大菱鲆受精卵显微注射技术的建立

本研究将100~300 pg含有肌肉特异表达启动子和绿色荧光蛋白(Green fluorescent protein,GFP)基因的重组质粒(smyd1:gfp)显微注射到大菱鲆(Scophthalmus maximus)受精卵动物极细胞中,通过细心培育,成功孵化出鱼苗约120尾。统计分析显示,显微注射后,大菱鲆胚胎存活率为4.8%。利用荧光显微镜观察大菱鲆胚胎及仔鱼,只在注射smyd1:gfp质粒的胚胎及仔鱼的肌肉中发现有绿色荧光。通过进一步PCR扩增检测,在注射的大菱鲆胚胎及仔鱼DNA中扩增出了GFP特异片段,大小约为340 bp。研究表明,本研究成功建立了大菱鲆显微注射技术,可为大菱鲆基因功能研究和遗传育种奠定基础。     

显微注射技术在制备鱼类嵌合体和转基因海水鱼上的应用

以鱼类胚胎细胞和胚胎干细胞为核供体进行细胞移植构建鱼类嵌合体研究方面,现有的成功报道均采用显微注射方法;在转基因海水鱼类研究中,显微注射也是最为常用的技术,本实验室在花鲈胚胎干细胞嵌合体构建和外源基因向花鲈胚胎的转移研究中取得的结果也充分证实,显微注射技术是开展海水鱼类细胞移植和转基因研究的首选技术。     

半滑舌鳎vasa调控区的克隆、表达载体构建及其驱动活性检测

为研究半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)vasa(Csvasa)基因调控区的功能,在已克隆的Csvasa基因编码序列的基础上,采用基因组步移和PCR扩增的方法克隆得到Csvasa调控区,通过生物信息学方法分析vasa基因5′区,并构建了含Csvasa基因调控区的绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)表达载体(p Csvasa-GFP-T),进一步通过显微注射技术初步验证调控区的驱动活性。结果表明,通过基因组步移和PCR扩增获得Csvasa 5′区5 166 bp和3′区1 655 bp,利用在线生物信息学软件对5′区序列进行分析,发现在转录起始点上游26 bp处存在保守的TATA框,以及潜在的转录因子结合点如SRY、Oct-1、Sox-5、CREB、GATA、AP-1、C/EBP、Sp-1、c-Myc、HNF、NKX2-5、V-Myb等。通过显微注射技术,将所构建的p Csvasa-GFP-T表达载体注射于青鳉(Oryzias latipes)受精卵并进行培养观测,发现Csvasa调控区能够驱动GFP在青鳉胚胎内表达,荧光表达率为81%。将有荧光的胚胎培养为成鱼,检测外源基因的整合率为11.5%。这些结果为进一步研究半滑舌鳎原始生殖细胞(PGCs)的标记、追踪和操作研究以及半滑舌鳎的性别控制等奠定了基础。     

外源激素对花鲈(Lateolabrax japonicus)血清IGF-1含量及肝脏IGF-1和IGFBP-1 mRNA表达的影响

对花鲈(Lateolabrax japonicas)成鱼腹腔注射促黄体激素释放激素类似物(LHRH-A3)和人体绒毛膜促性腺激素(HCG),利用放射性免疫激素测定方法(RIA)检测了花鲈血清中类胰岛素生长因子(Insulin-like growth factor 1,IGF-1)在注射后6、12、24、48 h内的变化情况,同时还利用荧光实时定量PCR技术检测了花鲈肝脏中IGF-1和类胰岛素生长因子结合蛋白1(Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1,IGFBP-1)mRNA的相对表达量的变化情况。结果表明,注射LHRH-A3的花鲈血清中IGF-1的含量在24 h后出现了明显的降低(P0.05),而花鲈肝脏中IGF-1 mRNA的相对表达量在注射6 h后较对照组明显升高(P0.05),而肝脏中IGFBP-1 mRNA的相对表达量则呈现下降趋势。注射HCG的花鲈血清中IGF-1的含量在注射后12 h出现了明显降低(P0.05),24 h后血清中IGF-1含量持续降低。肝脏中IGF-1 mRNA的相对表达量在注射后的24 h内均保持稳定,而在处理后的48 h出现了显著上升(P0.05)。肝脏中IGFBP-1 mRNA的相对表达量在注射后12h检测到显著升高(P0.05)。研究结果表明,LHRH-A3和HCG均可以通过直接或间接的刺激作用来触发花鲈IGF系统的应答反应,但是其中具体机制尚不明了。     

外源激素对花鲈(Lateolabrax japonicus)血清IGF-1含量及肝脏IGF-1和IGFBP-1 mRNA表达的影响

对花鲈(Lateolabrax japonicas)成鱼腹腔注射促黄体激素释放激素类似物(LHRH-A3)和人体绒毛膜促性腺激素(HCG),利用放射性免疫激素测定方法(RIA)检测了花鲈血清中类胰岛素生长因子(Insulin-like growth factor 1,IGF-1)在注射后6、12、24、48 h内的变化情况,同时还利用荧光实时定量PCR技术检测了花鲈肝脏中IGF-1和类胰岛素生长因子结合蛋白1(Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1,IGFBP-1)mRNA的相对表达量的变化情况。结果表明,注射LHRH-A3的花鲈血清中IGF-1的含量在24 h后出现了明显的降低(P0.05),而花鲈肝脏中IGF-1 mRNA的相对表达量在注射6 h后较对照组明显升高(P0.05),而肝脏中IGFBP-1 mRNA的相对表达量则呈现下降趋势。注射HCG的花鲈血清中IGF-1的含量在注射后12 h出现了明显降低(P0.05),24 h后血清中IGF-1含量持续降低。肝脏中IGF-1 mRNA的相对表达量在注射后的24 h内均保持稳定,而在处理后的48 h出现了显著上升(P0.05)。肝脏中IGFBP-1 mRNA的相对表达量在注射后12h检测到显著升高(P0.05)。研究结果表明,LHRH-A3和HCG均可以通过直接或间接的刺激作用来触发花鲈IGF系统的应答反应,但是其中具体机制尚不明了。     

花鲈ISG15基因cDNA序列的克隆及传染性脾肾坏死病毒胁迫下表达谱分析

为探究花鲈(Lateolabrax maculatus)干扰素刺激基因 15 (Interferon-stimulated gene 15, ISG15)在抵抗病毒过程的免疫应答反应, 本研究克隆、鉴定了花鲈 ISG15 基因(LmISG15), 并对其进行生物信息学分析, 获得了 LmISG15 在各组织中的表达特征及其在受到传染性脾肾坏死病毒(infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus, ISKNV)感染后的时空表达特征。结果显示, 该基因全长 1625 bp, ORF 为 480 bp, 编码 160 个氨基酸, 分子质量为 17.5 kD, 理论等电点为 9.41。LmISG15 的氨基酸序列较为保守, 与眼斑拟石首鱼(Sciaenops ocellatus)和条石鲷(Oplegnathus fasciatus)相似度分别为 74.07%和 71.88%。LmISG15 在花鲈 10 种组织中均有表达, 在心脏中表达量最高, 其次在脑、中肾和鳃中的表达量较高, 在肌肉中表达量最低。注射 ISKNV 后, 花鲈头肾组织中病毒拷贝数升高, 同时 LmISG15 在花鲈肝脏、头肾和鳃中的表达量显著上调(P＜0.05)。研究表明, LmISG15 参与了抵抗病毒刺激的免疫应答过程。     

花鲈ncc、nkcc基因在海、淡水适应中鳃组织的表达与定位分析

为探究ncc、nkcc基因在花鲈渗透调节中发挥的作用,实验通过全基因组鉴定、多重序列比对、系统进化树构建以及蛋白结构预测对花鲈ncc进行了鉴定及序列分析,利用实时荧光定量PCR (qRT-PCR)检测ncc和nkcc在海水、淡水花鲈鳃组织中的表达水平,利用原位杂交技术确定ncc2和nkcc1a在海水及淡水花鲈鳃中的表达位置。结果显示,从花鲈中鉴定出2个ncc基因,即ncc1和ncc2,其编码序列(CDS)长度分别为2 691和3 120bp,编码896和1 039个氨基酸,在进化上具有保守性。ncc2在淡水花鲈鳃组织中的表达量显著高于海水,而nkcc1a在海水花鲈鳃组织中的表达量显著高于淡水,ncc1、nkcc1b、nkcc2在海淡水中的表达量则无显著差异。淡水适应过程中花鲈鳃组织中的ncc2的表达量逐渐上调,而nkcc1a的表达量逐渐下调;海水适应过程则呈现相反的表达趋势。此外,原位杂交结果显示,ncc2和nkcc1a基因分别位于淡水与海水中鳃组织的相邻鳃小片间的鳃丝上皮。以上结果表明,ncc2和nkcc1a基因分别编码淡水及海水花鲈鳃中重要的Na⁺及Cl     

泥鳅β-actin启动子介导的革胡子鲶GH重组基因的构建及启动活性研究

为获得快速生长的泥鳅(Misgurnus anguillicaudatus),研究了泥鳅β-actin基因启动子介导的革胡子鲶(Clarias gariepinus)生长激素(growth hormone,GH)重组基因。采用PCR和RT-PCR技术克隆泥鳅β-actin基因近端启动子、3′-UTR及革胡子鲶GH基因编码区,构建一个长为2 418bp的GH重组基因DPRK。首先,构建了以增强型绿色荧光蛋白(EGFP)基因作为报告基因的重组表达载体p AF(pβ-actin promoter-EGFP),然后转染DF1真核细胞,同时经酶切线性化后显微注射到斑马鱼(Danio rerio)和泥鳅的受精卵中,以评价泥鳅β-actin启动子的启动活性。其次,将重组基因DPRK显微注射到泥鳅受精卵中。结果显示:泥鳅β-actin启动子能在DF1细胞、斑马鱼和泥鳅的受精卵中启动绿色荧光蛋白的表达;泥鳅的荧光表达率(78.44%)显著高于斑马鱼(29.62%);泥鳅受精卵显微注射DPRK 20d后,在m RNA水平检测到GH基因的表达。这表明泥鳅β-actin基因近端启动子具有显著的启动活性,且重组基因DPRK能在泥鳅体内表达,为下一步泥鳅的基因工程育种奠定了理论基础。     

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.