Imposex development in Hexaplex trunculus (Gastropoda: Caenogastropoda) involves changes in the transcription levels of the retinoid X receptor (RXR)

In order to further demonstrate that TBT-induced imposex through RXR signaling is not species-specific, Hexaplex trunculus was selected as an experimental model species. We first isolated RXR in H. trunculus, and determined gene transcription through quantitative real-time PCR in key tissues (e.g., penis/penis-forming area and central nervous system:- CNS), upon exposure to tributyltin (TBT) (5 and 50 ng TBT L−1). Two months of exposure to TBT induced imposex and led to a significant increase in the severity of the phenomenon in females and an increase in male penis lengths. Exposure to TBT altered RXR gene transcription in a tissue and sex-specific manner. In the CNS, there were no significant changes in RXR gene transcription between control and TBT-exposed females. A similar trend was observed in male CNS. On the contrary, in the penis-forming area/penis of females exposed to TBT, a significant increase in RXR gene transcription was observed in the 50 ng TBT L−1 group. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between overall female penis lengths and RXR gene transcription. In males, although a trend towards an increase in RXR gene transcription in penis was observed, differences did not reach significance. Overall, the results of the present study give further support to a local role of RXR in the penis-forming area during the development of imposex by TBT, thus suggesting a conserved function of RXR in penis formation at least within prosobranch gastropods.