Cloning and sequence analysis of FSH and LH in the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)
2003
Liao, Ming-Juan | Zhu, Mu-Yuan | Zhang, Zhi-He | Zhang, An-Ju | Li, Guang-Han | Sheng, Fu-Jun
The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is an endangered species and indigenous to China. It has been proposed that it has a highly specialized reproductive pattern with low fecundity, but little is known about its basic reproductive biology at the molecular level. In this report the genes encoding gonadotropin subunits α, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) β and luteinizing hormone (LH) β of the giant panda were amplified for the first time by RT-PCR from pituitary total RNA, and were cloned, sequenced and analyzed. The results revealed that the open reading region (ORF) of gonadotropin subunits α, FSH β and LH β are 363, 390 and 426 bp long, respectively. They displayed a reasonably high degree (74–94, 85–93, 75–91%, for α, FSH β and LH β subunits, respectively) of identity when deduced amino acids were compared with homologous sequences from partial available mammals including human, cattle, sheep, pig, rat, mouse. Three distinct differences were found at the site of 59aa of the α subunit and 55aa, 68aa of FSH β subunit. Our results provide an insight into understanding the mechanism of reproduction regulation and genetic characteristics of giant panda which will make an actual contribution to its conservation. In addition they lay a foundation for a further study towards producing recombinant panda FSH and LH which can be used in artificial breeding aimed to increase its captive reproductive efficiency.
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