Brain aromatase from pejerrey fish (Odontesthes bonariensis): cDNA cloning, tissue expression, and immunohistochemical localization

PABLO H. STROBL-MAZZULLA, NATALIA P. MONCAUT, GABRIELA C. LÓPEZ, LEANDRO A. MIRANDA, ADELINO V.M. CANARIO, GUSTAVO M. SOMOZA

GENERAL AND COMPARATIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY

ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2005 vol. 143 p. 21 - 32

0016-6480

The brain-type aromatase (CYP19A2) cDNA from pejerrey  Odontesthes bonariensis was characterized. Its sequence diVers from the ovarian-derived aromatase (CYP19A1) previously reported for the same species. The cDNA is 2305 bp in length and the deduced protein comprises 501 amino-acids. The percentage of identity was higher when compared to other brain-derived aromatase proteins (85?63%) and lower with ovarian-derived aromatases (64?57%). Pejerrey aromatases share 61% of identity. The tissue expression anal- ysis showed that CYP19A2 was expressed in the kidney, brain, and pituitary gland of both sexes and also in the ovary, but not in the eye, spleen, liver, gill, and testis. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis of diVerent brain areas revealed that CYP19A2 was expressed sig- niWcantly higher in anterior male brain areas than in the corresponding female areas, and also when compared to posterior brain areas from both sexes. An immunological analysis using a polyclonal anti-teleost aromatase showed immunoreactive aromatase cells bor- dering the telencephalic ventricle and a strong signal in the ependymal cells of the preoptic area and the hypothalamus. In the optic tectum immunoreactive aromatase cells were labeled in the ventral wall and in the ependymal layer of the third and fourth ventricle with lateral projections. In the pituitary gland immunoreactive aromatase cells could be found in the rostral and proximal pars distalis . In this gland, aromatase Wbers were also detected in diVerent areas; many of them concentrated around blood vessels.