Abstract
Neurokinin B (NKB), a recently discovered neuropeptide, plays a crucial role in regulating the kiss-GnRH neurons in vertebrate's brain. NKB is also characterized in gonadal tissues; however, its role in gonads is poorly understood. Therefore, in the present study, the effects of NKB on gonadal steroidogenesis and gametogenesis through in vivo and in vitro approaches using NKB antagonist MRK-08 were evaluated. The results suggest that the NKB antagonist decreases the development of advanced ovarian follicles and germ cells in the testis. In addition, MRK-08 further reduces the production of 17β-estradiol in the ovary and testosterone in the testis under both in vivo and in vitro conditions in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the in vitro MRK-08 treatment of gonadal explants attenuated the expression of steroidogenic marker proteins, i.e., StAR, 3β-HSD, and 17β-HSD dose-dependently. Moreover, the MAP kinase proteins, pERK1/2 & ERK1/2 and pAkt & Akt were also downregulated by MRK-08. Thus, the study suggests that NKB downregulates steroidogenesis by modulating the expressions of steroidogenic marker proteins involving ERK1/2 & pERK1/2 and Akt/pAkt signalling pathways. NKB also appears to regulate gametogenesis by regulating gonadal steroidogenesis in the catfish.
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Data Availability
The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Change history
17 July 2023
A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-023-03812-3
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Acknowledgements
The author thanks Dr. Jyoti Parkash, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Central University of Punjab, City Campus, Mansa Road, Bathinda, India, for reading the manuscript.
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This work was supported by the grants under the Center of Advanced Study Program Phase VI of the University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi, Government of India, to the Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, India. Ankur Singh is thankful to UGC, New Delhi, India, for the award of MANF (F1—17.1/2014—15/MANF-2014—15-CHR—UTT- 31,622/ (SA—III/Website)).
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Singh, A., Lal, B., Kumar, P. et al. Role of Neurokinin B in gametogenesis and steroidogenesis of freshwater catfish, Clarias batrachus. Cell Tissue Res 393, 377–391 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-023-03788-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-023-03788-0