Molecular characterization of gdf9 and bmp15 genes in rare minnow Gobiocypris rarus and their expression upon bisphenol A exposure in adult females

Growth differentiation factor 9 (Gdf9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (Bmp15) are members of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) superfamily that plays important roles in regulating ovarian functions. We cloned the cDNAs of gdf9 and bmp15 in rare minnow Gobiocypris rarus. The full length cDNAs of gdf9 and bmp15 were 1999 and 1721 bp, encoding 431 and 384 amino acids respectively. They both contained conserved TGFβ superfamily domain, with six conserved cysteine residues. Tissue distribution showed that both gdf9 and bmp15 are highly expressed in the G. rarus ovary. Following bisphenol A (BPA) treatment, ovarian transcripts of gdf9 and bmp15 together with the gonadosomatic index and the ovarian histology were altered. It suggests that the altered gdf9 and bmp15 expression may play roles in the weight gain and abnormal development of the ovary following BPA exposure.