团头鲂tf和tfr1a基因启动子克隆及转录调控分析

为探索鱼类转铁蛋白基因tf和转铁蛋白受体基因tfr1a的转录调控机制,本实验以团头鲂为研究对象,在其全基因组数据库中获取tf和tfr1a基因序列,对2个基因候选启动子区转录因子结合位点及CpG岛进行预测,通过PCR方法克隆得到tf和tfr1a基因近端启动子区不同长度片段,连接至pGL3-Basic/pEGFP-1载体,瞬时转染入Hela细胞,并采用双荧光素酶报告基因检测系统进行检测。结果发现,团头鲂tf基因启动子区无CpG岛位点,而tfr1a基因启动子区有2个CpG岛位点。成功构建9个tf和10个tfr1a不同长度启动子片段的重组质粒,经双荧光素酶报告基因系统检测发现,tf启动子核心区域为-268^+56 bp,且-1 308^-1 102 bp片段可能存在正调控该基因表达的转录因子结合位点;tfr1a启动子核心区域为-224^+48 bp,且+48^+92 bp可能存在抑制该基因转录的负调控元件,而-1 229^-1 219 bp区域可能存在促进tfr1a基因表达的正调控转录因子结合位点。     

黑头软口鲦上皮瘤细胞ifn-1基因的表达及抗病毒活性

为了体外表达黑头软口鲦上皮瘤细胞(EPC)I型干扰素(IFN-1),本实验通过RTPCR从EPC中扩增ifn-1基因,构建重组表达质粒pET-32a-IFN-1,并转化到感受态细胞Transetta(DE3),体外纯化后检测其抗病毒活性。结果显示,ifn-1编码区大小为552 bp,编码184个氨基酸,与草鱼干扰素1(CiIFN1)亲缘关系最近。通过SDS-PAGE分析,重组表达质粒pET-32a-IFN-1在宿主菌中可明显表达约35 ku的融合蛋白条带,且部分呈可溶性表达,进而通过亲和纯化可溶性重组IFN-1(rIFN-1),免疫新西兰大白兔获得效价较高的抗IFN-1多克隆抗体,可用于检测细胞内源性的IFN-1。定量PCR显示rIFN-1与EPC细胞孵育可以诱导抗病毒蛋白Mx1的表达,并抑制鲤春病毒血症病毒(SVCV)引起的细胞病变(CPE)及SVCV的复制,表明rIFN-1具有抗病毒活性。     

华贵栉孔扇贝MSTN基因启动子的功能分析

为了解肌肉生长抑制素myostatin (MSTN)在华贵栉孔扇贝(Chalmys nobilis)闭壳肌肌肉生长和发育过程中所起的负调控作用,对华贵栉孔扇贝的MSTN启动子序列进行了生物信息学分析。结果显示,MSTN启动子序列长1 358 bp,有4个转录起始位点。核心启动子区为–100～–51 bp。有1个TATA-box (–92～–86 bp)和2个Ebox等顺式作用元件;潜在的转录因子结合位点有MEF2、MEF3、FoxO、MTBF和MyoD等;启动子区域无CpG岛。成功构建了6个MSTN启动子不同长度片段的荧光素酶表达载体,瞬时转染到293T细胞并进行双荧光素酶报告基因活性检测,表明6个启动子片段均有转录活性,PGL-534的活性最高,其次为PGL-274、PGL-22和PGL-102,最低的为PGL-995。–216～–364区域可能存在负调控基因表达的转录因子结合位点,–364～–825区域可能存在正调控基因表达的转录因子结合位点。     

中国明对虾FcβGBP-HDL基因和启动子的克隆及序列特征分析

FcβGBP-HDL是中国明对虾免疫应答中的一种模式识别受体,在白斑综合征病毒(white spot syndrome virus,WSSV)侵染后其表达显著上调.为了探讨FcβGBP-HDL在免疫应答中的转录调节机制,实验以FcβGBP-HDL cDNA为基础设计引物,采用染色体步移技术对其基因组DNA和启动子进行克隆,构建一系列缺失表达载体进行启动子活性分析.结果显示,FcβGBP-HDL基因全长6 713 bp,无内含子;启动子区域长1 507 bp,除了1个启动子核心序列、2个SRF、2个TBP、1个CTF和1个CRE等典型的启动子特征外,还有2个GATA-1、3个AP-1、1个c-Ets-1和7个Sp1等参与其它节肢动物免疫基因转录调节的结合位点;同源比对分析表明,FcβGBP-HDL启动子与FcCTL启动子相似度最高(41.4％);不同长度的启动子片段具有不同的启动荧光素酶报告基因表达的活性,其中去除5 '端2个AP-1后的启动子片段具有最高的启动活性,去除启动子核心序列的启动子片段启动活性最低.研究表明,FcβGBP-HDL启动子可能在免疫反应中受到调节.     

一种免疫诱导型鲤启动子的克隆与功能分析

为发掘适用于基因工程抗病育种的鱼类启动子,通过实时荧光定量PCR实验对鲤Rab GTP酶(Ras-associated binding-GTPases 1a3,Rab1a3)基因的表达模式进行了分析,证实该基因在鳃、头肾等与机体免疫防御功能密切相关的组织内转录水平较高,且免疫激活后转录显著增强,符合基因工程抗病育种所需的外源免疫基因转录模式。从鲤细菌人工染色体文库中,使用Rab1a3基因特异引物筛选获得包含该基因区域的文库克隆,测序获得该基因完整序列,以及上下游调控序列。通过生物信息学手段,预测到长度为1014 bp的鲤Rab1a3基因启动子序列,该启动子不具有典型的TATA盒或CpG岛特征,存在多个免疫相关转录因子结合位点。在草鱼肾组织细胞系内验证该启动子活性,结果显示,绿色荧光蛋白基因和萤火虫荧光素酶基因都能够在该启动子驱动下表达,证实该片段具有启动子活性,且启动子活性在受到免疫诱导后增强,双荧光素酶报告基因检测结果显示,该启动子活性在免疫刺激后增强至免疫刺激前的8.67倍。研究表明,鲤Rab1a3基因启动子有望被开发成为免疫诱导型的基因工程元件,驱动外源免疫基因在鱼体内适时表达,抵御外界病原感染,同时避免非必要条件下的过度表达形成生长负担。     

东北七鳃鳗NF-κB基因启动子的构建及活性

核转录因子NF-kB(Nuclear factor kappa B)对机体的免疫反应、炎症反应等起重要的调控作用。为了获得NF-kB基因启动子的活性报告基因,进一步研究原始脊椎动物免疫应答的机制,我们根据此前克隆得到的东北七鳃鳗(Lethenteron morii)NF-kB基因cds序列,以与东北七鳃鳗高度同源的日本七鳃鳗(Lampetra japonica)同源基因 5’上游启动子特征序列为模板设计引物,克隆获得了东北七鳃鳗NF-kB启动子序列,该序列全长3169 bp,提交至NCBI Genbank获得登录号MN368861。经AliBaba2.1软件预测该序列包含CREB (cgtgacttca)、Oct-1 (aatatgaatt)、GATA-1 (gaacctatct)、AP-1 (ggttgagtca)、NF-kappa B (ctttcctgtt)、IRF-1 (tttcctgttc)、Sp-1 (tgtgaggggt)、c-Jun (acgtgacttc)和c-Fos (ggttgagtca)等多个转录因子结合位点,并包含TATA box转录核心元件。通过MethPrimer软件预测在序列1207-1402 bp处存在CG含量大于50%,长196 bp的CpG岛。利用双酶切技术构建了pGL3-NF-kB-pro重组质粒,并将其转染至人胚肾细胞系（Human embryonal kidney, HEK293T）和鲤鱼上皮瘤细胞系（Epithelioma papulosum cyprinid, EPC）中。双荧光素酶报告基因系统检测结果显示该片段序列在哺乳动物细胞系和鱼类细胞系中均具有启动子活性,同时在HEK293T中经过Toll样受体（Toll-like receptors,TLR）的配体LPS刺激后启动子活性显著上升。本研究成功构建了东北七鳃鳗NF-kB启动子报告基因,并在不同细胞系中证实了其活性。LPS刺激后的检测结果揭示东北七鳃鳗NF-kB参与了TLR信号通路的免疫应答。东北七鳃鳗NF-kB报告基因的构建为探究原始脊椎动物免疫系统信号传导机制奠定了基础。     

中华鲟IFN-γ 的免疫调控作用

为了解中华鲟IFN-γ的免疫调控作用,实验通过中华鲟转录组获得IFN-γcDNA序列,构建重组表达质粒pTRI-st-IFNγ,原核表达IFN-γ蛋白,检测其在病毒和细菌感染过程中的免疫调控作用。SDS-PAGE显示,中华鲟IFN-γ重组蛋白大小为19.17 ku,以可溶性表达为主,浓度为0.998 mg/mL;荧光定量PCR显示,IFN-γ蛋白能够诱导中华鲟肾脏细胞中下游相关抗病毒基因Mx、Viperin和CXCL家族中CXCL11-L1、CXCL11-L2表达;与EPC细胞共孵育能够有效抑制鲤春病毒血症病毒(spring viraemia of carp virus,SVCV)引起的细胞病变和增殖,并对SVCV病毒的G、P、N 3个基因表达量呈现出极显著性下调;在体外能够调控抑制嗜水气单胞菌、中间产气单胞菌和维氏气单胞菌并对其生长表现出明显的抑制作用。     

大黄鱼slitrk3基因启动子克隆及转录调控分析

神经突触相关蛋白Slitrk3具有调节抑制性突触发育的作用。研究大黄鱼(Larimichthys crocea)神经突触黏附分子slitrk3基因的转录调控机制,可为解决大黄鱼养殖面临的生长、应激及抗逆等问题提供新思路。通过生物信息学方法对大黄鱼及其他物种的Slitrk3氨基酸进行多重序列比对和系统进化树分析,并预测大黄鱼slitrk3基因启动子区域相关的调控元件,采用双荧光素酶报告基因系统检测大黄鱼slitrk3基因启动子区域的转录活性。生物信息学分析结果显示,Slitrk3氨基酸序列在鱼类中具有较高的保守性;大黄鱼slitrk3基因启动子区域预测存在2个潜在的转录起始位点、2个CpG岛以及Sp1、GR、C/EBPα和C/EBPβ等多种转录因子结合位点。双荧光素酶报告基因系统结果显示,大黄鱼slitrk3基因启动子区域的-1 970—-1 614 bp、-1 210—-667 bp存在正调控元件,-1 614—-1 210 bp、-667—-376 bp、-376—-147bp存在负调控元件,推测-147—+16 bp为核心启动子。     

中华鲟IFNe2的抗病毒天然免疫作用研究

为探究中华鲟干扰素e2（AsIFNe2）的免疫调控作用,本研究通过原核表达获得了重组中华鲟干扰素e2蛋白（rAsIFNe2）,并分析了它对抗病毒相关基因的影响及其抗病毒活性。实时荧光定量PCR（RT-qPCR）结果显示,rAsIFNe2能显著激活中华鲟鳍细胞中干扰素刺激基因（IFN-stimulated genes,ISGs）的表达,如Mx、PKR、Viperin和ADAR4 。此外,rAsIFNe2还能通过激活IRFs和IFNes基因的表达,从而帮助宿主细胞迅速建立抗病毒状态。在鲤春病毒血症病毒（spring viremia of carp virus,SVCV）感染鲤鱼上皮细胞（EPC）模型中,rAsIFNe2能够诱导EPC细胞中Mx、PKR和Viperin的表达,并降低EPC细胞中SVCV病毒G、N和P基因的表达,减少病变效应的产生。上述结果表明AsIFNe2在宿主抗病毒天然免疫反应中发挥作用,为深入了解中华鲟的干扰素免疫系统以及治疗病毒性疾病提供了理论依据。     

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.     

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.     

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.