草鱼Mx蛋白基因的克隆与原核表达

根据已报道的Mx蛋白cDNA序列设计合成特异引物，应用逆转录-聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)方法，从草鱼呼肠孤病毒(GCRV)诱导的草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)肝脏总RNA中扩增获得Mx蛋白cDNA，回收纯化后克隆到pGEM-T Easy Vector系统的T载体上。重组子的序列分析表明：所克隆的Mx蛋白cDNA长722bp，编码240个氨基酸，包括1个三联GTP结合区域和1个发动蛋白(dynamin)族特征的序列。与已知鱼类Mx蛋白基因序列比较表明，草鱼Mx蛋白基因序列与其它鱼类Mx基因相应序列具有较高的同源性，其中与斑马鱼Mx蛋白E型基因碱基序列比较同源性最高，为87．1％。将此基因改造后定向克隆至原核表达质粒pBV220，构建成重组草鱼Mx蛋白基因表达质粒pBVgcMx，并在大肠杆菌中获得高效表达，重组草鱼Mx蛋白的表达量占菌体总蛋白的26．6％。Q-sephrose FF层析柱分离纯化的重组草鱼Mx蛋白纯度达95．6％。     

斑点叉尾鮰病毒“自杀性”DNA疫苗的构建及其体外表达检测

根据CCVORF6基因序列,设计合适的引物,扩增ORF6基因,分别将其克隆到自杀性DNA疫苗载体pS-FV与常规DNA疫苗载体pcDNA3.1(+)中,转化感受态细胞DH5α后提取质粒,构建斑点叉尾鮰(Ictalurus punc-tatus)自杀性DNA疫苗ps-ORF6与常规DNA疫苗pcd-ORF6,利用转化后的大肠杆菌菌液为模板进行PCR扩增、提取质粒酶切鉴定以及序列测定等方法证实重组质粒构建正确。将重组质粒转染人胚肾细胞(293T),间接免疫荧光试验表明ORF6均获得表达,但自杀性DNA疫苗的表达效果不如常规DNA疫苗,该研究为这2种疫苗进一步的鱼体试验奠定了基础。     

引起三疣梭子蟹"牛奶病"的酵母菌18S rRNA序列测定与分析

"牛奶病"是近年来秋、冬季三疣梭子蟹暂养过程中发生的一种危害较大的流行性疾病,患病蟹的体液和肌肉组织中有大量的酵母菌.根据GenBank中的假丝酵母菌的18S rRNA基因序列设计合成引物,用PCR扩增患"牛奶病"三疣梭子蟹上分离到的酵母菌的部分18S rRNA基因,PCR产物经纯化回收后克隆入pUCm-T载体,筛选出阳性克隆进行测序,测序结果与已发表的序列进行同源性比较,同时以蟹源弧菌和寄生虫的DNA样本为对照.结果,所测序列与GenBank中假丝酵母菌的18S rRNA基因的同源性为84.4%～100%.同时,仅从试验用酵母菌DNA样本中扩增出了532bp左右的特异性片段,其他对照样本均未出现扩增反应.说明本实验建立的检测酵母菌的PCR方法有效.     

草鱼APN基因的克隆及表达特征

氨肽酶N(APN)是肽酶M1家族的成员之一,在蛋白质的消化中发挥重要作用。采用同源克隆和RACE技术首次克隆草鱼APN基因的全长cDNA序列。该cDNA全长为3258bp,包含27bp的5UTR序列,552bp的3UTR序列,2679bp开放阅读框,编码892个氨基酸;草鱼与斑马鱼基因同源性和编码氨基酸同源性分别为81.5%和75.4%,与其他动物同源性分别为58.8%～61.2%和54.3%～60.2%。经预测,其编码蛋白的分子量为100.61ku,等电点为5.14,该蛋白具有与哺乳动物十分相似的1个螺旋跨膜结构,但跨膜区氨基酸同源性较低;系统进化分析表明,草鱼APN基因与斑马鱼的亲缘关系最近;利用Real-timePCR技术检测了该基因的发育表达,结果显示草鱼出膜4d后APNmRNA表达量相对稳定;APN在草鱼前肠、中肠和后肠均有较高的表达量,以前肠组织表达量最高;昼夜节律研究发现,肠道APN基因06:00-18:00的表达量较18:00-06:00高。     

斑点叉尾鮰病毒“自杀性”ＤＮＡ疫苗的构建及其体外表达检测

根据CCVORF6基因序列,设计合适的引物,扩增ORF6基因,分别将其克隆到"自杀性"DNA疫苗载体pS-FV与常规DNA疫苗载体pcDNA3.1(+)中,转化感受态细胞DH5α后提取质粒,构建斑点叉尾鮰(Ictalurus punc-tatus)"自杀性"DNA疫苗ps-ORF6与常规DNA疫苗pcd-ORF6,利用转化后的大肠杆菌菌液为模板进行PCR扩增、提取质粒酶切鉴定以及序列测定等方法证实重组质粒构建正确。将重组质粒转染人胚肾细胞(293T),间接免疫荧光试验表明ORF6均获得表达,但"自杀性"DNA疫苗的表达效果不如常规DNA疫苗,该研究为这2种疫苗进一步的鱼体试验奠定了基础。     

草鱼胰岛素样生长因子_基因克隆及序列分析

采用逆转录－聚合酶链式反应（ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ）方法,从草鱼肝脏的总ＲＮＡ中扩增出胰岛素样生长因子－Ｉ（ＩＧＦ－Ｉ）基因序列,定向克隆至质粒pUC18,测宇了该基因序列,推导期编码的蛋白序列,克隆的cDNA序列编码包括Ｂ,Ｃ,Ａ,Ｄ和Ｅ五个区域的１７个氨基酸,与鲤ＩＧＦ－Ｉ成熟肽比较,核酸序列和氨基酸序列的同源性分别为９３．８％和９７．１％,E区域分析结果表明,所克隆的草鱼ＩＧＦ－Ｉ序列属于ＩＧＦ－ＩＥa-2亚型。     

草鱼呼肠孤病毒VP6蛋白基因植物表达载体的构建

以据草鱼呼肠孤病毒(GCRV)VP6蛋白的全基因序列(GeneBank AF403394)为模板,采用RT-PCR构建了草鱼呼肠孤病毒VP6蛋白基因植物表达载体的构建。结果显示:实验构建的pCR 2.1-VP6重组质粒含有NcoⅠ和BglⅡ酶切位点;pCR 2.1-VP6重组质粒经PCR扩增和测序显示含有1.3 Kbp的草鱼呼肠孤病毒VP6基因读码框片段。将目的片段VP6酶切、克隆到携带有绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)基因的植物表达载体pCAMBIA1302中,再经酶切、PCR扩增和序列测定显示,pCAMBIA1302-VP6含有1.3 Kbp的草鱼呼肠孤病毒VP6基因片段,说明已插入植物表达载体pCAMBIA1302绿色荧光蛋白基因前,成功构建了融合表达草鱼呼肠孤病毒VP6蛋白和绿色荧光蛋白的植物表达载体pCAMBIA1302-VP6。     

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。     

草鱼呼肠孤病毒NS79蛋白多克隆抗体制备

草鱼呼肠孤病毒(Grass carp reovirus,GCRV)隶属于呼肠孤病毒科,水生呼肠孤病毒属,该病毒引起草鱼鱼种出现严重的出血病。GCRV基因组由11个分节段的双链RNA构成,NS79是由草鱼呼肠孤病毒GCRV-HN14株S4节段编码的蛋白。根据草鱼呼肠孤病毒编码NS79的c DNA序列,经PCR扩增NS79基因部分片段,将目的基因片段插入原核表达载体p ET-32a(+),构建重组表达质粒NS79E-p ET-32a,转化到大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中,IPTG诱导表达,表达出来融合蛋白分子量约为35k Da,表达的重组蛋白用Ni-IDASefinose(TM)树脂纯化后免疫新西兰大白兔,制备多克隆抗体,采用ELISA法测定其效价大于1:64000。这些结果为NS79蛋白功能的深入研究提供基础。     

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.     

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.