Expression pattern of the vitellogenin gene in the zhikong scallop, Chlamys farreri, during ontogenesis

Abstract

Vitellogenin (VTG), the precursor to yolk protein vitellins (Vn), has been widely studied in oviparous animals. However, information about VTG expression during ontogenesis is limited. In this study, we investigate the developmental expression pattern of the zhikong scallop gene, Chlamys farreri vitellogenin (Cf-vtg), using in situ hybridization and real-time RT-PCR techniques. The Cf-vtg mRNA was detected in unfertilized eggs, fertilized eggs, embryos and early-stage larvae, indicating a maternally supplied Cf-vtg. It was located restrictively in D-shaped larvae, and its concentration declined at the gastrula stage and approximated zero from umbo-larva to juveniles of 4–6 mm shell height. However, it was expressed distinctly again in the hepatopancreas of both males and females with shell heights from 7 to 12 mm and in the ovary during the first gonadal development cycle. This report provides experimental evidence of the expression pattern of vtg with the maternal supplication, the hepatopancreas and male expression in C. farreri.

Key words:

• Chlamys farreri
• developmental expression
• hepatopancreas
• ovary
• vitellogenin

Funding

This work was supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (863 program) (No. 2012AA10A402) and the Natural Science Foundation of Qingdao (11-2-4-1(10)-jch).

Editorial responsibility: Tom Fenchel

Additional information

Funding

Funding: This work was supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (863 program) (No. 2012AA10A402) and the Natural Science Foundation of Qingdao (11-2-4-1(10)-jch).