Molecular cloning, characterization and expression analysis of multiple leptin genes in Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian)

Three leptin genes (jILEP-A1,jILEP-A2 and jILEP-B) were cloned and characterized in Jian carp (Cyprinus carpi var. jian), with a highly conserved organization encoded by two exons and one intron. jILEP-A1 and jILEP-A2 contained 93 and 102 bp introns, respectively, encoding a 171-amino acid protein. jILEP-B contained a 687 bp intron encoding a 168-aa protein. jILEP-A1 and jILEP-A2 shared 82.5% identity, but only 29.2% and 28.6% with jILEP-B, respectively. jILEP-Al, jILEP-A2, and jILEP-B were expressed in a wide range of tissues, but the expression pattern differed between juveniles and adults (and females and males). In juveniles, the expression of j 1LEP-A1 and jILEPB was higher than jILEP-A2, and was the highest in the liver and gonad. In females, jILEP-A1 and jILEP-A2 expression was the highest in the hypothalamus and liver, whereas jILEP-B mRNA was detected at low levels in all tissues. In males, jILEP-Al mRNA was expressed primarily in the hypothalamus, with only very low levels in the peripheral tissues. jILEP-A2 and j1LEP-B mRNA were primarily expressed in the muscle, hypothalamus, and liver. The expression of j/LEP-Al and jILEP-B mRNA was high in the ovary and testis, respectively. Our results suggest that leptins play an important physiological role in reproduction. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc All rights reserved.