刺激隐核虫小GTP酶Ran基因的克隆与表达

对刺激隐核虫(Cryptocaryon irritans)的小GTP酶Ran基因(Ci Ran)进行研究,以期为刺激隐核虫病原生物学研究及其防治提供理论基础。从刺激隐核虫滋养体/包囊前期cDNA文库中筛选出Ci Ran基因的克隆,利用生物信息学方法对CiRan基因及其编码的蛋白进行结构与功能的预测;通过逆转录PCR检测CiRan的mRNA。结果表明其在刺激隐核虫的各个发育阶段均有表达。对CiRan基因开放阅读框内的非通用密码子进行改造,并构建重组质粒p GEX-4T-1/CiRan,将其转化到大肠杆菌(E.coli)后成功表达分子量为51.3 kD的重组融合蛋白rCiRan。用rCiRan蛋白免疫鼠血清进行免疫印迹分析,结果表明,抗rCiRan血清能识别刺激隐核虫各期虫体的天然CiRan蛋白,其表观分子量为25.3 kD,与根据编码基因序列推测出的理论值相符;以rCiRan的抗血清做间接免疫荧光抗体实验,结果表明天然CiRan蛋白在幼虫的细胞质和细胞核内均有分布,且在核膜周围富集,佐证了该分子潜在的功能。     

Ⅱ型鲤疱疹病毒ORF121蛋白的多克隆抗体制备及鉴定

针对CyHV-2病毒ORF121基因(GenBank:AFJ20543.1)进行原核表达系统的构建,将纯化重组蛋白作为抗原来免疫BALB/c小鼠获得多克隆抗体,应用该抗体开展CyHV-2病毒诊断及其感染机制研究。以CyHV-2病毒感染细胞上清液为扩增模板,扩增ORF121基因构建至pGEX-4T原核表达载体,经异丙基硫代半乳糖苷(IPTG)诱导表达rORF121重组蛋白,利用尿素纯化后免疫6周龄BALB/c小鼠制备多克隆抗体。结果显示,CyHV-2病毒ORF121基因可在原核表达系统中高效表达目的重组蛋白rORF121,经SDS-PAGE分析大小约为60 ku,主要以不可溶的包涵体存在。利用尿素溶解rORF121蛋白免疫BALB/c小鼠获得抗ORF121蛋白的多克隆抗体,Western Blot实验显示,该抗体可特异性识别CyHV-2病毒感染RyuF-2细胞样品。研究表明,利用CyHV-2感染RyuF-2细胞后,本研究制备的抗ORF121蛋白的多克隆抗体能够通过间接免疫荧光实验特异性识别CyHV-2病毒感染的细胞样品。本研究制备的抗ORF121蛋白的多克隆抗体,能够为CyHV-2病毒诊断技术的构建以及深入开展CyHV-2病毒感染机制提供良好的技术基础。     

鲤疱疹病毒Ⅱ型ORF4基因的克隆、表达与免疫学检测方法

根据鲤疱疹病毒II型(Cyprinid herpesvirus Ⅱ,Cy HV-2)ORF 4基因序列(Gen Bank:JQ815364.1)设计特异性引物,PCR扩增得到ORF 4基因编码框全长序列1 041 bp,将其克隆至原核表达载体p ET-32a(+)中,构建了重组原核表达载体p ET-32a-ORF 4。将p ET-32a-ORF 4重组载体转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3),经IPTG诱导得到融合表达的重组蛋白,融合表达的重组蛋白主要以包涵体的形式存在,其分子质量约为57 ku,与预期大小一致。将纯化的重组蛋白免疫日本大耳兔,制备了多克隆抗体,ELISA检测抗体效价大于1∶50 000,Western blot检测显示该抗体可以特异性识别重组蛋白。间接免疫荧光检测结果表明:该多克隆抗体可与由Cy HV-2感染引起细胞病变的异育银鲫脑组织细胞(GICB)发生特异性的结合。     

刺激隐核虫α-微管蛋白基因的克隆、原核表达及在生活史不同阶段的mRNA表达

从本实验室已有刺激隐核虫(Cryptocaryon irritans)转录组数据中筛选获得α-微管蛋白基因片段,利用5'RACE和3'RACE技术首次克隆获得其cDNA,全长为1602 bp,包含1356 bp的开放阅读框,编码451个氨基酸,预测蛋白质分子量为49.78 kD。生物信息学分析表明α-微管蛋白为亲水性非跨膜蛋白,氨基酸序列的第142～148位有特异且保守的GTP核苷酸结合位点(GGGTGSG)。对刺激隐核虫α-微管蛋白氨基酸序列进行同源性比对及进化树分析,发现其与间日疟原虫(Trypanosoma vivax)、丹氏锥虫(Trypanosoma danilewskyi)、八肋游仆虫(Euplotes octocarinatus)、尾刺耐格里原虫(Naegleria gruberi)、眼虫(Euglena gracilis)等的序列一致性高达94%～95%,且在系统进化树上聚为一支。采用实时荧光定量PCR技术对α-微管蛋白基因在刺激隐核虫3个生活史阶段的表达进行检测,结果显示α-微管蛋白基因的表达量在纤毛虫时期显著高于包囊和滋养体时期(P0.05)。我们进一步构建了α-微管蛋白重组表达载体,并转化至大肠杆菌表达菌株BL21(DE3)和Rosetta(DE3)中进行原核表达,SDS-PAGE分析表明,诱导表达的重组蛋白分子量约为50 kD,与预测的结果一致,即成功诱导表达α-微管蛋白。本实验结果为后续制备α-微管蛋白有效亚单位疫苗防治刺激隐核虫病奠定了基础。     

牡蛎疱疹病毒结构蛋白真核表达系统构建及多聚化特性研究

牡蛎疱疹病毒(OsHV-1)在全球范围内导致牡蛎、扇贝与蚶类的大规模死亡,成为双壳贝类养殖产业的重要威胁。为了解OsHV-1的结构与致病机制。本研究利用HEK293t细胞,构建OsHV-1主要核衣壳蛋白（ORF104和ORF33）的真核表达系统,并对ORF104和ORF33潜在相互作用进行检测。实验首先通过特异性PCR扩增技术得到orf 104和orf 33的基因序列,根据其编码蛋白的理化性质、跨膜区与三维结构等生物信息学分析结果,选择pCDNA3.1构建两种基因的重组表达质粒。重组质粒经大肠杆菌扩增、提取后,利用转染试剂Lipo8000?将pCDNA3.1-orf 104与pCDNA3.1-orf 33分别单独或共转染至人胚肾细胞(HEK293t)。然后,将转染后的细胞培养18 h后裂解收集蛋白。最后利用蛋白免疫印迹检测(Western Blot,WB)与负染电镜检测两种目的蛋白的表达情况。结果显示,实验成功构建了OsHV-1衣壳蛋白ORF104和ORF33的重组表达质粒载体,通过真核细胞表达得到大小约为135与35 ku的目的蛋白。研究表明,表达质粒可在真核表达系统中实现蛋白单独转染与共转染,共转染蛋白间可能存在相互作用的趋势并形成多聚体,其中,ORF33自身即可形成分子量不同的多聚体。本研究首次利用真核表达系统开展OsHV-1关键结构蛋白的表达,为进一步开展该病毒结构蛋白功能与互作,以及病毒入侵机制研究奠定基础。     

罗非鱼无乳链球菌LrrG蛋白的原核表达及免疫原性分析

LrrG蛋白是无乳链球菌较保守的表面蛋白之一。为获得罗非鱼源无乳链球菌LrrG蛋白并探讨其在罗非鱼体内的免疫原性,本实验根据GenBank中已报道的人源无乳链球菌LrrG基因序列,设计特异性引物,扩增获得罗非鱼源无乳链球菌的LrrG基因。分析表明,其ORF为2 361 bp,编码786个氨基酸,与人源无乳链球菌LrrG基因核苷酸序列的相似性高达98.48%。LrrG蛋白含有3个保守的LRR结构域,并可形成多个抗原表位。将LrrG基因片段克隆转入原核表达载体pET-32a(+),构建重组质粒pET-32a(+)/LrrG,E.coli BL21(DE3)22℃诱导表达6 h。SDS-PAGE显示,诱导表达蛋白的分子量为108.9 ku,并且该重组蛋白以可溶和包涵体2种形式存在。经His Bind亲和柱纯化及超滤管浓缩后,LrrG可溶蛋白浓度达3.40 mg/mL。鱼体注射免疫实验表明,LrrG可溶蛋白对罗非鱼的相对免疫保护率达69.28%,且免疫后4周的血清抗体滴度为1∶800。该研究为深入探讨无乳链球菌LrrG蛋白作为罗非鱼基因工程疫苗的潜在应用价值奠定了基础。     

仿刺参补体AjC3部分基因的原核表达及多克隆抗体的制备

通过制备仿刺参补体C3(AjC3)多克隆抗体,为进一步研究仿刺参补体AjC3免疫机制奠定基础。利用PCR技术扩增AjC3部分基因片段(4556~5110bp),将该片段与原核表达载体pGS-21a连接。将重组表达质粒转化到Transetta(DE3)中经IPTG诱导表达。表达的重组蛋白经镍柱纯化后,作为抗原免疫小鼠制备AjC3多克隆抗体。分别用间接ELISA,Western blot检测抗体的效价和特异性。结果显示,PCR扩增得到约555bp的目的片段,重组蛋白分子量大小约56ku;间接ELISA检测抗体效价达1∶25600,Western blot结果显示,多克隆抗体具有良好的特异性。该试验成功的制备了补体AjC3多克隆抗体,为补体AjC3的进一步研究提供了检测工具。     

鲤疱疹病毒3型ORF136基因编码蛋白多克隆抗体的制备与鉴定

为了对鲤疱疹病毒3型(Cyprinid herpesvirus 3,CyHV-3)ORF136基因编码蛋白进行功能研究和血清学诊断,本实验通过对ORF136基因推导的第31~157位氨基酸序列进行PCR扩增,并与原核载体pET-32a(+)连接,转化至大肠杆菌Rosetta(DE3)感受态后进行IPTG诱导表达,将纯化后的重组蛋白免疫新西兰白兔(Oryctolagus cuniculus)以制备ORF136多克隆抗体,运用Western blot和间接免疫荧光技术对抗体进行鉴定。结果表明,重组融合表达蛋白大小与预期一致,约为35 kD,且主要分布在包涵体中。Western blot分析显示,免疫兔后获得的纯化ORF136多克隆抗体能特异性识别纯化的CyHV-3和感染CyHV-3的KS细胞;间接免疫荧光分析进一步表明ORF136多抗能识别感染CyHV-3的KS细胞。ORF136多克隆抗体的制备为ORF136蛋白功能研究和CyHV-3血清学诊断方法的建立提供了重要基础。     

草鱼呼肠孤病毒HZ08株S10编码蛋白多克隆抗体制备及其特性分析

为研究草鱼呼肠孤病毒(GCRV)HZ08株S10基因节段编码蛋白的可能功能,采用PCR方法扩增草鱼呼肠孤病毒HZ08株S10基因节段,并把该基因节段克隆至表达载体pET-32a(+),获得的重组表达载体pET-32a-S10转化到大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)菌株,用IPTG诱导表达,表达产物通过SDS-PAGE分析鉴定后,再通过变性、过Ni柱纯化、透析复性纯化获得目的蛋白。然后用纯化的重组蛋白免疫昆明小白鼠,制得多克隆抗体,用间接ELISA方法测定抗体效价,用Western blot和IFA(间接免疫荧光试验)鉴定抗体特异性。结果表明,SDS-PAGE分析表达的重组蛋白约为53 ku,大小与预期相符,目的蛋白主要存在于包涵体中;过Ni柱纯化、透析复性纯化后的重组蛋白纯度可达97.4%;间接ELISA测得制备的多克隆抗体效价约为1∶106,Western blot和IFA结果显示,制备的多克隆抗体能识别HZ08毒株,表明S10编码蛋白为GCRV-HZ08株的结构蛋白。     

中华绒螯蟹精巢特异表达蛋白DMRT-like:抗体制备及免疫鉴定

Dmrt是性别调控因子Doublesex和Mab-3的相关基因,近年报道了中华绒螯蟹EsDmrt-like只在精巢中表达,为了验证EsDMRT-like蛋白是否在中华绒螯蟹精巢中特异表达及其功能,根据中华绒螯蟹EsDmrt-like基因序列,构建重组质粒pET-32a-EsDmrt-like,转化大肠杆菌BL21,经融合表达和SDS-PAGE分析表明,融合蛋白主要以包涵体形式存在,分子量约为46ku.利用Ni柱亲和纯化融合蛋白免疫家兔,制备获得EsDMRT-like多克隆抗体.Western-blotting检测表明该抗体既能特异地识别重组蛋白,又能特异识别精巢中EsDMRT-like蛋白,并且该抗体仅在精巢中检测到EsDMRT-like蛋白的表达,分子量约为52 ku,为预期单体分子量的二倍.Western-blotting检测变性后精巢总蛋白,该抗体能识别52和34 ku两条条带,证明了二聚体的存在.这一结果暗示EsDMRT-like可能通过形成二聚体形式调控中华绒螯蟹精巢发育.     

Association between the interannual variation in the oceanic environment and catch rates of bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) in the Atlantic Ocean

The environmental processes associated with variability in the catch rates of bigeye tuna in the Atlantic Ocean are largely unexplored. This study used generalized additive models (GAMs) fitted to Taiwanese longline fishery data from 1990 to 2009 and investigated the association between environmental variables and catch rates to identify the processes influencing bigeye tuna distribution in the Atlantic Ocean. The present findings reveal that the year (temporal factor), latitude and longitude (spatial factors), and major regular longline target species of albacore catches are significant for the standardization of bigeye tuna catch rates in the Atlantic Ocean. The standardized catch rates and distribution of bigeye tuna were found to be related to environmental and climatic variation. The model selection processes showed that the selected GAMs explained 70% of the cumulative deviance in the entire Atlantic Ocean. Regarding environmental factors, the depth of the 20 degree isotherm (D20) substantially contributed to the explained deviance; other important factors were sea surface temperature (SST) and sea surface height deviation (SSHD). The potential fishing grounds were observed with SSTs of 22–28°C, a D20 shallower than 150 m and negative SSHDs in the Atlantic Ocean. The higher predicted catch rates were increased in the positive northern tropical Atlantic and negative North Atlantic Oscillation events with a higher SST and shallow D20, suggesting that climatic oscillations affect the population abundance and distribution of bigeye tuna.     

Growth performance,digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Japanese sea bass,Lateolabrax japonicus fed with fructooligosaccharide

In this experiment, a feeding trial was performed to determine the effects of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) on growth performance, digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Japanese sea bass, Lateolabrax japonicus juveniles (initial weight 38.3 ± 0.5 g), and the fish were examined following feeding with six levels of FOS (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 6 g/kg) for 28 days. Significant enhancement of weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) was found in fish fed 1 g/kg FOS incorporated diets (p < .05), while the feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the 1, 2 g/kg FOS groups reduced significantly compared with the control (p < .05). Besides, the crude lipid in the 4, 6 g/kg FOS groups increased significantly compared with the control (p < .05). On the other hand, the erepsin and lipase activities significantly elevated in intestine of fish fed 2 g/kg FOS (p < .05) and the lysozyme activity in serum of fish fed 2 g/kg FOS were significantly higher than that in the control (p < .05). Moreover, the alkaline phosphatase activities in serum of fish fed 0.5, 1, 2 g/kg FOS were significantly higher than in control (p < .05). Regression analysis showed that the relationships between dietary FOS levels and either SGR, FCR, erepsin or lysozyme activities were best expressed by regression equations, and the optimal inclusion levels are 1.37, 1.80, 3.06, 3.11, 1.93 and 1.80 g/kg for SGR, FCR, erepsin, lipase, lysozyme and total superoxide dismutase activities, respectively. Overall, this study revealed that FOS incorporated diets could beneficial for L. japonicus culture in terms of increasing the growth, digestion and immune activities. Under the present experimental condition, the optimal supplementary level of FOS in the diet of L. japonicus is 1–3 g/kg.     

Rare serotype occurrence and PFGE genotypic diversity of Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from tilapia in China

Previously, we reported 10 PEGE types of 85 tilapia Streptococcus agalactiae(GBS), which shifted from Streptococcus iniae in China, by using PEGE method. Presently, larger and more representative tilapia GBS were isolated, for the ?rst time in China, to characterize their serotypes and genetic diversities more precisely than had done before. 168 GBS strains were distributed in ?ve provinces of China, in which Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan were the major ones, holding36.9%(62/168), 37.5%(63/168) and 19.6%(33/168), respectively. Serotypes, Ia, Ib and III, were observed in these strains and the most predominant one was Ia(95.2%), which mainly distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan. Ia initially occurred in 2009, it shoot up to 32.1% in 2010,but decreased to 16.1% in 2011 before went up to 45.2% in 2012. Ib sporadically occurred during2007–2011, III onlyoccurred in 2012. 14 different PFGE types, including 4 new types(N, O,P and Q), were observed, in which B, D, F and G were the predominant types, holding 83.9%(141/168) of the total GBS strains. Ia corresponded to 11 PFGE types(A–H, N–P), in which type D predominated(51%). Ib represented 3 genotypes(I, J and Q) and III harbored only 2genotypes(N and F). Type N and Fsynchronously presented in Ia and III. In summary, the genetic diversity of tilapia GBS varied by serotypes and changed with geographical locations and years.Although Iastillpredominated, new rareserotypeIII alreadyoccurred in China.     

Growth hormone (GH) and reproduction: a review

Interaction between growth and reproduction occurs in many vertebrates and is particularly obvious at certain stages of the life cycle in fish. Endocrine interactions between the gonadotropic axis and the somatotropic axis are described, the potential role of GH being emphasised. A comparative analysis of these phenomena in mammals, amphibians and fish, suggests a specific role of GH in the physiology of puberty, gametogenesis and fertility. It also shows the original contribution made by studies on the fish model in this field of investigations.     

Purification and partial characterization of GtHs (cfLH and cfFSH) from Indian walking catfish (Clarias batrachus) (L.) and development of a homologous ELISA for cfLH

Two gonadotropins (GtH; Qa and Qb) were purified by gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography from the pituitaries of Indian walking catfish (Clarias batrachus). The presence of GtH during purification was assessed by in vitro oocyte maturation and in vivo steroidogenic activity, and their identities were determined by elution profiles, molecular weight, biological activities and yield. The molecular weights of Qa and Qb were 37 and 42 kDa, respectively, and composed of distinct subunits (Qa: 20 and 14 kDa and Qb: 26 and 18 kDa). Polyclonal antibodies raised against Qa immunostained Qa, Qb and pituitary GtH cells. A competitive Qa‐ELISA was developed whose sensitivity was 6.25 ng mL^?1 (1.25 ng well^?1) with intra‐ (3.5%) and inter‐ (12.4%) assay coefficients of variation. Displacement curves parallel to the standard were obtained with plasma and pituitary extracts of catfish, Qb and carp GtHII. The assay was validated by measuring the plasma Qa levels after LHRH treatment and in relation to ovarian growth in the female catfish during different reproductive phases. Based on the results, Qa and Qb corresponded to fish LH and FSH respectively. The findings will increase the knowledge of the mechanisms controlling fish reproduction and identification of sensitive phases in fish in captivity for hormonal manipulation.     

Controlled infection of Poecilia reticulata Peters (guppy) with Tetrahymena by immersion and intraperitoneal injection

Tetrahymena is a protozoan parasite, which infects guppy, Poecilia reticulata Peters, and causes substantial economical losses in commercial farms worldwide. Studies of guppy infected by Tetrahymena require standardized infection protocols. The LD50 for Tetrahymena infection of guppies by intraperitoneal (IP) injection was calibrated, and the level obtained was 946 parasites per fish. Guppy infection with Tetrahymena by immersion, imitating the natural route of infection via the integument, was studied under normal or stress conditions. Exposure to cold and netting (CNI) and to cold only (CI) followed by immersion exposure to 10 000 Tetrahymena per mL resulted in 22.5% and 19.2% mortality, respectively, as compared to 14.2% and 10% in groups that were netted only (NI) or non‐stressed (I). Histopathology revealed that immersion infection resulted in a systemic infection. Lysozyme levels, measured 3 weeks after infection, were significantly higher in the CNI group (288 μg per mg protein) compared with CI‐, NI‐ and I‐treated groups (94.5, 64 and 62.3 μg mg^?1, respectively). There was no evident parasite immobilization activity in body homogenates, suggesting no development of acquired immunity. Re‐infection by IP injection revealed no increase in protection in any of the treatment groups, mortality range of 56.3–75%, higher than in the non‐exposed control (40.6% mortality).     

Involvement of gonadal steroids in final oocyte maturation of white perch (Morone americana) and white bass (M. chrysops): in vivo and in vitro studies

Plasma estradiol-17 (E₂), testosterone (T), 17,20-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) and 17,20,21-tri-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (20-S) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in white perch (Morone americana) and white bass (M. chrysops) that were induced to undergo final oocyte maturation (FOM) with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Plasma DHP levels increased in females of both species in association with oocyte germinal vesicle migration (GVM) and germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and decreased thereafter. Plasma 20-S levels also increased with oocyte GVM in white bass, but were several-fold lower than DHP levels. Circulating E₂ and T levels were greatest during GVM and GVBD in both species and decreased to low levels during oocyte hydration and ovulation. Follicles from white perch and white bass which received a priming injection of hCG in vivo, produced both DHP and 20-S in vitro after exposure to hCG and their oocytes underwent GVBD. Ovarian incubates from unprimed fish of either species produced only E₂ and T and their oocytes did not complete GVBD. Oocytes from unprimed bass, but not perch, matured when follicles were exposed to hCG in vitro. Both trilostane and cycloheximide blocked in vitro production of DHP and 20-S and oocyte GVBD by white perch follices. DHP and 20-S were equipotent inducers of FOM in the GVBD bioassay. None of several other structurally-related steroids tested were effective within a physiological range of concentrations. These results indicate a role for DHP and 20-S in the control of FOM in white perch and white bass.     

Cardiac,ventilatory and metabolic responses of two ecologically dissimilar species of fish to waterborne cyanide

Changes in heart rate, ventilatory activity and oxygen consumption were determined in trout (Salmo gairdneri) and brown bullhead catfish (Ictalurus nebulosus) during exposure to a steadily increasing concentration of waterborne cyanide selected to produce death in 8–9 hours for each species. The lethal cyanide concentration for the bullheads was an order of magnitude higher than for trout. Trout developed an immediate and gradually increasing bradycardia throughout the exposure period. Cyanide produced tachycardia in the bullhead followed by a gradual onset of bradycardia as the concentration of cyanide was raised. Pericardial injection of atropine (a muscarinic cholinergic antagonist) indicated that bradycardia in the trout was due initially to increased vagal tone but later due to the direct effect of cyanide on the heart. Hyperventilation in the trout persisted throughout the exposure period, although the rate and amplitude fluctuated and was variable between individual fish. During the last hour of exposure (highest cyanide concentration), ventilation was characterized by rapid, shallow breaths followed by a sudden respiratory arrest. The bullheads exhibited hyperventilation during the first 3 hours of exposure followed by a gradual, linear drop in ventilation rate and amplitude until death occurred. Cardiac and ventilatory responses in both species were attributed to stimulation of central and peripheral chemoreceptors by cyanide. Evidence is presented which suggests the initial response in the bullheads was due, at least in part, to gustatory stimulation by the cyanide. Oxygen consumption of the trout remained above pre-exposure levels for the majority of the test period. Oxygen consumption in the bullhead paralleled the changes in heart and ventilatory rates. Whole-body lactate levels of fingerlings of both species during cyanide exposure were measured to estimate the extent of anaerobiosis. Whole-body lactate levels were much greater in the bullheads than the trout, indicating a higher capacity for anaerobiosis, possibly due to a greater fuel supply. Overall, the trout responded to cyanide in a manner similar to that produced by environmental hypoxia whereas the bullheads experienced a gustatory stimulus which masked the hypoxia-like response.     

Protein and amino acid composition from the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris exposed to prolonged starvation

Protein and amino acid composition of the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris (Cuvier, 1797) during fasting for 27 days were determined. Average protein content of octopus mantle was of 711.19 ± 46.80 g kg^?1 DW, and it decreased with increasing fasting days. The non‐essential amino acids content was higher (486.18 ± 11.08 g kg^?1 protein) than essential amino acids (425.82 ± 9.15 g kg^?1 protein) at the start of the experiment (unstarved animals). The results suggest that the amino acid profile of the mantle where the most abundant amino acids are Arg, His, Lys, Gly, Leu and Pro could indicate a prolonged fasting condition (>20 days) or poor nutrition of O . vulgaris. This study supports the idea of using mantle for metabolic needs of starved O . vulgaris suggesting that the degradation pathway of amino acids to pyruvate and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates was favoured contrary to the degradation pathway of ketogenic amino acids. Special considerations should be taken concerning Thr, Ile, Ser, Ala, Asx (Asp, Asn), Glx (Glu, Gln) (because of their fast intake) and Lys and His (due to their stable contents) during a prolonged period of fasting.