Sequence and expression of cytochrome P450 aromatase and FTZ-F1 genes in the protandrous black porgy (Acanthopagrus schlegeli).

In this study, a cDNA encoding cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom) was cloned from black porgy Acanthopagrus schlegeli ovary. The deduced amino acid sequence had high homology with ovarian P450arom of other teleost fish. Moreover, we partially cloned two FTZ-F1 homologues (asff1a and asff1b) from black porgy. Comparative sequence analysis grouped asff1a and asff1b in NR5A2 and NR5A4 clades, respectively. Among the various tissues tested, P450arom mRNA was highly expressed in the ovary and weakly in the brain and testis, asff1a was expressed in brain, liver, intestine, kidney, testis, and ovary, asff1b was expressed in brain, kidney, testis, and ovary. The transcript levels of P450arom, asff1a, and asff1b were measured in the ovary and testis of 1+ -year-old, 2+ -year-old, and 5+ -year-old black porgy. The transcript level of P450arom in the ovary of 2+ -year-old fish was significantly higher than those of 1+ -year-old and 5+ -year-old fish. The results suggest that P450arom gene may be involved in the mechanism of natural sex change of protandrous black porgy. No change in ovarian expression of asff1a or asff1b was observed among different ages. These results suggest that up-regulation of the transcript levels of P450arom during the course of natural sex change of black porgy was not regulated via FTZ-F1.