黄鳝ghrelin基因的克隆及分子特征分析

Ghrelin是联系生殖和能量代谢的重要桥梁信号分子,通过克隆黄鳝(Monopterus albus)的ghrelin基因并对其基因结构和功能进行了初步分析;运用c DNA末端快速扩增技术获得了黄鳝ghrelin基因的c DNA序列和DNA序列全长。结果表明,黄鳝ghrelin基因c DNA全长552 bp(Gen Bank accession no.JX122807),包括115 bp的5'端非编码区、324 bp的完整开放阅读框以及113 bp的3'端非编码区;DNA序列全长1323 bp,由3个内含子和4个外显子构成,内含子剪切位点具有典型识别核苷酸GT/AG,3个内含子分别为594 bp、84 bp和93 bp,4个外显子长度分别为229 bp、78 bp、112 bp和133 bp。氨基酸序列分析显示,ghrelin基因推导的Ghrelin蛋白前体原(propreghrelin)序列由26 aa的信号肽、19 aa的成熟肽以及C端氨基酸残基等构成;其中,成熟肽第3位为丝氨酸(Ser3),是Ghrelin的酰基化位点;C端氨基酸残基序列极可能包括与Ghrelin成熟肽功能相互拮抗的肥胖抑制素(Obestatin)。氨基酸的同源性及进化关系分析表明,黄鳝与某些鲈形目鱼类的蛋白前体原存在高度相似性,且在进化上黄鳝与较高级的鲈形目、鲽形目鱼类聚为一支。ghrelin基因结构及其蛋白质某些氨基酸残基序列的高度保守,预示着Ghrelin在脊椎动物中有着重要的生理功能与类似的作用机制。     

克氏原螯虾自噬相关基因PcAtg2的克隆及其在白斑综合征病毒胁迫下的表达分析

为了解自噬相关基因Atg2在克氏原螯虾(Procambarus clarkia)先天免疫中的作用,本研究克隆了克氏原螯虾Atg2 (PcAtg2)基因全长序列。生物信息学分析显示,PcAtg2蛋白编码序列全长为9 966 bp,推测其编码2 189个氨基酸。组织定量表达分布显示,PcAtg2在克氏原螯虾的各个组织中均有表达,其中在肝胰腺中表达最高,在眼柄中表达最低。在白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)感染实验中,PcAtg2基因表达量在不同组织中均呈现显著上调趋势。RNA干扰(RNAi)实验显示,PcAtg2基因沉默后,WSSV在克氏原螯虾体内的增殖明显被抑制,同时,自噬相关基因的表达量上调。透射电镜分析结果显示,在WSSV感染后,PcAtg2基因沉默组中克氏原螯虾肝胰腺组织中的自噬小体多于对照组。本研究结果可为了解克氏原螯虾应对WSSV胁迫下的调控机制提供理论参考。     

克氏原螯虾白斑病毒株(WSSV-Cc)基因组的一个印迹

从自然感染、濒死的克氏原螯虾中分离出的白斑病毒株(Cambarus clarkii whispovirus,WSSV-Cc或Cc株)是一株基因组较小的新毒株。为寻找白斑病毒进化过程在基因组中留下的印迹,进行了显微和超微观察、基因组架构与系统发育分析及相关基因扩增等研究。选择Cc株74L、86L、87R、88R、92R和95R的6个基因,与8个白斑病毒株的同源基因所编码蛋白序列构建进化树,结果可分为克氏原螯虾病毒(Cc株、CN02株、Pc株)和海水对虾病毒(CN株、CN01株、CN03株、CN04株、TW株和KR株) 2支。再对不同毒株的同源蛋白进行多重序列比对,显示Cc-87R是与海水对虾病毒株同源蛋白差异显著、缺失跨膜区(TMD)及其相邻287 aa序列、但仍有完整PI3K_rbd结构域的病毒膜蛋白。进一步设计和使用87R-F/87R-R和238-F/87R-R两对引物,分别以淡水小龙虾病毒Cc株和海水对虾病毒CN株的基因组为模板进行核酸扩增,结果从Cc株模板中扩增到大小为709 bp,含Cc-87R全部序列的核酸片段;而从CN株的模板中却扩增到大小分别为1 600和4 810 bp,仅含Cc-87R部分序列的核酸片段,为Cc-87R是Cc株基因组中一个序列结构独特的印迹提供了实验证据。这一发现将有助于克氏原螯虾白斑病毒病原的检测及其流行趋势预警。     

三疣梭子蟹钙调蛋白基因的克隆及在蜕皮中的功能分析

基于转录组数据库信息,采用RACE技术克隆获得三疣梭子蟹(Portunus trituberculatus)钙调蛋白基因(PTCaM)。该基因cDNA全长1981 bp,包含450 bp的开放阅读框,编码149个氨基酸,预测分子量16.8 k D,理论等电点为4.09。对序列进行生物信息学分析发现,PTCaM是一个高度保守的序列,具有EF家族典型的EF-hand钙离子结合域。同源性分析结果表明,PTCaM基因编码的氨基酸与果蝇和中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)的Ca M氨基酸序列覆盖率高达100%,与凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)、克氏原螯虾(Procambarus clarkia)和仿刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)覆盖率高达99%。系统进化表明,PTCaM基因氨基酸序列与凡纳滨对虾、中华绒螯蟹和克氏原螯虾聚为一支。通过分析不同蜕皮时期各个组织中PTCaM的表达情况得知,该基因在蜕皮时期的各个组织中均出现差异性表达,并且差异显著,说明该基因参与蜕皮调控过程。     

红螯螯虾冷休克蛋白Y-box编码基因的克隆及表达分析

采用RT-PCR和RACE技术,从红螯螯虾(Cherax quadricarinatus)血细胞中分离到冷休克蛋白Y-box编码基因的cDNA序列。结果显示,冷休克蛋白Y-box编码基因的长度为1 733 bp,其中包括82 bp的5'非翻译区、676 bp的3'非翻译区和975 bp的编码序列,可编码324个氨基酸。理论相对分子质量和等电点分别为35 800和9.81。结构域分析和序列比对显示,红螯螯虾冷休克Y-box蛋白由3部分组成:富含丙氨酸或脯氨酸区域、冷休克结构域和带电荷区域,其中冷休克结构域高度保守。系统进化树分析表明,红螯螯虾冷休克Y-box蛋白与水蚤等节肢动物冷休克Y-box蛋白聚类,且三级结构非常相似。最适温度养殖条件下,冷休克蛋白Y-box的虾组织分布特异性研究表明,红螯螯虾神经组织的冷休克蛋白Y-box转录活性最强,而后依次为肝脏、血淋巴和鳃,在肠和心脏中也有活性,在肌肉组织中转录保持较低水平,揭示神经组织是重要的冷休克Y-box蛋白表达区。     

安徽省克氏原螯虾白斑综合征病毒缺失区序列分析

为了解安徽省克氏原螯虾(Procambarus clarkii)白斑综合征病毒(white spot syndrome virus,WSSV)缺失区ORF23/24和ORF14/15的遗传差异及其与世界各地WSSV的遗传进化关系,2016年4月—8月,在安徽省6个市采集了9个养殖克氏原螯虾样本进行WSSV套式PCR检测,扩增病毒缺失区ORF23/24和ORF14/15,将获得的序列进行比较分析。结果显示,9个样本均在第1轮PCR扩增中获得阳性结果,其ORF23/24区与中国台湾株(TW)比对,缺失5 892 bp或9 310 bp,其ORF14/15区与WSSV祖先株(TH-96-Ⅱ)比对,缺失5138 bp或5948 bp。其中8个样本中WSSV与2008至2010年在江苏的克氏原螯虾中检测到的一些毒株的ORF23/24和ORF14/15区缺失情况相同,且这些病毒ORF14/15区均缺失5 138 bp,与TW株缺失情况相同。     

虾青素对微囊藻毒素MC-LR胁迫下克氏原螯虾的生长、繁殖及免疫力的影响

本文目的旨在研究虾青素对微囊藻毒素MC-LR胁迫下(25μg/L)克氏原螯虾的免疫力及生长繁殖的影响。实验设计四个梯度的饲料中虾青素添加比例分别为(0、5、10、20 mg/g)养殖周期持续8星期。结果表明虾青素显著提高了克氏原螯虾肝脏中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和碱性磷酸(AKP)的活力(P0.05)。5g/kg虾青素的添加量即可对SOD酶活具有明显提升(P0.05);10 g/kg的虾青素添加量对AKP的提升最为明显(P0.05);研究还发现虾青素可显著提高微囊藻毒素MC-LR胁迫下克氏原螯虾的存活率和特定生长率(SGR)(P0.05),提高克氏原螯虾雌虾的抱卵量。研究表明虾青素作为一种抗氧化剂适宜于在克氏原螯虾饲料中添加,并且具有提高虾体免疫活力,缓解微囊藻毒素MC-LR对虾体氧化胁迫的作用。     

克氏原螯虾细胞色素c基因通过调节凋亡途径抑制WSSV感染

细胞凋亡是由一系列相关基因严格调控的细胞程序性死亡,在抵御病原入侵、维持机体内环境稳态等方面有着重要意义。其中细胞色素c从线粒体释放到细胞质中是凋亡开始的关键一步。本研究利用RACE技术首次克隆获得了克氏原螯虾(Procambarus clarkii)细胞色素c基因(PcCytc),全长为897 bp,包括163 bp的5′-UTR、419 bp的3′-UTR和315 bp的开放阅读框,编码104个氨基酸。定量PCR检测结果显示,PcCytc基因在克氏原螯虾的各组织中均有表达,其中在鳃、肠道和肌肉中表达高,在胃中表达最低。WSSV感染实验显示,在病毒感染后PcCytc在肝胰腺、肠道和肌肉组织中的表达水平均出现上调,并在24 h达最高值,约是此时PBS组表达量的2.65、2.07和2.20倍,均存在极显著性差异(P<0.01)。PcCytc基因干扰后,克氏原螯虾体内WSSV病毒拷贝数显著增加(P<0.05),表明PcCytc能够抑制WSSV在克氏原螯虾体内的复制,延迟感染;同时,凋亡相关基因bcl-2、bax和caspase-3的表达均发生显著上调或下调(P<0.05)。本研究表明,PcCytc可通过调节凋亡途径抑制WSSV感染,为克氏原螯虾对WSSV感染的免疫反应提供了新的见解。     

基于线粒体Cytb和COⅠ基因的洞庭湖区养殖克氏原螯虾遗传多样性分析

为了解洞庭湖区养殖克氏原螯虾的遗传多样性，从线粒体Cytb和COⅠ基因入手，经基因组DNA提取、PCR扩增、序列测定和拼接，比较分析了岳阳华容县和益阳南县2处主养殖区内共11个采集点的克氏原螯虾遗传结构。试验结果显示，在华容县的6个采集点中，基于Cytb基因的克氏原螯虾的单倍型多样性指数为0.506,核苷酸多样性指数为0.272 65;基于COⅠ基因的克氏原螯虾的单倍型多样性指数为0.258,核苷酸多样性指数为0.136 1。在南县的5个采集点中，基于Cytb基因的克氏原螯虾的单倍型多样性指数为0.467,核苷酸多样性指数为0.259 74;基于COⅠ基因的克氏原螯虾的单倍型多样性指数为0.244,核苷酸多样性指数为0.122 3。单倍型系统进化树和遗传距离分析表明，11个采集点的克氏原螯虾呈现交叉分布，遗传分化不显著。结果表明，洞庭湖区养殖克氏原螯虾近亲交配严重，遗传多样性低。     

虾夷扇贝肌动蛋白基因cDNA序列克隆与分析

采用RT-PCR和RACE法从虾夷扇贝闭壳肌中分离和克隆了肌动蛋白基因cDNA全长序列.肌动蛋白基因cDNA全长1775 bp(不包括poly A),5′端非编码区94 bp,3′端非翻译区551 bp,阅读框1131 bp,编码376个氨基酸.在基因组DNA中,该基因被一个内含子分为两段,内含子位于第42和第43个氨基酸之间,长度为2041 bp.系统发育分析显示该肌动蛋白属于α类型.     

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.