Deduced primary structures of three vitellogenins and specific binding to putative multiple ovarian receptors in white perch (Morone americana)

three complete cdnas encoding different forms of vitellogenin (vtg) were cloned from a white perch (Morone americana) liver cdna library. the two longest cdnas encoded Vtgs with a complete suite of yolk protein domains that, based on comparisons with vtg sequences from other species, were categorized as Vtgaa and Vtgab. the shorter cdna encoded a Vtg that lacked a phosvitin domain, had a shortened C-terminus, and was categorized as VtgC. Ligand blots and binding assays revealed multiple distinct Vtg receptors in the ovary of perch with disparate affinities for Vtgaa and Vtgab. Furthermore, in this species, VtgC does not bind to the ovarian membrane.