Contrasting effects of 4-nonlyphenol on the gene expression of vitellogenin and retinol-binding protein in a rockfish Sebastes schlegeli

Abstract

Retinol-binding protein (RBP) plays an important role in the specific plasma transport of retinol to target cells in higher vertebrates. In order to clarify the effects of 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) on RBP mRNA expression in the rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli which is common in coastal waters of Korea and commercially important species, the cDNA library was constructed from liver, and the partial RBP were encoded. The deduced amino acid sequence of 146 bases RBP mRNA showed a high homology to Sparus aurata (80%), Oncorhynchus mykiss (72%), Anguilla anguilla (78%). Effects of 4-NP on RBP and VTG mRNA expression level in rockfish were examined by the northern blot analysis. In female and male rockfish injected with 4-NP of 10 mg/kg BW, there was no changes in the levels of VTG mRNA expression. On the other hand the RBP mRNA levels were reduced at 48 hours after injection in male. In rockfish injected with 4-NP 25 mg/kg BW, the level of VTG mRNA expression increased after 24 hours, regardless of sex. The level of RBP mRNA expression was reduced 48 hours after administration. These data indicate that estrogenic mimics such as 4-NP exhibits contrasting effect on RBP and VTG gene expression in rockfis