Enhanced expression of beta-thymosin mRNA in the ovary of GnRH analog or estradiol-17beta-treated paradise fish, Macropodus opercularis.

cDNA clones were isolated as expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from the ovarian cDNA library of Macropodus opercularis. The EST sequences showed similarity with many housekeeping genes and ribosomal proteins. One of the ESTs showed similarity to beta-thymosin, a 5-kDa polypeptide expressed under different physiological conditions. The cDNA corresponding to beta-thymosin of M. opercularis is 368 bp in length and codes for a putative polypeptide of 42 amino acids. Multiple alignment of the deduced amino acid sequence showed 61% similarity with piscine beta-thymosins and 56% similarity with mammalian beta-thymosins. Administration of a gonadotropin releasing hormone analog or estradiol-17beta induced an increase in the gonadosomatic index, oocyte diameter and also enhanced expression of beta-thymosin m-RNA in the recrudizing ovary. This report indicates that both GnRH analog and E(2) might induce similar pathways for the differentiation of ovarian cells for the maturation of oocytes.