Cloning of IGF-I, IGF-II and IGF-IR cDNAs in mullet (Mugil cephalus) and grouper (Epinephelus coioides): Molecular markers for egg quality in marine fish

Abstract

The putative cDNA sequence of insulin like growth factor (IGF)-I, IGF-II and IGF-IR (receptor) was determined from the tissues of mullet, Mugil cephalus and grouper Epinephelus coioides. The deduced partial coding sequences were deposited at Gene Bank (Accession No. AY427954, AY427955, AY772254, AY776158, AY776159, AY772255). These basic data were used to determine messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels during embryogenesis in the two species. Results showed that IGF-II has the highest expression ratio and makes it a potential marker for egg quality in the two cultured species.