红色荧光蛋白基因在转基因唐鱼中遗传和表达的稳定性分析

为了评估转红色荧光蛋白(red fluorescent protein,RFP)基因唐鱼新品系的稳定性,研究了RFP基因在不同世代转基因唐鱼中的遗传和表达情况。荧光显微镜下观察显示,RFP基因在F6和F10代所检测的组织器官中均有表达,并且两个世代间相同组织部位的表达水平相似。F6和F10代个体分别配对繁殖实验表明,RFP基因在转基因唐鱼后代中的遗传仍然符合孟德尔分离规律,而且培育出的转基因个体表型特征无显著差异。利用PCR技术在F2、F6和F10代转基因唐鱼基因组中扩增外源性肌球蛋白轻链2启动子、RFP基因编码区和整合位点上下游侧翼区域(片段总长度为4 883 bp),测序结果显示,3个世代间的外源基因序列完全相同,没有发生碱基缺失或突变等现象。研究表明,红色荧光蛋白基因在转基因唐鱼传代培育过程中保持了稳定的遗传和表达。     

草鱼呼肠孤病毒衣壳蛋白靶向灭活转基因P0的构建

为探索草鱼出血病防治新技术,实验采用衣壳蛋白靶向灭活(capsid-targeted viral inactivation,CTVI)策略,利用Tgf2转座子元件,构建了带爪蟾EF1α或鲤热休克蛋白70两种不同启动子的CTVI转基因质粒p Tgf2-EF1α-VP3-SN或p Tgf2-Hsp70-VP3-SN。该2种质粒均包含GCRV衣壳蛋白VP3与金黄色葡萄球菌核酸酶(Staphylococcus aureus nuclease,SN)融合表达阅读框。通过将2种CTVI转基因质粒与体外合成的Tgf2转座酶5'加帽mRNA共同显微注射入草鱼1~2细胞期受精卵,获得了带2种不同启动子的CTVI转基因草鱼群体。PCR和测序结果显示,2种转基因阳性草鱼基因组中均含有外源GCRV衣壳蛋白VP3与SN基因片段,阳性率分别为40.2%和37.0%,表明Tgf2转座子已成功介导CTVI融合表达基因整合到草鱼基因组中。本实验共获得了120尾P0CTVI转基因个体,为将来构建抗出血病草鱼新品系奠定了基础材料。     

斑马鱼Mylz2启动子的克隆与转绿色荧光蛋白基因鱼的构建

为获得能在肌肉表达绿色荧光蛋白的转基因斑马鱼(Brachydaniorerio),采用PCR方法,从斑马鱼基因组DNA中分离了肌球蛋白轻链2启动子,序列分析表明,该启动子与国外文献报道的斑马鱼肌球蛋白轻链2启动子序列的相似性为98.6%。将改造后的启动子插入绿色荧光蛋白基因载体,构建成肌肉特异性表达载体。通过显微注射,将线性化的表达载体注入斑马鱼的受精卵,获得了转绿色荧光蛋白基因的斑马鱼。绿色荧光蛋白在胚胎期开始表达,随着鱼体的生长表达量有增加的趋势,成鱼在紫外灯下用肉眼即可观察到绿色荧光。转基因鱼绿色荧光蛋白的表达具有明显的肌肉特异性。本研究为下一步特定基因的表达研究和获得有特色的转基因观赏鱼奠定了基础。     

两种斑马鱼的人工繁殖实验

将野生型和红色斑马鱼经过产前培育待性腺发育成熟后,雌雄配对自然产卵,平均每尾雌鱼产卵150~250粒,在水温(28±0.5)℃时经过38.5 h孵化出无色透明仔鱼,以草履虫、轮虫、甲鱼饵料投喂仔鱼,经过三个月后培育出体长1.5~2.5 cm的两种幼鱼176尾。     

唐鱼β-肌动蛋白基因启动子的分离及其驱动活性的检测

利用PCR技术克隆唐鱼（Tanichthys albonubes）β-actin基因。所克隆的β-aetin基因片段为1464bp,包含长为1374bp的启动调控区和90bp的部分开放阅读框。启动调控区包括105bp的β-actin基因上游调控序列、第一个外显子和第一个内含子。上游调控序列中含有对转录起重要作用的CAAT Box、TATA Box、CArG Box等元件。将唐鱼β-actin启动调控区克隆到红色荧光表达载体pDsRed2-1上,并显微注射到唐鱼受精卵中,荧光显微镜观察红色荧光蛋白（RFP）的表达。结果表明,RFP在转基因唐鱼中的表达阳性率较高,最高可达51．8％,且RFP的表达水平较高。PCR检测转基因唐鱼的部分器官组织,在被检组织器官中均能检测到外源RFP基因;而RT-PCR以及Southern blot验证显示RFP mRNA的表达有所不同;Southern blot检测肌肉组织基因组DNA,可见比阳性载体大的杂交条带。说明所检测的组织中已发生外源基因RFP的整合,但有些组织存在表达水平较低或者不表达的现象。本实验分离到的β-actin基因启动子序列具有有效的驱动功能,可启动外源基因在唐鱼体内的高效表达,从而为下一步进行功能基因的转化研究奠定基础。     

珠江水产研究所转基因唐鱼研究又获新进展

珠江所继转红色荧光蛋白基因唐鱼获得成功之后，最近在转生长激素基因唐鱼的研究中又获得可喜的进展——转基因实验组中出现了超大型的唐鱼个体。     

转基因唐鱼研究获新进展

中国水产科学研究院珠江水产研究所继转红色荧光蛋白基因唐鱼获得成功之后,最近在转生长激素基因唐鱼的研究中又获得可喜的进展——转基因实验组中出现了超大型的唐鱼个体。     

转基因超级鲤及子代的生长研究

用大麻哈鱼生长激素基因作转基因材料，获得了一批转基因鲤鱼和1尾“超级鲤”鱼。经分子检测证实外源基因整合到了受体鱼的基因组中并在体内表达出外源生长激素。连续多年的池塘生长实验表明，转基因鲤鱼的快速生长效应比正常鲤鱼明显，在试验鱼群体中最大个体体重比对照组群体中最大个体体重，分别提高了52．5％，46．0％，76．0％，而且由性成熟的超级转基因鲤鱼繁殖的F1代和F2代鱼，仍表现出快速生长的特性。     

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.