Effects of Isatis root polysaccharide on non‐specific immune responses and nutritive indices in obscure pufferfish,Takifugu obscurus

This study examined the effects of Isatis root polysaccharide (IRPS) on the growth and non‐specific immunological responses of obscure pufferfish (Takifugu obscurus) as well as the potential of using this Traditional Chinese Medicine for disease prevention. The antioxidant capacities, lysozyme and complement C3 activities in phagocytosis, erythrocyte C3b receptor rosette rates, respiratory burst activity, body weight increase (BWI), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and several other nutritive indices were determined in pufferfish fed a control diet or diets containing either a low or high level of IRPS. The results showed that IRPS played a positive role in regulating the leukocyte phagocytic rate, respiratory burst and antioxidant enzymes. The IRPS‐fed fish showed an increased BWI and reduced FCR compared with pufferfish fed the control diet. The significant alterations of non‐specific immune response parameters in fish fed the less IPRS diet were rapid, occurring within 7 days, but were then reduced, whereas those in fish fed the more IRPS diet peaked at 10–15 days of treatment but were maintained for at least 30 days. Isatis root polysaccharide activates host immune function, improves phagocytosis by macrophages and exerts direct antimicrobial and antiviral effects, thereby helping to resist infection.     

Cytogenetic analysis of hybrids and hybrid triploids between the river puffer,Takifugu obscurus,and the tiger puffer,Takifugu rubripes

Cytogenetic analyses of the river puffer, Takifugu obscurus, the tiger puffer, Takifugu rubripes and hybrids produced between female T. obscurus and male T. rubripes and their hybrid triploids (produced by cold shock treatment at 4°C) were performed. T. obscurus had 2n = 44 chromosomes and 1.84 ± 0.019 pg DNA/cell, T. rubripes had 2n = 44 and 2.64 ± 0.015, the hybrids had 2n = 44 and 2.15 ± 0.010 and the hybrid triploids had 3n = 66 and 3.22 ± 0.010. The erythrocyte values of the hybrids were more similar to those for T. obscurus, whereas the hepatocyte, midgut and proximal tubule kidney cell values of the hybrids fell down between those for the parental species (p < .05). The erythrocyte, proximal tubule, hepatocyte and midgut epithelial cell sizes for the hybrid triploids were 1.5‐fold larger than those for the hybrids (p < .05). The thickness of retina and each layer in the hybrid triploids were 1.1‐fold larger than those of the hybrids (p < .05) and did not differ significantly among T. obscurus, T. rubripes and the hybrids (p > .05); however, the hybrid triploids had fewer cell nucleus outer layers than the hybrids (p < .05). Gonad development in the hybrids and hybrid triploids was less matured than in T. obscurus and T. rubripes. The metaphase nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) and the gill cells of T. obscurus, T. rubripes and the hybrids contained two satellite telocentrics, whereas the hybrid triploids contained three satellite telocentrics.     

栉孔扇贝Cf-dmrt4-like基因的克隆、序列特征及表达分析

DMRT家族是一类转录因子,在性别决定与分化、器官形成等早期胚胎发育中起重要的作用。本研究采用简并PCR扩增和cDNA末端快速扩增技术(RACE),从栉孔扇贝(Chlamys farreri)精巢中克隆得到1个全长为2312bp的dmrtcDNA序列,其开放阅读框(Open reading frame,ORF)1110bp,编码369个氨基酸,具有dmrt基因家族共有的DM保守结构域。同源比对和系统进化分析结果显示,其为Cf-dmrt4-like基因。半定量RT-PCR结果显示,该基因从受精卵至匍匐幼虫各发育时期均有表达,卵裂期表达量较高;在雄性成体的鳃和精巢以及雌性成体的外套膜、鳃、肾和闭壳肌中表达,但卵巢中未见表达。qRT-PCR检测不同发育时期的精卵巢,以成熟期精巢表达量最高。由此推测,栉孔扇贝Cf-dmrt4-like基因参与个体的早期发育,并在两性成体中发挥着不同的作用。     

暗纹东方鲀Amhr2基因外显子9的SNP7271检测及其与性别相关分析

利用传统PCR和ABI 3730测序技术对暗纹东方鲀(Takifugu obscurus)Amhr2基因外显子9进行了SNP7271检测和测序分析,并对该SNP位点与暗纹东方鲀性别相关性进行了研究。结果显示,在SNP7271位点发生了G/C碱基突变,产生了CG、CC两种基因型。SNP7271和暗纹东方鲀性别存在显著相关性(P0.01)。基因型为CG的个体生理性别为雄性,基因型CC的个体生理性别为雌性。     

Molecular cloning and characterization of the cathepsin L gene in Pelodiscus sinensis and its expression in response to bacterial challenge

Cathepsin L is one of the most important lysosomal cysteine proteases for the initiation of protein degradation, and it is involved in the immune response in many vertebrates. However, its function in the innate immune system of turtles remains poorly understood. Here, we cloned the cathepsin L gene from the Chinese soft‐shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis. We then examined the mRNA expression in different tissues and at different time points after infection by Aeromonas hydrophila or Vibrio parahemolyticus. The full‐length cDNA sequence cloned from P. sinensis was 1,805 bp with a 1,071 bp open reading frame, which encodes a 40.39 kDa polypeptide of 356 amino acids. The deduced protein sequence contained an active triad of Cys, His and Asn, and conserved ERWNIN and GNFD motifs. Homology analysis showed that the deduced amino acid sequence shared 77%–96% identity with other known species. Sequence alignment, phylogenetic analysis and structural comparisons revealed that cathepsin L is a member of the cathepsin family. Real‐time PCR analyses showed that turtle cathepsin L mRNA is ubiquitously expressed in various tissues, and the expression level is higher in the liver than in other tissues. The expression level in the liver peaks 24 hr after A. hydrophila infection and at two times (12 and 72 hr) after V. parahemolyticus infection. These results suggest that the cathepsin L gene of P. sinensis is likely involved in the process of the antibacterial response to A. hydrophila and V. parahemolyticus. This study is of great importance for future work exploring the molecular mechanism of antibacterial immune responses in P. sinensis.     

大菱鲆1个CXCL10样趋化因子的克隆、鉴定与表达分析

趋化因子是一类趋化性细胞因子的总称,它们在白细胞的趋化反应中起着重要作用。本研究从构建的大菱鲆(Scophthalmus maximus)脾脏cDNA文库中筛选到一种大菱鲆CXC趋化因子,经过5′-RACE和3′-RACE扩增得到了它的全长cDNA。该趋化因子的全长cDNA含有1个79 bp的5′UTR,1个372 bp的开放阅读框(ORF)和1个227 bp的3′UTR。开放阅读框编码123个氨基酸残基。此CXC趋化因子基因内含有4个外显子和3个内含子,3个外显子的碱基长度分别为591 bp、86 bp和372 bp。Blast分析和系统发生分析都表明这个趋化因子和已知的脊椎动物的CXCL10相近。用鳗弧菌(Vibrio anguillarum)感染大菱鲆后12 h,该趋化因子在肝脏和脾脏中表达水平达到最高,在头肾中则是在感染后5 h表达水平最高。在肝脏中,从感染后12 h开始该趋化因子的表达水平逐渐下降并且在72 h后恢复到正常水平。在脾脏中,一直到感染后24 h该趋化因子保持高水平表达,随后表达水平减弱至正常水平。在头肾中,从感染后5 h开始一直到24 h,表达水平逐渐升高,随后表达水平,立刻降低至与正常水平一致。在正常的大菱鲆组织内没有检测到该趋化因子的表达,表明它仅在受到鳗弧菌感染的时候才被诱导表达。结论认为该趋化因子在免疫反应中可能起着重要作用。     

中华绒螯蟹Smad3(EsSmad3)的cDNA克隆、序列分析及表达特征

为了研究Smad基因在中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)蜕壳前后肌肉生长过程中的功能,应用RACE技术克隆得到编码中华绒螯蟹Smad3(命名为Es Smad3)的cDNA全长序列2021 bp,包括36 bp的5′非翻译区(5′-UTR)、656 bp的3′非翻译区(3′-UTR)和编码442个氨基酸的开放阅读框。蛋白质结构域分析显示EsSmad3含有MH1和MH2两个特征性保守结构域。多序列比对显示,EsSmad3与人、斑马鱼、黑腹果蝇中的同源蛋白序列一致性分别为0.679、0.691、0.619。应用荧光定量RT-PCR技术分析EsSmad3在性成熟中华绒螯蟹各组织及幼体不同蜕壳时期不同部位肌肉组织中转录水平上表达量的变化。结果显示,Es Smad3在性成熟个体的肝胰腺、眼柄、表皮、卵巢、精巢、心脏、螯足、鳃、三角膜等组织中均有表达,其中眼柄和精巢中表达量较高,心脏和肝胰腺中表达量最低。在幼体不同蜕壳时期的不同部位的肌肉中,Es Smad3表达量变化不同:步行足肌肉组织中EsSmad3 mRNA表达在蜕壳间期高于蜕壳前D_(3–4)期和蜕壳后A~B期,但无显著的统计学差异(P0.05)。螯足肌肉在蜕壳前晚期D_(3–4)期急剧下调(P0.05),蜕壳后A~B期开始表达量显著升高(P0.05),直至蜕皮间期C期。腹部肌肉组织中EsSmad3m RNA水平在蜕皮间期C期显著高于蜕壳后A~B期,这种上调一直持续到蜕壳前晚前期D_(3–4)。上述结果表明,Es Smad3在中华绒螯蟹蜕壳过程中不同部位肌肉组织中的表达模式与蜕皮周期密切相关,推测Es Smad3参与了中华绒螯蟹蜕壳诱导的肌肉萎缩、生长及重建过程。     

池蝶蚌组织蛋白酶L1-like基因的克隆及表达特征分析

为了解淡水贝类是否存在组织蛋白酶L的亚型及其亚型的免疫相关作用,本实验利用已构建的池蝶蚌血细胞全长c DNA文库,筛选获得与之同源的EST序列,结合RACE技术进一步克隆了池蝶蚌一个新的组织蛋白酶L基因的c DNA全长,命名为Hs Cts L1-like基因(Gen Bank登录号为KF015273)。该序列全长为1280 bp,5′-非翻译区(5′UTR)为31 bp,3′-非翻译区(3′UTR)为256 bp,开放阅读框区(ORF)为993 bp,编码330个氨基酸,预测蛋白相对分子量为36.86 ku,理论等电点为6.23。序列分析结果显示,Hs Cts L1-like与其他软体动物相对应序列具有共同结构特征,包含信号肽、前肽抑制域和成熟肽三部分,在其他物种中已鉴定的Cts L签名序列标签(ERF/WNIN、GNFD、GCXGG和QCHN等)在Hs Cts L1-like中均可找到。其氨基酸序列同缢蛏Cts L1(AGL33704.1)同源性最高,达67%;与报道的三角帆蚌Cts L(ADV03094)和池蝶蚌中另一个Cts L(AEX88474)仅均为52.91%;系统进化分析表明,Hs Cts L1-like与缢蛏、长牡蛎和合浦珠母贝的Cts L1聚为一分支,推测Hs Cts L1-like属于Cts L家族中的亚型1。实时荧光定量PCR(q RT-PCR)检测显示,Hs Cts L1-like m RNA在肝脏中表达量最高,其次是卵巢和精巢。注射鳗弧菌后,血细胞和肝脏Hs Cts L1-like m RNA转录水平显著升高,暗示其是一个免疫有关的基因,参与了池蝶蚌的先天免疫应答反应。     

施氏鲟下丘脑神经肽基因的克隆、序列分析及表达特征

为了解下丘脑神经肽(kisspeptin)在施氏鲟(Acipenser schrenckii)生殖调控中的作用,采用反转录聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)和RACE技术首次克隆得到施氏鲟2个kisspeptin基因的全长cDNA序列,命名为kiss1和kiss2,并对它们编码氨基酸序列的特征及时空表达模式进行分析。结果表明,施氏鲟kiss1基因的cDNA全长为522 bp,编码130个氨基酸;kiss2基因的cDNA全长为518bp,编码149个氨基酸;Kiss1和Kiss2均以α-螺旋和无规则蜷曲为二级结构中的主要元件,且为含有信号肽、无跨膜结构、分泌到细胞外的不稳定亲水性蛋白质。氨基酸序列比对及进化分析表明,施氏鲟Kiss1和Kiss2具有高度保守区域,与达氏鲟(Acipenser dabryanus)Kiss1和Kiss2蛋白序列一致性最高,亲缘关系最近。荧光定量PCR结果显示,施氏鲟kiss1和kiss2的表达具有组织特异性,其中kiss1在性腺中的表达量最高,而kiss2在脑中的表达量最高。kiss2在早期性腺发育过程中的表达量检测显示,在孵化后0～49 d, kiss2的表达量较低,而kiss1的表达量则较高,在孵化后21 d达峰值;随着性腺的发育(孵化后64～199 d), kiss2的表达水平逐渐升高并在139 d达到最高,随后下降;与kiss2表达模式不同, kiss1的表达量在孵化后184 d达到峰值。以上结果表明, kisspeptin基因在施氏鲟早期性腺发育过程中具有重要的作用,且其调控功能存在差异。本实验为进一步阐明kiss1和kiss2的生理功能和分子调控机制奠定了理论基础。     

Molecular and immune response characterizations of a novel Bax inhibitor-1 gene in pufferfish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Takifugu obscurus</Emphasis>

Apoptosis plays a crucial role in many biological processes, including development, cellular homeostasis, and immune responses. Bax inhibitor-1 (BI-1) is an anti-apoptotic protein that protects cells from endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis. In this study, a BI-1 gene from the pufferfish Takifugu obscurus (Pf-BI-1) was identified and characterized. The full length of Pf-BI-1 cDNA was 1387 bp, including a 5′-UTR of 82 bp, a 3′-UTR of 591 bp containing a poly-(A) tail, and an open reading frame (ORF) of 714 bp that encodes a polypeptide of 237 amino acids. Pf-BI-1 was ubiquitously expressed in various tissues, with the highest expression levels in the blood, brain, and gill. The expression of Pf-BI-1 was up-regulated in a time-dependent manner after heat shock stress, ammonia stress, and bacterial challenge. Intracellular localization revealed that Pf-BI-1 was primarily localized in the cell cytoplasm. Furthermore, over-expression of Pf-BI-1 could active NF-кB reporter genes in HeLa cells. These results indicated that Pf-BI-1 may be involved in the apoptosis and immunity process against ambient stressors in pufferfish.     

牙鲆中 Dicer 基因的鉴定与表达

通过PCR技术,从牙鲆(Paralichtys olvaceus)总RNA中克隆了牙鲆Dicer基因序列,该序列全长6 585bp,包括5 691 bp的开放阅读框,编码1 896个氨基酸。在多个物种间的蛋白序列对比中,牙鲆Dicer与其它物种的同源性平均高达78%,与尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)同源性最高达到89%;在进化树分析中,牙鲆Dicer与其它鱼类Dicer聚集一支。荧光定量PCR显示,牙鲆Dicer基因在牙鲆大脑里的表达最高。同样的,在牙鲆胚胎和仔鱼早期发育阶段里也发现了相对高水平的Dicer mRNA表达。在用甲状腺激素(TH)处理过程中发现,牙鲆Dicer基因在用TH处理后17 dph的表达最高。本研究预测了牙鲆Dicer在牙鲆发育和变态过程中扮演的重要角色,为进一步阐明Dicer在牙鲆变态发育中的功能奠定了基础。     

Genetic and structural characterization of the growth hormone gene and protein from tench, Tinca tinca

The analysis of the tench growth hormone gene structure revealed a comparable organization of coding and non-coding regions than other from cyprinid species. Based on the performed mRNA and amino acid sequence alignments, gh tench is related to Asian than to European representatives of Cyprinidae family. Second aim of the work was to characterize and predict protein structure of the tench growth hormone. Tinca tinca GH share many common features with human GH molecule. The Tench GH protein binds to the growth hormone receptor (GHR) using two regions I and II that are situated at opposite sites of molecule. Binding site I is placed in the central part of T. tinca GH and H 189 amino acid in the middle region of the IV helix is crucial for GH–GHR interactions.     

红鳍东方鲀AFP、CIRP、HMGB1和YB-1基因对低温胁迫的响应

鱼类的生长和繁殖受环境条件的调节,冬季的低温会给红鳍东方鲀(Takifugu rubripes)产业带来不利影响。为研究红鳍东方鲀耐低温机制,本研究利用实时荧光定量PCR技术,分析抗冻蛋白(AFP)基因、冷诱导RNA结合蛋白(CIRP)基因、高速迁移蛋白家族蛋白(HMGB1)基因、Y-box结合蛋白(YB-1)基因在不同温度条件下(18℃、13℃、8℃和5℃),在红鳍东方鲀的肝、脾、肾、脑、心、肠、肌肉、性腺和皮肤中的表达情况。结果显示,AFP基因呈广泛性表达,在肌肉中表达量最高(P<0.05),随着温度的降低,各组织中AFP基因的表达量基本呈显著升高的趋势,在5℃组达到最高值,显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。CIRP基因在肌肉中表达量最高(P<0.05),随着温度的降低,各组织中CIRP基因的表达量的升降程度有所不同,在肝、肾、脑、心、肠、皮肤中的表达量呈先升高后降低再升高的趋势,在脾、肌肉和性腺中表达量呈上升趋势。HMGB1基因在肌肉中表达量最高(P<0.05),在脑、心、肝和皮肤中也有较高的表达量;随着温度的降低,除肝脏外,各组织中HMGB1基因的表达量基本呈先升高后降低的趋势,并在8℃组达到最大值,显著高于其他各组(P<0.05)。YB-1基因在肌肉中表达量最高(P<0.05),在其他组织中表达量较低;随着温度的降低,大部分组织中(脑、心、肠、肾、肝、肌肉和脾)表达量呈先升高后降低再升高的趋势,在8℃组达到最小值(P<0.05)。以上结果表明,4种基因表达水平因组织、温度的不同而不同,反映了这4种基因的功能特异性;在低温胁迫下,4种基因积极响应,表达量均发生不同程度的变化,表明4种基因在红鳍东方鲀低温环境适应中可能具有潜在的重要作用。另外,从表达变化规律来看,8℃可能是红鳍东方鲀应对低温胁迫的关键调控点,过低的温度会造成其调控紊乱,这可为研究红鳍东方鲀低温应答调控机制提供相关依据。     

大菱鲆T淋巴细胞酪氨酸激酶(LCK)基因全长cDNA的克隆及表达分析

本研究采用cDNA末端快速扩增技术(RACE)从大菱鲆(Scophthalmus maximus)脾脏cDNA文库中克隆得到T淋巴细胞酪氨酸激酶(LCK)全长cDNA序列.该序列包含193 bp的5'末端非编码区(5'UTR),1 506 bp的开放阅读框(ORF)和300 bp 3'UTR,整个开放阅读框编码502个氨基酸.系统发生分析表明,大菱鲆LCK基因与红鳍东方纯(Fugu rubripes)和黑青斑河纯(Tetraodon nigroviridis)的亲缘关系最近.在大菱鲆正常组织、胚胎细胞(TEC)和鳗弧菌(Vibrio anguillarum)感染的免疫器官组织中对LCK基因进行了RT-PCR表达分析.结果表明,大菱鲆LCK基因只在正常脾脏组织中表达;在用鳗弧菌感染12 h后,大菱鲆胚胎细胞LCK基因表达增强;在鳗弧菌感染的大菱鲆免疫组织中,只在脾脏中检测到LCK基因表达,鳗弧菌感染48 h后,LCK基因在脾脏中表达最强.这些结果表明,LCK基因在大菱鲆脾脏免疫应答中起着重要作用.     

Identification and characterization of maturation-promoting factor from catfish,Clarias batrachus

Maturation-promoting factor (MPF) extracted from maturing oocytes of catfishes (Clarias batrachus andHeteropneustes fossilis) and carp (Labeo rohita) induces 100% germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) when microinjected intoClarias immature unstimulated oocytes. The presence of a similar MPF activity has also been demonstrated in the active fractions collected after superose 12. SDS-PAGE analyses of cytosolic extracts (CE) prepared from immature and mature oocytes revealed the presence of 34- and 46 kDa proteins apart from a few others. Antibody against the PSTAIR sequence of p34^cdc2 recognized 32- and 34 kDa proteins of immature as well as mature oocytes while, 46 kDa protein of mature oocytes was recognized by anti-cyclin B1 antibody. Moreover, labelling of [³⁵S]methionine was observed mainly in the region of 46 kDa protein band indicatingde novo synthesis of this particular protein. Anti-cyclin A antibody did not recognize any proteins of immature or mature oocytes. Cyclin B1 was absent in immature oocytes and ovulated eggs. These findings indicate the presence of p34^cdc2 homologs and cyclin B in the MPF of the catfishes and carp oocytes.