半滑舌鳎rimoc1基因在雌雄鱼中的差异表达

动物中普遍存在性别生长二态性,这种现象在海水鱼中更为明显。半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)性成熟雌鱼体重显著高于雄鱼,雌性个体的生长速度比雄性快2~4倍。本研究旨在探究rimoc1基因在半滑舌鳎雌、雄鱼中的表达差异及与性别和生长的关系。实时定量和原位杂交结果显示,rimoc1在雄性组织中未检测到表达,而在雌性组织中表达量最高的是卵巢和肌肉,在卵巢中表达相对稳定,在孵化后1.5年(1.5 yph)和3 yph的水平有所增加。在细胞系中通过siRNA干扰敲除rimoc1后,发现生长相关基因igf1、性别分化相关基因sox9b和foxl2的表达水平显著降低,而sox9a的表达升高。启动子活性分析显示,rimoc1启动子可能受到C/EBPdelta、Sox2和c-Jun等转录因子的调控。推测rimoc1可能在半滑舌鳎的性别分化和生长中发挥重要作用,为深入研究半滑舌鳎的性别生长二态性提供了基础。     

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。     

雌雄半滑舌鳎脑垂体基因表达差异研究

为研究半滑舌鳎雌雄个体大小和生长速度差异悬殊的分子机理,采集来自同一亲本、同一发育阶段的半滑舌鳎雄鱼和雌鱼脑垂体,分别与Affymetrix的斑马鱼基因芯片杂交,筛选差异表达基因。芯片杂交结果显示二者共有1 051个基因检测到明显的杂交信号,其中上调基因486个,下调基因561个。进一步比较雄鱼和雌鱼杂交信号的比值(Ratio值),有39个基因的Ratio值小于0.6或大于1.5,其中sh3gl1b、meis2.1、acta1、Noxa、slc25a5这5种上调基因和col1a2、klf7、acta2这3种下调基因可能与半滑舌鳎雌雄生长差异相关。这一结果为深入研究半滑舌鳎雌雄性别分化与生长调控机制提供了新思路。     

半滑舌鳎养殖群体中自然性逆转伪雄鱼的发现

利用雌性特异标记遗传性别鉴定技术,对71尾4龄半滑舌鳎的生理和遗传性别进行鉴定,结果显示32尾生理型雌鱼均能扩增出205bp的雌性特异条带;39尾生理型雄鱼,仅一尾鱼体重显著高于其他雄鱼并扩增出了雌性特异条带,因此这尾鱼遗传上为雌性,是一尾伪雄鱼。对养殖的600尾半滑舌鳎生理雄鱼大规模检测发现,养殖群体自然性逆转伪雄鱼比例为1.66%。对正常雌、雄鱼和1龄自然性逆转伪雄鱼的性腺组织学观察显示,与正常雄鱼相比,伪雄鱼性腺中也有大量的精母细胞,但数量比正常雄鱼的要略少;且未在伪雄鱼的性腺组织中观察到卵母细胞,说明半滑舌鳎性逆转发生在性腺分化期。半滑舌鳎自然性逆转现象的发现有助于解释当前半滑舌鳎养殖群体中雄性率偏高的现象,为半滑舌鳎全雌苗种生产提供了一条新的技术途径,并丰富了鱼类性别分化理论。     

半滑舌鳎hsd11b1l和hsd11b2基因的克隆及其温度响应的表达规律

皮质醇在鱼类应对外界环境压力的过程中起到重要调控作用,而hsd11b1l和hsd11b2具有调节体内皮质醇浓度的重要功能。本研究克隆了半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis) hsd11b1l和hsd11b2基因的cDNA全长序列,分析了其序列特征,研究了其时空表达特征及温度响应的表达规律。结果显示,hsd11b1l cDNA全长为1650 bp,开放性阅读框长度为864 bp,编码287个氨基酸;hsd11b2 cDNA全长为4526 bp,开放性阅读框长度为1209 bp,编码402个氨基酸。半滑舌鳎不同组织和性腺发育时期的表达分析结果显示,hsd11b1l在肝脏中表达量最高,在卵巢的表达量是精巢的2倍,且在6月龄和3龄鱼的卵巢中呈现较高表达;而hsd11b2主要在精巢中表达,在6月龄鱼的精巢中表达量最高,随后表达量急剧降低,在卵巢中各个时期几乎不表达。半滑舌鳎温度响应的表达结果显示,高温(28℃)处理2个月后,与正常温度(22℃)对照组相比,hsd11b1l和hsd11b2在雄鱼中的表达量均显著降低(P<0.05);高温短期应激48 h,hsd11b1l表达在雌鱼和雄鱼中均显著降低,hsd11b2表达仅在雄鱼中有显著下调(P<0.05)。本研究探讨了hsd11b1l和hsd11b2基因在半滑舌鳎性别分化过程中的表达规律,为研究环境温度与半滑舌鳎性别分化之间的关系奠定了基础。     

半滑舌鳎Dmrt4基因DNA全序列的克隆与表达分析

克隆了半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)Dmrt4基因DNA全序列,得到的序列长度为2271 bp,包含1个内含子,2个外显子,与其他鱼类的同源性在90%以上.Dmrt4基因在雌性和雄性半滑舌鳎的7个组织中都有表达,有差异表达的组织是脑、垂体和性腺,雄性的表达显著高于雌性(P<0.05).高温处理组的伪雄鱼中Dmrt4基因的表达与对照组的雌鱼没有显著差异(P>0.05),但是甲基睾酮处理组的雄鱼和伪雄鱼的表达显著高于对照组的雌鱼和雄鱼(P<0.05).Dmrt4基因的表达在胚胎发育过程中呈现先升高后降低的趋势,在原肠期表达量最高,显著高于其他几个时期(P<0.05),从尾芽形成期开始恢复到多细胞期的表达水平,之后几个时期 Dmrt4基因的表达无显著变化(P>0.05),一直到出膜前保持恒定.研究表明, Dmrt4基因是雄性中优势表达的基因,并且受雄性基激素调节,但并不是性反转的必要因素.这一研究为半滑舌鳎全雌群体的建立提供了分子水平的研究基础.     

半滑舌鳎快速生长及高雌性家系的筛选

为查明半滑舌鳎不同家系雌、雄鱼遗传和生理性别比例及其与生长速率的关系,并试图筛选出生理雌鱼比例高且生长快的家系,实验首先建立了22个半滑舌鳎家系,并进行同池养殖以比较生长性能,再选取5个正常雄鱼家系和5个伪雄鱼家系进行遗传性别和生理性别测定.结果发现,不同家系鱼苗不仅生长速度差异显著,而且雌雄比例差异也很显著.筛选出生长快速的家系2个(家系16号和61号),其相对增重率分别为0.81和0.56 g/d;筛选出生长较快的家系4个(家系21、28、57和63号),其相对增重率为0.48 ～0.53 g/d;筛选出生长速度一般的家系12个,生长慢速家系4个.所检测的5个正常雄鱼(ZZ类型)家系的遗传雌鱼比例平均为51.87％,生理雌鱼比例平均为42.94％,遗传雌鱼转化为生理雄鱼的比例平均为14.08％.相反,检测的5个伪雄鱼(ZW类型)家系的遗传雌鱼比例平均为49.34％,生理雌鱼比例平均为4.45％,遗传雌鱼转化为生理雄鱼的比例平均为91.41％.实验发现半滑舌鳎不同家系在雌、雄生理性别比例上存在明显差异;伪雄鱼后代中的遗传雌鱼更容易转化为伪雄鱼,增加养殖群体中生理雄鱼的数量.研究表明,通过家系选育可以筛选出雌性比例高、生长速度快的半滑舌鳎家系.     

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。     

半滑舌鳎亲鱼培育技术研究

2003—2006年进行了半滑舌鳎亲鱼培育试验。试验结果表明,半滑舌鳎雌鱼生长速度明显超过雄鱼;通过强化饵料营养和调控水温、光照等技术,亲鱼可自然产卵,产卵期27~32 d;雌亲鱼近3周龄时首次性腺成熟;产卵量、受精率和孵化率随亲鱼年龄的增长而提高;半滑舌鳎亲鱼在20℃以下时仍可产卵、受精,但受精卵不能孵出仔鱼。     

半滑舌鳎抗缪勒氏管激素(AMH)基因的克隆及组织表达分析

本研究克隆了半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)AMH基因并对其进行表达分析。该基因cDNA序列开放阅读框长为1 563 bp,编码蛋白含520个氨基酸。该蛋白含有TGF-β超家族的特征序列,包含1个AMH-N区域和TGF-β结构域,并在C端生物活性区含有9个保守的半胱氨酸残基。系统进化分析表明,半滑舌鳎AMH和所有鱼类AMH聚为一簇,与鲽形目相似性最高。实时定量结果表明,AMH基因在半滑舌鳎不同组织中有差异表达,在正常雄鱼和伪雄鱼性腺中表达量最高。胚后不同时期性腺的实时定量结果表明,性腺分化之前AMH在精巢中相对表达量较低,70 dph(days post hatching)达到最高峰,而在卵巢中呈现先升高后下降的趋势,预示AMH基因可能在半滑舌鳎性腺发育中起重要作用。较正常雄鱼后代而言,AMH基因在伪雄鱼后代的雄鱼和伪雄鱼性腺中的表达都有升高的趋势,而在雌鱼中无明显差异,也预示其可能参与半滑舌鳎的性反转过程。     

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).     

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.     

Influence of the antibacterial herbs, Solanum trilobatum, Andrographis paniculata and Psoralea corylifolia on the survival, growth and bacterial load of Penaeus monodon post larvae

The indiscriminate use of antibiotics and chemicals in shrimp hatcheries has led to biomagnification and that in turn could lead to rejection of a whole consignment. The application of the bioencapsulation technique as a tool for curative treatment in shrimp larvae was investigated. Herbs having antibacterial properties such as Solanum trilobatum, Andrographis paniculata and Psoralea corylifolia (methanolic extracts) were bioencapsulated in Artemia and fed to Penaeus monodon post larvae PL 1–25. The post larvae were reared in a medium inoculated with pathogenic bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi and Vibrio sp. Post larvae reared in the non-inoculated water and fed with non-enriched Artemia exhibited 90% survival, highest specific growth rate (12.43%) and reduced bacterial load. P. monodon reared in the bacterial inoculated water and fed with the non-enriched Artemia exhibited the lowest survival (10–30%), specific growth rate (8.42–9.1%) and increased bacterial load (2.86 × 10³ to 3.76 × 10⁵ cfu/g). The methanolic extracts of the herbs helped to increase survival and specific growth rate and reduced bacterial load in the P. monodon culture system. Among the three herbal extracts, P. corylifolia enriched Artemia fed post larvae showed the tendency to higher survival (>50%), growth rate (11.5 averaged) and low bacterial load (1.12 × 10⁵ cfu/g). This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.