兰州鲇MyoD基因的克隆与生物信息学分析

为研究兰州鲇(Silurus lanzhouensis)生长性状相关基因,运用RT-PCR、TA克隆和核酸测序等技术对兰州鲇MyoD基因的CDS区及全基因进行克隆和生物信息学分析。获得兰州鲇MyoD基因的完整CDS区序列810 bp(Gen Bank登录号:KT277551)及MyoD基因全序列1 210 bp(Gen Bank登录号:KT339175),包括部分5'端63 bp和3'端58 bp;ORF区含有3个外显子和2个内含子,外显子长度分别为510 bp、80 bp和220 bp,内含子长度分别为156 bp和123 bp,编码269个氨基酸残基组成的可溶酸性蛋白质;预测亚细胞定位MyoD主要分布于细胞核(56.5%),MyoD二聚体结构是一个螺旋-环-螺旋(b HLH)。基于12种鱼类MyoD基因CDS序列构建系统发育树及编码区同源性比较,分析结果表明,MyoD基因编码区在进化过程中比较保守,且兰州鲇MyoD与斑点叉尾、白鲶鱼、蓝鲶鱼之间存在较高的同源性。     

编码鳗鲡生长激素基因的序列与结构

序列分析表明；欧洲鳗鲡GH基因从ATG到TAG共计2393bp，有4个外显子，3个内含子，推测编码209个氨基酸，第一内含子存在3个重复单体构成的微卫星序列。同源性分析表明：欧洲鳗鲡GH可分为5个结构域，GD1-GD4区域与GH的活性有关，为GH与其受体专一性结合区域，GD5区域与GH分子的结构，稳定性有关。进化分析表明，鱼类GH分可成3个不同的组，欧洲鳗鲡GH基因属Ⅰ组，Ⅱ组可分含4个内含子基因及含5个内含子基因二个亚组。Ⅲ组GH基因有5个内含子，推测原始的GH基因在进化过程中，通过丢失或增加内含子导致基因歧化。     

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.     

黄鳝ghrelin基因的克隆及分子特征分析

Ghrelin是联系生殖和能量代谢的重要桥梁信号分子,通过克隆黄鳝(Monopterus albus)的ghrelin基因并对其基因结构和功能进行了初步分析;运用c DNA末端快速扩增技术获得了黄鳝ghrelin基因的c DNA序列和DNA序列全长。结果表明,黄鳝ghrelin基因c DNA全长552 bp(Gen Bank accession no.JX122807),包括115 bp的5'端非编码区、324 bp的完整开放阅读框以及113 bp的3'端非编码区;DNA序列全长1323 bp,由3个内含子和4个外显子构成,内含子剪切位点具有典型识别核苷酸GT/AG,3个内含子分别为594 bp、84 bp和93 bp,4个外显子长度分别为229 bp、78 bp、112 bp和133 bp。氨基酸序列分析显示,ghrelin基因推导的Ghrelin蛋白前体原(propreghrelin)序列由26 aa的信号肽、19 aa的成熟肽以及C端氨基酸残基等构成;其中,成熟肽第3位为丝氨酸(Ser3),是Ghrelin的酰基化位点;C端氨基酸残基序列极可能包括与Ghrelin成熟肽功能相互拮抗的肥胖抑制素(Obestatin)。氨基酸的同源性及进化关系分析表明,黄鳝与某些鲈形目鱼类的蛋白前体原存在高度相似性,且在进化上黄鳝与较高级的鲈形目、鲽形目鱼类聚为一支。ghrelin基因结构及其蛋白质某些氨基酸残基序列的高度保守,预示着Ghrelin在脊椎动物中有着重要的生理功能与类似的作用机制。     

鳜UCP1,2基因结构、序列分析及组织表达

从分子水平上探讨了鳜解偶联蛋白1、2 (UCP1, 2)基因结构、组织表达水平及与产热、脂肪代谢等生理机能的关系。通过与脊椎动物UCP1、UCP2基因序列进行比对,设计简并引物与特异引物进行PCR和RACE扩增、测序、拼接序列,获得UCP1、UCP2的基因组序列和内含子/外显子结构。基因组步行法克隆鳜肝脏UCP1、UCP2 基因5′侧翼序列。应用半定量RT-PCR的方法,以β-肌动蛋白作为外参照,在其指数期增长的范围内得到鳜不同组织UCP1、UCP2的相对表达水平。结果表明,UCP1基因组全序列为3 146 bp, 5′侧翼调控区为1 333 bp,含有5个内含子和6个外显子,开放阅读框(ORF)长942 bp,编码一个大小为313个氨基酸的蛋白质。UCP2基因组全序列为2 890 bp, 5′侧翼调控区为1 800 bp,含有7个内含子和8个外显子,ORF长939 bp,编码一个大小为312个氨基酸的蛋白质。UCP1、UCP2间隔外显子的内含子皆符合“GT-AG”规则,内含子的数目与哺乳动物一致。系统进化分析表明,鳜UCP1、UCP2氨基酸序列分别与鱼类UCP1、UCP2氨基酸序列聚为一支,且与UCP3、UCP4、UCP5分支区分明显。鳜UCP1、UCP2基因不同组织表达水平的高低可能与鳜本身的生态习性及各器官在产热、脂质代谢中的作用相关,但明确的分子机制尚待进一步研究。     

吉富罗非鱼 MSTN 基因结构及其多态性与生长性状的相关性

通过PCR和基因组步移法,从吉富罗非鱼DNA中扩增出肌细胞生长抑制素(MSTN)基因及其5′调控区。该序列全长2413bp,含有3个外显子,2个内含子。5′调控区462bp,外显子Ⅰ379bp,外显子Ⅱ371bp,部分外显子Ⅲ145bp,内含子Ⅰ305bp,内含子Ⅱ751bp,编码区共编码298个氨基酸。5′调控区含有与肌肉特异性基因转录密切相关的转录调控元件E-box以及其他一些转录调控元件,如TATAbox,OCT1,AP1,AP4。通过随机测序法寻找SNPs(Signal nucleotide poly morphisms),获得了3个SNPs,但在群体筛选中,只有内含子Ⅱ内的1个SNPs表现多态性。同时测量了96尾(45♂,51♀)吉富罗非鱼的体质量、体长、体高、体厚,并将这些数据与MSTN基因的SNPs多态性进行相关性分析,研究发现MSTN基因内含子Ⅱ的728nt处G/T多态与吉富罗非鱼体型(体厚/体长、体高/体长)存在显著相关(P0.05)。这些研究结果表明,MSTN基因的SNPs可作为吉富罗非鱼育种的候选分子标记。     

圆斑星鲽MHC IIB基因结构、多态性及组织表达分析

通过表达序列标签法和cDNA末端快速扩增(RACE)技术,分离和克隆了圆斑星鲽(Verasper variegatus)主要组织相容性复合体(MHC)IIB的全长cDNA序列,该cDNA全长为1144bp,5'UTR(untranslated region)为7bp,3'UTR为450bp,开放阅读框(ORF)长度为687bp,可编码228个氨基酸,包含信号肽、抗原结合域(β1)、IGC区(β2)、跨膜区和胞质区5个结构域。同源分析表明,圆斑星鲽MHCIIB氨基酸序列与其他硬骨鱼具有49%～79%的同源性,与鼠、人、红原鸡和护士鲨的相似性较低,分别为34%、33%、31%和30%。圆斑星鲽MHC ⅡB基因含有5个内含子,与其他硬骨鱼不同,其β2结构域编码区内存在1个109bp的内含子。根据获得的MHC ⅡB基因组序列设计特异性引物,在10尾野生圆斑星鲽中扩增了包括完整内含子1和外显子2的长度约388bp的DNA片段,PCR产物直接测序后发现在270bp的抗原结合域中共有23个位点发生变异,密码子第1位和第2位的变异明显高于第3位。利用荧光定量PCR分析组织表达发现,MHCIIB基因在健康圆斑星鲽9种组织中均有...     

玻璃缺鳍鲶线粒体全基因组序列测定与分析

本文采用参照近缘物种线粒体基因组设计覆盖全基因组引物的方法构建并获得玻璃缺鳍鲶Kryptopterus vitreolus线粒体基因组全序列,分析其全序列特征和结构,为鲇形目鱼类的系统进化研究提供基础数据。结果表明,玻璃缺鳍鲶线粒体基因组全长16 662bp,碱基组成具有高AT含量的偏向性,结构组成和排列顺序和其他硬骨鱼基本一致,包括13个蛋白质编码基因、22个t RNA、2个r RNA和1个D-loop区。全基因组中除COX1以GTG为起始密码子外,其余12个编码蛋白的基因都以ATG开头。7个编码蛋白基因(ND1、Cox1、ATP8、ATP6、ND4L、ND5和ND6)以TAA终止,其余6个编码蛋白的基因没有完整的终止密码子。对玻璃缺鳍鲶线粒体基因组D-loop区的终止序列区、中央保守区和保守序列区的结构分析,识别5个保守序列(CSB-1、CSB-2、CSB-3、CSB-D和CSB-E)和一个潜在的终止序列E-TAS。利用玻璃缺鳍鲶分别与其他4种鱼的线粒体基因组全序列及13个编码蛋白基因的核苷酸序列进行比对分析。结果表明,玻璃缺鳍鲶与南方鲇Silurus meridionalis同源性最高,5种鱼线粒体基因组中COX1基因相对最保守,相似度为78.98%~92.78%。基于5个科12种鱼与2个外群物种的线粒体控制区(D-loop区)的核酸序列构建的系统进化树表明:玻璃缺鳍鲶独自一支且与鲇Silurus asotus和南方鲇亲缘关系最近。     

长江草鱼群体MHC Class ⅡB的多态性和进化分析

克隆及测序草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idella)长江3个群体的主要组织相容性复合体(MHC)Class II B基因编码β1和β2区的第2和第3个外显子及两个外显子之间的内含子,分析了草鱼MHC的进化模式和种群遗传结构。结果显示:实验共定义了34个等位基因,每条序列包括长为130~136 bp的第2个外显子,长为218 bp的第3个外显子以及长81~371 bp的内含子。序列分析揭示,第2个外显子有106个核苷酸变异位点(78%)和40个氨基酸变异位点(88%),而第3个外显子有100个核苷酸变异位点(45%)和41个氨基酸变异位点(56%),β1变异要大于β2区。用β1和β2区序列分别构建的邻接(NJ)系统树均显示5个具有高支持率的谱系,结合序列变异特点和内含子长度,推测草鱼至少存在5个MHC Class II座位。分别计算β1的肽结合位点(PBR)、非肽结合位点及β2的非同义替换率(dN)和同义替换率(dS),PBR的dN/dS为2.03(P<0.05),非肽结合位点和β2则小于1,表明草鱼MHC受到歧化选择作用。根据等位基因在群体中的分布频率作分子方差分析(AMOVA),得出FST为0.37%,提示长江草鱼MHC没有遗传分化。     

大口黑鲈MyoD基因结构和单核苷酸多态性位点的筛选

本研究采用PCR技术和基因组步移技术从大口黑鲈基因组DNA中扩增得到MyoD基因及其5’调控区序列。该基因序列全长3797bp，其中5’调控区长1077bp，MyoD基因转录区由3个外显子（分别为591bp、81bp和78bp）和2个内含子（分别为1077bp和486bp）组成。5’调控区含有与肌肉特异性基因转录密切相关的转录调控元件E box、肌细胞增强因子2（MEF2）、肌肉特异性金属硫蛋白结合位点（MTBF）及一些转录反应调控元件（TATA box 、OCAAT box、OCT1、PRE、AP4、Pit1）。运用PCR-SSCP技术和直接测序法进行大口黑鲈MyoD基因SNP位点筛选，结果表明MyoD基因序列中存在7个突变点，均位于内含子上。养殖群体中这7个突变点分析结果显示突变比例范围在0.042～0.353之间。本研究结果为SNPs位点与大口黑鲈生长性能关联分析奠定了基础。     

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.