Molecular cloning, characterisation, and tissue distribution of oestrogen receptor alpha in eelpout (Zoarces viviparus)

A cDNA encoding the eelpout (Zoarces viviparus) oestrogen receptor alpha (eERalpha) has been isolated from eelpout liver, cloned and sequenced. The cDNA contains a complete open reading frame encoding 570 amino acid residues (mw: 63.0 kDa). The amino acid sequence of eERalpha showed a high degree of identity to ERalpha of other teleost species. The tissue distribution of eERalpha mRNA was examined using Northern blotting, RT-PCR and in situ hybridisation (ISH). All three methods identified a pronounced expression of eERalpha in liver, pituitary, testis and ovary. In the brain ISH experiments showed that ERalpha mRNA was highly expressed in distinct regions of the preoptic area and the mediobasal hypothalamus. We have provided evidence that the receptor is auto-regulated by 17beta-oestradiol (E-2) not only in liver but also in the testis, indicating an important role for E-2 during spermatogenesis in male eelpout. RT-PCR analysis showed a broader expression pattern including significant expression in the brain, kidney, heart, and gut of adult eelpout. In eelpout embryos eERalpha expression has also been identified, indicating a possible role for the receptor in early development. This study contributes to the accumulating evidence that in fish E is not only involved in the regulation of liver specific proteins, but has a much broader range of targets. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.