实时定量PCR技术及其在水生动物研究中的应用

多聚酶链反应(PCR)研究与应用的飞速发展使其成为分子生物学实验室重要的工具,实时定量PCR(Real-time quantitative PCR)技术是20世纪90年代中期发展起来的一种新型核酸定量技术,该技术以其特异性强、灵敏度高、速度快、污染少等优点,促进了PCR技术的发展.实时定量PCR技术在水生动物研究中有着广泛的应用,目前主要集中在病原体检测、定量分析以及基因表达差异等方面.本文对实时定量PCR技术的原理、特点及5种主要的荧光化学作一介绍,对其目前在水生动物研究中的应用进行了概述,并探讨了该技术存在的问题和应用前景.     

三角帆蚌不同蚌龄外套膜细胞的增殖能力及其矿化功能

研究了淡水珍珠贝——三角帆蚌(Hyriopsis cumingii)在不同蚌龄下外套膜组织的细胞增殖及生物矿化相关因子活性。选择5组不同蚌龄三角帆蚌(0.5龄、1龄、2龄、3龄、4龄),通过流式细胞技术分析了外套膜细胞的增殖指数(proliferation index,PrI)和胞内Ca~(2+)浓度,并应用实时荧光定量PCR检测了与生物矿化相关的碳酸酐酶(carbonic anhydrase, CA)、碱性磷酸酶(alkaline phosphatase, ALP)基因的表达并测定其酶活性。结果表明, 2龄蚌的外套膜细胞PrI及胞内Ca~(2+)浓度显著高于其他蚌龄(P0.05);生物矿化相关基因在不同蚌龄的外套膜组织中表达量不同, 1龄三角帆蚌CA基因表达量和CA酶活性最高(P0.05), ALP基因表达量和ALP酶活在0.5龄三角帆蚌中显著高于其他蚌龄(P0.05)。本研究旨为深入探讨三角帆蚌外套膜细胞增殖能力及人工育珠过程中供体蚌的选择奠定基础。     

重组酶快速检测十足目虹彩病毒1方法的建立

为建立十足目虹彩病毒1的快速检测方法,根据十足目虹彩病毒1的ATP酶基因(ORF114R)保守序列设计特异性引物,通过条件优化,建立基于重组酶聚合酶扩增技术的十足目虹彩病毒1检测方法.重组酶聚合酶扩增技术的最优扩增温度为30℃,恒温反应20 min内即可完成.特异性试验结果显示,该方法与其他常见虾类感染病毒无交叉反应....     

紫贻贝SOD和POD同工酶的组织特异性研究

用聚丙烯酰胺垂直电泳对紫贻贝的鳃、性腺、外套膜、足、闭壳肌等5种组织的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化物酶(POD)进行了检测分析。结果表明,SOD在各组织器官中均表达,共表现为5条酶带,酶带a和b在上述五种组织中均出现,酶带c在除鳃以外的其他4个组织中有表达,酶带d则在除外套膜以外的4个组织中表达,酶带e仅在性腺中存在,所有上述酶带在性腺和鳃中活性相对较强;POD在不同组织中表达各不相同,酶带a仅在外套膜中存在,酶带b存在于除外套膜外的4个组织中,酶带c在性腺、闭壳肌和外套膜中表达。从检测结果来看,SOD和POD在紫贻贝体内的表达有一定的组织特异性,这种特异性不仅与各组织的不同生理分工相关,而且也与机体对自身基因表达进行调控相联系。     

Cd胁迫对泥蚶Cd积累及相关生理代谢的影响

为了探讨镉(Cd)胁迫对泥蚶(Tegillarca granosa)体内重金属 Cd 含量积累、相关酶活力变化及基因表达水平的影响, 本研究将泥蚶暴露于 Cd 质量浓度为 0 mg/L、0.05 mg/L、0.1 mg/L、0.5 mg/L 的海水中, 对其软体部 Cd 含量, 超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和三磷酸腺苷酶(ATP)的酶活力, 丙二醛(MDA)含量以及 ATP 结合盒转运子 A 家族(ABCA3)、 金属硫蛋白(MT)、ATP 合酶(ATP)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)基因表达等指标的变化进行分析。结果显示, Cd 胁迫后泥蚶软体部 Cd 含量明显增加, 呈现明显的时间–剂量效应；Cd 胁迫后 0.05 mg/L 和 0.1 mg/L 质量浓度组中鳃和外套膜 Cd 含量显著高于其他组织(P＜0.05), 0.5 mg/L 组内脏团 Cd 含量最高。Cd 胁迫后泥蚶内脏团中 SOD 酶和 ATP 酶活力及 MDA 含量前期呈上升趋势, 后期呈现下降趋势, 且均高于对照组。Cd 胁迫后 ABCA3、SOD、MT 基因表达上调, ATP 合酶基因的表达与对照组相比没有显著变化。胁迫后泥蚶软体部 Cd 大量增加, 诱导机体产生氧化应激反应, 泥蚶通过调整自身酶活力和相关基因表达水平的变化, 减少 Cd 胁迫产生的氧自由基对自身的毒害作用。     

厚壳贻贝SOD和POD同工酶的组织特异性研究

采用聚丙烯酰胺垂直电泳对厚壳贻贝的鳃、性腺、外套膜、足、闭壳肌等5种组织的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化物酶(POD)进行了检测分析。SOD共检测出6条酶带,其中酶a在5种组织中都得到较强表达;酶b只在鳃中有表达,且活性高;酶c和d在鳃以外的4个组织中有表达,在足和外套膜中的表达活性低于闭壳肌和性腺;酶e在鳃、足、闭壳肌中有较强表达;酶f只在闭壳肌、性腺中有微弱表达。POD共检测到3条酶带;其中,酶a只在鳃中有表达;酶b在5种组织中都有表达;酶c只在足和性腺中有表达,该酶除在足中表达较弱外,在其它组织中都有较高的浓度。从检测结果来看,SOD和POD在厚壳贻贝体内的表达有一定的组织特异性,这种特异性不仅与各组织的不同生理分工相关,而且也与机体对自身基因表达进行调控相联系。     

鲤耐低温候选基因CcSCD全长cDNA的克隆及功能预测

硬酯酰辅酶A脱氢酶(Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase,SCD)是参与脂肪酸脱氢反应的限速酶和关键酶,此酶编码基因SCD对增加膜磷脂的不饱和脂肪酸成分,提高细胞膜在低温下的流动性发挥重要作用,可能是抗寒过程中的关键基因成员。本研究采用cDNA末端快速扩增技术(Rapid Amplifications of cDNAEnds,RACE)克隆了鲤(Cyprinus carpio)脑组织CcSCD基因的全长cDNA序列,采用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测该基因在低温(6℃)和常温(23℃)条件下的转录表达差异,对其蛋白编码序列的结构和功能进行了预测分析。结果显示,CcSCD基因cDNA全长2618bp,包含一个由324个氨基酸残基组成的长度为975bp的阅读框(ORF);蛋白分子进化树显示鲤的SCD和草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idella)的SCD蛋白同源性最高,相似性达88%;实时荧光定量结果表明,低温刺激下(6℃),CcSCD基因表达水平是常温条件下(23℃)的13.9倍,差异非常显著(P0.01)。本研究旨在为今后构建表达载体,通过遗传操作等研究手段鉴定其抗寒功能奠定基础。     

坛紫菜色素突变体色素基因的表达定量分析

以野生型和6种不同色泽的坛紫菜色素突变体为材料,通过实时荧光定量PCR技术分析了4种主要色素基因(Cpeα、Cpcα、Apcβ、Chl.a)在不同色泽突变体不同生长期(初期、盛期、末期)的相对表达水平。结果表明在不同色泽不同生长期的坛紫菜色素突变体中,各色素基因表达水平由高到低均为Apcβ>Cpcα>Chl.a>Cpeα,且Cpeα基因的表达水平最不稳定,会随着生长过程发生显著变化,而Cpcα、Apcβ和Chl.a基因表达水平则相对稳定;此外,对色素突变体和野生型藻体中色素基因表达水平和相应色素蛋白含量的线性相关回归分析结果表明二者间没有相关性,即各色素基因的表达水平与藻体最终显示的颜色无关,由此推测坛紫菜色素突变的可能机制是色素蛋白合成过程中一些相关调控基因突变所致。     

皱纹盘鲍脯氨酰内肽酶的分离纯化及性质

脯氨酰内肽酶(Prolyl Endopeptidase,PEP)广泛分布在动植物和微生物体内,参与细胞生长和代谢调控。PEP在哺乳动物生殖器官的生长发育过程中起着重要作用,但贝类PEP与性腺发育是否有关尚未有相关报道。本研究以皱纹盘鲍为对象,采用荧光定量PCR技术(qRT-PCR)在性腺检测到有最高的基因表达量和较高的酶活性。通过硫酸铵分级沉淀和连续柱层析,从皱纹盘鲍性腺中分离纯化得到分子量约为82 ku,等电点约为5.5的PEP,其最适温度和最适pH分别为25 °C和6.0,在15~25 °C和pH 5~8能够保持较高的酶活性。利用LC/MS/MS分析纯化蛋白,得到182个氨基酸残基,与皱纹盘鲍脯氨酰内肽酶一致。圆二色谱分析显示,温度对PEP二级结构有较大的影响,拟合热变性温度为51.4±0.2 °C。为了进一步探究PEP在鲍鱼性腺发育过程中的作用,对不同发育时期(生长初期、前期、中期和后期)的雌雄鲍鱼,采用免疫印迹(Western Blot)和qRT-PCR分析性腺中PEP的蛋白和基因表达水平。结果表明,PEP在雄性和雌性性腺的各个时期均能被检测到,在雄性性腺的成熟中期和雌性性腺的成熟后期表达量最高。PEP在鲍鱼性腺不同发育时期时表达量的差异表明其可能参与到性腺发育的过程。     

浒苔中MnSOD和CAT基因克隆和表达分析

实验以大型绿藻浒苔为材料,克隆了其抗氧化系统关键酶锰超氧化物歧化酶(manganese superoxide dismutase,Mn SOD)和过氧化氢酶(catalase,CAT)基因的部分片段,利用荧光定量PCR技术研究了Mn SOD和CAT对温度和水杨酸作用的响应规律。结果获得浒苔318 bp的Mn SOD基因,该Mn SOD推测的氨基酸序列与裂片石莼Mn SOD相似性最高为89%;获得了229 bp的CAT基因,该浒苔CAT编码氨基酸序列与裂片石莼和雨生红球藻CAT序列相似性分别为99%和93%。在利用M n SOD和CAT氨基酸序列构建的系统树中,浒苔均先与裂片石莼聚类,再与其他绿藻聚在一起。不同温度对浒苔Mn SOD和CAT基因表达影响表明,35℃高温培养对浒苔Mn SOD和CAT基因表达影响最显著,其表达量分别为25℃培养的2.18倍和2.05倍;5℃低温培养次之;而15℃与25℃培养对M n SOD和CAT基因表达影响差异不显著(P0.05)。在高温35℃下,添加0.1 mmol/L水杨酸后Mn SOD和CAT基因表达量分别为各自对照的2.08倍和5.30倍,而0.01 mmol/L水杨酸添加后基因表达与对照差异不显著(P0.05)。研究表明,Mn SOD和CAT基因表达的增强不仅是浒苔对高温胁迫的响应,而且也是水杨酸缓解高温对浒苔不利影响的方式之一。     

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.