Molecular characterization, tissue distribution patterns and nutritional regulation of IGFBP-1, -2, -3 and -5 in yellowtail, Seriola quinqueradiata

Abstract Insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins (IGFBPs) play a vital role in regulating the biological activities of IGFs. In this study, we cloned and determined full-length cDNA sequences of yellowtail IGFBP-1, -2, -3 and -5. Their tissue distribution was determined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR, which revealed that IGFBP-1, -2, -3 and -5 are widely distributed in yellowtail tissues. In yellowtail, both IGFBP-1 and –2 are highly expressed in the liver, IGFBP-3 is predominantly expressed in the heart and skin, with the lowest expression in the liver, and IGFBP-5 is highly expressed in the liver and kidneys. The widespread tissue expression of the yellowtail IGFBPs suggests that they may act in an autocrine and/or paracrine manner in the regulation of IGF activity. The effects of nutritional deprivation on yellowtail IGFBPs and IGF-I were also examined. During a 15-day starvation period, significant elevation was observed in hepatic yellowtail IGFBP-1. Refeeding restored its level to that of the control. No significant change was observed in the hepatic yellowtail IGFBP-2 mRNA levels in starved fish compared with control fish during the starvation period. Interestingly, during the early period of food deprivation, a significant increase was observed in hepatic yellowtail IGFBP-3 and -5 mRNA levels, concomitant to the significant elevation in hepatic IGF-I mRNA from day 3 to day 9. The unexpected increase in growth stimulatory IGFBPs and IGF-I during nutritional deprivation may represent a species-specific response to changes in nutritional condition.