Molecular characterisation of carp aquaporin-3a: Expression profiling during hormone-induced spawning

• Published in: Aquaculture 2019-02, Vol.500, p.569-575
• Main Authors: Monsang, Shongsir Joy, Parhi, Janmejay, Choudhury, Jyotibrata, Deka, Arunima, Pal, Prasenjit
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AQP 3a; Cyprinus carpio; Hydration; Reproduction; Spawning
• ISSN: 0044-8486; 1873-5622
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2018.10.069

Aquaporins are suggested to be involved in hydration, activation and final release of gametes. Aquaporin3a (AQP3a) was cloned and sequenced from Cyprinus carpio to investigate its role in reproduction. AQP3a was amplified with primers based on conserved regions of other related species. 5′ and 3′ end were amplified using RACE PCR. The predicted protein showed the typical six transmembrane domains and two Asn-Pro-Ala (NPA) motifs conserved among the members of the AQP superfamily. The phylogenetic analysis based on AQP3a complete sequence showed the similarity between C. carpio and Carassius auratus. During differential tissue expression study of AQP3a using real-time PCR, highest expression was seen in testis followed by gill, skin, eye, liver, muscle, and kidney. The seasonal expression in both testis and ovary showed highest in spawning phase (June–July) than that of preparatory phase (March–April) and resting phase (September–October). The expression was higher in testis as compared to the ovary in the entire phases studied, even though the trend was similar. On induced breeding, AQP3a transcripts were found more after 5 h post ovatide injection in male and 24 h post ovatide injection in female as compared to the control testis and ovary respectively. Sharp decline after the spermiation/ovulation suggests its role in controlling water and other solute movements across the membrane during spawning. •Aquaporin3a (AQP3a) was cloned and sequenced from Cyprinus carpio to investigate its role in reproduction.•The highest expression of C. carpio AQP3a was seen in testis followed by gill, skin, eye, liver, muscle, and kidney.•In gonad maximum expression was observed during spawning.•AQP3a transcripts were found more after 5 h post-ovatide injection in male and 24 h in female.