脊尾白虾(Exopalaemon carinicauda)α2-巨球蛋白cDNA全长的克隆和表达分析

根据本实验室前期获得的脊尾白虾(Exopalaemon carinicauda)α2-巨球蛋白基因EST序列,采用cDNA末端快速扩增(Rapid amplification of cDNA end, RACE)技术克隆获得脊尾白虾α2-巨球蛋白基因cDNA全长,命名为Ecα2M基因.该基因全长4823 bp,由4413 bp的开放阅读框、64 bp的5'端非编码区以及346 bp的3'端非编码区组成.开放阅读框编码1470个氨基酸,分子量为163.0 kDa,理论等电点为5.03.序列分析显示,Ecα2M序列N端含有23个氨基酸组成的信号肽.同源性分析显示,脊尾白虾Ecα2M氨基酸序列与罗氏沼虾(Macrobrachium rosenbergii)α2M的同源性最高,达到80%.荧光定量PCR分析结果显示,Ecα2M基因在血细胞、肝胰腺、肌肉、鳃、卵巢、眼柄、胃及肠中均有表达,其中在血细胞中的相对表达量最高.感染鳗弧菌和WSSV后,脊尾白虾血细胞中Ecα2M的相对表达量于6 h达到最大值且显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),肝胰腺中Ecα2M的相对表达量于3 h达到最大值且显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),相对表达量变化具有明显的时间差异性.     

背角无齿蚌抗菌肽theromacin基因cDNA全序列克隆及表达分析

采用RACE方法,克隆了背角无齿蚌抗菌肽theromacin基因的cDNA全序列。结果显示,该cDNA序列全长为870 bp,5'端非翻译区104 bp,3'端非翻译区460 bp,开放阅读框长为306 bp,共编码101个氨基酸,相对分子量为11 166.9 u。同源性分析显示,该基因编码的蛋白与三角帆蚌theromacin基因氨基酸序列的相似度最高,为73%;与贻贝中发现的抗菌肽defensins、mytilins、myticins和mytimycins等4种类型相似度较低,属于Macin家族(登录号:KJ598604)。实时荧光定量PCR分析结果显示,该基因在血液、肝脏、外套膜、鳃、斧足和肠等组织中均有表达,在外套膜中的表达量最高,在其他组织中的表达量较低;经嗜水气单胞菌诱导后,各个组织的表达量出现明显上调的趋势且与对照组显著差异,推测theromacin基因可能在背角无齿蚌的免疫反应中起重要作用。     

脊尾白虾(Exopalaemon carinicauda) 2-巨球蛋白cDNA全长的克隆和表达分析

根据本实验室前期获得的脊尾白虾(Exopalaemon carinicauda) α2-巨球蛋白基因EST序列,采用cDNA末端快速扩增(Rapid amplification of cDNA end, RACE)技术克隆获得脊尾白虾α2-巨球蛋白基因cDNA全长,命名为Ecα2M基因。该基因全长4823 bp,由4413 bp的开放阅读框、64 bp的5?端非编码区以及346 bp的3?端非编码区组成。开放阅读框编码1470个氨基酸,分子量为163.0 kDa,理论等电点为5.03。序列分析显示,Ecα2M序列N端含有23个氨基酸组成的信号肽。同源性分析显示,脊尾白虾Ecα2M氨基酸序列与罗氏沼虾(Macrobrachium rosenbergii) α2M的同源性最高,达到80%。荧光定量PCR分析结果显示,Ecα2M基因在血细胞、肝胰腺、肌肉、鳃、卵巢、眼柄、胃及肠中均有表达,其中在血细胞中的相对表达量最高。感染鳗弧菌和WSSV后,脊尾白虾血细胞中Ecα2M的相对表达量于6 h达到最大值且显著高于对照组(P<0.05),肝胰腺中Ecα2M的相对表达量于3 h达到最大值且显著高于对照组(P<0.05),相对表达量变化具有明显的时间差异性。     

三角帆蚌钙网蛋白基因cDNA的分子特征与表达分析

为研究淡水珍珠形成相关基因及调控机理,以三角帆蚌为研究对象,借助cDNA末端快速扩增(RACE)技术获得了三角帆蚌的钙网蛋白基因(calreticulin,HcCRT) cDNA序列,该序列长1 437 bp,包含231 bp的5'非编码区(untranslated region,UTR)和615 bp 3'UTR以及591bp的开放阅读框(ORF),共编码196个氨基酸残基,包含一段由21个氨基酸组成的信号肽和一段由175个氨基酸的成熟肽,分子量约为22.4 ku,理论等电点5.01.氨基酸序列分析表明,该序列不存在跨膜结构,疏水性分析显示该蛋白整体为亲水性蛋白.氨基酸列比对分析显示,HcCRT具有保守的钙网蛋白家族结构,具有2个保守的钙网蛋白家族标签序列:KHEQNIDCGGGYLKVF和IMFGPDICG,与其他已知物种的CRT具有较高保守性,其中与斑马鱼的相似度为77％,与长牡蛎和马氏珠母贝的相似度为70％.对三角帆蚌HcCRT蛋白序列的二级结构和三级结构进行预测分析,显示该蛋白同时含螺旋和折叠.实时荧光定量PCR分析结果显示,HcCRT在外套膜、血液、鳃、斧足、肝脏、肾脏、肠和闭壳肌等8个组织中均有表达,其中在外套膜中表达量最高,血液次之,在其他组织的表达量极少.初步推测HcCRT参与了三角帆蚌珍珠形成的生物矿化过程.     

三角帆蚌HcCUBDC基因cDNA的全长克隆与表达分析

利用cDNA末端快速扩增（Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends,RACE）方法,获得了三角帆蚌HcCUBDC基因的全长cDNA序列,共5158bp,开放阅读框（ORF）1920bp,编码639个氨基酸,5′端非编码区576bp,3′端非编码区2662bp,GeneBank登陆号为KP067952。生物信息学分析表明,三角帆蚌HcCUBDC蛋白含有一个由19个氨基酸组成的信号肽和4个CUB结构域,但未能比对上已知的蛋白。经荧光定量PCR检测,HcCUBDC基因在紫色和白色蚌前端缘膜、后端缘膜、中央膜、鳃、斧足、肝胰腺、肠和肾8个组织中均有表达,并且都是肝胰腺表达量最低。在紫色蚌中,后端缘膜表达量极显著高于前端缘膜;在白色蚌中,前端和后端缘膜之间表达差异不显著。HcCUBDC基因在紫色蚌后端缘膜中的表达量极显著高于白色蚌,在紫色和白色蚌前端缘膜中的表达量差异不显著。外套膜原位杂交结果显示,HcCUBDC基因主要在缘膜外上皮细胞中表达。研究表明,HcCUBDC基因在三角帆蚌内壳色形成中发挥作用,可为进一步深入研究该基因在珍珠颜色形成过程中的功能及其调控机理提供基础资料。     

三角帆蚌β-肌动蛋白基因的cDNA全长克隆及表达分析

采用RTPCR和快速扩增cDNA末端(rapid amplification of cDNA ends,RACE)技术首次克隆了三角帆蚌β-肌动蛋白基因的cDNA全序列,该序列全长为1 483 bp,由长92 bp的5′非翻译区(untranslated region,UTR),257 bp的3′非翻译区,和1 134 bp的开放阅读框(open reading frame,ORF)组成。阅读框共编码377个氨基酸,推算的分子量约为41.9 ku,理论等电点为5.3。三角帆蚌β-actin氨基酸序列中Met178,Ser305,Ser321,Pro325,Val331,Pro346等6个氨基酸残基具有特异性,此外还发现3个特殊的氨基酸残基位点以及2个软体动物特有的氨基酸残基。三角帆蚌β-actin氨基酸序列与软体动物、节肢动物、脊椎动物的相似性高达98%~99%。NJ法系统进化分析显示三角帆蚌首先与软体动物聚在一起,然后与节肢动物聚在一起,再依次与鱼类、两栖类、哺乳类聚在一起。RT-PCR显示β-actin基因在外套膜、血液、肝、肾、胃、肠、鳃、斧足共8个组织的表达基本一致,具有良好的稳定性。     

α-tubulin基因的克隆、生物信息学分析及其在仿刺参肠道再生过程中的表达模式

为了明确仿刺参α-微管蛋白(α-tubulin)基因的序列及结构信息,初步研究该基因在仿刺参肠道再生过程中的生物学功能,本研究利用转录组数据挖掘和c DNA末端快速扩增技术(RACE)首次克隆得到仿刺参α-tubulin基因的全长c DNA序列。结果表明,仿刺参α-tubulin基因c DNA全长为1641 bp,共编码453个氨基酸,经生物信息学分析发现,该基因的5'端非编码区为153 bp,3'端非编码区为126 bp,推算该基因所编码的蛋白质分子量为50.33 ku,等电点为4.89,属于亲水性非跨膜蛋白质,且氨基酸序列中含有微管蛋白特有的信号序列GGGTGSG。通过与13种已公布物种的α-tubulin氨基酸序列进行多重序列比对及系统进化分析,发现仿刺参α-tubulin蛋白的氨基酸序列与其他真核生物的α-tubulin蛋白序列具有非常高的保守性,与南极岩斑鳕α-tubulin相似性高达90%。采用实时定量PCR技术对α-tubulin基因在仿刺参肠组织再生不同时期的表达情况进行检测,结果显示α-tubulin基因在仿刺参肠组织再生不同时期均有表达,其相对表达量在肠组织再生17 d时最高,5 d时最低。本研究在获得仿刺参α-tubulin基因结构信息的同时,进一步印证了真核生物α-tubulin基因的高度保守性,同时表明α-tubulin基因参与仿刺参肠道再生过程。     

虾夷扇贝肌动蛋白基因cDNA序列克隆与分析

采用RT-PCR和RACE法从虾夷扇贝闭壳肌中分离和克隆了肌动蛋白基因cDNA全长序列.肌动蛋白基因cDNA全长1775 bp(不包括poly A),5′端非编码区94 bp,3′端非翻译区551 bp,阅读框1131 bp,编码376个氨基酸.在基因组DNA中,该基因被一个内含子分为两段,内含子位于第42和第43个氨基酸之间,长度为2041 bp.系统发育分析显示该肌动蛋白属于α类型.     

团头鲂 HSP70 cDNA 的克隆、序列分析以及热应激对其 mRNA 表达的影响

采用RT-PCR和cDNA末端快速扩增法(RACE)分离、克隆出团头鲂(Megalobrama amblycephala)肝脏热休克蛋白70(HSP70)基因全长cDNA序列,共2 224 bp,包括135 bp5'非翻译区、1 932 bp阅读框以及157 bp 3'非翻泽区[不包括Poly(A)].阅读框共编码643个氨基酸,分子量计算值为70.53 kD,理论等电点为5.25.该HSP70基因在翻译区不含内含子,符合诱导型HSP70的特征.团头鲂HSP70氨基酸序列中含有HSP70家族的3个签名序列以及细胞质特异性调控基序EEVD等.同源性分析表明,团头鲂HSP70氨基酸序列与斑马鱼等脊椎动物的相似性高达84.0%以上,与无脊椎动物果蝇的相似性也高达73.4%.生物信息学分析显示,团头鲂HSPTO基因所编码的蛋白质以亲水性区域为主,具有丰富的B细胞抗原位点,无信号肽,无跨膜区域,为非分泌型蛋白;同时还含有众多的蛋白激酶C磷酸化位点、N-肉豆蔻酰化位点、酪蛋白激酶Ⅱ磷酸化位点和N-糖基化位点,推测其可能在细胞信号转导与调控中发挥重要作用.该蛋白含有2个部分重叠的双向核定位序列,二级结构以α-螺旋和无规卷曲为主,空间结构包括N端ATPase功能域和C端多肽结合功能域.应用实时定量PCR研究高温(34℃)应激对团头鲂HSP70 mRNA表达的影响.结果表明,在热应激过程巾肝脏HSP70 mRNA水平呈先升高后下降的变化趋势,说明该基因的表达受热应激调控,本实验克隆的序列为诱导型HSP70 cDNA.     

三疣梭子蟹水通道蛋白 1 cDNA 及其盐度胁迫下的表达分析

采用RACE技术克隆获得总长为1 712 bp的三疣梭子蟹(Portunus trituberculatus)水通道蛋白基因全长cDNA序列,命名为PtAQP基因.该基因5'和3'非编码区分别为153 bp和788 bp,开放阅读框为771 bp,推测编码256个氨基酸,预测分子量为27.0 kD,理论等电点为8.26.生物信息学分析表明,PtAQP含有6个跨膜区和2个NPA单元,具有与MIP家族匹配的保守氨基酸序列,属于稳定蛋白;同源性和系统进化分析表明,三疣梭子蟹PtAQP氨基酸序列与可口美青蟹(Callinectes sapidus) AQP1的同源性最高(87％),与可口美青蟹紧密聚为一支;荧光定量RT-PCR分析表明,PtAQP基因在各组织中均有表达,而在胃中的相对表达量最高.通过分析PtAQP基因在盐度胁迫中的表达规律发现,盐度胁迫可显著改变PtAQP基因在三疣梭子蟹鳃和肝胰腺中的表达模式,整体呈先下降后上升最后下降到初始水平的表达趋势.该研究结果表明,PtAQP基因在三疣梭子蟹渗透压调节中发挥重要作用.     

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.     

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.