团头鲂tf和tfr1a基因启动子克隆及转录调控分析

为探索鱼类转铁蛋白基因tf和转铁蛋白受体基因tfr1a的转录调控机制,本实验以团头鲂为研究对象,在其全基因组数据库中获取tf和tfr1a基因序列,对2个基因候选启动子区转录因子结合位点及CpG岛进行预测,通过PCR方法克隆得到tf和tfr1a基因近端启动子区不同长度片段,连接至pGL3-Basic/pEGFP-1载体,瞬时转染入Hela细胞,并采用双荧光素酶报告基因检测系统进行检测。结果发现,团头鲂tf基因启动子区无CpG岛位点,而tfr1a基因启动子区有2个CpG岛位点。成功构建9个tf和10个tfr1a不同长度启动子片段的重组质粒,经双荧光素酶报告基因系统检测发现,tf启动子核心区域为-268^+56 bp,且-1 308^-1 102 bp片段可能存在正调控该基因表达的转录因子结合位点;tfr1a启动子核心区域为-224^+48 bp,且+48^+92 bp可能存在抑制该基因转录的负调控元件,而-1 229^-1 219 bp区域可能存在促进tfr1a基因表达的正调控转录因子结合位点。     

中国明对虾FcβGBP-HDL基因和启动子的克隆及序列特征分析

FcβGBP-HDL是中国明对虾免疫应答中的一种模式识别受体,在白斑综合征病毒(white spot syndrome virus,WSSV)侵染后其表达显著上调.为了探讨FcβGBP-HDL在免疫应答中的转录调节机制,实验以FcβGBP-HDL cDNA为基础设计引物,采用染色体步移技术对其基因组DNA和启动子进行克隆,构建一系列缺失表达载体进行启动子活性分析.结果显示,FcβGBP-HDL基因全长6 713 bp,无内含子;启动子区域长1 507 bp,除了1个启动子核心序列、2个SRF、2个TBP、1个CTF和1个CRE等典型的启动子特征外,还有2个GATA-1、3个AP-1、1个c-Ets-1和7个Sp1等参与其它节肢动物免疫基因转录调节的结合位点;同源比对分析表明,FcβGBP-HDL启动子与FcCTL启动子相似度最高(41.4％);不同长度的启动子片段具有不同的启动荧光素酶报告基因表达的活性,其中去除5 '端2个AP-1后的启动子片段具有最高的启动活性,去除启动子核心序列的启动子片段启动活性最低.研究表明,FcβGBP-HDL启动子可能在免疫反应中受到调节.     

黑头软口鲦上皮瘤细胞ifn-1基因的表达及抗病毒活性

为了体外表达黑头软口鲦上皮瘤细胞(EPC)I型干扰素(IFN-1),本实验通过RTPCR从EPC中扩增ifn-1基因,构建重组表达质粒pET-32a-IFN-1,并转化到感受态细胞Transetta(DE3),体外纯化后检测其抗病毒活性。结果显示,ifn-1编码区大小为552 bp,编码184个氨基酸,与草鱼干扰素1(CiIFN1)亲缘关系最近。通过SDS-PAGE分析,重组表达质粒pET-32a-IFN-1在宿主菌中可明显表达约35 ku的融合蛋白条带,且部分呈可溶性表达,进而通过亲和纯化可溶性重组IFN-1(rIFN-1),免疫新西兰大白兔获得效价较高的抗IFN-1多克隆抗体,可用于检测细胞内源性的IFN-1。定量PCR显示rIFN-1与EPC细胞孵育可以诱导抗病毒蛋白Mx1的表达,并抑制鲤春病毒血症病毒(SVCV)引起的细胞病变(CPE)及SVCV的复制,表明rIFN-1具有抗病毒活性。     

中华鲟IFN-γ 的免疫调控作用

为了解中华鲟IFN-γ的免疫调控作用,实验通过中华鲟转录组获得IFN-γcDNA序列,构建重组表达质粒pTRI-st-IFNγ,原核表达IFN-γ蛋白,检测其在病毒和细菌感染过程中的免疫调控作用。SDS-PAGE显示,中华鲟IFN-γ重组蛋白大小为19.17 ku,以可溶性表达为主,浓度为0.998 mg/mL;荧光定量PCR显示,IFN-γ蛋白能够诱导中华鲟肾脏细胞中下游相关抗病毒基因Mx、Viperin和CXCL家族中CXCL11-L1、CXCL11-L2表达;与EPC细胞共孵育能够有效抑制鲤春病毒血症病毒(spring viraemia of carp virus,SVCV)引起的细胞病变和增殖,并对SVCV病毒的G、P、N 3个基因表达量呈现出极显著性下调;在体外能够调控抑制嗜水气单胞菌、中间产气单胞菌和维氏气单胞菌并对其生长表现出明显的抑制作用。     

华贵栉孔扇贝MSTN基因启动子的功能分析

为了解肌肉生长抑制素myostatin (MSTN)在华贵栉孔扇贝(Chalmys nobilis)闭壳肌肌肉生长和发育过程中所起的负调控作用,对华贵栉孔扇贝的MSTN启动子序列进行了生物信息学分析。结果显示,MSTN启动子序列长1 358 bp,有4个转录起始位点。核心启动子区为–100～–51 bp。有1个TATA-box (–92～–86 bp)和2个Ebox等顺式作用元件;潜在的转录因子结合位点有MEF2、MEF3、FoxO、MTBF和MyoD等;启动子区域无CpG岛。成功构建了6个MSTN启动子不同长度片段的荧光素酶表达载体,瞬时转染到293T细胞并进行双荧光素酶报告基因活性检测,表明6个启动子片段均有转录活性,PGL-534的活性最高,其次为PGL-274、PGL-22和PGL-102,最低的为PGL-995。–216～–364区域可能存在负调控基因表达的转录因子结合位点,–364～–825区域可能存在正调控基因表达的转录因子结合位点。     

一种免疫诱导型鲤启动子的克隆与功能分析

为发掘适用于基因工程抗病育种的鱼类启动子,通过实时荧光定量PCR实验对鲤Rab GTP酶(Ras-associated binding-GTPases 1a3,Rab1a3)基因的表达模式进行了分析,证实该基因在鳃、头肾等与机体免疫防御功能密切相关的组织内转录水平较高,且免疫激活后转录显著增强,符合基因工程抗病育种所需的外源免疫基因转录模式。从鲤细菌人工染色体文库中,使用Rab1a3基因特异引物筛选获得包含该基因区域的文库克隆,测序获得该基因完整序列,以及上下游调控序列。通过生物信息学手段,预测到长度为1014 bp的鲤Rab1a3基因启动子序列,该启动子不具有典型的TATA盒或CpG岛特征,存在多个免疫相关转录因子结合位点。在草鱼肾组织细胞系内验证该启动子活性,结果显示,绿色荧光蛋白基因和萤火虫荧光素酶基因都能够在该启动子驱动下表达,证实该片段具有启动子活性,且启动子活性在受到免疫诱导后增强,双荧光素酶报告基因检测结果显示,该启动子活性在免疫刺激后增强至免疫刺激前的8.67倍。研究表明,鲤Rab1a3基因启动子有望被开发成为免疫诱导型的基因工程元件,驱动外源免疫基因在鱼体内适时表达,抵御外界病原感染,同时避免非必要条件下的过度表达形成生长负担。     

虹鳟免疫诱导型基因Cathelicidin2启动子功能分析

本研究通过实时荧光定量PCR实验对虹鳟(Oncorhynchus mykiss)Cathelicidin2(Cath2)基因的转录模式进行了分析。结果显示,该基因在鳃、头肾等与机体免疫防御功能密切相关的组织内转录,在细菌和病毒感染后,转录水平均显著升高。对基因上游调控序列进行启动子和转录因子结合位点预测,发现该启动子具有真核生物典型的TATA盒和CAAT盒结构,基因上游直至第一内含子区域内,密集存在多个免疫相关转录因子结合位点,其中,2个核因子κB(Nuclear factor kappa B,NFκB)预测结合位点均位于核心启动子正链区域。在草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)肾组织细胞系内,绿色荧光蛋白和萤火虫荧光素酶基因都能够在该启动子驱动下表达,表明其具有启动子活性,且启动子活性在受到免疫诱导后增强,包括细菌脂多糖(Lipopolysaccharides,LPS)模拟的细菌感染和聚肌胞苷酸(Polyinosinic polycytidylic acid,Poly I:C)模拟的病毒感染。双荧光素酶报告基因检测显示,启动子活性在与NFκB转录因子表达时,增强至4.39倍,证明Cath2基因受NFκB通路调控。研究表明,虹鳟Cath2基因能够在多种免疫刺激诱导下表达,其启动子可以应用为免疫诱导型的基因工程元件,驱动外源免疫基因在鱼体内适时表达,抵御外界病原感染,同时,避免非必要条件下的过度表达形成生长负担。     

东北七鳃鳗NF-κB基因启动子的构建及活性

核转录因子NF-kB(Nuclear factor kappa B)对机体的免疫反应、炎症反应等起重要的调控作用。为了获得NF-kB基因启动子的活性报告基因,进一步研究原始脊椎动物免疫应答的机制,我们根据此前克隆得到的东北七鳃鳗(Lethenteron morii)NF-kB基因cds序列,以与东北七鳃鳗高度同源的日本七鳃鳗(Lampetra japonica)同源基因 5’上游启动子特征序列为模板设计引物,克隆获得了东北七鳃鳗NF-kB启动子序列,该序列全长3169 bp,提交至NCBI Genbank获得登录号MN368861。经AliBaba2.1软件预测该序列包含CREB (cgtgacttca)、Oct-1 (aatatgaatt)、GATA-1 (gaacctatct)、AP-1 (ggttgagtca)、NF-kappa B (ctttcctgtt)、IRF-1 (tttcctgttc)、Sp-1 (tgtgaggggt)、c-Jun (acgtgacttc)和c-Fos (ggttgagtca)等多个转录因子结合位点,并包含TATA box转录核心元件。通过MethPrimer软件预测在序列1207-1402 bp处存在CG含量大于50%,长196 bp的CpG岛。利用双酶切技术构建了pGL3-NF-kB-pro重组质粒,并将其转染至人胚肾细胞系（Human embryonal kidney, HEK293T）和鲤鱼上皮瘤细胞系（Epithelioma papulosum cyprinid, EPC）中。双荧光素酶报告基因系统检测结果显示该片段序列在哺乳动物细胞系和鱼类细胞系中均具有启动子活性,同时在HEK293T中经过Toll样受体（Toll-like receptors,TLR）的配体LPS刺激后启动子活性显著上升。本研究成功构建了东北七鳃鳗NF-kB启动子报告基因,并在不同细胞系中证实了其活性。LPS刺激后的检测结果揭示东北七鳃鳗NF-kB参与了TLR信号通路的免疫应答。东北七鳃鳗NF-kB报告基因的构建为探究原始脊椎动物免疫系统信号传导机制奠定了基础。     

病毒感染过程中青鳉irf2基因过表达的双面性

为了探究干扰素调节因子2 (interferon regulatory factor,IRF2)如何通过调控干扰素(IFN)表达影响鱼类的免疫,实验从青鳉中克隆了irf2 (Olirf2),发现该基因在青鳉各个组织中均有表达;将构建的真核表达载体pTol2/CMV-IRF2/IE1-pr转染到胖头鱥肌肉细胞系(FHM)后,发现瞬时过表达Olirf2能够显著促进鲤春病毒血症病毒(spring viremia of carp virus,SVCV)的复制,并抑制抗病毒相关基因mx1、ifn和irf3的表达。进一步通过双荧光素报告系统发现,Olirf2能够显著抑制NF-κB和ISRE的活性,说明Olirf2可能通过抑制细胞的天然免疫应答进而促进病毒的增殖。然而持续过表达Olirf2则增强了细胞的抗病毒能力,同时促进干扰素相关基因mx1、ifn和irf3的表达。因此,Olirf2基于表达的持续时间不同而具有抗病毒或者促病毒的双面效果。实验通过研究Olirf2在抗病毒信号通路中发挥的作用,为通过基因编辑或者转基因手段来构建抗病毒的鱼类提供了理论基础。     

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.     

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.     

An overview of stress physiology of fish transport: changes in water quality as a function of transport duration

This study brings an integrated analysis about the relationship between water deterioration and its physiological consequences in live fish transport. The analysis was focused on the transport water and its deterioration, and physiological challenges imposed on the fish. Usual commercial handling procedures employed to mitigate fish stress during transport were discussed. Future topics of research for the establishment of safer fish transport protocols were proposed. Transport was classified into short (≤8 h) or long transport (>8 h). The main issue in short transports should be the prevention of water pH reduction, while in long transports it is the increase in ammonia. Plasma cortisol is the most employed marker for stress and is acutely elevated upon short episodes of transport, but remains elevated even in long‐transport events. Plasma glucose is perhaps a better marker for handling stress. Plasma lactate, pH, osmolality CO₂ and ions should be more often evaluated. Plasma Na⁺ and Cl^‐ are very useful markers of acidosis, due to their respective exchange for H⁺ and , for acid–base regulation. The establishment of species‐specific transport protocols should be preceded by such combined analyses of water and physiological parameters.     

Are hatchery‐reared abalone naïve of predators? Comparing the behaviours of wild and hatchery‐reared northern abalone,Haliotis kamtschatkana (Jonas, 1845)

Abalone populations have declined worldwide, generating interest in enhancement using hatchery‐reared individuals. In many cases, such restoration efforts have met with limited success due to high predator‐induced mortality rates. Furthermore, the mortality rates of outplanted hatchery abalone are often considerably higher than for wild individuals. This study uses northern abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana) as a case study to determine whether hatchery‐reared abalone behave differently than their wild counterparts. In the field, outplanted hatchery‐reared abalone were significantly less responsive than wild abalone, in terms of number of abalone responding and intensity of response, to nearby movement and to physical contact with an inert probe. Also, when encountering a cue to which all abalone responded (a seastar predator), hatchery‐reared individuals remained subdued. Anti‐predator behavioural deficits in hatchery‐reared abalone were more pronounced in 4‐year‐old individuals than in 1‐year‐old individuals, suggesting an influence of either age or amount of time spent in the hatchery environment. These behavioural differences are expected to increase the vulnerability of hatchery‐reared abalone to predators, and are likely a major cause of their elevated predator‐induced mortality when outplanted.     

Effects of cadmium on the kinetics of calcium uptake in developing tilapia larvae, Oreochromis mossambicus

The toxic effects of Cd²⁺ on Ca²⁺ influx kinetics in developing tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) larvae were evaluated. Addition of 20 µg l^-1 of Cd²⁺ to the environment of 0 and 3 day-old larvae competitively inhibited the Ca²⁺ uptake within 4h resulting in a great increase in K_m values for Ca²⁺ influx (19.3 and 17.4 fold, respectively) as compared with their respective controls. Consequently, the actual Ca²⁺ influx of larvae in solutions of 0.2 mM Ca²⁺ are suppressed by 32–45%. Also, 3 day-old larvae were more sensitive to internally accumulated Cd²⁺ than 0 day-old larvae. Although the Ca²⁺ influx in 0 and 3 day-old larvae may be restored to the levels of their respective controls with 24h of being transferred to a 20 µg l^-1 Cd²⁺ solution, total body Ca²⁺ content was significantly reduced in 3 day-old larvae. Increased Ca²⁺ uptake efficiency ensures sufficient Ca²⁺ for normal growth. However, rapid increase in Ca²⁺ influx after hatching also leads to higher Cd²⁺ uptake. Exposure to Cd²⁺ will lead to a drop in body Ca²⁺ content resulting in retardation of larval growth. Therefore, we conclude that if Ca²⁺ uptake is interfered with at this critical stage of development, larvae will not be able to maintain normal levels of body Ca²⁺ and will show signs of Cd²⁺ poisoning.     

Migratory dynamics of stream-spawning longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus)

Abstract– Literature evidence suggests that lake-dwelling longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus) enter tributary streams to spawn, Until the present study, the dynamics of this breeding migration had never been investigated quantitatively. During the summers of 1991 and 1992, longnose gar were captured as they entered Weaubleau Creek, Missouri, a tributary of Harry S. Truman Reservoir. The in-stream spawning migration began in early April and ended in late May, and was positively correlated with stream flow and water level, and negatively correlated with water temperature. In-stream residence times ranged from 15 to 94 days, with males exhibiting longer residence times than females. Once in-stream, longnose gar travelled as far as 10 km upstream and occupied certain pools at greater relative frequencies. Although the reason for this preferential utilization is not completely understood, it may relate to pool depth and riffle proximity. Longnose gar disperse from the spawning stream great distances, with gar captured in Weaubleau Creek being recaptured up to 48 km away. This information should provide fisheries biologists the means to consider the reproductive ecology of this species in their conservation and management decisions.     

Nutritional regulation of hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation and polyunsaturated fatty acid composition in zebrafish (Danio rerio) and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The desaturation and elongation of [1-¹⁴C]18:3n-3 was investigated in hepatocytes of the tropical warm freshwater species, zebrafish (Danio rerio) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation/elongation pathway was assayed before and after the fish were fed two experimental diets, a control diet containing fish oil (FO) and a diet containing vegetable oil (VO; a blend of olive, linseed and high oleic acid sunflower oils) for 10 weeks. The VO diet was formulated to provide 1% each of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3, and so satisfy the possible EFA requirements of zebrafish and tilapia. At the end of the dietary trial, the lipid and fatty acid composition was determined in whole zebrafish, and liver, white muscle and brain of tilapia. Both zebrafish and tilapia expressed a hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation/elongation pattern consistent with them being freshwater and planktonivorous fish. The data also showed that hepatic fatty acid desaturation/elongation was nutritionally regulated with the activities being higher in fish fed the VO diet compared to fish fed the FO diet. In zebrafish, the main effect of the VO diet was increased fatty acid Δ6 desaturase activity resulting in the production of significantly more 18:4n-3 compared to fish fed the FO diet. In tilapia, all activities in the pathway were greater in fish fed the VO diet resulting in increased amounts of all fatty acids in the pathway, but primarily eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3). However, the fatty acid compositional data indicated that despite increased activity, desaturation of 18:3n-3 was insufficient to maintain tissue proportions of EPA and DHA in fish fed the VO diet at the same level as in fish fed the FO diet. Practically, these results indicate that manipulation of tilapia diets in commercial culture in response to the declining global fish oil market would have important consequences for fish fatty acid composition and the health of consumers. Scientifically, zebrafish and tilapia, both the subject of active genome mapping projects, could be useful models for studies of lipid and fatty acid metabolism at a molecular biological and genetic level. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Production of diatom–bacteria biofilm isolated from Seriola lalandi cultures for aquaculture application

Controlled incorporation of selected microalgae and bacteria in aquaculture systems can be beneficial because they can act as microbiological control. That is why the characteristics of biofilm generated naturally in Seriola lalandi culture cages were analysed, their potential benefit to the growth of larvae was studied, and their controlled use for improving the larval viability and as a vector to improve incorporation of previously studied probiotic bacteria was tested. According to biodiversity results, these biofilms are composed of a diatom–bacteria mix showing a decrease in biodiversity in laboratory culture conditions being dominated by Navicula phyllepta and bacteria of the family Rhodobacteraceae. This can be produced on mesh substrates incorporated in bioreactors with rapid growth rate and adhesiveness. Preliminary results from the addition of substrates with this specific biofilm in larvae culture systems showed that it is consumed by the larvae without negative effects, while positive effects on the viability of larvae in combination with probiotics were observed. Considering preliminary results, the addition of these specific substrates with diatom–bacteria biofilms could be a good improvement for aquaculture systems and together with the use of probiotics can contribute to maintaining a stable and controlled system improving the viability of the larval fish culture in its early stages.