Evaluation of gene expression pattern of matrix gla protein and Bone gla protein as skeletogenesis markers in Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus Bordin, 1897)

Bone gla protein and matrix gla protein are of common origin with evolutionary relation and have similar structural features and are functional in the formation of skeletal structures The present study have been evaluated the genes encoding vitamin k-dependant proteins (VKDPs) expression at hatching time (0), 1, 3, 6, 10, 12,14, 20, 30 and 50 in skeletal Persian sturgeon sturgeon (Acipenser persicus Bordin, 1897). The results of quantitative real-time PCR showed that the transcripts of VKDPs genes including bone Gla protein (bgp) and  matrix Gla protein (mgp ) were significantly up-regulated during the transition to the exogenous feeding, confirming the hypothesis about the relevance of the above-mentioned genes in chondrogenesis at early developmental stages. Maximal levels of bgp and mgp expression at juvenile stage, indicating the importance of these genes in the mineralization of the skeleton in sturgeons, although these genes are also expressed in other body tissues. This information can be considered as a reference for other studies evaluating the quality of larvae and the influence of rearing biotic and abiotic factors in the skeletogenesis of this sturgeon species and the occurrence of skeletal deformities.