Alqaisi K M
University of Otago, New Zealand
Title: The application of transcriptome sequencing: New insights into the understanding of sex-steroid hormone synthesis in echinoderms
Biography
Biography: Alqaisi K M
Abstract
In invertebrates, the presence of sex steroid hormones such as progesterone (P4), testosterone (T) and estradiol-17β (E2) has been reported in Echinoderms and Molluscs and classified as vertebrate-like sex steroid hormones (VLSHs). In Echinoderms, VLSHs levels were found to change in relation to gametogenesis and suggested to be synthesized primarily in the ovary. However, the synthesis and functions of these VLSHs in Echinoderms are still poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to identify transcripts of enzymes that are crucial in the steroid biosynthetic pathway by selecting ovaries from the sea star Patiriella regularis in early and late stages of oogenesis for de novo transcriptome sequencing using Illumina HiSeq2000. The study also investigated the steroidogenic activity of P. regularis ovary and pyloric caeca during the reproductive cycle by incubating these tissues with pregnenolone (P5) or androstenedione (AD) and measuring P4, AD, T and E2 concentrations using liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Surprisingly, the transcripts that encode key steroidogenic enzymes, such as P450scc, 3β-HSD and aromatase, were not found in the transcriptome from the ovary. The results also showed the ability of both pyloric caeca and ovary to convert P5 into P4 and AD into T, but the in vitro production of P4 or T was not significant during the reproductive cycle. Therefore, it seems probable that the synthesis of VLSHs in P. regularis stems from non-specific activity of hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases and P450 enzymes. More similar studies using advanced molecular techniques are needed to understand the synthesis and function of VLSHs in invertebrates.