Imposex development in Nucella lapillus – Evidence for the involvement of retinoid X receptor and androgen signalling pathways in vivo

Imposex in female gastropods is a widely documented masculinisation phenomenon in response to tributyltin (TBT) exposure. Although it is generally accepted that imposex is a case of endocrine disruption the underlying mechanisms are controversially discussed with aromatase inhibition and retinoid X receptor (RXR) signalling pathways as two conflicting hypotheses. Hence, we performed injection experiments with the marine dogwhelk Nucella lapillus. As expected TBT induced imposex in all test specimens while the natural RXR ligand 9 cis-retinoic acid did not cause significant effects. Additionally, TBT effects were suppressed if the organotin compound was simultaneously injected with an androgen receptor inhibitor (cyproterone acetate) but not if co-administered with the synthetic RXR antagonist HX531. In contrast, the injection of the RXR agonist HX630 resulted in imposex development in nearly 100% females. Therefore, the results provide evidence for the involvement of the RXR and the androgen signalling pathway. Further investigations are necessary to resolve the biochemical mechanism of imposex development.

► Imposex induction in Nucella lapillus via RXR and androgen pathways is investigated.
► TBT and RXR agonist induce imposex significantly, but not 9-cis retinoic acid.
► Cyproterone acetat inhibits imposex development via TBT, but not RXR antagonist.