草鱼小肽转运载体PepT1基因的克隆与表达特征

采用同源克隆和RACE技术克隆草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)PepT1基因的全长cDNA序列。该cDNA全长为2 762 bp,包含141 bp的5′UTR序列,479 bp的3′UTR序列,2 142 bp开放阅读框,编码713个氨基酸;草鱼与鲫(Carassius auratus)、斑马鱼(Danio rerio)的核苷酸同源性分别为77.6%和74.0%,氨基酸同源性分别为78.0%和76.7%;与其他物种的核苷酸同源性为53.9%～59.1%,而氨基酸的同源性为57.2%～61.8%。经预测,其编码蛋白的分子量为79.29 kD,等电点为5.87,该蛋白具有与哺乳动物十分相似的11个螺旋跨膜结构,跨膜区氨基酸高度保守;系统进化分析表明,草鱼PepT1基因与鲫鱼和斑马鱼的亲缘关系最近;利用Real-time PCR技术检测了该基因的时空表达,结果显示,PepT1在草鱼前肠组织表达量最高,其次是肌肉组织;草鱼出膜7 d后PepT1 mRNA表达量相对稳定;昼夜节律研究发现,肠道PepT1基因夜间的表达量较白天高。本研究旨在为小肽转运载体PepT1介导肠道转运小肽调控草鱼对饲料蛋白消化吸收的分子机理提供理论基础。     

草鱼碱性氨基酸转运载体y+LAT2 cDNA基因克隆与表达研究

利用逆转录聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)和cDNA末端快速扩增(RACE)方法,克隆y+LAT2基因cDNA序列,并利用实时荧光定量PCR探讨y+LAT2在草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)各组织中的表达情况以及饥饿对其mRNA的影响。结果表明,获得的y+LAT2基因的cDNA序列片段为1849bp,含1371bp的核心序列,编码456个氨基酸。预测草鱼氨基酸序列与斑马鱼(Danio rerio)的同源性高达96.5%,与哺乳动物和两栖动物的同源性在78%～83%,构建的系统进化树与传统形态学分类一致。在草鱼的肌肉、脑、鳃、心、肾脏、肝、后肠、中肠、前肠、脾脏组织均检测到y+LAT2基因的表达。草鱼脾脏、肾脏以及前肠、中肠的y+LAT2 mRNA表达水平对禁食的反应不同,在短期饥饿(14d)期间,其y+LAT2 mRNA表达水平均呈下降趋势。草鱼碱性氨基酸转运载体y+LAT2基因全长cDNA序列的获得,有利于进一步探讨鱼类氨基酸的吸收转运机制。     

草鱼C1qC基因的克隆及表达分析

为了研究C1qC基因在草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idella)免疫过程中所起的作用,利用RT-PCR和RACE方法克隆获得了C1qC基因cDNA全长序列,经序列分析表明,所克隆的C1qC cDNA全长为916 bp,包括开放阅读框(open reading frame,ORF)735 bp,5′端非编码区(untranslated region,UTR)89 bp和3′端非编码区(UTR)92 bp。735 bp的ORF共编码244个氨基酸,相对分子量为26 162.5 U。同源性分析表明,草鱼与斑马鱼(Danio rerio)的相似度最高,达到71%。经草鱼呼肠孤病毒(grass carp reovirus,GCRV)诱导后,草鱼C1qC基因在鳃、皮肤、肌肉、肝、中肾、心脏、头肾等组织中的mRNA表达水平均显著上调。在草鱼胚胎发育的各个阶段都能检测到C1qC mRNA的表达,说明该基因可能在草鱼胚胎和鱼苗的免疫反应和早期发育中起重要作用。本研究将为今后在草鱼免疫功能方面深入研究C1qC基因提供基础资料。     

草鱼天然抗性相关巨噬蛋白基因全长cDNA的克隆与表达分析

天然抗性相关巨噬蛋白(Nramp)家族是一类抑制胞内寄生菌侵染的天然免疫相关蛋白.本研究克隆了草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)Nramp基因并进行了表达分析.该基因cDNA序列全长为3158 bp,编码1个含544个氨基酸的蛋白.该蛋白含有Nramp家族的特征序列:包含12个跨膜区(TM)、1个由20个氨基酸残基组成的胞质内转运结构域(CTM).草鱼Nramp同其他16个物种的Nramp氨基酸序列同源性在62.5%～90.2%之间.草鱼Nramp基因cDNA的独特结构是其3味端非翻译区(UTR)和5'UTR各有1个脊椎动物Nramp2中的铁反应控制蛋白结合位点(IRE).系统进化分析表明,草鱼Nramp和所有鱼类Nramp聚为一簇,与哺乳类Nramp2的亲缘关系较近.Nramp基因在单鱼头肾和脾脏中的表达量最高,在肌肉和皮肤中的表达量最低,在草鱼呼肠孤病毒(GCRV)感染的草鱼肾脏细胞系(CIK)中的表达量明显升高.     

草鱼TLR9基因全长cDNA的克隆及特征分析

采用同源克隆及快速扩增cDNA末端技术,从草鱼鳃组织中克隆了Toll样受体9(Toll-like receptor 9,TLR9)基因的cDNA全长。序列分析表明,草鱼TLR9 cDNA全长3 468 bp,编码1 058个氨基酸,其中包括18个氨基酸组成的信号肽、16个富含亮氨酸重复结构域(leucine rich repeat,LRR)、1个跨膜区和1个TIR结构域(Toll/IL-1 receptor)。该蛋白的分子量为121 921 u,等电点为8.80。氨基酸序列的同源性分析显示,草鱼TLR9与鲤TLR9的同源性最高(85%),依次为斑马鱼(82%)、大西洋鲑(55%)、虹鳟(55%)。在系统发生树上,草鱼TLR9首先与鲤科的鲤和斑马鱼聚类。通过半定量RT-PCR检测可知,草鱼TLR9在被检测的15个组织中都有表达,其中在鳃中的表达最高,其次为血、头肾等。这些结果为进一步深入研究TLR-9的功能及开发草鱼免疫增强剂奠定基础。     

草鱼Bcl-2基因的克隆、组织表达分析及DHA诱导下其在脂肪细胞中的表达变化

为获知草鱼B细胞淋巴瘤基因-2(B cell CLL/ lymphoma-2, Bcl-2)基因序列及其在草鱼各组织和脂肪细胞中的表达变化,本研究通过cDNA快速末端扩增(Rapid amplification of cDNA ends, RACE)技术获得了草鱼Bcl-2的全长cDNA序列,并采用实时定量PCR(qRT-PCR)检测了Bcl-2在草鱼不同组织中的表达情况。为研究二十二碳六烯酸(Docosahexaenoic Acid,DHA)对草鱼前体脂肪细胞凋亡的诱导作用,本研究检测了100 μmol/L DHA处理后,草鱼前体脂肪细胞中Bcl-2基因的时序表达。结果显示,所获得的草鱼 Bcl-2 基因全长cDNA序列长度为1292 bp,包含133 bp 的5′非翻译区(untranslated region, UTR)和784 bp 的3′UTR;开放阅读框为375 bp, 编码124 个氨基酸。草鱼Bcl-2与鲤、斑马鱼Bcl-2氨基酸同源性分别为89.5%和91.1%,与人、原鸡、小鼠、野猪、欧洲牛、褐家鼠、家猫和犬等其他动物的氨基酸同源性为57.7%-62.0%。其编码蛋白的分子量为14.14KDa,等电点为4.68。Bcl-2基因在草鱼心脏、肝胰脏、脾脏、鳃、肾脏、肌肉、腹腔脂肪组织、脑、小肠、精巢10个组织中均有表达,其中在腹腔脂肪组织、肾脏和精巢中表达丰度最高,在肌肉中表达最低。DHA处理草鱼前体脂肪细胞后,Bcl2基因表达在增殖阶段下调,而在分化阶段上调。研究表明,Bcl-2在草鱼各组织中广泛表达,且DHA对其在脂肪细胞中的表达具有调控作用。     

草鱼NADPH氧化酶2个调节亚基cDNA的克隆及表达特征

为了解草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)NADPH多酶复合体的基因结构及其在机体的防御体系中的功能,利用RT-PCR结合RACE-PCR的方法,克隆草鱼NADPH氧化酶的2个调节亚基p40phox和p47phox的cDNA,对其编码的氨基酸序列进行了同源性比较和功能域分析,同时对这两个亚基在草鱼不同组织中的差异性表达进行分析。结果显示:p47phox亚基cDNA序列全长为1 589 bp,开放阅读框长度为1 233 bp,编码410个氨基酸;p40phox亚基cDNA序列全长为2 103 bp,开放阅读框为1 068 bp,编码355个氨基酸。这两个亚基编码的氨基酸序列与其他鱼类的同源性在68%~96%,具有其它鱼类类似的PX,SH3,PB1和PC功能域。组织差异性表达分析结果表明:2个调节亚基在草鱼胸腺、心脏、头肾、鳃、肠、肝、肾、脾和皮肤组织中均有表达,在不同组织中的表达强度略有差异,在心脏、胸腺中表达水平最高,在肝脏中表达水平较低,但是不同组织之间的表达水平差异不显著(P>0.05)。     

仿刺参EGFR基因的克隆与表达分析

表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)是多种细胞因子的受体,在细胞增殖、迁移及分化中具有重要的作用。应用RACE法首次从仿刺参体腔细胞中克隆出EGFR基因的全长cDNA序列。该cDNA全长3 826 bp,包括821 bp的5’-UTR,281 bp的3’-UTR,开放阅读框2 724 bp,编码907个氨基酸。推导的氨基酸序列55-184aa和365-487aa符合EGFR基因所具有的L1和L2受体结构域,在203-344aa和503-823aa含有EGFR家族特征区域CR1和CR2半胱氨酸富集区,并同为跨膜糖蛋白,在结构上具有一致性。经BlastP与GenBank已知物种氨基酸序列进行同源性比对,仿刺参EGFR基因氨基酸序列与果蝇EGFR相似性为49%,同源性为34%,与斑马鱼EGFR相似性为47%,同源性为34%,与淡水椎实螺EGFR相似性为49%,同源性为31%。据此推断,仿刺参EGFR基因属于EGFR家族成员。利用Real-time PCR技术检测了该基因在仿刺参各组织中的表达,结果显示在肠、呼吸树、表皮、体腔细胞、纵肌中EGFR均有表达,且体腔细胞和表皮表达量较高。结果表明,该基因可能在仿刺参组织发育和再生过程中起到重要的调控作用。     

表达序列标签数据库搜索克隆斑马鱼QM基因及其数字化差异显示分析

QM基因是一种与肿瘤抑制、细胞生长、分化、发育和凋亡等有关的重要基因，已在人类及许多物种中得到了克隆，但鱼类中尚无报道。我们利用表达序列标签数据库和电子克隆等技术，成功克隆了斑马鱼QM基因，并对该基因的结构进行了系统分析。结果显示，斑马鱼QM基因cDNA全长769bp，含648bp开放阅读框架，编码215个氨基酸，5’UTR 25 bp，3’UTR122 bp，所编码的QM多肽分子量24.6kDa，等电点（pI）10．6，含潜在的蛋白酶C磷酸化位点、N-酰基化位点和酰胺化位点。比较斑马鱼QM和人等13个物种QM的同源性，发现其氨基酸序列相似性为66％～92％。数字化差异显示分析结果表明，QM基因在斑马鱼胚胎及成体多种组织中均有广泛表达。研究结果为今后利用生物信息学快速克隆新的鱼类功能基因打下了方法学基础，也为进一步研究鱼类QM基因功能提供了依据。     

中华鲟热休克蛋白hsp30基因cDNA的克隆及其在高温胁迫下的表达分析

实验克隆了中华鲟(Acipenser sinensis)热休克蛋白hsp30基因cDNA的全长、分析了其分子结构与特征,并研究了其在高温胁迫下的表达水平。结果显示,中华鲟hsp30基因cDNA序列全长为1 037 bp,其中开放阅读框(ORF)636 bp,5′端非编码区(5′UTR)38 bp,3′端非编码区(3′UTR)363 bp,共编码211个氨基酸。氨基酸多序列比对发现含有一个保守的α晶状体结构;系统进化分析显示,中华鲟HSP30与鱼类HSP30聚为一支,与小体鲟HSP30氨基酸序列相似性最高,为79%。荧光定量PCR结果表明,中华鲟hsp30基因在皮肤中的表达量最高,肝脏次之,在肠中的表达量最低。高温胁迫后,心脏、脾脏、肾脏和皮肤中hsp30基因表达量均显著增加,表明这些器官在中华鲟应对高温胁迫中可能起着重要作用。     

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.     

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.     

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.