中间球海胆Y-box基因分子特性和表达分析

为获得Y-box蛋白在中间球海胆的生物学功能,实验克隆了中间球海胆Y-box基因的全长cDNA,并进行了定量表达模式分析.Y-box基因全长cDNA为2 425 bp,该序列具有一个81 bp的5’非编码区,1 348 bp 3’非编码区,ORF为996 bp,cDNA编码331个氨基酸的前体蛋白,预测蛋白分子质量为37.4 ku,理论等电点是8.55,属于亲水性蛋白.中间球海胆Y-box前体蛋白的氨基酸序列包含3个结构域:氨基酸N末端,亲水结构域C末端和冷休克结构域(cold shock domain CSD),其中CSD区为Y-box蛋白家族中保守结构域.海胆Y-box蛋白质二级结构中无规则卷曲占88.22％,延伸链占9.97％,α-螺旋1.98％,无β-折叠.氨基酸序列与其他物种氨基酸序列的同源性为22.37％～41.26％,在保守结构域CSD区同源性达到75％以上.实时定量PCR检测,Y-box基因在中间球海胆体腔液、管足、围口膜、雄性性腺、雌性性腺、肌肉和肠7个不同组织中均有表达,但差异不显著.温度胁迫下,中间球海胆Y-box基因的表达均表现为下调,并且随着温度的升高,Y-box基因的表达量呈现逐渐下降的趋势.     

中国大鲵Cyp51基因特征与性腺表达分析

采用RT-PCR法从大鲵( Andrias davidianus )性腺中分离获得 Cyp51 基因全长cDNA 1 975 bp, 5′端非编码区135 bp, 3′端非编码区331 bp,开放阅读框( ORF)1 509 bp,编码503氨基酸。生物信息学分析显示, Cyp51 基因编码蛋白的二级结构含有50.20%的α-螺旋,9.96%的延伸链,3.59%的β-转角,36.25%的无规则卷曲。系统进化树显示,大鲵与两栖类中的热带爪蟾和非洲爪蟾同源性最高,与其它物种也有较高的同源性。qRT-PCR分析结果显示, Cyp51 基因在卵巢、肝、肾等组织表达水平显著性高于其它各组织;性腺发育不同时期表达结果显示, Cyp51 基因在1-5Y卵巢中表达显著性高于精巢,在6Y时无显著性差异;在雌性与伪雌性性腺中表达水平显著高于雄性及伪雄性性腺。结果表明 Cyp51 基因对大鲵的性腺分化,尤其是卵巢发育有着重要作用。     

草鱼APN基因的克隆及表达特征

氨肽酶N(APN)是肽酶M1家族的成员之一,在蛋白质的消化中发挥重要作用。采用同源克隆和RACE技术首次克隆草鱼APN基因的全长cDNA序列。该cDNA全长为3258bp,包含27bp的5UTR序列,552bp的3UTR序列,2679bp开放阅读框,编码892个氨基酸;草鱼与斑马鱼基因同源性和编码氨基酸同源性分别为81.5%和75.4%,与其他动物同源性分别为58.8%～61.2%和54.3%～60.2%。经预测,其编码蛋白的分子量为100.61ku,等电点为5.14,该蛋白具有与哺乳动物十分相似的1个螺旋跨膜结构,但跨膜区氨基酸同源性较低;系统进化分析表明,草鱼APN基因与斑马鱼的亲缘关系最近;利用Real-timePCR技术检测了该基因的发育表达,结果显示草鱼出膜4d后APNmRNA表达量相对稳定;APN在草鱼前肠、中肠和后肠均有较高的表达量,以前肠组织表达量最高;昼夜节律研究发现,肠道APN基因06:00-18:00的表达量较18:00-06:00高。     

草鱼NADPH氧化酶2个调节亚基cDNA的克隆及表达特征

为了解草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)NADPH多酶复合体的基因结构及其在机体的防御体系中的功能,利用RT-PCR结合RACE-PCR的方法,克隆草鱼NADPH氧化酶的2个调节亚基p40phox和p47phox的cDNA,对其编码的氨基酸序列进行了同源性比较和功能域分析,同时对这两个亚基在草鱼不同组织中的差异性表达进行分析。结果显示:p47phox亚基cDNA序列全长为1 589 bp,开放阅读框长度为1 233 bp,编码410个氨基酸;p40phox亚基cDNA序列全长为2 103 bp,开放阅读框为1 068 bp,编码355个氨基酸。这两个亚基编码的氨基酸序列与其他鱼类的同源性在68%~96%,具有其它鱼类类似的PX,SH3,PB1和PC功能域。组织差异性表达分析结果表明:2个调节亚基在草鱼胸腺、心脏、头肾、鳃、肠、肝、肾、脾和皮肤组织中均有表达,在不同组织中的表达强度略有差异,在心脏、胸腺中表达水平最高,在肝脏中表达水平较低,但是不同组织之间的表达水平差异不显著(P>0.05)。     

草鱼小肽转运载体PepT1基因的克隆与表达特征

采用同源克隆和RACE技术克隆草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)PepT1基因的全长cDNA序列。该cDNA全长为2 762 bp,包含141 bp的5′UTR序列,479 bp的3′UTR序列,2 142 bp开放阅读框,编码713个氨基酸;草鱼与鲫(Carassius auratus)、斑马鱼(Danio rerio)的核苷酸同源性分别为77.6%和74.0%,氨基酸同源性分别为78.0%和76.7%;与其他物种的核苷酸同源性为53.9%～59.1%,而氨基酸的同源性为57.2%～61.8%。经预测,其编码蛋白的分子量为79.29 kD,等电点为5.87,该蛋白具有与哺乳动物十分相似的11个螺旋跨膜结构,跨膜区氨基酸高度保守;系统进化分析表明,草鱼PepT1基因与鲫鱼和斑马鱼的亲缘关系最近;利用Real-time PCR技术检测了该基因的时空表达,结果显示,PepT1在草鱼前肠组织表达量最高,其次是肌肉组织;草鱼出膜7 d后PepT1 mRNA表达量相对稳定;昼夜节律研究发现,肠道PepT1基因夜间的表达量较白天高。本研究旨在为小肽转运载体PepT1介导肠道转运小肽调控草鱼对饲料蛋白消化吸收的分子机理提供理论基础。     

仿刺参超氧化物歧化酶基因cDNA全序列的克隆及其特征分析

以仿刺参Apostichopus japonicus为材料,利用cDNA末端快速扩增(RACE)方法首次得到仿刺参MnSOD的全长cDNA。该全长cDNA大小为955bp,其中5′端非编码区67bp,3′端非编码区216bp,开放阅读框(ORF)672bp,在3′端有多聚腺苷酸信号序列ATTTA,并有polyA加尾,符合有效翻译的基因全长cDNA的特征。MnSOD全长cDNA可编码223个氨基酸的前体蛋白,预测蛋白分子质量为24.64kD,理论等电点是6.66,为亲水性蛋白。该蛋白序列没有信号肽和跨膜结构,仅有一段线粒体导肽。其二级结构主要以α-螺旋为主,无规则卷曲和延伸链构成了蛋白中量最大的结构元件,不含β-折叠。仿刺参SOD的氨基酸序列与目前已报道的其他物种如人、牛、斑马鱼、原鸡、非洲爪蟾、中国对虾、皱纹盘鲍、海湾扇贝、果蝇等的MnSOD氨基酸序列进行序列比对的结果表明,相似性均在61%～69%之间,说明该基因在各物种间具有一定的保守性。该段氨基酸序列无N-糖基化位点,含有3个蛋白激酶C磷酸化位点,1个酪氨酸蛋白激酶Ⅱ磷酸化位点,5个肉豆蔻酰基化位点,还发现了1个SOD家族的特征肽段DVWEHAYY。对磷...     

黄鳝细胞质动力蛋白3基因的克隆及其在性逆转中的功能分析

为解析黄鳝(Monopterus albus)性逆转机制，实验以雌、雄、间性发育黄鳝为研究对象，分析不同组织、不同发育时期性腺、甲基睾丸酮处理性腺及Zebularine处理性腺原代细胞后dynlt3基因表达模式的变化及其在性腺中的表达定位。性腺转录组测序结果显示，基因全长1 082 bp,开放阅读框354 bp,编码117个氨基酸。生物信息学分析显示，dynlt3基因编码蛋白质的二级结构包含37.96%的α-螺旋，29.20%的β-折叠，32.85%的无规则卷曲。系统进化分析结果显示，黄鳝DYNLT3氨基酸序列与硬骨鱼纲中底鳉(Fundulus heteroclitus)同源性最高。实时荧光定量PCR结果表明，dynlt3基因在黄鳝肌肉和脑具有较高表达，心脏次之，在其它各组织表达量较低。在性腺的不同发育时期，在间性后期和雄性中表达量显著性高于雌性与间性早期。甲基睾酮处理后黄鳝卵巢组织结构发生明显退化，卵母细胞退化且数量减少，结缔组织间出现空泡结构；dynlt3基因在卵巢中表达量显著性下调。原位杂交分析dynlt3基因在性腺组织中的表达定位结果显示，在不同性腺发育时期均检测到dynlt3...     

拟态弧菌安徽分离株外膜蛋白基因OmpU的克隆测序与生物信息学分析

测序结果显示4株拟态弧菌OmpU基因片段长为849~876bp,编码283~292个氨基酸;拟态弧菌HX4分离株OmpU基因ORF长1 038 bp,编码346个氨基酸。生物信息学分析结果显示,OmpU基因在拟态弧菌安徽分离株之间及其与霍乱弧菌参考株间均具有较高保守性,彼此间核苷酸同源性和氨基酸同源性分别介于82.8%~99.6%和83.3%~100%;拟态弧菌OmpU蛋白N端前22个氨基酸组成信号肽,N末端有1个明显疏水区,并含有多个蛋白激酶磷酸化位点和糖基化位点;OmpU蛋白含有2个明显跨膜域,二级结构中富含β-折叠结构,在蛋白的53~66 aa、185~192 aa、215~219 aa和275~281 aa之间可能存在抗原表位。     

棘头梅童鱼肝型脂肪酸结合蛋白基因克隆及组织表达分析

为进一步了解肝型脂肪酸结合蛋白基因(L-FABP基因)在棘头梅童鱼(Collichthys lucidus)营养调控、脂肪酸代谢和免疫应答等方面的功能作用,以棘头梅童鱼全基因组组装数据为基础,获得L-FABP基因的含开放阅读框的cDNA序列,利用生物信息学方法分析编码的蛋白质结构及进化关系,采用荧光定量(qRT-PCR)技术研究了不同组织中L-FABP基因的表达情况。结果表明,L-FABP基因cDNA序列为475 bp,其中5’非翻译区为51 bp,3’非翻译区为40 bp,开放阅读框为384 bp,编码127个氨基酸。其结构由10个β-折叠链和2个α-螺旋链组成,在氨基酸3~126位点间具有保守的脂质/胞质性脂肪酸结合结构域。棘头梅童鱼L-FABP基因与大黄鱼、条纹狼鲈同源性较近,与绿河鲀、尼罗罗非鱼和斑马鱼同源性较远。L-FABP基因在棘头梅童鱼肝脏、肠道、眼、大脑、心脏、肌肉、胃、鳃、脾脏、头肾和中肾中均有表达,其中肝脏中的L-FABP相对表达量最高,显著高于其他组织(P<0.05)。     

仿刺参EGFR基因的克隆与表达分析

表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)是多种细胞因子的受体,在细胞增殖、迁移及分化中具有重要的作用。应用RACE法首次从仿刺参体腔细胞中克隆出EGFR基因的全长cDNA序列。该cDNA全长3 826 bp,包括821 bp的5’-UTR,281 bp的3’-UTR,开放阅读框2 724 bp,编码907个氨基酸。推导的氨基酸序列55-184aa和365-487aa符合EGFR基因所具有的L1和L2受体结构域,在203-344aa和503-823aa含有EGFR家族特征区域CR1和CR2半胱氨酸富集区,并同为跨膜糖蛋白,在结构上具有一致性。经BlastP与GenBank已知物种氨基酸序列进行同源性比对,仿刺参EGFR基因氨基酸序列与果蝇EGFR相似性为49%,同源性为34%,与斑马鱼EGFR相似性为47%,同源性为34%,与淡水椎实螺EGFR相似性为49%,同源性为31%。据此推断,仿刺参EGFR基因属于EGFR家族成员。利用Real-time PCR技术检测了该基因在仿刺参各组织中的表达,结果显示在肠、呼吸树、表皮、体腔细胞、纵肌中EGFR均有表达,且体腔细胞和表皮表达量较高。结果表明,该基因可能在仿刺参组织发育和再生过程中起到重要的调控作用。     

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.