鲤肌肉肌原纤维结合型丝氨酸蛋白酶的分子克隆

肌原纤维结合型丝氨酸蛋白酶(myofibril-bound serine proteinase,MBSP)是最近发现的一种蛋白酶。该酶参与肌原纤维蛋白的降解及鱼糜制品弹性的下降。但是,对该酶一级结构的研究,迄今为止,未有报道。本文根据已测定的鲤MBSP N-末端氨基酸序列以及丝氨酸蛋白酶活性中心保守序列设计兼并引物,结合RT-PCR技术实现了MBSP基因片段的扩增。再根据克隆到的MBSP片段序列设计基因特异引物,用于MBSP基因的5′和3′末端快速扩增。综合以上结果,鲤MBSP的全长被确定。序列分析表明,MBSP cDNA含有一732 bp的开放阅读框,编码243个氨基酸残基,其中信号肽长度为21个氨基酸残基。组成丝氨酸蛋白酶活性中心的氨基酸残基(His61,Asp107和Ser197)在MBSP中保守存在。成熟MBSP含有222个氨基酸残基,分子量为24.5 ku,比其天然蛋白的分子量30 ku略小。成熟MBSP的等电点为10.43。鲤MBSP与鲫MBSP,猪胰蛋白酶,牛胰蛋白酶,美洲鲽胰蛋白酶的同源性分别为80.6%,55.8%,55.3%和53.9%。而与仓鼠肌肉中具有胰凝乳蛋白酶性质的蛋白酶的同源性为39.2%。MBSP有高含量的赖氨酸残基(11.93%),此特性可能与该酶的肌原纤维结合特性有关。     

对虾白斑综合征病毒囊膜蛋白VP28和VP26的毕赤酵母组成型分泌表达

近年来,重组 VP28和 VP26蛋白作为蛋白亚单位疫苗,在增强对虾抗白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)感染的过程中具有重要作用。本研究根据GenBank中WSSV的基因序列设计引物,以WSSV粗提液为模板进行普通PCR扩增,得到VP28和VP26基因,再用引物悬挂法将EcoRⅠ和XbaⅠ酶切位点分别添加到 VP28和 VP26基因的5￠端和3￠端。目的基因经双酶切后插入到表达载体pGAPZαA,转化TOP10大肠杆菌,经博莱霉素(Zeocin)抗性筛选阳性重组酵母表达载体。AvrⅡ酶切线性化之后,电击转化 X-33毕赤酵母感受态细胞,经 Zeocin 抗性筛选得到阳性重组酵母。SDS-PAGE电泳分析重组酵母表达上清液的目的蛋白,没有检测到VP28和VP26重组蛋白。随后,采用蛋白质银染法,结果显示,与空载pGAPZαA组相比,VP28和VP26表达上清液组有明显的条带,证明VP28和VP26在毕赤酵母中成功表达,蛋白分子量大小约为32 kDa。     

拟穴青蟹GRP78基因的克隆与应激表达

葡萄糖调节蛋白78(glucose regulated protein 78 ku,GRP78)是热休克蛋白70家族成员之一,在调节蛋白质折叠和维持内质网稳态过程中起着分子伴 侣作用。采用RT-PCR、RACE等技术,首次从拟穴青蟹获得了GRP78的cDNA全长序列。该序列全长2 284 bp,开放阅读框(ORF)为1 962 bp,编码653个氨基酸残基。 同源分析显示,该基因编码的蛋白含有HSP70家族的签名序列,C末端为内质网蛋白滞留信号KDEL,与其他物种具有很高相似性。实时荧光定量PCR结果表明,GRP78 基因在拟穴青蟹多个组织中均有表达。第一期仔蟹在不同的温度和盐度下暴露12 h后,GRP78基因表达量随环境温度升高而增加;在高盐(30)条件下GRP78表达量 较高,进而推测拟穴青蟹GRP78参与蛋白质折叠和环境胁迫的应答。     

传染性造血器官坏死病病毒参考蛋白的研制

为规避活病毒作参考物质存在的生物安全风险,本研究利用毕赤酵母表达系统表达了传染性造血器官坏死病病毒(IHNV)的糖蛋白来制备参考蛋白,作为IHNV免疫学检测参考物质。本研究选用IHNV糖蛋白基因(IHNV-G)为目的基因,根据Gen Bank中IHNV全基因序列设计特异性引物,以IHNV-uk株病毒核酸为模板,通过RT-PCR获得糖蛋白基因片段,将其克隆至真核表达载体p PICZαA,转入毕赤酵母感受态细胞GS115中,使外源基因与酵母基因融合,通过1%甲醇诱导表达外源蛋白,SDS-PAGE分析显示获得可溶性表达蛋白,分子量大于70 ku。经Western Blot和ELISA分析,该表达产物可以被IHNV多抗特异性识别。0.1531 mg的重组蛋白与0.3125TCID50 IHNV在ELISA实验中反应原性相当,–20°C可稳定保存2个月,说明其在一定程度上可替代病毒作为参考物质。该研究为IHNV ELISA检测试剂盒的开发奠定基础。     

解淀粉芽孢杆菌HZ-1510壳聚糖酶基因的克隆、重组表达及其活性

为了研究壳聚糖酶的水解活性,实验进行了解淀粉芽孢杆菌HZ-1510壳聚糖酶基因编码序列的克隆,并构建了谷胱甘肽转移酶(GST)-壳聚糖酶融合蛋白表达质粒,在大肠杆菌中表达后提取、纯化得到重组蛋白,并通过生物信息学对该蛋白的信号肽、三维结构等进行了分析,最后以胶态壳聚糖溶液为底物研究了该重组壳聚糖酶的活性。结果显示,该壳聚糖酶基因的ORF长为837 bp,编码279个氨基酸,分子量为31.45 ku。在其氨基末端具有信号肽,切割点位于36和37位氨基酸之间。氨基酸序列同源性分析表明该壳聚糖酶属于GH46家族糖苷水解酶。酶的水解活性最适温度约为55°C,最适pH为5.5。而金属离子Fe3+、Ag+、Cu~(2+)、Ba~(2+)和K+对其水解活性都起抑制作用,但是Mn~(2+)、Ca~(2+)和Mg~(2+)对其活性起增强作用。0.1 mmol/L的Zn~(2+)对壳聚糖酶的活性起增强作用,2.0 mmol/L的Zn~(2+)对壳聚糖酶的活性起抑制作用。本实验研究了解淀粉芽孢杆菌HZ-1510壳聚糖酶在不同条件下的水解活性,为壳聚糖酶的工业应用奠定了理论基础。     

培养温度对LPS诱导的离体大黄鱼头肾巨噬细胞抗氧化能力和炎性反应的影响

为研究温度对离体大黄鱼头肾巨噬细胞抗氧化能力和炎性反应的影响,从大黄鱼头肾组织中分离巨噬细胞结合贴壁筛选法得到细胞单层后,在不同温度(16、22和28°C)下培养备用。使用25μg/mL的脂多糖(LPS)孵育细胞2 h后,测定不同培养温度下离体细胞活力、呼吸爆发活性、抗氧化酶(SOD和CAT)活性以及相关基因(SOD、CAT、Hsp70和IL-1β)表达的情况。结果显示,体外培养细胞36 h后,16°C和22°C条件下培养的细胞活力显著高于28°C处理组;LPS处理组大黄鱼头肾巨噬细胞呼吸爆发活性显著升高,但SOD和CAT酶活性较对照组显著下降。高温(28°C)显著提高了细胞CAT酶的活性和基因表达水平,但SOD酶活性和基因表达变化差异不显著;LPS显著促进了大黄鱼头肾巨噬细胞IL-1β基因的表达,并且随培养温度升高细胞IL-1β基因的表达水平显著降低;但大黄鱼头肾巨噬细胞Nrf2和Hsp70的基因表达量随温度升高而显著增加,且LPS处理组细胞基因表达水平显著高于对照组。研究表明,温度显著影响了离体大黄鱼头肾巨噬细胞的抗氧化能力和LPS所诱导的促炎基因的表达,Nrf2和Hsp70在这一过程中可能发挥重要作用。     

枯草芽孢杆菌壳聚糖酶基因在毕赤酵母中的表达及酶学性质

构建了枯草芽孢杆菌CH_2菌株(Bacillus subtilis CH_2)壳聚糖酶基因的真核表达载体p PIC9K-CH2-Cns,在毕赤酵母GS115(Pichia pastoris)中进行重组表达,获得了有生物学活性的重组壳聚糖酶,对重组壳聚糖酶的酶学特性及酶解产物进行了分析。结果显示,重组壳聚糖酶的分子量为29 k D,粗酶的比酶活达到133.60 U/mg,纯化后重组蛋白的比酶活为338.08 U/mg;该酶的最适作用温度为50℃,最适pH为4.5,酶动力学常数Vmax=24.39(μmol/mg)·min~(-1),Km=5.48 mg/m L;Fe2+、K+等对其酶活力有一定的激活作用,其中Mn~(2+)能使酶活力提升2.4倍,Ag~+、Mg~(2+)、Hg~(2+)、EDTA、EGTA和SDS等存在时则对其酶活力有强烈抑制作用。利用重组壳聚糖酶酶解壳聚糖,酶解产物主要为聚合度2~10的壳寡糖,且分布均匀。以上结果表明,枯草芽孢杆菌CH_2菌株壳聚糖酶基因在毕赤酵母GS115中成功表达,获得了一种内切型的高酶活力重组壳聚糖酶,该重组酶具有反应条件温和、酶解产物均一等特点,可被应用于海洋甲壳质加工应用中。     

黄鳝PLA2基因的克隆及表达分析

利用同源克隆技术和RACE技术克隆黄鳝(Monopterus albus)磷脂酶A2(PLA2)基因的cDNA全长;并采用荧光定量RT-PCR法检测PLA2基因在黄鳝各组织中的表达量情况。结果显示:黄鳝PLA2基因全长cDNA大小为2 606 bp(Gen Bank登录号:KX852397),其中开放阅读框2 205 bp,编码736个氨基酸,预测分子大小为83.623 kD,理论等电点5.84;5'和3'非编码区长度分别为208 bp和193 bp。该蛋白序列没有信号肽和跨膜结构。氨基酸序列比对和系统树分析显示,黄鳝PLA2基因的结构十分保守,黄鳝与大黄鱼和金头鲷的PLA2基因亲缘关系最近,与鼠类和蟾蜍的亲缘关系较远。RT-PCR分析表明,PLA2基因在组织中的表达具有组织特异性,在消化器官前肠组织中的表达最高,在性腺及肌肉组织中表达很少。     

重组毕赤酵母SMD1168/pGAPZaA-VAP1稳定性及发酵表达WSSV-VAP1

研究发酵时间和接种量对WSSV-VAP1重组菌蛋白表达量的影响及重组毕赤酵母中外源基因的稳定性.结果表明,构建的重组菌SMD1168/pGAPZaA-VAP1在发酵72h后,蛋白表达量占总蛋白10.45%,控制接种量对基因工程菌Pichia pastoris表达WSSV-VAP1非常重要.外源基因的插入对宿主菌的生长未产生明显的影响,重组质粒在毕赤酵母SMD1168中很稳定.     

中华绒螯蟹蜕皮激素受体基因（Ers-EcR）的克隆和组织表达分析

蜕皮激素受体(ecdysteroid receptor,EcR)介导调控甲壳动物蜕皮生长、附肢再生等重要生命活动。为了解EcR在人工控制甲壳动物的繁殖和生长中的作用,采用RACE方法结合同源克隆技术,首次从中华绒螯蟹Y-器官中克隆得到蜕皮激素受体基因全长cDNA序列(Ers-EcR,登录号:KF736985),并进行了结构解析和组织表达分析。结果发现,Ers-EcR编码基因全长2 176 bp,开放阅读框为1 638 bp,编码545个氨基酸,具有DNA结合域(DBD)和配体结合域(LBD)等典型的核受体超家族结构域,但不具有信号肽结构。其中,DBD含有8个保守的Cys残基,可以形成2个锌指结构(C156-C159-C173-C176、C192-C198-C208-C211),是典型的DBD特征。多重序列比对分析表明,Ers-EcR氨基酸序列与拳手招潮蟹同源性最高,达到91%。荧光定量PCR结果显示成体中华绒螯蟹ErsEcR基因在Y-器官和肌肉组织中表达量最高,在血液、肠道、卵巢、眼柄、心脏和肝胰腺中有一定表达,在鳃、胸神经节和精巢表达量较低。这表明Ers-EcR基因在中华绒螯蟹各组织器官中的表达不具有典型的特异性,提示Ers-EcR基因可能参与体内多种生命活动的调控。     

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.     

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.