锦鲤疱疹病毒CJ株ORF27基因克隆及生物信息学分析

为了解锦鲤疱疹病毒中国吉林株（KHV-CJ）ORF27基因编码蛋白的结构特征和进化关系,采用镜鲤尾鳍原代细胞增殖KHV-CJ,提取其DNA,经PCR扩增,获得ORF27基因,将其克隆在pMD18-T载体中,构建重组质粒。应用生物信息学方法初步分析KHV-CJ ORF27基因的结构和功能,并与GenBank上公布的三株KHV构建系统进化树。结果显示：获得207bp的ORF27基因,编码69个氨基酸;预测ORF27编码蛋白的理论分子质量为7366.62Da,等电点为4.487;抗原表位预测显示抗原性良好;编码蛋白存在1个N-糖基化位点、4个O糖基化位点和5个磷酸化位点;系统进化树分析表明与锦鲤疱疹病毒美国株（KHV-U）属同一分支。     

锦鲤疱疹病毒-CJ株ORF81基因的克隆及生物信息学分析

为了解锦鲤疱疹病毒中国吉林株(KHV-CJ) ORF81蛋白的结构特征和进化关系,用框镜鲤尾鳍原代细胞增殖KHV-CJ,提取其DNA,经PCR扩增,获得ORF81基因,将其克隆到pMD18-T载体中,构建重组质粒.应用生物信息学方法初步分析KHV-CJ ORF81基因的结构和功能,并与GenBank上已公布的3株KHV构建系统进化树.结果显示,获得了长771 bp的ORF81基因,编码256个氨基酸；预测ORF81基因的理论分子量为28 246.50 u,等电点为8.404；疏水性大于亲水性；信号肽切割部位最可能位于29位的S(丝氨酸)；有4个跨膜区；抗原表位预测显示抗原性良好；结构预测显示,不存在N-糖基化位点、存在6个O-糖基化位点和11个磷酸化位点；系统进化树分析显示,与锦鲤疱疹病毒以色列株属同一分支.     

锦鲤疱疹病毒3型ORF126基因克隆及生物信息学分析

为研究锦鲤疱疹病毒3型(KHV-3)ORF126基因编码蛋白的功能,我们对该蛋白的结构特征进行研究分析。本实验采用PCR扩增技术获得KHV ORF126基因的完整序列,构建pMD19-T-ORF 126重组质粒,应用生物信息学方法分析ORF126基因编码蛋白的理化特征。结果显示:KHV ORF126基因翻译合成273个氨基酸;ExPasy预测该蛋白的理论分子量为29.9kDa,等电点为5.11;信号肽的切割部位最可能位于第19~20位氨基酸之间;跨膜区位于第145~168位氨基酸;抗原表位预测显示抗原性良好;编码蛋白不含N-糖基化位点,含有4个O-糖基化位点和17个磷酸化位点。     

传染性造血器官坏死病毒-Sn株基质蛋白基因克隆及生物信息学分析

基质蛋白(matrix protein,M)是传染性造血器官坏死病毒(infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus,IHNV)主要结构蛋白之一,是病毒感染后造成细胞凋亡的主要作用蛋白。为分析IHNV M蛋白的序列及结构特征,研究利用敏感细胞(EPC)培养传染性造血器官坏死病毒-Sn分离株(IHNV-Sn),根据M蛋白基因开放阅读框(open reading frame,ORF)的序列设计引物,利用RT-PCR的方法克隆得到M蛋白全长ORF,并且构建至表达载体pET27b(+)中,构建出pET27-M重组质粒。生物信息学分析结果显示,M蛋白基因的序列长度为588 bp,编码195个氨基酸残基,推导分子量约为21.88 ku,等电点为9.35;氨基酸序列分析表明,M蛋白富含丝氨酸、苏氨酸以及碱性氨基酸,存在丰富的α-螺旋、β折叠和无规则卷曲;M蛋白不含有信号肽;疏水性大于亲水性;没有跨膜区存在;抗原表位预测显示抗原性良好;结构预测显示,不存在N-糖基化位点,存在7个潜在的O-糖基化位点和15个潜在的磷酸化位点。系统进化树分析显示,IHNV-Sn株与美国分离株同为一簇。     

传染性皮下及造血组织坏死病毒NJ株ORF3基因的原核表达及生物信息学分析

为探究本实验室分离的传染性皮下及造血组织坏死病毒NJ株(IHHNV-NJ)ORF3基因编码蛋白的结构特征,本实验根据ORF3基因序列设计引物,利用PCR方法克隆ORF3基因序列,并构建至原核表达载体p ET-32a(+)中。对成功构建的p ET32a-ORF3重组表达载体进行原核表达,获得49 ku的融合蛋白,符合预期大小。通过生物信息学软件对ORF3基因编码蛋白序列进行分析,结果显示,ORF3基因序列长度为990 bp,编码329个氨基酸;ORF3基因编码蛋白理论分子质量为37 385.2 u,等电点为7.22,为亲水性蛋白;该编码蛋白序列不存在跨膜区、信号肽切割位点;二级结构含有55.9%的α-螺旋、52.0%的β-折叠以及13.4%的β-转角;抗原表位分布较广泛,抗原性强;该编码蛋白序列不存在潜在的N-糖基化位点,存在13个潜在的O-糖基化位点和17个潜在的磷酸化位点。进化树结果表明,NJ株的ORF3基因编码蛋白序列与6株IHHNV序列同源性均高于96%,与厄瓜多尔株同源性最高,为99.7%。研究表明,ORF3基因编码IHHNV衣壳蛋白;O-糖基化位点可参与衣壳蛋白的组装过程及细胞侵染过程,磷酸化位点可参与病毒在对虾细胞内的增殖过程;ORF3编码蛋白序列保守性强,不影响病毒毒力和个体间感染能力。     

急性病毒性坏死病毒魁蚶株IAP-86基因全长cDNA克隆和生物信息学分析

为深入探讨急性病毒性坏死病毒(Acute Viral Necrosis Virus, AVNV)魁蚶株的致病机理以及IAP-86蛋白的功能,从感染 AVNV 的濒死魁蚶外套膜中提取总 RNA,反转录获得 cDNA。根据 NCBI公布的 AVNV 全基因组序列中 ORF86序列设计两对反向套式引物,通过 cDNA 末端快速扩增(RACE)技术获得 ORF865￠端和3￠端的非编码区,拼接获得全长 cDNA 序列。Blast 序列比对显示,该基因与牡蛎疱疹病毒的同源性为100%,与栉孔扇贝 AVNV 的同源性为99%,并存在重叠基因。生物信息学分析预测,该蛋白不含信号肽,不存在跨膜区,最大疏水指数为1.800,最小疏水指数为–3.456。该蛋白存在8个潜在的磷酸化位点(包括5个丝氨酸、1个苏氨酸和2个酪氨酸),存在 1个潜在的 O-糖基化位点,不存在潜在的 N-糖基化位点;其抗原表位主要集中在8?11、14?16、28?39、75?76、88?95、97?100和147?158位氨基酸。推测该株病毒可能为牡蛎疱疹病毒的变异株,并且基因重叠在该类病毒进化过程中可能扮演重要角色。     

大菱鲆促黄体激素受体基因的克隆及其生物信息学分析

通过兼并引物扩增及RACE技术,克隆大菱鲆促黄体激素受体(luteinizing hormone receptor,LHR)基因,分析其相应生物信息学特征和组织表达。结果显示:LHR基因序列全长3 184 bp,编码685个氨基酸,同大西洋庸鲽同源性最高。氨基酸序列分析发现,该基因编码蛋白为疏水性蛋白,相对分子量76.54 ku,理论等电点7.22,存在信号肽序列和跨膜区;亚细胞定位主要在内质网和细胞膜;预测该蛋白含有33个磷酸化位点、5个糖基化位点、6个富含亮氨酸重复序列、7个跨膜保守结构域,二级结构以无规则卷曲为主,三级结构其结构域呈α螺旋状构象;蛋白功能预测表明,LHR主要在辅助、运载、翻译和代谢调节过程中发挥关键作用。组织表达分析表明,LHR基因除在卵巢大量表达外,在其他非性腺组织也有表达,尤其是在肝脏表达较高。上述结果为深入探讨LHR基因在大菱鲆性腺发育过程中的生物学功能奠定了遗传信息基础,也为研究其他海水养殖鱼类生殖调控提供重要参考。     

红笛鲷MAPKK5基因的克隆及生物信息学分析

利用本实验室构建红笛鲷头肾cDNA文库中的MAPKK5基因EST序列,通过RACE PCR技术克隆红笛鲷MAPKK5基因cDNA全长(Ls-MAPKK5,登录号为KM657202)。序列分析结果显示,Ls-MAPKK5cDNA全长2632bp,其中开放阅读框1317bp,可编码438个氨基酸,预测其编码蛋白的分子量为49.29ku,理论等电点为6.12。SignalP 4.0、TMHMM Server 2.0和SoftBerry-Psite预测结果显示,Ls-MAPKK5没有信号肽和跨膜结构,含有22个磷酸化位点。氨基酸序列分析显示LsMAPKK5具有保守的PB1与S_TKc结构域。利用MEGA5.0软件,根据邻位相连法构建MAPKK5系统进化树,结果显示Ls-MAPKK5与雀鲷、吉富罗非鱼该蛋白有较近的亲缘关系。     

拟态弧菌安徽分离株外膜蛋白基因OmpU的克隆测序与生物信息学分析

测序结果显示4株拟态弧菌OmpU基因片段长为849~876bp,编码283~292个氨基酸;拟态弧菌HX4分离株OmpU基因ORF长1 038 bp,编码346个氨基酸。生物信息学分析结果显示,OmpU基因在拟态弧菌安徽分离株之间及其与霍乱弧菌参考株间均具有较高保守性,彼此间核苷酸同源性和氨基酸同源性分别介于82.8%~99.6%和83.3%~100%;拟态弧菌OmpU蛋白N端前22个氨基酸组成信号肽,N末端有1个明显疏水区,并含有多个蛋白激酶磷酸化位点和糖基化位点;OmpU蛋白含有2个明显跨膜域,二级结构中富含β-折叠结构,在蛋白的53~66 aa、185~192 aa、215~219 aa和275~281 aa之间可能存在抗原表位。     

锦鲤疱疹病毒囊膜蛋白ORF59的克隆、分析及其主要B细胞表位区的原核表达

从感染锦鲤疱疹病毒（Koi herpesvirus,KHV）的锦鲤（Cyprinus carpiokoi）肾脏组织中提取DNA,通过PCR扩增了KHVORF59基因。该基因全长411bp,所编码的蛋白包含136个氨基酸,分子量14.3kDa,等电点（PI）6.91,有12个潜在的O糖基化位点。此研究克隆的KHVORF59基因第130位碱基由G突变为A,使其编码的第44位氨基酸由Ala突变为Thr。采用DNAStar程序,在综合分析二级结构柔性区、蛋白的亲水性、表面可能性和抗原性指数的基础上,预测了KHVORF59蛋白主要B细胞表位,并将其区段的编码序列与KHVORF59完整编码序列分别克隆入原核表达载体pET-32a（＋）,构建重组质粒pET32a-ORF59S和pET32a-ORF59C,转入大肠杆菌Rosetta菌株,IPTG诱导表达。SDS-PAGE及WesternBlot分析显示,pET32a-ORF59S可以高效表达,表达的截短KHVORF59蛋白主要以可溶性形式存在,采用HisBindResin填料,层析纯化了该截短蛋白。     

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.