Identification of candidate genes and physiological pathways involved in gonad deformation in whitefish (Coregonus spp.) from Lake Thun, Switzerland

Bittner, David; Cossins, Andrew R; Segner, Helmut; Excoffier, Laurent; Largiadèr, Carlo R (2011). Identification of candidate genes and physiological pathways involved in gonad deformation in whitefish (Coregonus spp.) from Lake Thun, Switzerland. International journal of environmental research and public health, 8(7), pp. 2706-33. Basel: Molecular Diversity Preservation International MDPI 10.3390/ijerph8072706

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In 2000, fishermen reported the appearance of deformed reproductive organs in whitefish (Coregonus spp.) from Lake Thun, Switzerland. Despite intensive investigations, the causes of these abnormalities remain unknown. Using gene expression profiling, we sought to identify candidate genes and physiological processes possibly associated with the observed gonadal deformations, in order to gain insights into potential causes. Using in situ-synthesized oligonucleotide arrays, we compared the expression levels at 21,492 unique transcript probes in liver and head kidney tissue of male whitefish with deformed and normally developed gonads, respectively. The fish had been collected on spawning sites of two genetically distinct whitefish forms of Lake Thun. We contrasted the gene expression profiles of 56 individuals, i.e., 14 individuals of each phenotype and of each population. Gene-by-gene analysis revealed weak expression differences between normal and deformed fish, and only one gene, ictacalcin, was found to be up-regulated in head kidney tissue of deformed fish from both whitefish forms, However, this difference could not be confirmed with quantitative real-time qPCR. Enrichment analysis on the level of physiological processes revealed (i) the involvement of immune response genes in both tissues, particularly those linked to complement activation in the liver, (ii) proteolysis in the liver and (iii) GTPase activity and Ras protein signal transduction in the head kidney. In comparison with current literature, this gene expression pattern signals a chronic autoimmune disease in the testes. Based on the recent observations that gonad deformations are induced through feeding of zooplankton from Lake Thun we hypothesize that a xenobiotic accumulated in whitefish via the plankton triggering autoimmunity as the likely cause of gonad deformations. We propose several experimental strategies to verify or reject this hypothesis.

Item Type:	Journal Article (Original Article)
Division/Institute:	05 Veterinary Medicine > Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology (DIP) > Center for Fish and Wildlife Health (FIWI) 08 Faculty of Science > Department of Biology > Institute of Ecology and Evolution (IEE) > Population Genetics 04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Haematology, Oncology, Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Medicine and Hospital Pharmacy (DOLS) > Institute of Clinical Chemistry
UniBE Contributor:	Segner, Helmut, Excoffier, Laurent, Largiadèr, Carlo Rodolfo
Subjects:	600 Technology > 630 Agriculture
ISSN:	1661-7827
Publisher:	Molecular Diversity Preservation International MDPI
Language:	English
Submitter:	Factscience Import
Date Deposited:	04 Oct 2013 14:22
Last Modified:	05 Dec 2022 14:06
Publisher DOI:	10.3390/ijerph8072706
PubMed ID:	21845154
Web of Science ID:	000293067300009
URI:	https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/7580 (FactScience: 212874)