore, CHH administration allowed stressed animals to regulate hemolymphatic sodium and potassium at more constant levels than controls. Taken together, these results suggest a relevant role of CHH in increasing the energy available intended for processes involved in the physiological compensation of C. quadricarinatus to both saline and thermal stress.

The mechanism of regulation of ovarian maturation by red pigment concentrating hormone in the mud crab Scylla paramamosain

In this study a full-length cDNA (Sp-RPCH) was cloned from the eyestalk ganglia of the mud crab Scylla paramamosain. Sp-RPCH is 660 base pairs in length and its open reading frame encodes a precursor that is predicted to be processed into a 25-residue signal peptide, a mature red pigment concentrating hormone (RPCH, an octapeptide), and a 75-residue precursor-related peptide. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that it clusters with other crustacean RPCHs and belongs to the adipokinetic hormone/RPCH peptide superfamily. Sp-RPCH gene expression was detected, using an end-point polymerase chain reaction (PCR), not only in the eyestalk ganglia but also in the brain and thoracic ganglia. Quantified using a real-time PCR, Sp-RPCH gene expression levels in the three tissues fluctuated along a cycle of ovarian maturation, with the levels progressively increased from stages I to IV, after which the expression levels decreased (although they remained significantly higher than stage I levels) when the ovary reached the mature stage (stage V). It was demonstrated using a patch clamp analysis that synthetic RPCH was able to evoke a Ca(2+) current in dissociated brain neurons and synthetic RPCH significantly increased the mean oocyte diameter of the ovarian tissues co-cultured with the eyestalk ganglia, brain, or thoracic ganglia; the stimulatory effect of RPCH was absent when the nervous tissues were not included in the ovarian incubation. Animals administrated with RPCH had significantly higher levels of gonad-somatic index, hepatopancreas-somatic index, and vitellogenin gene expression, when compared to control animals receiving a saline injection. The combined results clearly show that RPCH is involved in ovarian maturation in the mud crab; the stimulatory effects of RPCH are likely mediated by its actions on the release from the nervous tissues of factor(s) that directly regulate vitellogenesis in the ovary and hepatopancreas.

Molecular cloning of two structure variants of crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) from the swimming crab (Portunus trituberculatus), and their gene expression during molting and ovarian development

Two full-length cDNA (Pt-CHH1 and Pt-CHH2) sequences encoding crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) were cloned from tissues of the swimming crab (Portunus trituberculatus) using RACE. Pt-CHH1 was cloned from eyestalk, whereas Pt-CHH2 was cloned from thoracic ganglia. Sequence and structure analyses of Pt-CHH1 and Pt-CHH2 suggest that they may be generated from alternative splicing. Tissue distribution showed that transcript of Pt-CHH1 was only detected in eyestalk, while transcript of Pt-CHH2 was observed in several extra-eyestalk tissues. The transcript levels of Pt-CHH1 and Pt-CHH2 during molting and ovarian development were determined using qPCR. In molting process, level of Pt-CHH1 in eyestalk increased from stage A (postmolt), and to significant higher at stage C (intermolt), then decreased during premolt (D0-D4). In ovarian development, level of Pt-CHH1 in eyestalk decreased from previtellogenic stage (II), and to significant lower at mature stage (IV). The expression patterns of Pt-CHH2 in thoracic ganglia and Y-organ were distinct from that of Pt-CHH1 in eyestalk. The combined results suggest that Pt-CHH1 may be involved in inhibition of molting and ovarian development, whereas Pt-CHH2 may have other physiological functions.

Role of crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) in the environmental stressor-exposed intertidal copepod Tigriopus japonicus

To identify and characterize CHH (TJ-CHH) gene in the copepod Tigriopus japonicus, we analyzed the full-length cDNA sequence, genomic structure, and promoter region. The full-length TJ-CHH cDNA was 716 bp in length, encoding 136 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequences of TJ-CHH showed a high similarity of the CHH mature domain to other crustaceans. Six conserved cysteine residues and five conserved structural motifs in the CHH mature peptide domain were also observed. The genomic structure of the TJ-CHH gene contained three exons and two introns in its open reading frame (ORF), and several transcriptional elements were detected in the promoter region of the TJ-CHH gene. To investigate transcriptional change of TJ-CHH under environmental stress, T. japonicus were exposed to heat treatment, UV-B radiation, heavy metals, and water-accommodated fractions (WAFs) of Iranian crude oil. Upon heat stress, TJ-CHH transcripts were elevated at 30 °C and 35 °C for 96 h in a time-course experiment. UV-B radiation led to a decreased pattern of the TJ-CHH transcript 48 h and more after radiation (12 kJ/m(2)). After exposure of a fixed dose (12 kJ/m(2)) in a time-course experiment, TJ-CHH transcript was down-regulated in time-dependent manner with a lowest value at 12h. However, the TJ-CHH transcript level was increased in response to five heavy metal exposures for 96 h. Also, the level of the TJ-CHH transcript was significantly up-regulated at 20% of WAFs after exposure to WAFs for 48 h and then remarkably reduced in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that the enhanced TJ-CHH transcript level is associated with a cellular stress response of the TJ-CHH gene as shown in decapod crustaceans. This study is also helpful for a better understanding of the detrimental effects of environmental changes on the CHH-triggered copepod metabolism.

Crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (cHH) as a modulator of aggression in crustacean decapods

Biogenic amines, particularly serotonin, are recognised to play an important role in controlling the aggression of invertebrates, whereas the effect of neurohormones is still underexplored. The crustacean Hyperglycemic Hormone (cHH) is a multifunctional member of the eyestalk neuropeptide family. We expect that this neuropeptide influences aggression either directly, by controlling its expression, or indirectly, by mobilizing the energetic stores needed for the increased activity of an animal. Our study aims at testing such an influence and the possible reversion of hierarchies in the red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, as a model organism. Three types of pairs of similarly sized males were formed: (1) 'control pairs' (CP, n = 8): both individuals were injected with a phosphate saline solution (PBS); (2) 'reinforced pairs' (RP, n = 9): the alpha alone was injected with native cHH, and the beta with PBS; (3) 'inverted pairs' (IP, n = 9): the opposite of (2). We found that, independently of the crayfish's prior social experience, cHH injections induced (i) the expression of dominance behaviour, (ii) higher glycemic levels, and (iii) lower time spent motionless. In CP and RP, fight intensity decreased with the establishment of dominance. On the contrary, in IP, betas became increasingly likely to initiate and escalate fights and, consequently, increased their dominance till a temporary reversal of the hierarchy. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, that, similarly to serotonin, cHH enhances individual aggression, up to reverse, although transitorily, the hierarchical rank. New research perspectives are thus opened in our intriguing effort of understanding the role of cHH in the modulation of agonistic behaviour in crustaceans.

Two type I crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) genes in Morotoge shrimp (Pandalopsis japonica): cloning and expression of eyestalk and pericardial organ isoforms produced by alternative splicing and a novel type I CHH with predicted structure shared with type II CHH peptides

Crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) peptide family members play critical roles in growth and reproduction in decapods. Three cDNAs encoding CHH family members (Pj-CHH1ES, Pj-CHH1PO, and Pj-CHH2) were isolated by a combination of bioinformatic analysis and conventional cloning strategies. Pj-CHH1ES and Pj-CHH1PO were products of the same gene that were generated by alternative mRNA splicing, whereas Pj-CHH2 was the product of a second gene. The Pj-CHH1 and Pj-CHH2 genes had four exons and three introns, suggesting the two genes arose from gene duplication. The three cDNAs were classified in the type I CHH subfamily, as the deduced amino acid sequences had a CHH precursor-related peptide sequence positioned between the N-terminal signal sequence and C-terminal mature peptide sequence. The Pj-CHH1ES isoform was expressed at a higher level in the eyestalk X-organ/sinus gland (XO/SG) complex and at a lower level in the gill. The Pj-CHH1PO isoform was expressed at higher levels in the XO/SG complex, brain, abdominal ganglion, and thoracic ganglion and at a lower level in the epidermis. Pj-CHH2 was expressed at a higher level in the thoracic ganglion and at a lower level in the gill. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to quantify the effects of eyestalk ablation on the mRNA levels of the three Pj-CHHs in the brain, thoracic ganglion, and gill. Eyestalk ablation reduced expression of Pj-CHH1ES in the brain and Pj-CHH1PO and Pj-CHH2 in the thoracic ganglion. Sequence alignment of the Pj-CHHs with CHHs from other species indicated that Pj-CHH2 had an additional alanine at position #9 of the mature peptide. Molecular modeling showed that the Pj-CHH2 mature peptide had a short alpha helix (α1) in the N-terminal region, which is characteristic of type II CHHs. This suggests that Pj-CHH2 differs in function from other type I CHHs.

Expression and applications of recombinant crustacean hyperglycemic hormone from eyestalks of white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) against bacterial infection

Crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) has many functions to regulate carbohydrate metabolism, ecdysis and reproduction including ion transport in crustaceans. The cDNA encoding CHH peptides containing 369 bp open reading frame encoding 122 amino acids was cloned from eyestalk of white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) and was produced by a bacterial expression system. The biological activity of recombinant L. vannamei crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (rLV-CHH) was tested. The hemolymph glucose level of shrimp increased two-fold at 1h after the rLV-CHH injection and then returned to normal after 3h. In addition to the effect of rLV-CHH administration (25 μg/shrimp) on immunological responses of white shrimp against pathogenic bacteria, Vibrio harveyi was studied. Results showed that the blood parameters of shrimp injected with rLV-CHH; the THC, PO activity, serum protein level and clearance ability to V. harveyi, were also higher than those of Neg-protein and PBS-injected shrimp. The survival of shrimp injected with rLV-CHH was significantly higher (66.0%) than shrimp that injected with Neg-protein (33.3%) and PBS (28.9%) after 14 days. It is possible that the administration of rLV-CHH in L. vannamei exhibited a higher immune response related to resistance against V. harveyi infection.

Molecular cloning of a putative crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) isoform from extra-eyestalk tissue of the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus), and determination of temporal and spatial patterns of CHH gene expression

Crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) is a polypeptide neurohormone involved in regulation of multiple physiological processes. We report here the cloning from thoracic ganglia of the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) a cDNA (CsCHH-2) encoding a putative CHH isoform (CsCHH-2). CsCHH-2 is structurally similar to a putative preproCHH (CsCHH-1) previously cloned from eyestalk ganglia of C. sapidus. The two preprohormones possess an identical signal peptide and CHH precursor related peptide, but differ in the mature CHH polypeptide. An analysis by RT-PCR of the tissue distribution of CsCHH-1 and CsCHH-2 revealed the former is restricted to eyestalk neural ganglia, while the latter is widely distributed among tissues. The type of CHH transcript present in eyestalk and thoracic ganglia did not vary as a function of the molt cycle. An assessment of transcript abundance in tissues of intermolt crabs showed the abundance of the CsCHH-1 transcript in eyestalk ganglia far exceeds the abundance of the CsCHH-2 transcript in extra-eyestalk tissue. An assessment of transcript abundance during a molt cycle showed CsCHH-1 transcript abundance in eyestalk ganglia was low during intermolt, rose during premolt, reaching a peak in D(3), then fell prior to molting, and remained low during postmolt. By contrast, CsCHH-2 transcript abundance in thoracic ganglia was low during intermolt, rose sharply during D(2), then dropped in D(3) and remained low during postmolt. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that CsCHH-1 and CsCHH-2 differ with respect to physiological function.

Cloning and expression profiles of two isoforms of a CHH-like gene specifically expressed in male Chinese shrimp, Fenneropenaeus chinensis

Two full-length cDNA sequences (Fc-CHH1, Fc-CHH2) encoding a crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) precursor homolog and their DNA sequences were cloned from Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis. The deduced amino acid sequences of them are predicted to contain a signal peptide and a mature peptide. The mature peptides of Fc-CHH1 and Fc-CHH2 shared 78% identity, but they showed low identities (less than 40%) to CHH peptides from other species. Both Fc-CHH1 and Fc-CHH2 proteins contain six highly conserved cysteine residues which are characteristic of the CHH family peptides. The transcripts of Fc-CHH1 and Fc-CHH2 were shown to be specifically present in the spermatophore sac of mature male Chinese shrimp through reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) detection. The transcripts of Fc-CHH1 and Fc-CHH2 begin to appear at the immature stage (115 days after the first post-larvae stage) when the spermatophore sac was first observed to be appeared. In situ hybridization analyses showed that Fc-CHH1 and Fc-CHH2 transcripts located at the epithelial cells in the internal wall of the spermatophore sac. In the cloned DNA sequences of Fc-CHH1 and Fc-CHH2, the predicted transcription factor binding sites in the 5' flanking sequences are different from those previously reported for CHH family genes of crustacean. To our knowledge, these are novel CHH-like genes expressed specifically in male shrimp. Their function needs to be further investigated.

Molt-inhibiting hormone stimulates vitellogenesis at advanced ovarian developmental stages in the female blue crab, Callinectes sapidus 2: novel specific binding sites in hepatopancreas and cAMP as a second messenger

The finding that molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH) regulates vitellogenesis in the hepatopancreas of mature Callinectes sapidus females, raised the need for the characterization of its mode of action. Using classical radioligand binding assays, we located specific, saturable, and non-cooperative binding sites for MIH in the Y-organs of juveniles (J-YO) and in the hepatopancreas of vitellogenic adult females. MIH binding to the hepatopancreas membranes had an affinity 77 times lower than that of juvenile YO membranes (K_D values: 3.22 × 10^-8 and 4.19 × 10^-10 M/mg protein, respectively). The number of maximum binding sites (B_MAX) was approximately two times higher in the hepatopancreas than in the YO (B_MAX values: 9.24 × 10^-9 and 4.8 × 10^-9 M/mg protein, respectively). Furthermore, MIH binding site number in the hepatopancreas was dependent on ovarian stage and was twice as high at stage 3 than at stages 2 and 1. SDS-PAGE separation of [¹²⁵I] MIH or [¹²⁵I] crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) crosslinked to the specific binding sites in the membranes of the J-YO and hepatopancreas suggests a molecular weight of ~51 kDa for a MIH receptor in both tissues and a molecular weight of ~61 kDa for a CHH receptor in the hepatopancreas. The use of an in vitro incubation of hepatopancreas fragments suggests that MIH probably utilizes cAMP as a second messenger in this tissue, as cAMP levels increased in response to MIH. Additionally, 8-Bromo-cAMP mimicked the effects of MIH on vitellogenin (VtG) mRNA and heterogeneous nuclear (hn) VtG RNA levels. The results imply that the functions of MIH in the regulation of molt and vitellogenesis are mediated through tissue specific receptors with different kinetics and signal transduction. MIH ability to regulate vitellogenesis is associated with the appearance of MIH specific membrane binding sites in the hepatopancreas upon pubertal/final molt.

Effects of arsenic on gonadal development in freshwater crab, Somanniathelphusa pax, in Vietnam and Geothelphusa dehaani in Japan

To estimate the influence of water contamination by arsenic (As) on reproduction of crustaceans in Vietnam, we collected wild freshwater crab Somanniathelphusa pax from the Mekong Delta area in Vietnam, investigated gonadal development, and measured As concentration in hepatopancreas. In female crab, vitellogenesis was delayed in association with the increase of As accumulation in hepatopancreas, whereas there was no significant correlation between testicular development and As accumulation in male crab. To clarify the effects of As on gonadal development of crustaceans, we investigated the effects of oral As administration on gonadal development in Japanese freshwater crab Geothelphusa dehaani. In male crab, the occurrence of spermatids and spermatozoa were predominantly observed in the control group, whereas the occurrence of spermatocytes increased after administration of 10 microg/crab As for 3 months. On the other hand, in females, secondary yolk globule stages mainly occupied ovary of the control group. However, the primary yolk globule stage gradually increased after 10 microg/crab As administration. Together these results indicate that it is possible that As contamination in water or food causes the delay of spermatogenesis and vitellogenesis in crustaceans.

Expression of clottable protein of tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) in gonads and its possible role as nutrient source for the embryo

We have investigated the expression of clottable protein (CP) in gonad of tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) and extent of its phosphorylation. Polyclonal antibodies against purified CP were prepared from rabbit serum. Using this anti-CP antiserum, the temporal expression of CP in gonads of tiger shrimp was analyzed. It was found that the CP occurs only in mature ovaries but not in immature ovaries and testes. Results of RT-PCR confirmed that these tissues expressed low levels of CP mRNA transcripts. Upon eyestalk-ablation, the ovaries in female shrimps were induced to develop, and the CP expression levels in ovaries were traced chronically by RT-PCR analyses. The expression level peaked on day 3 with an increase of about 40 folds relative to the basal level and returned to normal level (as the control shrimp) at day 12. The shrimp embryos at different intervals from spawning to 16h post-spawning were also collected, and it was found that CP contents were gradually decreased in the embryos until the nauplii were hatched. In addition, purified CP was shown to react with specific anti-phosphoserine, anti-phosphothreonine, and anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies suggesting that CP is a phosphoprotein with all types of phosphorylations. Taken together the results suggest that expression of CP in shrimp ovaries is coupled to ovarian development and CP possibly supply nutrition for shrimp embryo.

Endocrine disruption in crustaceans due to pollutants: A review

The main endocrine-regulated processes of crustaceans have been reviewed in relation to the effects of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs). Molting has been shown to be inhibited by several organic pollutants, such as xenoestrogens and related compounds, as well as by some pesticides. Most of these disrupters are thought to interfere with ecdysone at target tissues, although only for a few has this action been demonstrated in vitro. The heavy metal cadmium appears to inhibit some ecdysone secretion. Juvenoid compounds have also been shown to inhibit molting, likely by interfering with the stimulatory effect of methyl farnesoate. A molt-promoting effect of emamectin benzoate, a pesticide, has also been reported. As for reproduction, a variety of organic compounds, including xenoestrogens, juvenoids and ecdysteroids, has produced abnormal development of male and female secondary sexual characters, as well as alteration of the sex ratio. Cadmium and copper have been shown to interfere with hormones that stimulate reproduction, such as methyl farnesoate, as well as with secretion of the gonad inhibiting hormone, therefore affecting, for example, ovarian growth. Several heavy metals were able to produce hyperglycemia in crustaceans during short times of exposure; while a hypoglycemic response was noted after longer exposures, due to inhibition of secretion of the crustacean hyperglycemic hormone. The ecological relevance of EDCs on crustaceans is discussed, mainly in relation to the identification of useful biomarkers and sentinel species. New experimental approaches are also proposed.

Mysid crustaceans as standard models for the screening and testing of endocrine-disrupting chemicals

Investigative efforts into the potential endocrine-disrupting effects of chemicals have mainly concentrated on vertebrates, with significantly less attention paid to understanding potential endocrine disruption in the invertebrates. Given that invertebrates account for at least 95% of all known animal species and are critical to ecosystem structure and function, it remains essential to close this gap in knowledge and research. The lack of progress regarding endocrine disruption in invertebrates is largely due to: (1) our ignorance of mode-of-action, physiological control, and hormone structure and function in invertebrates; (2) lack of a standardized invertebrate assay; (3) the irrelevance to most invertebrates of the proposed activity-based biological indicators for endocrine disruptor (ED) exposure (androgen, estrogen, and thyroid); (4) limited field studies. Past and ongoing research efforts using the standard invertebrate toxicity test model, the mysid shrimp, have aimed at addressing some of these issues. The present review serves as an update to a previous publication on the use of mysids for the evaluation of EDs (Verslycke et al. 2004a). It summarizes recent investigative efforts that have significantly advanced our understanding of invertebrate-specific endocrine toxicity, population modeling, field studies, and transgeneration standard test development using the mysid model.

Molecular cloning of a cDNA encoding a crustacean hyperglycemic hormone from eyestalk ganglia of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus

Crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH), a polypeptide with multiple physiological effects, was first identified in the X-organ/sinus gland neurosecretory system of the eyestalks. In studies reported here, we used a PCR-based cloning strategy (RT-PCR followed by 5'- and 3'-RACE) to clone from blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) eyestalk ganglia a cDNA (CsCHH-1) encoding a putative CHH preprohormone. Sequence analysis revealed the preprohormone included all structural features previously reported for CHH preprohormones: a signal peptide, a CHH precursor-related peptide (CPRP), the CHH polypeptide, and a C-terminal basic processing site. Further, the deduced amino acid sequence of the mature polypeptide included all signature domains previously reported for CHH. The primary structure of blue crab CHH is most closely related to CHH from other brachyurans. RT-PCR revealed the CsCHH-1 transcript was present in eyestalk ganglia, but was undetectable in other tissues tested. A transcript encoding a similar CHH-like preprohormone was detected in thoracic ganglion, ventral nerve cord, and brain, but was not detected in eyestalk ganglia.

Effects of cyclic nucleotides, calcium ionophore, and phorbol ester on vitellogenin mRNA levels in incubated ovarian fragments of the kuruma prawn Marsupenaeus japonicus

In crustaceans, vitellogenin (VTG, the precursor of major yolk protein) is synthesized in the ovary and/or hepatopancreas, and its synthesis is considered to be under the negative control of the vitellogenesis-inhibiting hormone (VIH), a neuropeptide secreted from the X-organ/sinus gland complex in the eyestalks. In the present study, the effects of pharmacological agents on VTG mRNA levels in incubated ovarian fragments of the kuruma prawn Marsupenaeus japonicus were examined to determine the intracellular signalling pathways for VTG synthesis. After 24 h incubation, A23187 (calcium ionophore), dibutyl-cAMP (cAMP analogue), dibutyl-cGMP (cGMP analogue), forskolin (adenylate cyclase activator), 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX, phosphodiesterase inhibitor), and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, protein kinase C activator) decreased VTG mRNA levels in the ovarian fragments. This result suggests that cyclic nucleotides, Ca2+, and protein kinase C are involved in the signalling pathways for the regulation of VTG mRNA levels in the ovaries. Furthermore, the inhibitory effects of sinus gland extract and the pharmacological agents on VTG mRNA were larger in previtellogenic ovaries than in vitellogenic ovaries. This result suggests that the degree of responsiveness to VIH changes during ovarian development and that the changes in responsiveness to VIH involve maturity-related changes in cellular signalling mechanisms in the ovaries.

Dynamics of vitellogenin synthesis in juvenile giant freshwater prawnMacrobrachium rosenbergii

The dynamics of vitellogenin (Vg) mRNA expression and patterns of Vg and vitellin distribution in the hepatopancreas and ovary of juvenile Macrobrachium rosenbergii were examined using real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemical methods. Eyestalk ablation was seen to induce rapid development of the gonads and Vg synthesis in females. In the female hepatopancreas, Vg mRNA expression was observed several days following ablation, after which levels increased gradually with increasing gonadosomatic index (GSI). Vitellin accumulation in the oocytes also increased with increasing Vg mRNA synthesis; expression was however negligible in the ovary. Hemolymph Vg levels in females ranged from 0.04 to 2.2 mg/ml. SDS PAGE/Western blotting analysis of hemolymph samples revealed that juvenile Vg was composed of 199 and 90 kDa subunits; the 102 kDa subunit present in adult female Vg (Okuno et al., 2002. J Exp Zool 292:417-429) could not be detected at any stage of vitellogenesis in juveniles. Vg was not detectable in non-ablated juveniles. The results of this study confirmed that the mode of involvement of eyestalk factors in regulating vitellogenesis is intrinsic to both juveniles and adults, and that a basic pattern of Vg synthesis and processing is conserved. However, the fact that juveniles are not able to produce the same Vg levels observed in adult females, and do not reach high GSI levels culminating in spawning suggests that other factors and physiological conditions specific to adult females are necessary to demonstrate full reproductive ability.

Expression of vitellogenin and cortical rod proteins during induced ovarian development by eyestalk ablation in the kuruma prawn, Marsupenaeus japonicus

In penaeid shrimp species, ovarian development is characterized by the accumulation of a major yolk protein (vitellin) and the formation of cortical rods in the oocytes. The process is considered to be under the control of a neuroendocrine organ in the eyestalk (the X-organ sinus gland complex). In the present study, the synthesis of vitellogenin (VTG, precursor of vitellin) and two kinds of cortical rod proteins (cortical rod protein, CRP; thrombospondin, MjTSP) was induced by bilateral eyestalk ablation (removal of the X-organ sinus gland complex) in immature female kuruma prawn, Marsupenaeus japonicus, and the synthesis process was monitored over a 7-day period after the ablation. The ovarian weight and hemolymph VTG levels increased in the ablated females. The VTG mRNA levels in the ovary increased concomitantly with vitellin accumulation in the ovary after eyestalk ablation. On the other hand, the CRP and MjTSP protein levels in the ovary increased after eyestalk ablation, whereas the CRP and MjTSP mRNA levels in the ovary did not change concomitantly. The results suggest that the regulatory mechanism of gene expression by eyestalk hormones is different between VTG (transcriptional control) and CRP-MjTSP (translational control).

Localization and developmental expression of mRNA for cortical rod protein in kuruma prawn Marsupenaeus japonicus

The mature penaeid oocytes possess cortical rods that contain two related cortical rod proteins (CRP, 28.6 kDa and 30.5 kDa). In the present study, localization of CRP mRNA and gene expression profiles of CRP and vitellogenin (Vg) during ovarian development were examined in kuruma prawn, Marsupenaeus japonicus, an economically important species for shrimp and prawn farming. Northern blot analysis revealed that CRP mRNA was expressed in the ovary. In situ hybridization showed strong signals for CRP transcripts in the oocytes at early developmental stages in both immature and mature ovaries. Quantitative analysis by real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed that CRP mRNA levels were higher in the previtellogenic and endogenous (primary) vitellogenic stages than in more advanced stages. Unlike CRP mRNA, Vg mRNA levels were low in the ovary and hepatopancreas in previtellogenic females. When the ovary developed into the endogenous vitellogenic stage, ovarian Vg mRNA levels increased significantly, followed by rapid decrease in more advanced stages. The Vg mRNA levels in the hepatopancreas, on the other hand, tended to be high in the exogenous (secondary) vitellogenic and maturation stages, in which ovarian Vg mRNA levels were decreased. Our findings indicate that CRP mRNA is highly expressed before the onset of vitellogenesis, suggesting that the transcription, translation, and cortical-rod formation of CRP occur at different phases of oocyte development. The endogenous vitellogenic stage is a crucial stage for the initiation of CRP and Vg syntheses. The coincidence of these protein syntheses suggests that CRP and Vg syntheses are regulated by closely-related mechanisms.

The crustacean hyperglycemic hormone precursors a and b of the Norway lobster differ in the preprohormone but not in the mature peptide

The neuro-endocrine X-organ sinus-gland complex of crustaceans produces and releases the neuropeptides of the crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (cHH)/molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH)/gonad-inhibiting hormone (GIH) family that regulate important physiological processes, such as growth, reproduction and molting. We cloned two full-length cDNAs encoding the preprocHH-A and preprocHH-B of the Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus of 132 and 131 amino acid residues. The two cHHs differ in the preprohormone but not in the mature peptide sequence. The mature cHH was expressed in bacteria as GST fusion protein that, in bioassay, shows a hyperglycemic activity similar to that of native cHH present in an eyestalk extract.

Interference of cadmium and copper with the endocrine control of ovarian growth, in the estuarine crab Chasmagnathus granulata

The effects of cadmium and copper on the hormonal control of ovarian growth were evaluated on the estuarine crab Chasmagnathus granulata, by means of both in vivo (14 days exposure) and in vitro (24 h) assays. For both kind of assays, heavy metal concentrations of 0 (control), 0.5 mg/L of cadmium or 0.1 mg/L of copper were used. No significant (P > 0.05) change of the gonadosomatic index was observed in the in vivo assays with intact females exposed to heavy metals, while eyestalk-ablated exposed females showed significantly (P < 0.05) lower gonadosomatic index values than their respective controls. This latter result led us to consider the possibility that the interfered with extra-eyestalk hormones. In this sense, no differences were noted between control and heavy metals-exposed groups after co-incubating ovary with thoracic ganglion (the source of the gonad stimulating hormone). However, when ovary was incubated with methyl farnesoate or 17-hydroxyprogesterone, 3H-leucine incorporation was significantly lower in the heavy metals-exposed groups than in the controls, indicating a possible interference of cadmium and copper with the transduction pathway of those hormones. On the other hand, ovaries co-incubated in vitro with eyestalk tissue and exposed to either heavy metal showed significantly higher 3H-leucine incorporation than did the controls, suggesting an inhibitory effect of both heavy metals on the secretion of the gonad inhibiting hormone from the eyestalk tissue. Interference by copper and cadmium with the transduction mechanisms of gonad inhibiting hormone at the ovarian level does not appear to be a viable hypothesis, because the addition of eyestalk extracts to the incubation medium reversed the effect caused by each heavy metal. The results from the in vitro assays were in accordance with those obtained with the intact crabs in vivo.

Functional analysis of crustacean Hyperglycemic Hormone by in vivo assay with wild-type and mutant recombinant proteins

The neuro-endocrine X-organ sinus-gland complex regulates important crustacean physiological processes, such as growth, reproduction and molting. Its major products are the neuropeptides of the cHH/MIH/GIH family. Until now the structure-function relationships of these neuropeptides were established by sequence comparison. To study the functional relevance of conserved amino acid residues or peptide motifs, we generated point and deletion mutants of the Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus cHH. The wild type mature neuropeptide cHH and its mutant forms were expressed in bacteria as fusion proteins and assayed in vivo to assess their hyperglycemic activity. The wild type cHH had a hyperglycemic activity similar to that of cHH present in an eyestalk extract, and it was blocked by an anti-recombinant cHH antibody. Bioassays of cHHs, obtained by a progressive deletion of five highly conserved motifs, showed that the only deleted cHH, which conserves a hyperglycemic activity, is the one lacking the C-terminal motif, but still retaining all the motifs reported to be important for functional specificity and three-dimensional structure. All the cHH point mutants lacked a hyperglycemic activity. These results identify amino acid residues that are required for the hyperglycemic activity of cHH.

Inhibition of de novo synthesis of a jelly layer precursor protein by crustacean hyperglycemic hormone family peptides and posttranscriptional regulation by sinus gland extracts in Penaeus semisulcatus ovaries

Mature penaeid oocytes possess extracellular cortical rods (CR) that contain precursor proteins of the jelly layer (JL) that forms a protective layer around eggs immediately after spawning and dissipates following the assembly of the hatching envelope. The temporal pattern of protein synthesis and mRNA expression of a jelly layer precursor protein in Penaeus semisulcatus ovaries was followed during vitellogenesis, and the regulation by sinus gland extracts (SGE) and crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) family peptides was evaluated. An approximately 33-kDa jelly layer precursor protein was previously identified in ovaries, CR, and JL and was named shrimp ovarian peritrophin-like protein (SOP), because its deduced amino acid sequence shows structural similarities to insect peritrophins. SOP was synthesized in ovarian explant fragments that were removed from vitellogenic ovaries and incubated in vitro, but synthesis was not detected in explants that were collected from previtellogenic ovaries. SOP transcripts were detected in all stages of ovarian development, but were more abundant in previtellogenic ovaries than in other stages. De novo synthesis of SOP was inhibited by P. semisulcatus SGE and by CHH family peptides that were purified from P. japonicus sinus glands. Sinus gland extracts, however, did not affect the steady state levels of SOP transcripts at any stage of ovarian development. These results suggest that SGE regulate SOP synthesis at the posttranscriptional level.

Primary structure of CHH/MIH/GIH-like peptides in sinus gland extracts from Penaeus vannamei

Peptides belonging to the CHH/MIH/GIH-family of crustacean hormones were isolated from acetic acid extracts of sinus glands isolated from eyestalks of the shrimp, Penaeus vannamei. The peptides were isolated by chromatography and molecular weights determined by MALDI mass spectrometry. Peptides in the range of 7-9 kDa and containing three disulfide bridges were selected for amino acid sequence analysis. Three peptides with the requisite properties were present in sufficient amounts for sequence analysis. Two peptides had unique sequences similar to CHH/MIH/GIH peptides from other crustaceans. A third peptide seemed to be a truncated form of one of the previous sequences.

Crustacean ecdysteriods in reproduction and embryogenesis

Ecdysteroids are the molting hormones in Crustacea, as in other arthropods. They also subserve functions in the control of reproduction and embryogenesis. The available evidence indicate that the ecdysteroids are sequestered into the ovary by binding to yolk precursor proteins. Steroidogenic ability of the ovary is yet to be demonstrated in Crustacea. Despite several investigations, the role of ecdysteroids in oocyte maturation is not fully known. However, the embryonic ecdysteroids undergo significant fluctuation, correlated to specific developmental stages, including the secretion of embryonic envelopes and cuticle. Ecdysteroid metabolism in the eggs seems to be active throughout embryogenesis inasmuch as the free ecdysteroids are rapidly converted into conjugates, and vice versa; in addition to their inactivation into excretory ecdysteroidic acids. Eyestalk neuropeptides such as molt inhibiting hormones have a dominant role on the ecdysteroid synthesis by Y-organ, although recent evidence suggests a stimulatory role for yet another endocrine gland, the mandibular organ on Y-organ synthesis.