大口黑鲈hepcidin真核表达载体构建及表达的初步研究

将大口黑鲈(Micropterus salmoides)抗菌肽hepcidin cDNA定向插入真核表达载体pPICZαA,通过SacI酶切线性化重组表达质粒pPICZαA-hepcidin,电转化毕赤酵母P.pastoris GS115,PCR扩增筛选,甲醇诱导表达等进行了hepcidin真核表达工程菌株的构建及诱导表达。结果显示:hepcidin cDNA成功插入表达载体pPICZαA,并整合到酵母基因组中;经甲醇诱导,RT-PCR检测显示hepcidin cDNA在酵母细胞中成功转录。     

牙鲆变态早期cDNA文库的构建和parvalbumin基因的克隆

在前期的研究中,克隆到牙鲆变态早期和变态前差异表达的parvalbumin基因片断cDNA。为了克隆parvalbumin基因的全长cDNA,构建了变态早期(孵化后23d仔鱼)牙鲆头部的全长cDNA文库,并对文库的滴度和插入片段大小进行了评估。同时采用锚定PCR法从cDNA文库筛选出parvalbumin基因的全长cDNA。结果表明,所构建的牙鲆变态早期头部cDNA文库的滴度为1.2×106PFU·mL-1,插入片段的平均长度为1000bp左右。parvalbumin基因的全长cDNA的长度为603bp,编码109个氨基酸,含有两个EF手型钙离子结合域:DQDGSGFIEEEEL(52～64)和DSDGDGKIGVEEF(91～103),以及一个ATP/GTP结合位点模序:ACGLAGKS(33～40),是一种典型的钙离子结合蛋白。通过parvalbumin基因氨基酸序列的同源比较分析表明,牙鲆parvalbumin基因是比较保守的蛋白,与其它鱼类享有61.5%～68.8%序列同源。系统分析表明,牙鲆的parvalbumin基因与狭鳕(Theragrachalcogramma)最为接近。     

翘嘴鳜生长激素cDNA克隆及其真核表达载体的构建

根据GenBank上大眼鳜生长激素cDNA序列(收录号:AY155227)设计了1对特异性引物,应用RT-PCR技术从翘嘴鳜(Siniperca chuatsi)脑垂体中克隆了生长激素基因(scGH)编码区序列并对其真核表达载体的构建进行了研究。结果显示:扩增片段全长615 bp,共编码204个氨基酸。该序列与GenBank上大眼鳜生长激素cDNA序列同源性为99.84%。将scGHcDNA序列定向插入pYES2/CT真核表达载体中,经过筛选、酶切和测序,证明重组子中确实插入了翘嘴鳜GH片段。     

中华绒螯蟹卵巢EJ01基因在大肠杆菌BL21（DE3）中的表达

扩增中华绒螯蟹（Eriocheir sinensis）卵巢EJ01（GenBank检索号：AYl85917）的cDNA全序列得到编码区序列，并将其插入原核表达载体pET28b中，构建成表达质粒pET28b-EJ01。该表达质粒在大肠杆菌（Escherichia coli）BL21（DE3）中经IPTG诱导表达，得到EJ01-HIS6融合蛋白。SDS-PAGE电泳分析表明，该融合蛋白的相对分子质量约为32000。经镍离子柱亲和层析进一步纯化得到纯度较高的EJ01-HIS6融合蛋白。     

牙鲆SRF基因的克隆及真核表达载体的构建

采用RACE-PCR技术,从牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)组织中克隆了血清应答因子(SRF)基因全长序列,该序列全长2 477 bp,开放阅读框1 503 bp,编码500个氨基酸。通过氨基酸同源序列比对,牙鲆SRF与其它物种的同源性较高,在氨基酸序列的N端具有NLS结构域和高度保守的MADS结构域。用PCR方法扩增SRF基因的编码区片段,克隆到p EGFP-N1载体中,构建真核表达载体p EGFP-N1-SRF,将重组质粒转染牙鲆胚胎细胞,在荧光显微镜下观察转染细胞有绿色荧光蛋白表达。荧光定量PCR和Western blot实验进一步证实,SRF在转染细胞中高表达。说明真核表达载体p EGFP-N1-SRF构建成功,为进一步研究SRF在牙鲆变态发育中的作用奠定了实验基础。     

中华绒螯蟹蜕皮抑制激素1(Ers-MIH1)-GST融合蛋白在大肠杆菌中的表达

蜕皮抑制激素(molt—inhibiting hormone，MIH)属甲壳动物高血糖激素(crustacean hyperglycemic hormone，CHH)家族。MIH抑制Y-器官蜕皮激素的合成。以中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir japonica sinensis)眼柄总RNA为模板，根据中华绒螯蟹蜕皮抑制激素1(Eriocheir japonica sinensis molt—inhibiting hormone-1，Ers—MIH1)基因序列设计引物，用RT—PCR的方法获得了Ers—MIH1基因成熟肽的cDNA片段。序列分析表明，Ers—MIH1基因成熟肽编码区含有228bp，编码75个氨基酸残基，与已发表的序列一致。将该cDNA片段插入到中间载体pMD18-T中，酶切后再将该片段插入到pGEX-4T-1表达载体中，构建成表达质粒pGEX-4T—MIH1。在BL21细胞中经IPTG诱导表达，得到GST—MIH1的融合蛋白。SDS—PAGE分析表明，经0．1mmol／L IPTG诱导4h，发现大量GST—MIH1融合蛋白表达，在分子量(Mr)为34kD处有1条特异的蛋白质条带。中华绒螯蟹蜕皮抑制激素1融合蛋白的成功表达为进一步深入研究MIH在中华绒螯蟹蜕皮过程中的作用机制奠定了基础。     

牙鲆肌肉生长抑素(MSTN)基因克隆

采用同源克隆及基因组步移的方法，分离克隆了牙鲆肌肉生长抑素（MSTN）基因。经过序列分析及cDNA验证，牙鲆MSTN基因具有3个外显子和2个内含子，编码377个氨基酸。5`侧翼区含有8个TATA框，一个CAAT框，6个E框；3`侧翼区含有加尾信号。通过同源分析，牙鲆MSTN C末端含有9个保守半胱氨酸残基和一个RVRR蛋白酶酶切位点；通过进化树分析，牙鲆MSTN与鱼类MSTN基因聚为一支。RT-PCR分析表明，牙鲆MSTN在胚胎发育中不表达或表达量较低，说明MSTN在牙鲆胚胎发育中并不起重要作用；其在各组织中的表达，随个体和环境的不同而有差异，暗示MSTN的表达受外界因素调控。     

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％。     

中华绒螯蟹卵巢EJO1基因在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中的表达

扩增中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)卵巢EJO1基因(GenBank检索号:AY185917)的cDNA全序列得到编码区序列,并将其插入原核表达载体pET28b中,构建成表达质粒pET28b-EJO1。该表达质粒在大肠杆菌(Esche-richia coli)BL21(DE3)中经IPTG诱导表达,得到EJO1-H IS6融合蛋白。SDS-PAGE电泳分析表明,该融合蛋白的相对分子质量约为32 000。经镍离子柱亲和层析进一步纯化得到纯度较高的EJO1-H IS6融合蛋白。     

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.     

美人鱼发光杆菌对凡纳滨对虾非特异性 免疫功能及抗病力的影响

在基础饲料中分别添加0.1%和1%美人鱼发光杆菌灭活菌、0.1%美人鱼发光杆菌活菌配制成3种免疫实验饲料,以基础饲料为空白对照组饲料,每组设3个平行样。对个体质量为(4.83±0.36)g的凡纳滨对虾进行为期20 d的饲养实验,分别在0、5、10、15和20d进行取样,以血清中的酚氧化酶(PO)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和溶菌酶(UL)活性为免疫指标,探讨了美人鱼发光杆菌作为免疫制剂对凡纳滨对虾非特异性免疫效应的影响;在投喂免疫饲料后的第22天,按0.004 2 kg/kg体重的剂量,直接投喂对虾白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)病料,并记录累积死亡率。结果表明,美人鱼发光杆菌免疫实验组对凡纳滨对虾血清中PO、ACP、AKP、UL和SOD活性影响明显高于对照组,并且在饲料中添加美人鱼发光杆菌后,明显提高了对虾抵御WSSV感染的能力。其中0.1%美人鱼发光杆菌活菌实验组的抗病毒感染能力最强,WSSV感染14d内累计死亡率为63.3%±5.8%;而对照组为96.7%±3.3%。研究表明,美人鱼发光杆菌添加在对虾饲料中能提高凡纳滨对虾非特异性免疫水平,增强抵抗疾病的能力,将其作为对虾免疫增强剂具有良好的应用前景。     

Effects of Spirulina platensis as a feed additive on growth and coloration of blue dolphin cichlids (Cyrtocara moorii Boulunger, 1902)

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of replacing fish meal with dietary Spirulina as a feed supplement on the growth performance and coloration of blue dolphin cichlids (Cyrtocara moorii). Five isonitrogenous (47% crude protein) and isocaloric (17.36 kJ/g digestible energy) diets were for formulated to replace FM with 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% Spirulina (designated as Control, SP5, SP10, SP15 and SP20 respectively) and fed to the fish (initial body weight, 3.15 ± 0.01 g). Fish were randomly distributed into fifteen 120 L aquariums (26.5 ± 1.00°C), 15 fish per aquarium. The diets were tested in triplicate for 12 weeks. Experimental groups were fed twice daily (09:00 and 17:00) by hand to satiation. At the end of the feeding trial, significantly (p < 0.05) higher weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) were observed in fish fed the SP10 diet when compared to the SP20 diet. There was no significant difference in these parameters between the other groups. The skin coloration of blue dolphin cichlid fed a diet containing Spirulina meal was enhanced. The best coloration was observed in the SP15 group. These impressions were objectively validated by chemical determinations of carotenoids extracted from fish skins and passed statistical tests of significance. The study findings show that Spirulina meal does not diminish growth rates except at very high levels.     

Dietary thiamin and pyridoxine requirements of fingerling Indian major carp,Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton)

Two experiments were conducted to quantify the dietary thiamin (experiment I) and pyridoxine (experiment II) requirements of fingerling Cirrhinus mrigala for 16 weeks. In experiment I, dietary thiamin requirement was determined by feeding seven casein–gelatin‐based diets (400 g kg^?1 CP; 18.69 kJ g^?1 GE) with graded levels of thiamin (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 mg kg^?1 diet) to triplicate groups of fish (6.15 ± 0.37 cm; 1.89 ± 0.12 g). Fish fed diet with 2 mg kg^?1 thiamin had highest specific growth rate (SGR), protein retention (PR), RNA/DNA ratio, haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), RBCs and best feed conversion ratio (FCR). However, highest liver thiamin concentration was recorded in fish fed 4 mg thiamin kg^?1 diet. Broken‐line analysis of SGR, PR and liver thiamin concentrations exhibited the thiamin requirement in the range of 1.79–3.34 mg kg^?1 diet (0.096–0.179 μg thiamin kJ^?1 gross energy). In experiment II, six casein–gelatin‐based diets (400 g kg^?1 CP; 18.69 kJ g^?1 GE) containing graded levels of pyridoxine (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 mg kg^?1 diet) were fed to triplicate groups of fish (6.35 ± 0.37 cm; 1.97 ± 0.12 g). Fish fed diet containing 6 mg kg^?1 pyridoxine showed best SGR, FCR, PR, RNA/DNA ratio, Hb, Hct and RBCs, whereas maximum liver pyridoxine concentration was recorded in fish fed 8 mg kg^?1 dietary pyridoxine. Broken‐line analysis of SGR, PR and liver pyridoxine concentrations reflected the pyridoxine requirement from 5.63 to 8.61 mg kg^?1 diet. Data generated during this study would be useful in formulating thiamin‐ and pyridoxine‐balanced feeds for the intensive culture of this fish.     

Sea bream culture in Egypt; status, constraints and potential

Marine fish farming in Egypt began in 1976 with the culture of gilthead sea bream, (Sparus aurata) as this fish was notably adaptable to brackish and marine pond conditions. Today, marine fish and shrimp farms amount to about 19,000 ha, out of which 42% is already in production while the rest, i.e., 58% is still under construction. In 1997, cultured gilthead sea bream production of 2,250 tons made up 3% of the 75,000 tons total aquaculture catch. In polyculture, usually with the grey mullet and sea bass, gilthead sea bream contributed 440 kg ha^–1 to the total yield of 1,700 kg ha^–1 (26%) over a period of 16 months. For the same period, the yield of monoculture ponds averaged 100 kg ha^–1, while in marine cages, yields ranged from 4–10 kg m³. In 1996–1997, fry of 0.25–1 g and fingerlings 1–10 g with a total of 3 million, were collected from the wild and 1 million fry were produced in the three marine hatcheries out of the four existing ones. The development of sea bream culture in Egypt is now severely inhibited by the shortage of seeds and adequate feeds. Exports of both sea bream and sea bass, during 1994–1996 averaged 1,300 tons per year.     

A Minchinia mercenariae‐like parasite infects cockles Cerastoderma edule in Galicia (NW Spain)

The cockle Cerastoderma edule fishery has traditionally been the most important shellfish species in terms of biomass in Galicia (NW Spain). In the course of a survey of the histopathological conditions affecting this species in the Ria of Arousa, a haplosporidan parasite that had not been observed in Galicia was detected in one of the most productive cockle beds of Galicia. Uni‐ and binucleate cells and multinucleate plasmodia were observed in the connective tissue mainly in the digestive area, gills and gonad. The parasite showed low prevalence, and it was not associated with abnormal cockle mortality. Molecular identification showed that this parasite was closely related to the haplosporidan Minchinia mercenariae that had been reported infecting hard clams Mercenaria mercenaria from the Atlantic coast of the United States. The molecular characterization of its SSU rDNA region allowed obtaining a fragment of 1,796 bp showing 98% homology with M. mercenariae parasite. Phylogenetic analysis supported this identification as this parasite was clustered in the same clade as M. mercenariae from the United States and other M. mercenariae‐like sequences from the UK, with bootstrap value of 99%. The occurrence of M. mercenariae‐like parasites infecting molluscs outside the United States is confirmed.     

A novel approach to denitrification processes in a zero-discharge recirculating system for small-scale urban aquaculture

This paper presents an innovative process to solve the nitrate build-up problem in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). The novel aspects of the process lie in a denitrification bioreactor system that uses solid cotton wool as the primary carbon source and a unique degassing chamber. In the latter, the water is physically stripped of dissolved gaseous O₂ (by means of a Venturi vacuum tube), and the subsequent denitrification becomes more efficient due to elimination of the problems of oxygen inhibition of denitrification and aerobic consumption of cotton wool. The cotton wool medium also serves as a physical barrier that traps organic particles, which, in turn, act as an additional carbon source for denitrification. Operation in the proposed system gives an extremely low C/N ratio of 0.82 g of cotton wool/g of nitrate N, which contributes to a significant reduction of biofilter volume. The additional advantage of using solid cotton wool as the carbon source is that it does not release organic residuals into the liquid to be recycled. Operation of the system over a long period consistently produced effluents with low nitrate levels (below 10 mg N/l), and there was only a very small need to replace system water. The overall treatment scheme, also incorporating an aerobic nitrification biofilter and a granular filtration device, produced water of excellent quality, i.e., with near-zero levels of nitrite and ammonia, a sufficiently high pH for aquaculture, and low turbidity. The proposed system thus provides a solution for sustainable small-scale, urban aquaculture operation with a very high recovery of water (over 99%) and minimal waste disposal.     

Fertilization by refrigerator stored sperm of the Indian major carp, Labeo calbasu (Hamilton, 1822)

This study reports on the spermatological properties, and on the development of a protocol for refrigerator storage (4°C) of Labeo calbasu (Hamilton, 1822) sperm for artificial breeding. Volume, motility, concentration and pH of the freshly collected sperm were 2.21 ± 0.53 (μL g^?1 of fish weight) (mean ± SD), 95 ± 1 (%), 1.93 ± 0.44 × 10⁹ (cells mL^?1) and 7.56 ± 0.17 respectively. Sperm activation was evaluated at different osmolalities of NaCl solution, and motility ceased completely when osmolality of the extender was ≥287 mOsmol kg^?1. Sperm retained motility for 24, 72 and 108 h, after refrigerator storage when sperm were undiluted, suspended in Alsever's solution and suspended in Alsever's solution containing 5% methanol respectively. Fertilization rate of fresh eggs with sperm stored at 4°C in Alsever's solution and Alsever's solution containing 5% methanol was 77% and 60% with a hatching rate of 60% and 43% respectively. The fertilization and hatching success of the stored sperm suggests potential to use refrigeration for transporting genetic material to hatcheries for artificial breeding of L. calbasu in Bangladesh.     

Effects of metomidate anaesthesia or transfer to pur sea water on plasma parameters in ammonia-exposed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L) in sea water

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L) postsmolts weighing 150 ± 53 g were exposed to 14–15 mg l^–1 TA-N (total ammonia-N) in sea water in 1 m³ tanks for 24h. Blood samples were then taken A) immediately after the fish were netted from the exposure tanks and stunned by a blow to the head; B) 2–20 min after the fish were transferred to 15 l of an anaesthetic solution of metomidate in ammonia-free sea water; or C) 2–20 min after the fish were transferred to 15 l of ammonia-free sea water. Plasma TA-N level was 18% lower in the anaesthetised fish compared to in the fish sampled directly from the exposure tanks (p 0.05), and accordingly 16% lower in the fish transferred to pure sea water although this difference was not significant (p = 0.07). Plasma glucose level was higher in the fish transferred to pure sea water than in the fish receiving the two other treatments (p 0.05), but plasma urea, osmolality, Na^{+, Cl–, Ca2+ or Mg2+} levels did not vary significantly between the different treatments. Plasma TA-N level increased with time in the fish in the metomidate solution (p 0.02).