Use of heterologous cDNA arrays and organ culture in the detection of thyroid hormone-dependent responses in a sentinel frog, Rana catesbeiana

Despite the extensive use of wildlife species in elucidating important biological processes, very few gene expression tools are available. For example, many frog species with different sensitivities and ecological niches are used as sentinel species for environmental contaminants and as developmental models. However, gene expression analyses have been essentially limited to one laboratory species. In an attempt to extend gene expression analyses to relevant indigenous species, we have developed a frog cDNA array with probes designed against conserved protein-encoding sequences. Changes in gene expression profiles were identified in cultured tail tips of Rana catesbeiana tadpoles during induction of tail regression by exogenous thyroid hormone and are associated with a transition from active cell proliferation to increased apoptotic activity. The expression profiles of selected genes representative of different response patterns were further characterized in tails of tadpoles undergoing natural metamorphosis using de novo designed biomarker probes and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. The results support the cross-species application of cDNA arrays that can direct the development of gene expression biomarkers for indigenous wildlife species.