Identification, Expression, and Functions of the Somatostatin Gene Family in Spotted Scat (<i>Scatophagus argus</i>)

• Main Authors: Peizhe Feng, Changxu Tian, Xinghua Lin, Dongneng Jiang, Hongjuan Shi, Huapu Chen, Siping Deng, Chunhua Zhu, Guangli Li
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-02-01
• Series: Genes
• Subjects: <i>scatophagus argus</i>; somatostatin family; tissues expression; vitro incubation
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/11/2/194

Somatostatins (SSTs) are a family of proteins consisting of structurally diverse polypeptides that play important roles in the growth regulation in vertebrates. In the present study, four somatostatin genes (<i>SST1</i>, <i>SST3</i>, <i>SST5</i>, and <i>SST6</i>) were identified and characterized in the spotted scat (<i>Scatophagus argus</i>). The open reading frames (ORFs) of <i>SST1</i>, <i>SST3</i>, <i>SST5</i>, and <i>SST6</i> cDNA consist of 372, 384, 321, and 333 bp, respectively, and encode proteins of 123, 127, 106, and 110 amino acids, respectively. Amino acid sequence alignments indicated that all SST genes contained conserved somatostatin signature motifs. Real-time PCR analysis showed that the SST genes were expressed in a tissue specific manner. When liver fragments were cultured in vitro with synthetic peptides (SST1, SST2, or SST6 at 1 &#956;M or 10 &#956;M) for 3 h or 6 h, the expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 and 2 (<i>Igf-1</i> and <i>Igf-2</i>) in the liver decreased significantly. Treatment with SST5 had no significant effect on <i>Igf-1</i> and <i>Igf-2</i> gene expression. This study provides an enhanced understanding of the gene structure and expression patterns of the SST gene family in <i>S. argus</i>. Furthermore, this study provides a foundation for future exploration into the role of SST genes in growth and development.