牙鲆NR4A1基因在甲状腺素诱导仔鱼变态中的表达调控分析

NR4A1基因是一个重要的转录因子,在信号转导早期通过对靶基因的特异性转录调控发挥着重要的作用。从牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)中克隆了NR4A1基因c DNA序列,检测了其在牙鲆变态中和成鱼各组织中的表达模式,分析了其在外源甲状腺素(TH)以及硫脲(TU)处理仔鱼中的表达变化。结果表明,牙鲆NR4A1 c DNA全长3264 bp,编码568个氨基酸;牙鲆NR4A1基因与其它物种具有很高的同源性,在系统进化树中与鱼类聚为一支;牙鲆NR4A1基因在成鱼心、肌肉和鰓中高表达;在变态过程中,NR4A1水平逐渐升高,且在25 dph达到最高,之后逐渐降低;TH组中的NR4A1基因水平在变态早期和高峰期显著低于正常组,TU组的水平在变态中后期和结束期显著高于正常组;TU组中变态被抑制的仔鱼在正常海水和0.1 mg·L~(-1)TH海水中饲养6 d后,能够顺利变态,且NR4A1基因在拯救组(TU抑制变态仔鱼在正常海水和0.1 mg·L~(-1)TH海水中饲养)中的表达水平与TU对照组相比显著降低,与正常组中同时期的水平一致。结果表明,牙鲆NR4A1基因可能在仔鱼变态调控中扮演着非常重要的角色。     

Expression of pancreatic enzyme genes during the early larval stage of Japanese eel Anguilla japonica

ABSTRACT: To reveal the ontogeny of pancreatic exocrine function in the early larval stage of eel, cDNAs encoding major pancreatic enzymes, trypsinogen, amylase and lipase were identified from the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica and their expression pattern in larvae was analyzed. The cloned eel trypsinogen precursor consisted of 224 amino acids and showed 82.2% identity to trypsinogen-2 of winter flounder Pleuronectes americanus . The eel amylase precursor consisted of 512 amino acids and showed 77% identity to winter flounder amylase. Eel pancreatic lipase was composed of 470 amino acids and had 58.3% of identity to human pancreatic lipase. In the eel larvae, mRNA expression of trypsinogen and amylase was first detected at 6 days post-hatching (d.p.h.), and the expression level increased between 7 and 8 d.p.h. In contrast, mRNA expression of lipase was first detected at 8 d.p.h. Eel larvae start to feed actively at 8 d.p.h. Thus, it was indicated that eel pancreas starts to synthesize digestive enzymes at 6 d.p.h. and acquires full function by the onset of exogenous feeding at 8 d.p.h.     

Early weaning of southern flounder, Paralichthys lethostigma, larvae and ontogeny of selected digestive enzymes

There is considerable interest in rearing Southern flounder, Paralichthys lethostigma, for commercial production and for stock enhancement. Both goals depend upon excellent larval nutrition for the production of robust juveniles. The current use of live prey for larviculture is an expensive and time consuming process that can be alleviated by weaning larvae onto dry feed. A study was conducted to assess the potential for early weaning of southern flounder larvae onto a microdiet (MD). In addition, the activity of selected digestive enzymes was measured during ontogeny to evaluate the digestive capabilities of the larvae over time. Pancreatic enzyme activities (U larva^− 1) were very low or undetectable at hatching and a marked increase in activity was not observed until the larvae reached 4 mm (~ 11 dph) in standard length for chymotrypsin (24–44,000) and 6 mm (~ 25 dph) for amylase (< 1–24), trypsin (1–18) and bile salt-dependent lipase (0–443). Acid protease activity (~ 1.0) was detected once the larvae were 8.5–9.0 mm (37–39 dph) in length although a sizeable increase in activity (> 10.0) was not observed until after complete metamorphosis (> 11.0 mm; 40–45 dph). Feeding regimes employed for the weaning study consisted of a live feed control (C) and a combination of live feed and MD in which the addition of the MD was initiated on 11 dph and live feed terminated on 17 (T17), 23 (T23) or 29 (T29) dph. At the end of the study (35 dph), mean standard length and the percent of settled fish were significantly greater for fish in the control treatment (8.3 mm; 21.1%) than for fish fed any combination of live prey and MD (6.4 mm; 2.0%). Average survival was 27.7% and no significant differences were noted among treatments. However, the number of fish exhibiting spinal deformities, lordosis, was significantly lower in the control and T29 treatments (1.7%) than the T17 and T23 treatments (25%). The results of this study indicate that southern flounder larvae readily wean onto dry feed prior to the onset of metamorphosis. However, decreased growth and a high incidence of lordosis emphasize the need for the development of a more appropriate MD for this species when digestive enzyme activities are relatively low and gastric digestion is absent.     

Effect of dietary taurine levels on growth and feeding behavior of juvenile Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary taurine levels on growth and feeding behavior of juvenile Japanese flounder. Three different taurine level diets were prepared by supplementation of taurine (T-0%, 0.5% and 1.5%) to the basal diet. Fish meal washed with 70% ethanol to remove taurine was used as the sole protein source. Feeding experiments were carried out twice at 20 °C by using different size of fish (average body weight: 0.3 g in Experiment I and 3.7 g in Experiment II). The feeding behavior of fish was observed throughout the experimental period. At the end of experiments, fish were killed for amino acids analysis.

The final average body weight and feed efficiency of juvenile Japanese flounder fed the T-1.5% diet was significantly higher than those of fish fed the T-0% diet in Experiments I and II. Abnormal feeding behavior such as multiple feeding while swimming in the water column was observed in the T-0% group in Experiment I. These findings indicate that taurine is essential for normal growth and development of normal feeding behavior of juvenile Japanese flounder.     

Partial characterization and ontogenetic development of pancreatic digestive enzymes in Japanese eel Anguilla japonica larvae

The pancreatic digestive enzymes, trypsin, chymotrypsin, lipase and amylase were partially characterized, and changes in their activities were examined during the initial ontogeny of Japanese eel Anguilla japonica larvae from 5 to 34 days post-hatching (dph). The pH optima of the eel larval enzymes were narrower than those other fish species; trypsin activity was highest at pH 9, chymotrypsin and amylase activities were highest at pH 7 and 8, and lipase activity was highest at pH 8 and 9. In an analysis of thermal profiles, the larval pancreatic enzymes had a high optimal temperature and high thermal stability, which are typical of fish from the tropics. At 12 and 13 dph, lipase activity and gene expression levels of trypsin (-a and -b), lipase and amylase decreased markedly, suggesting a marked change in larval metabolism at that time. These data could be useful in the development of artificial larval diets in Japanese eel.     

牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)仔稚幼鱼肠道菌群结构比较分析

采用MiSeq 16S rRNA高通量测序技术和生物信息学分析方法,构建了牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)工厂化人工育苗模式下仔稚幼鱼阶段6个不同发育时期18个样品的16SrRNA基因测序文库,共获得7462个OTU (Operational Taxonomic Unit),分类为42个菌门972个菌属.对肠道菌群的形成过程及结构多样性变化分析显示,牙鲆初孵仔鱼的菌群组成多样性丰富,体内的优势菌为变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)和拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes);在9日龄和21日龄摄食轮虫(Rotifer)和卤虫(Artemia sp.)幼体样品中,肠道的优势菌群结构较单一,变形菌门成为此时期肠道的优势菌群;45日龄摄食配合饲料后,肠道中变形菌门的相对丰度显著降低,厚壁菌门和拟杆菌门的相对丰度明显增大,成为肠道菌群的优势菌群.在属水平的菌群结构中发现,牙鲆仔稚幼鱼肠道优势菌群的种类和数量都发生了较大变化,在9日龄和21日龄时期肠道中弧菌属(Vibrio)相对丰度最高,到45日龄后相对丰度锐减到最低水平;拟杆菌属(Bacteroides)和普氏菌属(Prevotella)在80日龄后达到较高水平,成为肠道优势菌属;厚壁菌门的8个菌属在80-115日龄时期均发展成为优势菌属,定植于牙鲆的肠道.本研究揭示了工厂化人工育苗模式下牙鲆仔稚幼鱼肠道菌群结构及演替规律.     

miR-124和Otx2在牙鲆变态发育期间的表达调控及其靶向关系验证

牙鲆(Paralichthysolivaceus)是研究鱼类变态发育的理想模型,其右眼移位及生活习性的改变受甲状腺激素(TH)调控。同时microRNA (miRNAs)在变态期间发挥关键性作用。为研究TH、pol-miR-124及Otx2在牙鲆变态中的调控机制,本实验通过生物信息学方法预测pol-miR-124潜在靶基因Otx2,首先利用qRT-PCR检测在牙鲆各组织、正常变态及外源TH处理仔鱼后pol-miR-124和Otx2的表达模式。然后克隆400bp含有"种子序列"的Otx23′UTR区序列,构建野生型重组载体pmirGLO-Otx2并转染293T细胞检测双荧光素酶活性确定靶向关系。qRT-PCR结果表明:pol-miR-124和Otx2均在脑和眼睛组织中特异性高表达;在仔鱼变态28 dph表达量最高与变态进程相一致; TH作用下,在20 dph、24 dph时期, pol-miR-124的表达量低于正常组,而Otx2的表达量高于正常组;在28 dph、32dph、36dph时期,pol-miR-124的表达量高于正常组,但Otx2的表达量低于正常组,两者呈现出相反的表达趋势;双荧光素酶结果显示pol-miR-124靶向负调控Otx2。本实验旨为揭示牙鲆视觉感光系统的发育机制奠定研究基础,同时为探讨牙鲆变态发育机制提供了新的理论依据。     

Activities of digestive enzymes and histology of digestive system during larval development of devil stinger (Inimicus japonicus)

Devil stinger is a valuable demersal scorpaenid fish while the rearing of stinger larvae still relies on live prey. This study was conducted to illustrate the development of the main digestive enzymes and digestive system during larval development of this species to provide evidence for the application of artificial feeds. Enzymatic and histological assays were conducted from 1 day post hatching (dph) to 36 dph in larvae. The result showed that the selected digestive enzyme activities increased significantly after 15 dph. Specifically, the total trypsin activities increased significantly from 18 dph to 33 dph. The total pepsin and amylase activities increased significantly first and thereafter decreased significantly. The lipase activities followed the similar pattern with trypsin. With regard to the histological study, the stinger larvae open their mouth to first feeding at 3 dph and turned into totally exogenous nutritional stage at 6 dph. In addition, mucous membrane, rich in goblet cells, was widely distributed in oesophagus epithelium at 18 dph. The height and amounts of gastric gland in cardia and main body of the stomach increased gradually with the development of stinger larvae after 15 dph. The intestine length of stinger larvae was short, and goblet cell was abundant in anterior intestine after 12 dph, not the posterior intestine. The ontogeny of liver and pancreas started from newly hatched stage, and the differentiation of liver was prior to pancreas. The above findings would provide evidence for the use of artificial feeds from the larval stage of stinger larvae (at least from 21 dph).     

Thyroid gland development in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis Kaup 1858) during early life stages: A histochemical and immunohistochemical approach

A key to success in the culture of marine fish species is the mass production of high quality fry, a process largely dependent on successful first feeding and normal development and growth of fish larvae. In this regard it is important to examine the structural and functional development of the endocrine system (pituitary, thyroid, interrenal glands) during early ontogeny of marine fish. Particularly, the thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T₄) and triiodothyronine (T₃), influence numerous metabolic processes, such as growth, differentiation, metamorphosis, reproduction, respiration, migratory behaviour, central nervous system activity, seasonal adaptation, etc. Therefore the aim of this study was to describe the development of the thyroid gland and the ontogeny appearance of the thyroid hormones in Solea senegalensis larvae by means of histological and immunohistochemical techniques. The first thyroid follicle was present at 4 days-post-hatch (dph) coinciding with first feeding. During metamorphosis (12–20 dph) the follicles increased in both number and size, and by 30 dph presented the same characteristics as that seen in adult fish. Tissue immunostaining of both thyroid hormones decreased during the endogenous larvae development to nearly undetectable levels at the completion of yolk-sac absorption. During larvae exogenous phase, T₃ and T₄ immunostaining was first detected by 6 dph and an increase of specific staining for both hormones was detected between 12 and 20 dph, during metamorphosis phase.     

Potential effect of increasing the water content in the digestibility of microdiets for fish larvae

This study aimed to find a way for increasing the water content after rehydration of microdiet particles for fish larvae and to assess whether such increase contributes to a better disaggregation and digestion of particles within the gut of gilthead seabream larvae (4–15 days after hatching, dph). Four microdiets were prepared with increasing amounts of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC): 0, 20, 40 and 80 g kg^?1. The inclusion of CMC resulted in an effective increase of the hydration capacity of particles. Water content after immersion ranged from 800 g kg^?1 in the microdiet without CMC to 900 g kg^?1 with 80 g kg^?1 CMC. Larvae of different ages were fed during 10 h with these microdiets. The microparticles containing 80 g kg^?1 CMC were more degraded in the gut of the younger larvae. No clear differences were observed from 10 dph onwards. Differences in enzymatic activities were not evident except for α‐amylase in 6 dph larvae. Gene expression of the enzyme precursors did not show any relation to the water content of microdiets. Overall, the results indicate that increasing the water content up to 900 g kg^?1 may enhance the disintegration of food particles within the gut of younger larvae and to a lesser extent affect the response of digestive enzyme activities.     

Modeled transport of winter flounder larvae spawned in coastal waters of the Gulf of Maine

Winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus, from southern New England and the Gulf of Maine were historically considered to be obligate estuarine spawners. However, recent experiments and observations document that winter flounder in the Gulf of Maine also utilize coastal waters for spawning. An individual‐based modeling approach was used to investigate the transport of winter flounder larvae from three hypothesized coastal spawning grounds in the Gulf of Maine. Transport success rates were greatest for larvae released from Ipswich Bay, intermediate for Stellwagen Bank and least successful for those released from Jeffreys Ledge. There was substantial interannual variability in larval transport and geographic patterns of potential connectivity. Furthermore, the date of spawning had an important influence on transport success. Model results suggest that certain coastal spawning grounds used by winter flounder may serve as an important source of larvae to estuaries and nearshore nursery areas. The potential influx of coastal spawned larvae could have implications for the resilience, productivity and gene flow in local populations. Model results provide further support for the conclusion that winter flounder in the Gulf of Maine may not be solely dependent upon estuaries for spawning. Results also suggest that coastal spawning groups should be considered explicitly in the management of winter flounder, and protected under Essential Fish Habitat regulations.     

半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis) 2种视黄酸受体RARα和RARγ克隆及组织表达特性

利用RT-PCR和RACE方法获得了半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis) 2种视黄酸受体RARα和RARγ的cDNA全长序列,并采用定量PCR技术分析了其组织表达特性。半滑舌鳎RARα cDNA序列全长为1823 bp,编码443个氨基酸;RARγ cDNA序列全长为1959 bp,编码489个氨基酸。同源性分析显示,半滑舌鳎RARα和RARγ同源性高达60.8%,与牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)同源性高达97.0%,具有较强的进化保守性。系统进化分析显示,半滑舌鳎RARα和RARγ分别归属于单独的分支,且与其他鱼类聚合成簇。组织表达分析显示,RARα mRNA在肾中表达量最高,而RARγ mRNA在脾中表达量最高,RARα和RARγ mRNA在其他组织中均有表达,表明半滑舌鳎2种RAR都可能参与多种生理过程调控。半滑舌鳎2种RAR mRNA在有眼侧皮肤、无眼侧黑化皮肤和无眼侧正常皮肤中的表达量依次升高,且发现RARα在正常有眼侧皮肤的表达高于RARγ,而RARγ在无眼侧正常皮肤中的表达显著高于RARα,无眼侧黑化皮肤中RARα表达高于RARγ。RAR基因在有眼侧和无眼侧皮肤组织中的差异表达可能和RA/RAR系统调节体色有关。     

Applying the ontogeny of digestive enzyme activity to guide early weaning of pigfish,Orthopristis chrysoptera (L.)

Weaning marine fish larvae from live prey to a dry microdiet is an important step towards optimizing the commercial production, but early weaning is constrained by the lack of sufficient digestive enzymes at first feeding. This study quantified the activity of five digestive enzymes throughout the larval period of pigfish (Orthopristis chrysoptera [L.]) to assess ontogenetic changes in digestive abilities, and then trials were conducted that determined the optimal time for weaning. The activity of all digestive enzymes was low or undetectable at first feeding (3 days post hatching, dph; 2.5 mm standard length, SL). A substantial increase in activity occurred at 5.7 mm SL (17 dph), 6.9 mm SL (21 dph), 7.7 mm SL (23 dph), 8.4 mm SL (25 dph) and 11.2 mm SL (30 dph) for bile salt‐dependent lipase, trypsin, chymotrypsin, amylase and acid protease respectively. During the weaning experiment, larvae were co‐fed live prey and microdiet beginning 15 dph (4.8 mm SL). Live prey was withdrawn from the diet at 24, 28, 32 or 36 dph, with the control receiving live prey and microdiet throughout (to 43 dph). There were no significant differences in mean final SL among treatments, but survival was significantly lower when larvae were weaned at 24 dph compared to 32–43 dph. Based on the digestive enzyme activity and survival, weaning larval pigfish at 32 dph (11.7 mm SL) when reared at 24°C is recommended.     

黄鳝载脂蛋白A1的基因结构及表达谱分析

根据克隆的黄鳝载脂蛋白A1基因的部分序列,进行5′RACE扩增和内含子的克隆并采用荧光定量PCR分析该基因的表达谱。结果表明,该基因cDNA全长1207bp,5′UTR区域长32bp,编码1个262aa的多肽;在长1391bp的gDNA上,只发现了1个长184bp的内含子。荧光定量PCR对该基因在不同组织和病原细菌嗜水气单胞菌感染后的表达情况分析表明,该基因转录本在肝脏中表达量最高,在胃、肾脏、小肠、脑、皮肤和血液中表达量中等,而在心脏、脾脏和肌肉中表达量很低;病原细菌感染会显著影响该基因在小肠、肝脏和脾脏中的表达水平。以上结果显示黄鳝的载脂蛋白Apo-A1基因可能参与了鱼体的天然免疫反应。     

Nutritional comparison in muscle of wild,pond and factory cultured Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) adults

Muscle proximate composition, amino acid profiles, fatty acid compositions and selected minerals of wild, pond and factory cultured Japanese flounder adults were compared in this study to elucidate their nutritive values and dietary nutrition requirements. Wild and pond cultured Japanese flounder flesh had higher crude proteins, but crude lipid contents of factory cultured fish were 3.8~4.0 fold greater. Major amino acids in Japanese flounder were aspartic acid, glutamic acid and lysine. Wild fish had higher levels of total amino acids, essential amino acids, nonessential amino acids and half‐essential amino acids and the contents in pond cultured samples were similar. Arachidonic acids (ARA), eicosapentaenoic acids (EPA), docosahexaenoic acids (DHA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), DHA + EPA and n–3 PUFA in wild Japanese flounder were significantly higher than that in factory cultured fish, whereas fatty acid levels were close between pond cultured and wild fish. Japanese flounder were rich in zinc, iron and selenium, but poor in copper, chromium and nickel. Results indicated wild Japanese flounder had higher nutritional value and better meat quality, but the nutritional compositions of pond cultured fish were close to wild Japanese flounder, which suggested that pond culture of Japanese flounder offers broad application prospects.     

虹鳟pmela基因的克隆及其在不同发育阶段和组织中的表达分析

前黑素小体蛋白a (premelanosome protein, pmela)基因是黑色素合成通路中的关键基因之一，对动物的体色有着重要影响。为探讨pmela基因在虹鳟(Oncorhynchus mykiss)体色变异中的作用，本研究利用cDNA末端快速扩增(rapid amplification of cDNA ends, RACE)技术对pmela基因cDNA全长进行克隆并运用生物信息学方法分析该基因的序列特征，同时采用qRT-PCR比较pmela在野生型虹鳟(虹鳟)、黄色突变型虹鳟(金鳟)和杂交F1代受精期至孵化后3个月不同发育时期及成鱼不同组织中的相对表达量。研究获得pmela基因cDNA全长序列3 476 bp，包含2 532 bp开放阅读框，编码843个氨基酸。序列分析发现，Pmela为疏水性蛋白且存在PKD功能结构域。同源性比对发现，虹鳟Pemla氨基酸序列与红鲑(Oncorhynchus nerka)的同源性高达97.75%；进化分析结果显示，虹鳟与红鲑的亲缘关系最近，与人类(Homo sapiens)和小鼠(Mus musculus)的亲缘关系最远。qRT-PCR结果显示，pmela基因在虹鳟与金鳟胚胎及出膜后各时期均有表达，在受精期至16细胞期中的表达为虹鳟高于金鳟，出膜后该基因在金鳟背部皮肤中的表达均高于虹鳟，且在4细胞期、16细胞期、原肠期、神经期、体节期、心跳期、1 day post-hatching (1 dph)、3 dph、5 dph、7 dph、10 dph、1 month post-hatching (1 M)和2 M时期中，虹鳟与金鳟的表达存在显著差异。在各组织中，pmela基因在虹鳟与金鳟背部皮肤和眼睛中的表达显著高于其他组织。在杂交F1代中，pmela基因在不同发育时期和组织中的表达模式与双亲类似，且在大部分相同时期和组织中的表达与双亲存在显著差异。上述结果表明，pmela基因的表达量高低与虹鳟体色具有一定的相关性，且可能参与其体色的形成过程。本研究结果为进一步研究pmela基因在虹鳟体色变异中的作用提供基础资料。