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Cytochrome P450c17-II (cyp17-II, 17α-hydroxylase) is responsible for the production of steroid hormones during oocyte maturation in vertebrates. The comparative expression pattern of cyp17-II gene during the gonadal development stages will provide important insights into its function of gonadal development. In addition, epigenetic modification especially DNA methylation plays a vital role in regulation of gene expression. The adult female Japanese flounder at different ovarian development stage (from stages II to V) was obtained in this experiment. The expression of cyp17-II gene in the ovary of Japanese flounder during the gonadal development stages was measured by quantitative PCR. Reproductive traits included gonadosomatic index (GSI), plasma estradiol-17β (E2) and testosterone (T) were also measured. Moreover, whole CpG dinucleotides methylation status of the two CpG rich regions in cyp17-II coding region was detected by bisulfate sequencing. In the ovary, the cyp17-II gene had the lowest mRNA expression at the early ovarian development stage, but then increased afterward. The variation trends of T and E2 level were consistent with the cyp17-II expression pattern in ovary. In contrast, the whole methylation levels of each CpG rich region (exon 4 and 6) in cyp17-II coding region were declined from stages II to IV, then increased at stage V. The methylation levels of whole CpG sites in each CpG rich region were inversely correlated with the values of ovarian cyp17-II gene expression, T and E2 level, and GSI. Based on the present study, we proposed that cyp17-II may regulate the level of steroid hormone, and then stimulate the oocyte growth and maturation. The cyp17-II gene transcriptional activity was possibly affected by the methylation level of CpG rich regions in coding region. These findings will help in the study of the molecular mechanism of fish reproduction and endocrine physiology., (Crown Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Abstract: Cytochrome P450c17-II (cyp17-II) gene is an important factor affecting the growth, gonad differentiation and development, and other reproductive traits of fish. There are three CpG rich regions in the coding region of cyp17-II gene in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). The aim of this study was to understand whether mutations in exons of the cyp17-II gene occured at CpG sites, and mutations and methylation status of those CpG sites were involved in regulation of the expression level of cyp17-II gene and the reproductive endocrine of Japanese flounder. The results showed that three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified. SNP1 [(c. G594A (p.Gly 188Arg)] located in exon 4 of L1 locus, and SNP2 (c.A939G) and SNP3 (c.C975T) of L2 locus located in CpG rich region of the exon 6 of cyp17-II gene. Furthermore, the A to G transition at 939bp position added a new methylation site to the cyp17-II coding region. According to multiple-comparison analysis, two loci (L1 and L2) were significantly associated with serum testosterone (T) level (P< 0.05) and the expression of cyp17-II in ovary (P< 0.01). Intriguingly, individuals with GG genotype of L2 locus containing eight CpG methylation sites had significantly lower serum testosterone level and cyp17-II mRNA expression than those with AA genotype containing seven CpG methylation sites. Moreover, the CpG site was highly methylated (⩾77.8%) at 938bp position of individuals with GG genotype of L2 locus. These implied that the mutation and methylation status of the coding region of cyp17-II could influence the gene expression and the reproductive endocrine levels in female Japanese flounder and L2 locus could be regarded as a candidate genetic or epigenetic marker for Japanese flounder breeding programs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]