半滑舌鳎Shh基因的克隆与表达及甲基化分析

通过RACE方法获得半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)Hh基因家族的Shh基因,该基因全长1 922 bp,其中5′UTR 266 bp,3′UTR 360 bp,ORF1 296 bp,编码431个氨基酸,经预测该多肽的相对分子质量为47.28 k D,理论等电点6.95,具有Hh基因家族特有的保守结构域。氨基酸序列分析表明,半滑舌鳎Shh与牙鲆的同源性最高,为82%,与其他鱼类同源性为74%~81%,与非洲爪蟾的同源性为61%,与人和鼠的同源性为63%~64%。甲基化结果显示,Shh基因在1龄卵巢中的甲基化程度普遍低于雄鱼与伪雄鱼精巢。基因表达分析显示,Shh基因在胚胎期的囊胚期表达显著高于其它时期(P0.05),在雌雄成鱼8个组织器官均表达,在雌性性腺分化的关键期孵化后50 d,雌性性腺中表达量较前期升高,且显著高于同时期雄性性腺中的表达(P0.05),在雄性性腺分化的关键期80~95 d,Shh基因在雄性中的表达水平显著升高(P0.05),在8月龄、1龄及2龄雌鱼性腺中表达显著高于雄鱼与伪雄鱼。本研究表明,半滑舌鳎Shh基因在进化中高度保守,与胚胎分化、组织器官形成、雌雄性腺分化及性腺发育密切相关。     

半滑舌鳎StAR基因克隆及其在不同组织的时空表达分析

利用半滑舌鳎性腺转录组测序获得的StAR基因部分序列,设计RACE引物,克隆了半滑舌鳎StAR基因的cDNA序列,全长为1 294 bp,5'端UTR为132 bp,3'端UTR为310 bp,开放阅读框(ORF)为852 bp,共编码283个氨基酸。将半滑舌鳎StAR基因与其他物种StAR基因进行氨基酸同源性分析,结果显示,半滑舌鳎StAR与塞内加尔鳎、大口黑鲈、花鲈、金头鲷的同源性都达到了85%,与虹鳟、斜带石斑鱼及日本鳗鲡的同源性分别为81%、83%和76%。雌、雄鱼不同组织StAR基因的表达分析表明,StAR基因在雄鱼性腺中高表达,在雄鱼的肝脏、脑及心脏中表达量较低,而在雄鱼的其他组织中不表达;在雌鱼肠中不表达,在其他组织(卵巢、肝脏、脾脏、脑、垂体、肌肉、心脏、肾脏)中微量表达。荧光定量PCR分析不同组织与不同时期性腺表达谱表明,雄鱼性腺中StAR基因的表达量显著高于雌、雄鱼其他各组织(P0.05),提示StAR基因对雄鱼精巢发育起重要作用。雄鱼不同时期表达谱分析结果显示,StAR基因在66天前的精巢中不表达,在150天时表达量急剧增加,至2龄时表达量最高,3龄时表达量下降,说明该基因在精巢发育成熟过程中起重要作用。原位杂交结果显示,StAR基因主要在雄鱼精巢的精子细胞中表达,而在雌鱼的卵巢中不表达。研究表明,StAR基因在半滑舌鳎精巢发育中发挥作用,且可能在精子形成中发挥重要作用。     

半滑舌鳎骨形态发生蛋白4基因的克隆和表达分析

本研究克隆了半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)骨形态发生蛋白4(BMP4)基因的c DNA序列,并分析其在半滑舌鳎成鱼的组织表达分布及其在早期发育阶段的定位和表达变化趋势。结果表明,半滑舌鳎BMP4基因c DNA全长为1680 bp,包括了419 bp的5′非翻译区(5′UTR)、编码403个氨基酸的1212 bp的开放阅读框(ORF)以及49 bp的3′非翻译区(3′UTR)。同源性分析和分子进化聚类分析结果显示,半滑舌鳎与已报道慈鲷科(Cichlidae)各鱼种的同源性最高,并与之共同聚为鱼类BMP4分支。BMP4 m RNA在半滑舌鳎成鱼的13个组织中具有广泛的分布,并在鳃组织中表达量最高,其次在背鳍、软骨等组织具有中等水平的表达。此外,BMP4基因在早期胚胎发育阶段(卵裂期和原肠期)具有极高水平的表达,此后其表达水平逐渐降低;但在后期仔鱼期(孵化后3日龄和4日龄),其表达水平再次升高。整体原位杂交检测结果表明,BMP4 m RNA在早期仔鱼期主要在头部及躯干前部表达;后期仔鱼BMP4基因主要在冠状幼鳍、上下颌及胸鳍处表达;进入稚鱼期后在鳃盖骨及各鳍均有表达。上述研究结果揭示了BMP4在半滑舌鳎早期骨骼发育中的重要作用,为揭示海水硬骨鱼类骨骼发生、发育的调控机制奠定了理论基础。     

半滑舌鳎HIRA基因部分cDNA序列克隆及表达分析

为研究HIRA基因在半滑舌鳎胚胎发育中的作用及其组织差异表达,以半滑舌鳎为研究对象,采用同源克隆策略从其精巢中分离了长度为764bp的HIRA部分cDNA序列,该片段编码254个氨基酸,具有5个wD结构域。对氨基酸进行比较发现,半滑舌鳎HIRA与比较物种的氨基酸序列具有很高的同源性,与红鳍东方纯亲缘关系最近。实时定量PCR分析发现,HIRA mRNA在多细胞期到原肠胚期的表达量较高,表明HIRA对胚胎发育起重要作用;HIRA在不同组织中表达差异显著,其中在性腺中表达最高,推测HIRA在维持性腺的功能方面有一定作用。     

半滑舌鳎RasGRP3基因的克隆和免疫应答分析

RasGRP3(Ras Guanyl nucleotide Releasing Protein 3)是一种鸟苷酸交换蛋白,差异表达的Ras GRP3蛋白在疾病发生和固有免疫中发挥着重要作用。为了探究半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)Ras GRP3基因组成、组织表达及免疫应答特征,根据本实验室半滑舌鳎转录组数据获得的部分Ras GRP3序列,采用RACE(Rapid-Amplification of c DNA Ends)技术,克隆了Ras GRP3基因的全长,将测序结果进行氨基酸序列比对和同源性分析:半滑舌鳎Ras GRP3基因全长2756 bp,ORF(Open Reading Frame)长度为2244 bp,编码747个氨基酸;推导的半滑舌鳎Ras GRP3氨基酸序列与其他鱼类的Ras GRP3氨基酸序列相似性较高,是同源基因。采用q RT-PCR(Quantitative Real-Time PCR)方法对Ras GRP3基因在健康半滑舌鳎13种组织、鳗弧菌(Vibro anguillarum)感染后不同时间点的6种免疫组织及LPS、PGN、WGP和poly I:C 4种病原模拟物处理的半滑舌鳎外周血淋巴细胞不同时间点中的表达特征进行分析:Ras GRP3基因在健康半滑舌鳎13种组织中均有表达,其中在性腺中表达量最高,其次是肝、脑和脾,在血液中表达量最低;Ras GRP3基因在鳗弧菌感染后半滑舌鳎6种免疫组织中都表现出不同的表达趋势,其中肝和鳃中上调趋势明显,6 h比0 h上调表达倍数分别为3倍和30倍,在肠、脾、头肾和血液中6 h都出现了下调表达;Ras GRP3在4种病原模拟物处理的半滑舌鳎外周血淋巴细胞中整体上调表达,在PGN和poly I:C这2种病原模拟物刺激后表达趋势出现明显上调,在PGN刺激后24 h比0 h上调表达倍数为13倍,在poly I:C刺激后6 h比0 h上调表达8倍。结果表明,Ras GRP3基因参与了半滑舌鳎的免疫应答过程,可能在免疫调控中发挥着重要的作用。     

半滑舌鳎的性腺分化和温度对性别决定的影响

半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevisGünther)是近年来新开发的一种理想的增养殖对象,雌性个体生长速度比雄性快2～3倍。由于温度可影响多种鱼类的性腺分化,因而探索温度对该鱼的性别决定和性腺分化的影响,获得性逆转雄性亲本,用于培育全雌后代,具有重要的应用前景和经济效益。通过石蜡组织切片,对半滑舌鳎早期性腺分化进行组织学观察。发现在24℃饲养条件下,孵化后30 d半滑舌鳎性腺开始分化,其中具有裂隙的性腺原基未来发育为卵巢,而不具裂隙的原基未来发育为精巢。在孵化后25～100 d对半滑舌鳎进行不同温度(16℃、20℃、24℃、28℃、32℃)处理,在9月龄时利用石蜡组织切片鉴定表型性别,观察温度对性腺分化的影响,结果表明,28℃和32℃高温能显著提高群体中的雄性比例,使其分别达到69.2%和66.7%;而低温16℃和20℃对性腺分化影响不大,群体中雄性比例分别为56.5%和57.1%;24℃处理群体中雌雄个体比例接近1∶1。半滑舌鳎雌性特异的遗传性别鉴定技术也检测到高温和低温处理组出现了由基因型雌性向表型雄性逆转的雄性个体。这些结果表明温度影响了半滑舌鳎性腺分化方向。     

半滑舌鳎促滤泡激素基因全长cDNA的克隆与组织表达分析

从半滑舌鳎Cynoglossus semilaevis Günther脑垂体中提取总RNA,利用RT-PCR和RACE技术首次克隆得到半滑舌鳎促滤泡激素（FSH）基因全长cDNA序列。半滑舌鳎FSHcDNA全长为541bp,开放阅读框为393bp,编码130个氨基酸（GenBank序列登录号：JQ277933）。发现一个N-糖基化位点：24～27NTT。与其他脊椎动物的FSH成熟肽氨基酸序列同源性比较表明,半滑舌鳎FSH与鲽形目和鲈形目鱼类FSH同源性为42％～49％,与鲤形目和高等脊椎动物FSH同源性为27％～319/5。用MEGA4．0软件构建了NJ树,获得的进化树表明,半滑舌鳎FSH与其他鱼类FSH聚类,亲缘关系较近。实时荧光定量组织表达分析表明,FSHmRNA除在垂体中大量表达外,其他组织也有表达,尤以脑、性腺表达量较高。半滑舌鳎FSHmRNA在垂体以外组织中的广泛表达,暗示FSH可能具有广泛的生理功能。     

半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)雌性特异基因CSW3重组蛋白的表达与应用

CSW3基因序列来源于半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)全基因组测序项目,是经过筛选得到的雌性特异候选基因之一。本研究探索了半滑舌鳎雌性相关基因CSW3的表达与应用,构建了半滑舌鳎雌性特异CSW3基因重组表达载体,通过大肠杆菌进行了体外重组表达,对基因表达产物进行分离纯化,并通过蛋白转染的方法研究了纯化的蛋白对几个性别相关基因的影响。结果显示,雌性特异CSW3重组蛋白注射鱼体后对半滑舌鳎性腺foxl2、sox9a、amh这3种性别相关基因的表达水平具有显著影响,能够引起雌性相关基因foxl2表达上调、雄性相关基因sox9a和amh表达下降。从蛋白水平对雌性相关基因CSW3的基因功能进行初步研究,为半滑舌鳎性别控制及全雌苗育种提供基因资源及技术方法。     

半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)雌性特异基因CSW3重组蛋白的表达与应用

CSW3基因序列来源于半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)全基因组测序项目,是经过筛选得到的雌性特异候选基因之一。本研究探索了半滑舌鳎雌性相关基因CSW3的表达与应用,构建了半滑舌鳎雌性特异CSW3基因重组表达载体,通过大肠杆菌进行了体外重组表达,对基因表达产物进行分离纯化,并通过蛋白转染的方法研究了纯化的蛋白对几个性别相关基因的影响。结果显示,雌性特异CSW3重组蛋白注射鱼体后对半滑舌鳎性腺foxl2、sox9a、amh这3种性别相关基因的表达水平具有显著影响,能够引起雌性相关基因foxl2表达上调、雄性相关基因sox9a和amh表达下降。从蛋白水平对雌性相关基因CSW3的基因功能进行初步研究,为半滑舌鳎性别控制及全雌苗育种提供基因资源及技术方法。     

Rare serotype occurrence and PFGE genotypic diversity of Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from tilapia in China

Previously, we reported 10 PEGE types of 85 tilapia Streptococcus agalactiae(GBS), which shifted from Streptococcus iniae in China, by using PEGE method. Presently, larger and more representative tilapia GBS were isolated, for the ?rst time in China, to characterize their serotypes and genetic diversities more precisely than had done before. 168 GBS strains were distributed in ?ve provinces of China, in which Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan were the major ones, holding36.9%(62/168), 37.5%(63/168) and 19.6%(33/168), respectively. Serotypes, Ia, Ib and III, were observed in these strains and the most predominant one was Ia(95.2%), which mainly distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan. Ia initially occurred in 2009, it shoot up to 32.1% in 2010,but decreased to 16.1% in 2011 before went up to 45.2% in 2012. Ib sporadically occurred during2007–2011, III onlyoccurred in 2012. 14 different PFGE types, including 4 new types(N, O,P and Q), were observed, in which B, D, F and G were the predominant types, holding 83.9%(141/168) of the total GBS strains. Ia corresponded to 11 PFGE types(A–H, N–P), in which type D predominated(51%). Ib represented 3 genotypes(I, J and Q) and III harbored only 2genotypes(N and F). Type N and Fsynchronously presented in Ia and III. In summary, the genetic diversity of tilapia GBS varied by serotypes and changed with geographical locations and years.Although Iastillpredominated, new rareserotypeIII alreadyoccurred in China.     

Growth hormone (GH) and reproduction: a review

Interaction between growth and reproduction occurs in many vertebrates and is particularly obvious at certain stages of the life cycle in fish. Endocrine interactions between the gonadotropic axis and the somatotropic axis are described, the potential role of GH being emphasised. A comparative analysis of these phenomena in mammals, amphibians and fish, suggests a specific role of GH in the physiology of puberty, gametogenesis and fertility. It also shows the original contribution made by studies on the fish model in this field of investigations.     

Purification and partial characterization of GtHs (cfLH and cfFSH) from Indian walking catfish (Clarias batrachus) (L.) and development of a homologous ELISA for cfLH

Two gonadotropins (GtH; Qa and Qb) were purified by gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography from the pituitaries of Indian walking catfish (Clarias batrachus). The presence of GtH during purification was assessed by in vitro oocyte maturation and in vivo steroidogenic activity, and their identities were determined by elution profiles, molecular weight, biological activities and yield. The molecular weights of Qa and Qb were 37 and 42 kDa, respectively, and composed of distinct subunits (Qa: 20 and 14 kDa and Qb: 26 and 18 kDa). Polyclonal antibodies raised against Qa immunostained Qa, Qb and pituitary GtH cells. A competitive Qa‐ELISA was developed whose sensitivity was 6.25 ng mL^?1 (1.25 ng well^?1) with intra‐ (3.5%) and inter‐ (12.4%) assay coefficients of variation. Displacement curves parallel to the standard were obtained with plasma and pituitary extracts of catfish, Qb and carp GtHII. The assay was validated by measuring the plasma Qa levels after LHRH treatment and in relation to ovarian growth in the female catfish during different reproductive phases. Based on the results, Qa and Qb corresponded to fish LH and FSH respectively. The findings will increase the knowledge of the mechanisms controlling fish reproduction and identification of sensitive phases in fish in captivity for hormonal manipulation.     

Controlled infection of Poecilia reticulata Peters (guppy) with Tetrahymena by immersion and intraperitoneal injection

Tetrahymena is a protozoan parasite, which infects guppy, Poecilia reticulata Peters, and causes substantial economical losses in commercial farms worldwide. Studies of guppy infected by Tetrahymena require standardized infection protocols. The LD50 for Tetrahymena infection of guppies by intraperitoneal (IP) injection was calibrated, and the level obtained was 946 parasites per fish. Guppy infection with Tetrahymena by immersion, imitating the natural route of infection via the integument, was studied under normal or stress conditions. Exposure to cold and netting (CNI) and to cold only (CI) followed by immersion exposure to 10 000 Tetrahymena per mL resulted in 22.5% and 19.2% mortality, respectively, as compared to 14.2% and 10% in groups that were netted only (NI) or non‐stressed (I). Histopathology revealed that immersion infection resulted in a systemic infection. Lysozyme levels, measured 3 weeks after infection, were significantly higher in the CNI group (288 μg per mg protein) compared with CI‐, NI‐ and I‐treated groups (94.5, 64 and 62.3 μg mg^?1, respectively). There was no evident parasite immobilization activity in body homogenates, suggesting no development of acquired immunity. Re‐infection by IP injection revealed no increase in protection in any of the treatment groups, mortality range of 56.3–75%, higher than in the non‐exposed control (40.6% mortality).     

Evaluation of a Fast Method Based on the Presence of Two Restriction Sites in the Mitochondrial ND5 (mt ND5) Gene for the Identification of Scomber Species

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the suitability of a method based on the presence of two restriction sites (for Hae III and Hindf I) in the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (mt ND5) gene to identify Scomber species. The evaluation was performed on 144 reference and market samples by sequencing of the entire 505-bp fragment of the mt ND5 gene and of a 464-bp fragment of the Kocher fragment of the cytochrome b gene (mt Cytb). Sequence analysis of any of the two fragments allows the identification of each of the four Scomber species, but S. japonicus and S. colias had the same restriction sites at the ND5 amplicon and would not have been differentiated by this analysis. Similarly, loss of the Hae III site in some S. scombrus individuals would have misidentified them as not being Scomber. All the market products were correctly labeled except one acquired in Spain labeled as originating in the Atlantic and containing S. japonicus.     

Imported ornamental fish are colonized with antibiotic‐resistant bacteria

There has been growing concern about the overuse of antibiotics in the ornamental fish industry and its possible effect on the increasing drug resistance in both commensal and pathogenic organisms in these fish. The aim of this study was to carry out an assessment of the diversity of bacteria, including pathogens, in ornamental fish species imported into North America and to assess their antibiotic resistance. Kidney samples were collected from 32 freshwater ornamental fish of various species, which arrived to an importing facility in Portland, Oregon from Colombia, Singapore and Florida. Sixty‐four unique bacterial colonies were isolated and identified by PCR using bacterial 16S primers and DNA sequencing. Multiple isolates were identified as bacteria with potential to cause disease in both fish and humans. The antibiotic resistance profile of each isolate was performed for nine different antibiotics. Among them, cefotaxime (16% resistance among isolates) was the antibiotic associated with more activity, while the least active was tetracycline (77% resistant). Knowing information about the diversity of bacteria in imported ornamental fish, as well as the resistance profiles for the bacteria will be useful in more effectively treating clinical infected fish, and also potential zoonoses in the future.     

Effect of iodophor disinfection of non‐hardened Salmo trutta eggs on their bacterial and fungus load

This study investigated the efficiency of iodophor disinfection (135 ppm active iodine for 15–30 min) of non‐hardened Salmo trutta eggs against different groups of bacteria and against fungus. Egg samples were taken from non‐disinfected and from disinfected eggs, microorganisms were cultured on specific nutrient media and their mass was measured by turbidimetric methods. Bacteria and fungus mass of non‐hardened eggs could be reduced but not eliminated by iodophor disinfection with 135 ppm active iodine for 15 min. The extent of reduction was 47–65% (Experiment 1). The efficiency of disinfection increased with disinfection time as the reduction in bacteria and fungus mass was 40–55% after 15 min and 58–74% after 30 min (Experiment 2). Disinfection efficiency of iodophor solution diluted in water (reduction 49–57%) and of iodophor solution diluted in sodium chloride solution iso‐osmolar to the oocytes (reduction 52–61%) was similar (Experiment 3). The reduction in bacteria and fungus mass was persistent as it was 39–72% lower in embryos deriving from disinfected eggs than in embryos deriving from non‐disinfected ones (Experiment 4). In conclusion, the tested disinfection method is inadequate to eliminate pathogens completely but it could positively influence immune defence of eggs and embryos.     

Nitrogenous waste excretion and accumulation of urea and ammonia inChalcalburnus tarichi (Cyprinidae), endemic to the extremely alkaline Lake Van (Eastern Turkey)

The endemic, anadromous cyprinidChalcalburnus tarichi is the only fish species known to occur in alkaline Lake Van (Eastern Anatolia, Turkey). EightC. tarichi were maintained individually in Lake Van water (17 – 19°C; pH 9.8; 153 mEq·I^–1 total alkalinity; 22 total salinity) and tank water samples analyzed for 24 h in 2 to 4 h intervals. At zero time, < 1µM ammonia was present and urea was undetectable in the tank water; at 24 h, total ammonia and urea made up 114±32 and 35±25µM, respectively. Over the experimental period, ammonia-N and urea-N excretion averaged 1041±494 and 607±169moles·kg^–1 fish·h^–1, respectively. The extent of urea excretion was highly variable between specimens. Uric acid excretion was not detectable.Urea was present at high concentrations in all tissues and plasma (25 – 35moles·g^–1·ml^–1) of freshly caughtC. tarichi; total ammonia content of the tissues was by a factor of 1.9 (liver) to 3.0 (brain) lower. High arginase activity (2.4±0.2 U·min^–1·g^–1) was detected in the liver ofC. tarichi but ornithine carbamoylphosphate transferase, a key enzyme of the ornithine-urea-cycle, was absent. Ureagenesis is likely through degradation of arginine and/or uricolysis. High glutamine synthetase activity (11±0.6 U·min^–1·g^–1) and low ammonia content in brain suggest that, like other teleosts,C. tarichi has an efficient ammonia detoxification in the brain, but in no other tissue.Nitrogenous waste excretion at alkaline pH is discussed. The ability ofC. tarichi to excrete high levels of ammonia at extremely alkaline pH is unique among teleosts studied so far. The mechanism of ammonia excretion under Lake Van conditions remains to be elucidated.