Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries Germplasm Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China.
Sci Rep. 2017 Oct 11;7(1):12993. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-13474-1.
Alternative splicing is an essential molecular mechanism that increase the protein diversity of a species to regulate important biological processes. Ecdysone receptor (EcR), an essential nuclear receptor, is essential in the molting, growth, development, reproduction, and regeneration of crustaceans. In this study, the whole sequence of EcR gene from Eriocheir sinensis was obtained. The sequence was 45,481 bp in length with 9 exons. Moreover, four alternatively spliced EcR isoforms (Es-EcR-1, Es-EcR-2, Es-EcR-3 and Es-EcR-4) were identified. The four isoforms harbored a common A/B domain and a DNA-binding region but different D domains and ligand-binding regions. Three alternative splicing patterns (alternative 5' splice site, exon skipping, and intron retention) were identified in the four isoforms. Functional studies indicated that the four isoforms have specific functions. Es-EcR-3 may play essential roles in regulating periodic molting. Es-EcR-2 may participate in the regulation of ovarian development. Our results indicated that Es-EcR has broad regulatory functions in molting and development and established the molecular basis for the investigation of ecdysteroid signaling related pathways in E. sinensis.
可变剪接是一种重要的分子机制，可增加物种的蛋白质多样性，从而调节重要的生物过程。蜕皮激素受体 (EcR) 是一种必需的核受体，对于甲壳类动物的蜕皮、生长、发育、繁殖和再生至关重要。本研究从中华绒螯蟹中获得了 EcR 基因的全长序列。该序列长 45481bp，包含 9 个外显子。此外，还鉴定出了 4 种可变剪接的 EcR 同工型 (Es-EcR-1、Es-EcR-2、Es-EcR-3 和 Es-EcR-4)。这 4 种同工型具有共同的 A/B 结构域和 DNA 结合区，但不同的 D 结构域和配体结合区。在这 4 种同工型中鉴定出了 3 种可变剪接模式（选择性 5'剪接位点、外显子跳跃和内含子保留）。功能研究表明，这 4 种同工型具有特定的功能。Es-EcR-3 可能在周期性蜕皮的调节中发挥重要作用。Es-EcR-2 可能参与卵巢发育的调节。我们的研究结果表明，Es-EcR 在蜕皮和发育过程中具有广泛的调节功能，并为研究中华绒螯蟹中蜕皮激素信号相关途径奠定了分子基础。
