Induction mechanism of imposex in marine gastropods by retinoids

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Organotin compounds have been widely used as antifouling pints for ships and fishing nets since the 1960s and have thus released into marine environments. Aquatic invertebrates, particularly marine gastropods, are extremely sensitive to organotin compounds such as tributyltin(TBT) and triphenyltin(TPT). So far, very low-concentartion of TBT or TPT have been shown to induce imposex(superimposition of male genitalia on female) in marine gastropods. Although the inposex induction mechanism has been controversial for many years, we have reported that TBT and TPT are potent and efficacious activators of retinoid X receptor(RXR), and the natural ligand of RXR, 9-cis retinoic acid, induces imposex. However, in vertebrates, all-trans retinoic acid is well-known morphogen important for axial patterning and organ formation in early development. In this study, we analyze the molluscan receptor for all-trans retinoic acid in the view of the evolutionary history of retinoid machinery.