真蛸热休克蛋白90基因(HSP90)的克隆及表达

为深入了解真蛸热应激响应机制,实验以真蛸的应激蛋白为研究对象,借助同源扩增和cDNA末端快速扩增(rapid amplification of cDNA ends,RACE)技术获得真蛸热休克蛋白90(HSP90)的cDNA全序列(2 709 bp),它包含119 bp的5’非编码区(untranslated regions,UTR)、454 bp的3’UTR和2 136 bp的开放阅读框(opening reading frame,ORF),ORF共编码711个氨基酸,推算其分子量为81.5 ku,理论等电点为5.09。同源分析显示,所推导的氨基酸序列高度保守,并且含有HSP90家族特有的5个保守信号序列区域。实时荧光定量PCR分析表明,该基因在所有选取的组织中均有表达,肝组织中表达量最高。     

三角帆蚌钙网蛋白基因cDNA的分子特征与表达分析

为研究淡水珍珠形成相关基因及调控机理,以三角帆蚌为研究对象,借助cDNA末端快速扩增(RACE)技术获得了三角帆蚌的钙网蛋白基因(calreticulin,HcCRT) cDNA序列,该序列长1 437 bp,包含231 bp的5'非编码区(untranslated region,UTR)和615 bp 3'UTR以及591bp的开放阅读框(ORF),共编码196个氨基酸残基,包含一段由21个氨基酸组成的信号肽和一段由175个氨基酸的成熟肽,分子量约为22.4 ku,理论等电点5.01.氨基酸序列分析表明,该序列不存在跨膜结构,疏水性分析显示该蛋白整体为亲水性蛋白.氨基酸列比对分析显示,HcCRT具有保守的钙网蛋白家族结构,具有2个保守的钙网蛋白家族标签序列:KHEQNIDCGGGYLKVF和IMFGPDICG,与其他已知物种的CRT具有较高保守性,其中与斑马鱼的相似度为77％,与长牡蛎和马氏珠母贝的相似度为70％.对三角帆蚌HcCRT蛋白序列的二级结构和三级结构进行预测分析,显示该蛋白同时含螺旋和折叠.实时荧光定量PCR分析结果显示,HcCRT在外套膜、血液、鳃、斧足、肝脏、肾脏、肠和闭壳肌等8个组织中均有表达,其中在外套膜中表达量最高,血液次之,在其他组织的表达量极少.初步推测HcCRT参与了三角帆蚌珍珠形成的生物矿化过程.     

军曹鱼MHC-Ⅰα基因全长cDNA的克隆及其组织表达分析

采用同源克隆和末端快速扩增（RACE）方法,得到1330bp的军曹鱼（Rachycentroncanadum）MHC-Ⅰα全长cDNA片段。该序列包括76bp的5’末端非编码区（UTR）,189bp的3’UTR及1065bp的开放阅读框（ORF）,编码354个氨基酸,预测其蛋白质分子量约40．10kDa,等电点5．70。构建MHC-Ⅰα氨基酸序列的系统进化树并进行氨基酸相似性比对,结果表明,军曹鱼和已知鱼类及人类（Homosapiens）MHC-Ⅰα氨基酸的同源性在27．9％～67．1％之间。所推测的蛋白序列具有一些重要特征,包括前导肽、α1、α2、α3区、CP／TM／CYT区和保守的半胱氨酸等。Real—timePCR检测结果显示,MHC-Ⅰα基因在各个正常军曹鱼组织中均表达,但表达量各有不同,其中较强的表达于头肾;中等程度表达于鳃、脾和肠;在心、脑和肌肉中表达较弱。     

大珠母贝（Pinctada maxima）金属硫蛋白cDNA克隆与序列特征分析

金属硫蛋白（Metallothionein,MT）是一类普遍存在于生物体内、分子量低、半胱氨酸含量丰富、能够与二价重金属离子结合的蛋白质。MT在清除自由基、解除重金属毒性、参与体内微量元素代谢、防止细胞癌变等方面具有重要作用。本研究通过构建大珠母贝外套膜全长cDNA文库,首次克隆得到大珠母贝金属硫蛋白（PmMT）全长cDNA序列。该序列全长599bp,5’UTR（Untranslated Region）为75bp,3’UTR为296bp,开放阅读框（Open Reading Frame,ORF）为228bp,编码75个氨基酸。编码的氨基酸中半胱氨酸含量丰富,达到29．3％;赖氨酸和甘氨酸含量也较高,均为9．3％;不含苯丙氨酸、组氨酸、色氨酸、酪氨酸等芳香族氨基酸;含有软体动物等无脊椎动物金属硫蛋白的特征序列。序列特征分析表明,该序列具备金属硫蛋白的典型特征,是金属硫蛋白家族成员。     

中华鲟热休克蛋白hsp30基因cDNA的克隆及其在高温胁迫下的表达分析

实验克隆了中华鲟(Acipenser sinensis)热休克蛋白hsp30基因cDNA的全长、分析了其分子结构与特征,并研究了其在高温胁迫下的表达水平。结果显示,中华鲟hsp30基因cDNA序列全长为1 037 bp,其中开放阅读框(ORF)636 bp,5′端非编码区(5′UTR)38 bp,3′端非编码区(3′UTR)363 bp,共编码211个氨基酸。氨基酸多序列比对发现含有一个保守的α晶状体结构;系统进化分析显示,中华鲟HSP30与鱼类HSP30聚为一支,与小体鲟HSP30氨基酸序列相似性最高,为79%。荧光定量PCR结果表明,中华鲟hsp30基因在皮肤中的表达量最高,肝脏次之,在肠中的表达量最低。高温胁迫后,心脏、脾脏、肾脏和皮肤中hsp30基因表达量均显著增加,表明这些器官在中华鲟应对高温胁迫中可能起着重要作用。     

仿刺参纤维胶凝蛋白基因的分子特征及表达分析

纤维胶凝蛋白是非特异性免疫系统中的重要分子。通过转录组测序及cDNA末端快速克隆技术得到一条仿刺参纤维胶凝蛋白基因的全长cDNA序列,并将其编码的蛋白命名为仿刺参纤维胶凝蛋白-1。获得的基因cDNA全长为1951bp,其中5′-末端非翻译区为397bp,3′-末端非翻译区为666bp,开放阅读框为888bp,编码295个氨基酸,N端16个氨基酸为信号肽,信号肽后面有两个G-X-Y重复序列,C端为纤维蛋白素原结构域。采用实时荧光定量PCR方法分析了仿刺参纤维胶凝蛋白-1基因在仿刺参幼参不同组织及细菌脂多糖刺激后的时序表达规律,结果显示仿刺参纤维胶凝蛋白-1基因在仿刺参的肠道、呼吸树、体腔细胞和体壁均有表达,且肠道的表达量最高;脂多糖刺激后,4种组织的仿刺参纤维胶凝蛋白-1基因表达量均有变化,且以肠道和体壁表达量的变化最为显著;此外,仿刺参纤维胶凝蛋白-1基因在仿刺参4种组织中的表达量变化具有不同的时序性,表明仿刺参纤维胶凝蛋白-1可能在仿刺参免疫应答中起重要作用。     

企鹅珍珠贝组织蛋白酶D的cDNA克隆、序列特征分析和应激表达研究

笔者初步研究了企鹅珍珠贝（Pteria penguin）组织蛋白酶D（cathepsin D,CTSD）的基因克隆和功能,通过同源克隆方法和cDNA末端快速扩增技术（RACE）获得了企鹅珍珠贝组织蛋白酶D基因（命名为pgCTSD）。该基因cDNA全长1 767 bp,其中5＇UTR为38 bp,3＇UTR为553 bp,ORF为1 176 bp,编码392个氨基酸,包括信号肽（Met1-Ala18）、前体域（Leu19-Lys47）和成熟域（Tyr48-Ser392）三部分,分子量为42.3 kDa,等电点为8.04。pgCTSD氨基酸序列与大珠母贝（Pinctada maxima）pmCTSD的相似性最高（79%）,与其他物种的相似性为59%～75%。荧光定量分析表明,空白对照组中pgCTSD mRNA在闭壳肌、性腺、肝胰脏、外套膜和鳃组织中都有表达,且在闭壳肌中表达量最少,肝胰脏中最高。与试验对照组相比,脂多糖（LPS）刺激6 h后性腺和肝胰脏显著下降,闭壳肌的表达量虽不大但增加显著,外套膜和鳃组织变化不显著;哈维弧菌（Vibrio harveyi）刺激6 h后肝胰腺和外套膜显著下降,闭壳肌和鳃显著上升,性腺无显著变化。肝胰腺中pgCTSD对LPS和弧菌刺激的应答反应表明pgCTSD可能参与了免疫反应。     

中国对虾甘氨酸脱羧酶的基因克隆、表达及其与抗WSSV的关联分析

本研究采用RACE技术克隆获得中国对虾(Fenneropenaeuschinensis)甘氨酸脱羧酶基因(Fc GLDC)的全长cDNA及DNA序列,并对其进行生物信息学分析。结果显示,FcGLDC基因的cDNA全长为3481 bp,其中,ORF为2829 bp,5￠UTR长17 bp,3￠UTR长86 bp。完整的阅读框编码942个氨基酸,分子量为104.66 kDa,预测的理论等电点为6.51。FcGLDC基因DNA序列全长共4964bp,包含12个外显子和11个内含子。同源性及系统进化分析显示,FcGLDC基因与节肢动物的GLDC基因聚为一类;氨基酸序列比对发现,Fc GLDC基因的蛋白序列与节肢动物的相似度最高,与内华达白蚁(Zootermopsis nevadensis)、体虱(Pediculus humanus corporis)和白纹伊蚊(Aedes albopictus)的相似度分别为71%、68%和68%。在鳃、肝胰腺和肌肉中的荧光定量PCR结果显示,FcGLDC在肌肉中的相对表达量最高,鳃中最低。WSSV感染后,该基因在鳃、肝胰腺和肌肉中呈现出了不同的时空表达特点。使用直接测序法结合质谱法,在该基因内部发现4个SNP位点,但是各位点与抗WSSV性状均不相关(P0.05)。本研究表明,FcGLDC基因在对虾感染WSSV后的应答反应中或起一定作用。     

圆斑星鲽促性腺激素释放激素基因克隆及表达特性

采用RACE技术,在圆斑星鲽(Verasper variegatus)脑中克隆到3种GnRH基因的cDNA序列: cGnRH-Ⅱ、sGnRH和sbGnRH.每种GnRH都包括1个信号肽、1个Gly-Lys-Arg连接序列和1个GnRH相关肽.其中, cGnRH-Ⅱ的cDNA全长为568 bp,编码85个氨基酸, ORF为255 bp,5′UTR为141 bp,3′UTR为169 bp.sGnRH的cDNA全长为457 bp,编码90个氨基酸, ORF为270 bp,5′UTR为41 bp,3′UTR为143 bp.sbGnRH的cDNA全长为381 bp,编码98个氨基酸, ORF为294 bp,5′UTR为48 bp,3′UTR为36 bp.分析了3种GnRH基因的编码氨基酸序列与其他脊椎动物的同源性,圆斑星鲽 GnRH 与鲽形目鱼类氨基酸同源性最高,其次为鲈形目鱼类.对3种 GnRH 基因的系统进化分析表明,圆斑星鲽 GnRH 基因与其他鲽形目鱼类亲缘关系最近,其次为鲈形目、鲑形目和鳗鲡目鱼类.荧光定量PCR分析表明,3种GnRH基因都在脑中表现出最高表达水平且具有性别特异性表达模式:雌性中不同组织的 GnRH mRNA 表达水平都相应高于雄性.组织表达分析表明, cGnRH-Ⅱ的 mRNA 仅在脑中表达,而sbGnRH在各个组织都有表达, sGnRH仅在脑、垂体和性腺中表达.脑中sbGnRH mRNA的表达水平在卵巢成熟过程中变化显著(P<0.05),而其他两种GnRH的mRNA表达水平变化不显著(P>0.05).本研究首次在圆斑星鲽脑中克隆到3种GnRH基因,其组织和季节表达水平变化表明sbGnRH可能是圆斑星鲽生殖调控的关键GnRH类型,本结果可为圆斑星鲽生殖调控机制和人工繁育技术研究提供理论支撑.     

团头鲂铁蛋白基因的克隆及其在嗜水气单胞菌感染下的表达

利用cDNA末端快速扩增法(RACE)克隆团头鲂Megalobrama amblycephala铁蛋白基因c DNA全长序列;同时研究经嗜水气单胞菌Aeromonas hydrophila攻毒后团头鲂肝组织中铁蛋白表达的变化,了解铁蛋白基因在团头鲂免疫应答中的作用。结果表明:团头鲂铁蛋白c DNA全长序列包括150bp的5’末端序列(untranslated region,UTR),270bp的3’UTR,以及522bp编码174个氨基酸的开放阅读框(open reading frame,ORF)。这些氨基酸序列同其他鱼类铁蛋白M链氨基酸序列同源性较高。团头鲂铁蛋白基因在5’非编码区核甘酸序列124~154的位置有个特殊的结构,即铁反应元件(iron response element,IRE)。荧光定量PCR分析表明:铁蛋白基因在团头鲂肌肉、心脏、鳃、肝胰脏、脑和肾脏等组织器官中都有表达,在肝胰脏的表达量最高,脑组织表达量最低。经嗜水气单胞菌急性感染后,团头鲂肝胰脏组织中铁蛋白基因表达量显著上调。上述结果表明:团头鲂铁蛋白M亚基在团头鲂免疫应答过程中起重要作用。     

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.