Importin alpha proteins are critical modulators of the classical nuclear protein import pathway. Although the physiological roles of importin alpha have been extensively studied in invertebrates and mammals, very little is known about their counterparts in lower vertebrates. In this study, to elucidate the roles of importin alpha in a teleost species, we isolated and characterized red seabream (Pagrus major) importin alpha cDNA derived from ovary and found changes in the mRNA levels of importin alpha in male and female red seabream during sexual maturation. The 1846-bp cDNA encodes a 520 amino acid protein that includes the importin beta-binding domain, a short acidic domain, and an armadillo (arm) repeat domain. Northern blot analysis and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed transcription of red seabream importin alpha in testis and ovary but not in the other tissues. The importin alpha mRNA levels in males increase in association with testicular development, whereas those in females remain high throughout sexual maturation. These findings suggest that red seabream ovary-derived importin alpha may be controlled in a tissue-specific manner and may perform unique functions in the gonad in addition to its involvement in nuclear transport.
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