团头鲂PGPHα亚基基因5’端侧翼序列克隆及其表达载体的构建

首先运用PCR-末端加尾法克隆了团头鲂（Megalobrama amblycephala）脑下垂体糖蛋白激素α亚基（Pituitary glycoprotein hormone α subunit,PGPH α）基因5’端侧翼序列;然后利用生物信息学理论对该序列进行了序列分析;最后在序列分析结果的基础上,构建了荧光素酶质粒表达载体。序列分析结果显示,克隆所得到的团头鲂PGPH α亚基基因5’端侧翼序列长1399bp;其序列中包含潜在的TATA盒、GC盒,以及ERE、TRE、CRE、PGBE等对PGPH α亚基基因转录调控起重要作用的转录因子结合位点;启动子区域位于-40-10bp处。利用PCR方法扩增得到了全长1439bp以及1120bp、532bp、173bp均包含转录起始位点下游40bp序列的缺失片段,并将其连接至pGL3-Basic报告基因载体,成功构建了团头鲂PGPH α亚基基因5’端侧翼序列的表达载体,为进一步研究、分析其转录调控机制提供了基础。     

胰α-淀粉酶基因5''端调控序列与鱼类食性的关系

为了研究不同鱼类胰α-淀粉酶基因5'端调控序列转录因子差异与鱼类食性分化之间的关系。通过PCR克隆测序和查询NCBI数据库,获得32种鱼类胰α淀粉酶基因5'端824 bp序列,并对鱼类胰α淀粉酶基因5'端序列进行转录因子和系统发育分析。按不同的营养类型将鱼类分为杂食性、植食性和肉食性,通过百分比相似性分析不同食性鱼类的胰α淀粉酶基因转录因子的组成差异以及转录因子与鱼类食性的关系。结果显示:不同食性鱼类的胰α-淀粉酶基因5'端序列存在转录因子种类差异,植食性-肉食性鱼类差异主要体现在E47、C/EBPalpha、NF-Y和Pax-2,植食性-杂食性差异主要体现在deltaEF1、MyoD、NF-Y、AREB6和Pax-2,杂食性-肉食性差异主要体现在GATA-1、SRY、MyoD、HFH-8、AREB6、Pax-2、STAT5A和AP-1。系统发育结果与传统形态分类学大体相符,相同食性的鱼类并没有聚为一类。鱼类胰α-淀粉酶基因5'端调控序列中与食性分化相关的转录因子有E47、C/EBPalpha、NF-Y、Pax-2、deltaEF1、MyoD、AREB6、GATA-1、SRY、HFH-8、STAT5A和AP-1;胰α-淀粉酶基因5'端序列的转录因子与鱼类食性分化具有一定的关系。     

团头鲂促性腺激素GtHⅡβ 亚基基因5′端启动子区克隆及表达载体构建

利用改进的锚定PCR方法克隆了团头鲂(Megalobrama amblycephala)促性腺激素Ⅱβ(GtHⅡβ)亚基基因5′端侧翼序列,并在生物信息学方法分析的基础上构建了荧光素酶质粒表达载体。序列分析结果显示:克隆得到的GtHⅡβ亚基基因5′端侧翼序列长度为1354bp,其中包括TATA盒、ERE、ARE、PRE、GRE、LHX3、SF-1、Sp1、Pit-1、NF-Y和AP1等可能对GtHⅡβ亚基基因转录调控起重要作用的功能转录因子结合位点;转录起始位点位于-40～10bp。进一步利用PCR方法扩增得到了811bp(-771～+40bp)、601bp(-561～+40bp)、386bp(-346～+40bp)、239bp(-199～+40bp)和98bp(-58～+40bp)的5个缺失片段,并同全长片段一起分别连接至pGL3-Basic报告基因载体,成功构建了团头鲂GtHⅡβ亚基基因5′端侧翼序列的表达载体,为进一步研究、分析其转录调控机制提供了基础依据。     

杂色鲍HSP90基因启动子的功能分析

为探索启动子在热休克蛋白90表达调控中的作用,本研究在课题组已有杂色鲍HSP90基因cDNA的基础上,通过Genome walking、Tail-PCR和常规PCR等技术克隆获得该基因的5′调控区序列。在翻译起始位点(ATG)和第一外显子(长度94 bp)之间有一个809bp的内含子,第一外显子之前的5′调控区共2800 bp,从预测的转录起始位点(A)起,共2811 bp。在转录起始位点(A)上游–30 bp处存在TATA box。潜在的转录因子结合位点包括ATF、TBP、Sp1、Oct-1、C/EBPalpha、NF-1、NF-κappa B、GATA-1、Sox-2等。CpG岛预测软件分析其含1个CpG岛,长度为131 bp。实验构建了8个启动子缺失片段的萤火虫荧光素酶表达载体,通过瞬时转染293T细胞并进行双荧光素酶报告基因活性检测,确定杂色鲍HSP90基因核心启动子区位于–98~83 bp。在–624~–539 bp,Oct-1、C/EBPalpha、NF-1这3个转录因子都起到一定的抑制作用。     

大口黑鲈Myf5基因cDNA和基因组序列的克隆与分析

Myf5是生肌调节因子家族成员之一。为研究该基因在大口黑鲈（Micropterus salmoide）肌肉生长发育中的作用,运用RT-PCR和RACE技术获得大口黑鲈Myf5 cDNA序列1093bp,其中开放阅读框长723bp,编码240个氨基酸,经分析该蛋白无信号肽序列,属核蛋白,含有一典型的碱性螺旋-环-螺旋结构域。使用Genome walker技术获得启动子区序列2690bp,预测含有肌肉特异性转录调控相关元件：E-框、肌细胞特异增强子2（MEF2）、核转录因子1（SP1）、上游激活因子（USF）、血清应答因子（SRF）等结合位点。含有早期生长应答因子α（EGRα）、早期快反应生长应答因子1,2（EGR-1,2）等结合位点,它们可能是Myf5能够在体节形成早期表达的主要原因。获得Myf5 3个外显子与2个内含子序列,内含子1中存在一个在不同鱼类中高度保守的长度为123bp的序列,推测参与调节了Myf5基因的时空和组织特异性表达。本研究旨为进一步研究该基因对大口黑鲈肌肉生长发育的作用机理奠定基础。     

草鱼α-淀粉酶基因组织表达特征和早期发育的表达谱

为获知α-淀粉酶(α-amylase,AMY)在鱼体内的组织分布以及在鱼类早期发育过程中的特征,从消化酶的角度阐明鱼类对糖的利用机理,实验在获得草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)α-淀粉酶基因编码区序列的基础上,应用实时定量PCR(real-time PCR)检测了草鱼α-淀粉酶基因在不同组织和早期发育不同时期的相对表达量。序列分析结果显示:草鱼的α-淀粉酶的ORF框长1 539 bp,编码512个氨基酸,氨基酸同源性比对发现草鱼α-淀粉酶与其它物种的同源性很高,且在关键活性位点处均保守,其中与斑马鱼(Danio rerio)α-淀粉酶氨基酸的同源性最高,为92%,与人的同源性最低,为72%。对血液、心脏、肝胰脏、肾、肌肉、脑、前肠、中肠、后肠9个组织定量分析结果显示:草鱼α-淀粉酶基因在肝胰脏中的表达量最高,在前肠、中肠和后肠能检测到明显的表达,在心脏和肾脏仅能检测到微弱的表达。早期发育定量分析结果显示:从未受精卵到神经胚都没有检测到α-淀粉酶基因的表达,从器官形成期开始检测到微弱的表达,一直到出膜后48 h表达都很微弱,出膜72 h之后表达量升高较明显。对组织分布和早期发育的定量研究结果分析表明:肝胰脏并不是草鱼生成α-淀粉酶的唯一场所,在肠道中也有α-淀粉酶的合成;从出膜72 h仔鱼开口摄食之后,α-淀粉酶基因表达量增加得较明显,推测摄食能够促进α-淀粉酶基因的表达。     

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。     

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。     

军曹鱼MHC-Ⅰα基因全长cDNA的克隆及其组织表达分析

采用同源克隆和末端快速扩增（RACE）方法，得到1330bp的军曹鱼（Rachycentroncanadum）MHC-Ⅰα全长cDNA片段。该序列包括76bp的5’末端非编码区（UTR），189bp的3’UTR及1065bp的开放阅读框（ORF），编码354个氨基酸，预测其蛋白质分子量约40．10kDa，等电点5．70。构建MHC-Ⅰα氨基酸序列的系统进化树并进行氨基酸相似性比对，结果表明，军曹鱼和已知鱼类及人类（Homosapiens）MHC-Ⅰα氨基酸的同源性在27．9％～67．1％之间。所推测的蛋白序列具有一些重要特征，包括前导肽、α1、α2、α3区、CP／TM／CYT区和保守的半胱氨酸等。Real—timePCR检测结果显示，MHC-Ⅰα基因在各个正常军曹鱼组织中均表达，但表达量各有不同，其中较强的表达于头肾；中等程度表达于鳃、脾和肠；在心、脑和肌肉中表达较弱。     

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.