• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.26
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• pp.5.1-5.11
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• 2011

Objectives: In order to identify the possibility of slender bitterling (SB) (Acheilognathus yamatsutae) being used as a test species for estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemicals (EEDCs), we carried out the cloning and sequence characterization of the estrogen receptor (ER). Methods: The ER from a slender bitterling was obtained by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), 5'- and 3'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (5'-RACE and 3'-RACE) and T-vector cloning. The expression of ER mRNA was also analyzed in six tissues (brain, liver, kidney, gill, gonad, and intestines) by real-time PCR. Results: We obtained an ER from the slender bitterling. The SB ER cDNA was 2189 base pairs (bp) in length and contained a 1707 bp open reading frame that encoded 568 amino acid residues. The SB ER amino acid sequence clustered in a monophyletic group with the $ER{\alpha}$ of other fish, and was more closely related to zebrafish $ER{\alpha}$(88% identity) than to the $ER{\alpha}$ of other fish. The SB ER cDNA was divided into A/B, C, D, E and F domains. The SB ER has conserved important sequences for ER functions, such as the DNA binding domain (D domain), which are consistent with those of other teleosts. Conclusions: The ER of the slender bitterling could provide basic information in toxicological studies of EEDCs in the slender bitterling.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.115-120
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• 2010

Genetic variation and population structure of the slender bitterling Acheilognathus lanceolatus of Korea (the Han, Geum, Dongjin, Seomjin and Nakdong Rivers) and Japan (the Katsura River) were assessed by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis. Five combinations of selective primers generated 345~374 DNA fragments, of which 55~131 were polymorphic. The Nakdong River population had the highest genetic diversity and the Han River population had the lowest genetic diversity. Dendrogram based on the distance matrix revealed that individuals from each population consistently clustered together and bifurcated into two distinct clades (or population groups) composed of the Han, Geum, Dongjin and Seomjin River populations and of the Nakdong and Katsura River populations, supported with high bootstrap values. The pairwise genetic differentiation ($F_{ST}$) estimates showed that the six populations were genetically well differentiated (P<0.01). The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) after partitioning the six populations into two population groups revealed very strong biogeographic structuring between them with 25.49% of total variance (P<0.01). Taken together, the AFLP markers clearly divided six A. lanceolatus populations into two population groups.