Molecular characterization of three GnRH receptor paralogs in the European eel, Anguilla anguilla: Tissue-distribution and changes in transcript abundance during artificially induced sexual development

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRH-R) activation stimulates synthesis and release of gonadotropins in the vertebrate pituitary and also mediates other processes both in the brain and in peripheral tissues. To better understand the differential function of multiple GnRH-R paralogs, three GnRH-R genes (gnrhr1a, 1b, and 2) were isolated and characterized in the European eel. All three gnrhr genes were expressed in the brain and pituitary of pre-pubertal eels, and also in several peripheral tissues, notably gills and kidneys. During hormonally induced sexual maturation, pituitary expression of gnrhr1a (female) and gnrhr2 (male and female) was up-regulated in parallel with gonad development. In the brain, a clear regulation during maturation was seen only for gnrhr2 in the midbrain, with highest levels recorded during early vitellogenesis. These data suggest that GnRH-R2 is the likely hypophysiotropic GnRH-R in male eel, while both GnRH-R1a and GnRH-R2 seems to play this role in female eels.

► Three GnRH receptor cDNAs were identified in European eel.
► Phylogenetic analysis revealed two Type I and one Type II GnRH-Rs in European eel.
► All three GnRH-Rs were expressed in the brain and pituitary.
► GnRH-R2 showed increased gene expression in pituitary during gonad maturation.
► GnRH-R2 likely mediates GnRH hypophysiotrophic function in European eel.