Molecular cloning and gene expression of the riboflavin-binding protein in the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

Tilapia riboflavin-binding protein (RfBP) cDNA was isolated by library screening. Even though it shows only 31～35% similarity to the reported RfBPs, tilapia RfBP is conserved in amino acid residues that are known to be essential for its protein function. The exclusive expression of RfBP in the brain-pituitary-gonadal axis, as revealed by both RT-PCR and Northern blot, suggested a possible role for RfBP in fish reproduction.     

Molecular characterization and increased expression of the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), T-cell receptor beta chain in response to Streptococcus agalactiae infection

The complete cDNA sequence of the Nile tilapia T-cell receptor (TCR) β chain was cloned using 5' RACE. The full-length, 1263-bp cDNA contained a 942-bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a 314-amino-acid protein. Sequence analyses revealed that the Nile tilapia TCR β chain contains four conserved cysteine residues involved in the formation of disulphide bridges and a conserved amino acid motif believed to be important for assembly and signalling of the TCR αβ/CD3 complex, both of which are normally found in the TCR β chain of other vertebrates. As detected using semi-quantitative and quantitative RT-PCR, the highest expression level of TCR β was detected in the thymus. Interestingly, Streptococcus agalactiae significantly induced the up-regulation of the TCR β chain, and the strongest up-regulation was detected in the brain and peripheral blood leucocytes (PBLs). In in vitro experiments, concanavalin A and Aeromonas hydrophila were found to significantly increase the expression of the TCR β chain in PBLs after 48 h (P < 0.01) and 72 h (P < 0.05), respectively. Furthermore, real-time PCR analysis showed that intraperitoneal injection (IP) of 10(7) cfu mL(-1) of S. agalactiae could induce TCR β expression that was greater than the expression observed following administration of 10(9) cfu mL(-1). The presence of the TCR β chain in fish detected in this study suggests the presence of T-cell populations that have been found in higher vertebrates, which may play a crucial functional role in the response to fish pathogens.     

罗非鱼谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶1基因的克隆与分析

采用cDNA末端快速扩增（rapid amplification of cDNA ends,RACE）技术,克隆了罗非鱼（Oreochromis niloticus）谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶1（glutathione pemxidasel,GPx1）基因完整的编码序列（complete coding sequence,CDS）。GPx1基因全长984bp,5’uTR56bp,CDS576bp,3’UTR352bp,PolyA20bp;第791—885位碱基（位于3’UTR）形成1个硒半胱氨酸插入序列（selenocysteine insertion sequence,SECIS）,协助174～176位密码子TGA（UGA）编码1个硒半胱氨酸（Sec）。GPx1包含191个氨基酸,分子量21．8kDa,等电点8．04,无信号肽和潜在的N．糖基化位点。蛋白结构分析表明该基因编码蛋白为非跨膜蛋白。序列比对显示,GPx1单体具有Sec、Trp、Gln和Asn构成的催化四联体。罗非鱼GPx1与其他脊椎动物GPx1相比较,核苷酸序列相似性为43．2％-58．2％,氨基酸序列相似性为58．1％～80．6％。进化分析显示,处在分类学上不同纲的脊椎动物GPx1分别占据了不同分支。利用Swiss-Model预测了罗非鱼GPx1的3D结构,序列分析显示,GPx1可以形成1个同源四聚体。     

Molecular cloning of an elongation factor 1α and its mRNA localization in testis of the Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

During spermatogenesis, many proteins are synthesized in the testis prior to the completion of sperm maturation. Many components are involved in the testicular protein synthesis and one of the components that is implicated in the polypeptide chain elongation is elongation factor 1α. In the present study, the molecular cloning of elongation factor 1α (EF-1α) was conducted from a testis cDNA library of the Nile tilapia. The cDNA for tilapia EF-1α (tEF-1α) contains a complete open reading frame encoding 462 amino acids. The predicted amino acid sequence of EF-1α shows an approximate 90% similarity to those identified in other teleost fish, such as medaka, sea bream and zebrafish. Northern blotting revealed that the gene is expressed in all of the examined tissues and in ovulated eggs. The results of in situ hybridization indicate that the gene is expressed specifically in Leydig cells in testis, suggesting the involvement of EF-1α as an actin-binding protein in the cluster formation of Leydig cells. In the ovary, the gene is expressed in the perinucleolus stage of oocytes, suggesting that EF-1α is also implicated in oocyte growth.     

吞噬作用在尼罗罗非鱼抵抗嗜水气单胞菌感染过程中的重要作用

罗非鱼是重要的经济鱼类,而嗜水气单胞菌(Aeromonashydrophila)是其主要病原菌之一,只有充分的掌握该病原菌的感染机制才能提供更好的预防和治疗手段。本研究首先通过转录组筛查尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromisniloticus)脾脏中与细菌感染相关的基因,然后通过荧光定量PCR证实上述基因的表达变化,最后使用秋水仙素试验和交叉免疫试验进行验证。研究结果显示,尼罗罗非鱼在感染嗜水气单胞菌之后,吞噬作用发生显著增强。秋水仙素试验发现,微管蛋白的功能受到抑制可以显著降低罗非鱼对嗜水气单胞菌的防御能力。交叉免疫试验证实,通过迟缓爱德华菌(Edwardsiella tarda)激活吞噬作用也可以提高罗非鱼对嗜水气单胞菌的防御能力。本研究旨在了解吞噬作用在罗非鱼抵御嗜水气单胞菌感染过程中发挥重要作用,并试图通过交叉免疫试验为细菌疫苗的制备提供新思路。     

罗非鱼谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶1的克隆与分析

采用cDNA末端快速扩增（rapid amplification of cDNA ends,RACE）技术,克隆了罗非鱼（Oreochromis niloticus）谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶1（glutathione peroxidase1,GPx1）基因完整的编码序列（complete coding sequence,CDS）。GPx1基因全长984 bp,5UTR 56 bp,CDS 576 bp,3UTR 352 bp,PolyA 20 bp;第791~885位碱基（位于3UTR）形成1个硒半胱氨酸插入序列（selenocysteine insertion sequence,SECIS）,协助174~176位密码子TGA（UGA）编码1个硒半胱氨酸（Sec）。GPx1包含191个氨基酸,分子量21.8 kDa,等电点8.04,无信号肽和潜在的N-糖基化位点。蛋白结构分析表明该基因编码蛋白为非跨膜蛋白。序列比对显示,GPx1单体具有Sec、Trp、Gln和Asn构成的催化四联体。罗非鱼GPx1与其他脊椎动物GPx1相比较,核苷酸序列相似性为43.2%~58.2%,氨基酸序列相似性为58.1%~80.6%。进化分析显示,处在分类学上不同纲的脊椎动物GPx1分别占据了不同分支。利用Swiss-Model预测了罗非鱼GPx1的3D结构,序列分析显示,GPx1可以形成1个同源四聚体。

     

罗非鱼肾脏细胞系的建立及其生物学特性

采用组织块移植法,对尼罗罗非鱼（Oreochromis niloticus）的肾脏组织细胞进行原代培养,建立了罗非鱼肾脏细胞系,已稳定传代培养50代以上,命名为TiK。罗非鱼肾脏细胞系为纤维样细胞,其最佳培养基为DMEM,最适培养温度为28℃,最适血清浓度为15%。在最适培养条件下,罗非鱼肾脏细胞系的群体倍增时间为45.8 h。细胞经液氮冷冻保存6个月后进行复苏,经台盼蓝染色,约（89.84±3.48）%的细胞具有活性,复苏后细胞生长旺盛。染色体分析显示,第32代罗非鱼肾脏细胞系染色体数目分布在20~66之间,众数为48。使用本实验室分离鉴定的罗非鱼病毒感染罗非鱼肾脏细胞,可产生典型的细胞病变效应,表明罗非鱼肾脏细胞对该病毒敏感。该细胞系的建立为罗非鱼病毒病防控技术研究提供了重要的实验材料。     

Molecular cloning and sequencing of hemoglobin-β gene of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque

The hemoglobin-β gene of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, was cloned and sequenced. Total RNA from head kidneys was isolated, reverse transcribed and amplified. The sequence of the channel catfish hemoglobin-β gene consists of 600 nucleotides. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence reveals one open reading frame and 5′- as well as 3′-untranslated regions. The open reading frame of the sequence potentially encodes 148 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 16.3 kDa. The pI and charge at pH 7.0 of the deduced hemoglobin-β protein were 7.28 and 0.47, respectively. Overall, 22 amino acid residues were conserved throughout the sequences, including His64 and His93, the sites for heme-binding. Unlike the counterpart of other common cultured fish such as Salmo salar, Oncorhynchus nerka, Oncorhynchus mykiss, Cyprinus carpio and Ctenopharyngodon idella, the hemoglobin-β of channel catfish did not have cysteine. The amino acid sequence of channel catfish hemoglobin-β shows 84% homology with that of Silurus asotus (both are in the order Siluriformes). However, comparison with those of other fish species shows homology ranging from 53 to 68%. Structural analysis by the 3D-PSSM program displays that channel catfish hemoglobin-β has eight α-helices, A–H.     

团头鲂黑素皮质素3型受体基因克隆及表达分析

黑素皮质素3型受体(MC3R)系统与动物摄食行为以及能量调控密切相关。为丰富鱼类MC3R相关基础研究,探索鱼类摄食行为与能量调控机制,本研究克隆了团头鲂(Megalobrama amblycephala)mc3r基因,采用分子生物信息学和相对荧光定量PCR方法分别对氨基酸序列保守结构域、组织表达分布和禁食条件下的表达变化等开展分析研究。结果显示,团头鲂mc3r基因编码区全长984 bp,编码327个氨基酸,与现有报道的MC3R氨基酸序列高度相似,具有典型的7次跨膜结构域。组织表达图谱分析表明,mc3rmRNA在下丘脑、垂体、肝脏和卵巢有相对较高的表达。禁食试验结果显示,下丘脑和垂体中的转录变化与周期性摄食信号相关,其中下丘脑mc3r mRNA在禁食72 h和14 d的表达显著上调(P0.05),垂体mc3r mRNA在禁食72 h和禁食72 h后恢复投喂6 h表达量显著升高(P0.05),而肝脏中mc3r mRNA在禁食48 h和14 d的表达量显著上调(P0.05)。此外,对血液皮质醇和血糖的监测结果显示,两者均在禁食14 d有显著变化,其中皮质醇水平显著高于对照组(P0.05),而血糖水平显著低于对照组(P0.05)。综合本研究结果表明,MC3R在鲤科鱼类中具有高度相似的氨基酸序列和结构域;在组织中的转录表达变化与食物摄取有明显相关性,对调控鱼体摄食行为和能量代谢具有重要作用。     

淇河鲫R-spondin1基因cDNA克隆和表达

为探索R-spondin1(Rspo1)基因在雌核发育三倍体鱼淇河鲫性别决定与分化过程中的作用,本研究利用RACE技术克隆Rspo1基因cDNA序列,同时分析它的时空表达模式,并检测芳香化酶抑制剂Letrozole及高温养殖诱导性逆转下它在性腺中的表达情况。将扩增的PCR产物经亚克隆测序、拼接后获得淇河鲫Rspo1 cDNA序列,长1 243 bp(MH243761),包含5′非编码区318 bp,3′非编码区127 bp和开放读码框798 bp,共编码265个氨基酸残基。氨基酸序列比对及系统进化分析结果显示,淇河鲫Rspo1与其他鲤科鱼类同源性较高,与哺乳类、爬行类等脊椎动物同源性相对较低;组织分布检测结果显示,Rspo1基因在淇河鲫各个组织中均有表达,其中肌肉组织表达量最高,卵巢次之,而在脾脏、肾脏、心脏组织中表达量较低;在胚胎发育过程中Rspo1的表达量在未受精卵与受精卵中无差异,随着胚胎发育而降低,神经胚期最低,从尾芽期至出膜期又逐步升高。胚后阶段,Rspo1在性腺中的表达量从淇河鲫性别决定与分化关键时期(孵化后20 d)开始上调。Letrozole处理或高温养殖引起的性逆转中,Rspo1在性腺中表达量升高。研究表明,淇河鲫Rspo1作为一个母源性因子可能在卵巢分化与维持中起到一定作用,同时它可能也参与精子发生过程。     

Neuroimmunological regulation of α-MSH release in tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)

This study describes the effects of IL-1 (interleukin 1) and LPS (bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide) on the release of α-MSH (alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone) from the neurointermediate lobe (NIL) of the teleost Oreochromis mossambicus (tilapia). In vivo treatment of tilapia with IL-1 for 8 days led to a 49% inhibition of basal α-MSH release, measured by means of an in vitro micro-superfusion technique. The treatment did not affect the sensitivity of the tissue to TRH. In vitro, the release of α-MSH was inhibited by LPS in a dose dependent manner. In addition to its effects on the unstimulated release of the hormone, LPS also blunted the response to a TRH stimulation. Together with recent results obtained by others demonstrating the effects of (neuro-)peptides on immune parameters and the presence of cytokines in fish, the present data establish the bidirectional character of the communication between the immune and the (neuro-)endocrine systems in teleosts.

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Résumé Cette étude décrit les effets de l'IL-1 (interleukin 1) et du LPS (bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide) sur la libération de α-MSH (alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone) par le lobe neurointermédiaire (NIL) d'un téléosteen Oreochromis mossambicus (tilapia). Le traitement in vivo du tilapia avec l'IL-1 pendent 8 jours conduit à une inhibition de 49% de la libération basale d'α-MSH mesurée à l'aide d'une technique in vitro de micro-superfusion. Ce traitement ne modifie pas la sensibilité du tissue au TRH. In vitro, la libération de α-MSH est inhibée par le LPS de manière dose-dépendante. En plus de ses effets sur la libération basale de α-MSH, le LPS bloque aussi la réponse à une stimulation par le TRH. Confrontés à des donnés récemment publiés montrant les effets de (neuro-)peptides sur les paramêtres immunitaires et la présence de cytokines chez les poissons, nos résultats établissent le caractère bidirectionnel de la communication entre le système immunitaire et les systèmes (neuro-)endocriniens.

     

吉富尼罗罗非鱼Ikaros基因5'调控区的克隆、序列分析及抗无乳链球菌相关SNP位点筛选

为获得尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)抗链球菌病相关的单核苷酸多态性(single nucleotide polymorphism,SNP)标记,本研究通过染色体步移法克隆了尼罗罗非鱼Ikaros基因5′调控区序列,长度为4178 bp,并使用生物信息学软件对Ikaros基因的启动子和转录调控元件进行预测和分析。利用PCR产物直接测序法从亲本(P0)尼罗罗非鱼Ikaros基因5′调控区中筛查到5个SNPs,分别为SNP1(g.562,GA)、SNP2(g.217,GT)、SNP3(g.–53,CT)、SNP4(g.–220,TC)和SNP5(g.–579,TC)。利用Snapshot技术对子一代(F1)尼罗罗非鱼易感群体和抗病群体进行相应SNPs的基因分型,分析两个群体遗传多样性参数,结果显示多态信息含量(polymorphism information content,PIC)值在0.0872~0.3747之间,表明Ikaros基因5′调控区中所有SNPs的多态性均较低。Ikaros基因5′调控区SNPs与抗链球菌病性状关联分析结果表明,SNP2、SNP3、SNP4和SNP5的基因型频率和等位基因频率在易感群体和抗病群体中存在显著差异(P0.05)。连锁不平衡分析结果显示Ikaros基因5′调控区SNPs可形成1个单倍块和5种单倍型,其中GGCTT单倍型与抗病性显著相关(P0.05),GGTCT和GTCCC单倍型与易感性显著相关(P0.05)。此外,还发现SNP2和SNP5处于完全连锁状态(r~2=1,LOD=57.25,D′=1),可作为罗非鱼抗链球菌病遗传育种的标签SNP。综上所述,在Ikaros基因5?调控区筛选到4个抗链球菌病相关SNPs和1个单倍型(GGCTT),均可作为尼罗罗非鱼分子育种的候选分子标记。     

淇河鲫甘露糖受体基因克隆及嗜水气单胞菌感染对其基因表达的影响

为了解淇河鲫甘露糖受体(mannose receptor,MR)的结构特点及其在抗感染免疫反应中的作用,实验通过同源克隆和RACE技术,获得了淇河鲫甘露糖受体(CaMR)全长c DNA,并采用实时荧光定量PCR(qPCR)技术研究了嗜水气单胞菌感染对CaMR组织表达的影响。结果显示,CaMR c DNA全长4473 bp,5′非编码区81 bp,3′非编码区90 bp,编码一个由1433 aa组成的前体蛋白,其中前20 aa为信号肽。CaMR的氨基酸序列和分子结构与其他物种高度相似:胞外一个富含半胱氨酸的结构域(CRD)、一个纤连蛋白II型结构域(FNIID)及8个串连的C型凝集素样结构域(CTLDs),一个跨膜区和一个很短的胞内区。氨基酸同源性和进化分析显示,CaMR与草鱼、团头鲂、斑马鱼等鲤科鱼类的进化关系较近,与草鱼MR的同源性最高(82.4%)。通过qPCR检测到头肾、脾、心脏、肌肉等10种组织中均有表达,其中头肾表达量最高;嗜水气单胞菌感染后,头肾、脾和心脏MR基因的相对表达量均呈先升后降的趋势,而肠道则呈下降趋势,肌肉的表达量变化不显著。本研究为进一步揭示CaMR在免疫反应中的作用机制及其在淇河鲫疾病防治中的应用奠定了基础。     

团头鲂促肾上腺皮质激素释放激素受体基因序列特征及表达分析

促肾上腺皮质激素释放激素受体(corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor,CRHR)是鱼类下丘脑–垂体–头肾调控轴上的重要应激调节因子。本研究通过c DNA末端快速扩增(RACE)技术成功克隆出团头鲂(Megalobrama amblycephala)CRHR1 m RNA全长序列,应用生物信息学方法对其序列特征进行解析;同时采用荧光定量PCR技术分析了团头鲂CRHR1的组织分布图谱及外源性皮质醇注射模拟应激处理下团头鲂CRHR1 m RNA的表达变化。研究结果表明,CRHR1 m RNA序列开放阅读框(open reading frame,ORF)为1290 bp,编码429个氨基酸。团头鲂CRHR1氨基酸序列与鲤科鱼类的CRHR1氨基酸序列同源性最高;该受体具有7次横跨膜结构和氨基端激素受体结构域。CRHR1在垂体中表达量最高,其次为下丘脑,在心脏、肝、脾等组织中表达丰度较低。经外源性皮质醇注射后,实验组血糖和血清皮质醇显著高于对照组,在处理2 h后达到峰值;实验组血清ACTH水平与对照组差异总体不显著,但呈现先升高后下降。应激处理后,CRHR1转录水平在4种组织中的表达变化存在差异;垂体中CRHR1在早期出现明显的表达抑制,在下丘脑中则呈现先缓慢升高后缓慢下降的趋势,而心脏和头肾中CRHR1在早期则表现出表达迅速上调而后缓慢下降的趋势。本研究进一步丰富了CRHR在鱼类研究方面的基础资料,为鱼类应激调控提供了理论基础。     

大鲵Dmrt2基因cDNA的克隆与表达分析

Dmrt2是参与性腺发育最古老的发育基因家族Dmrt家族成员之一,在维持胚胎组织的正常发育、精子的发生、神经系统和感觉器官发育等方面起重要作用。目前在哺乳动物人类、鸟类红原鸡以及水生动物青鳉中都克隆到Dmrt家族成员并证明其与性腺和生长发育的密切相关性。研究采用RACE方法克隆了大鲵Dmrt2基因全长cDNA序列共2 026 bp,开放阅读框长1 581 bp,5′非编码区长58 bp,3′非编码区长387 bp,基因序列提交GenBank的登录号为FJ859987。该基因编码蛋白含526个氨基酸,依生物信息学方法预测该氨基酸为非跨膜蛋白,无信号肽,定位在细胞质内,无分泌蛋白。CDD数据库分析该ORF框翻译的氨基酸,在93~146位含DM保守结构域(c102557)的两个成员pfam00751和smart003010,与哺乳类人mab-3、鸟类红原鸡Dmrt2、两栖类非洲爪蟾Dmrt2和水生类鲐mab-3 DM结构域存在I(异亮氨酸)、R(精氨酸)、M(甲硫氨酸)、T(苏氨酸)、C(半胱氨酸)5个氨基酸的变异;系统进化树分析表明:大鲵Dmrt2与以上四物种首先聚类,据此推测Dmrt基因在进化上高度保守,DM结构域上5个氨基酸的变异对蛋白功能的发挥可能无重要影响。实时荧光定量组织差异表达显示,Dmrt2基因在大鲵的精巢和肌肉组织中高表达,预示该基因可能在性腺发育和生长发育方面起重要作用。     

Disparate effects of gonadal steroid hormones on plasma and liver mRNA levels of insulin-like growth factor-I and vitellogenin in the tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus

The tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus, exhibits a sexually dimorphic pattern of growth, males growing larger than females. We examined the effects of E₂ and DHT on the GH/IGF-I axis and on VTG production in the tilapia. Sexually mature tilapia were injected with 5 μg g body weight of E₂ (males) or DHT (females) every 5 days for a total of 3 injections. Female tilapia had significantly higher plasma GH levels than males. However, plasma and liver mRNA levels of IGF-I were significantly lower in females than in males, whereas VTG levels in both the plasma and liver mRNA were significantly higher in females than in males. Although significant amounts of VTG were detected in control males (8 ± 0.3 μg ml), the levels in control females (3000 ± 500 μg ml) were about 400 times higher than in males. Males treated with E₂ exhibited a female-like GH/IGF-I profile. That is, they had significantly elevated levels of plasma GH with lower plasma IGF-I and liver IGF-I mRNA levels. Estradiol treatment significantly elevated both plasma and liver mRNA VTG levels. Dihydrotestosterone treatment in females induced a male-like GH/IGF-I profile: plasma GH levels were significantly reduced, whereas plasma and liver IGF-I mRNA levels were significantly elevated. Both plasma and liver mRNA levels of VTG were not altered by DHT treatment. Pituitary GH mRNA levels were similar in all treatment groups. These results clearly indicate that estrogens and androgens feminize and masculinize the GH/IGF-I axis, respectively. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Dietary supplementation of Tribulus terrestris extract improves growth and reproductive performances of the male Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Effects of dietary supplementation of Tribulus terrestris (TT) and 17α‐methyl testosterone (MT) on growth performance and reproductive efficiency of male Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (N = 75, initial weight 60 ± 3.251 g), were evaluated. Five experimental treatments in triplicate were fed on basal diet (30% crude protein) (control group, CG), basal diet containing 60 mg MT (MT group) and basal diet containing 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg diet TT (TT250, TT500 and TT750 groups), respectively, for consecutive 45 days. Results revealed that the fish received TT in diet showed better growth performance (final body weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate, testes weight and gonadosomatic index) compared with MT and CG (p < .05), as well as for haemoglobin content and red blood cell count (p < .05). The highest level of testosterone, 11‐keto testosterone, sperm concentration and vitality was recorded in TT750 followed by TT500, TT250 and MT groups, while the lowest value was recorded in the CG (p < .05). The highest seminiferous tubule diameter was recorded in TT750 followed by TT500, TT250 and CG, while the lowest diameter was recorded in the MT group (p < .05). Fish received TT showed normal dilated seminiferous tubule filled with large amount of free sperms within their lumen in a dose related effect. In conclusion, male Nile tilapia dietary supplementation with different inclusions of Tribulus terrestris extract specially 500 and 750 mg/kg diet improves growth performance, health condition, semen quality and reproductive efficiency without any harmful effect on water quality.