Effect of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2overexpression in 3T3-L1 is associated to an increase in mono-unsaturated fatty acid accumulation

Background：Fatty acid（FA） composition is the most important parameter affecting the flavor and nutritional value of the meat.The final and the only committed step in the biosynthesis of triglycerides is catalyzed by diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2（DGAT2）.The role of DGAT2 in lipid accumulation has been demonstrated in adipocytes,However,little is known about the effect of DGAT2 on the FA composition of these cells.Methods：To investigate the role of DGAT2 in regulating lipid accumulation,FA composition and the expression of adipogenic genes,we cloned the open reading frame of the porcine DGAT2 gene and established 3T3-L1 cells that overexpressed DGAT2.Cells were then cultured in differentiation medium（DM） without FA,with a mixture of FAs（FA-DM）,or containing a ~（13）C stable isotope-labeled FA mixture（IFA-DM）.The FA composition of adipocytes was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry.Quantitative PCR and western blotting were employed to detect expression of adipogenic genes in 3T3-L1 adipocytes cultured with FA-DM for 12 d.Results：The triacylglyceride（TAG） content was significantly higher in 3T3-L1 adipocytes overexpressing DGAT2 than in control cells.When cultured in DM or FA-DM for 12 d,cells overexpressing DGAT2 showed a higher proportion of unsaturated FAs（C16：1 and C18：1）.However,when cells overexpressing DGAT2 were cultured with FA-DM for30 min,the FA composition was almost identical to that of controls.Further,the proportion of stable isotope-labeled FAs were similar in 3T3-L1 adipocytes overexpressing DGAT2 and control cells cultured in IFA-DM for 12 d.These results collectively indicate that the higher proportion of mono-unsaturated FAs,C16：1 and C18：1,may originate from de novo FA synthesis but not from the uptake of specific FAs from the medium.This hypothesis is further supported by evidence that both mRNA and protein expression of genes involved in FA synthesis（ACACA,FASN,SCD1,and A-FABP?     

吕泗渔场灰鲳Pampus cinereus(Bloch) 产卵群体生物学及利用状况

鲳鱼是吕泗渔场的重要经济鱼类，灰鲳（Pampus cinereusBloch）在鲳鱼中占有一定的比例，作者对灰鲳产卵群体的生物学进行了研究，同时对利用状况进行了分析，与20世纪80年代和90年代初期进行了比较，2003年灰鲳资源开发利用率为0．8，较1981、1991年的0．55和0．65加大，建议加强资源保护、削减捕捞力量，对流刺网利用进行限制，维持一定数量的亲鱼，确保资源的持续利用。     

珠江卷口鱼年龄生长、食性和繁殖的研究

本文报道了珠江卷口鱼的年龄生长、食住和繁殖方面的研究结果。通过分析确定:卷口鱼的年龄级由I—IV龄鱼组成,各龄鱼分别占渔获物总量的42.21％、38.21％、19.21％和0.38％。用统计学方法,计算出卷口鱼体长与鳞长的相关式为:L=8 43.30R(r=0.9956);体长与体重的相关式为:W=8.226×10~(-3)L~(3.374)(Γ=0.9654)。对卷口鱼各种食物的组成、季节变化及出现率作了分析探讨。卷口鱼个体绝对怀卵量波动于7878—48880粒之间,平均22250.7粒。绝对怀卵量与体长和体重的相关式为:R=4.5419L~(3.6208)和R=40.88W 1209. 文中对卷口鱼的资源繁殖保护,网具使用和合理捕捞规格等问题进行了讨论。     

Stable isotope variations in otoliths of Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) and indications of the possible 1990 regime shift

Stable oxygen and carbon isotope ratios (δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C) from archived otoliths of Pacific halibut, Hippoglossus stenolepis, were measured to examine the most recent regime shifts in British Columbia and the Gulf of Alaska. δ¹⁸O values of these otoliths ranged from −1.5 to +2.8‰ VPDB, and were consistent with the life stages and migration behavior of halibut. δ¹³C varied from −3.3 to +0.9‰ VPDB, but did not show a transition from the juvenile to the adult stage as does δ¹⁸O. Evaluation of δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C values of mature halibut (ages 8–12) indicated that the 1977 regime shift might have a warming impact on the northeast Pacific fish stocks. In contrast, a possible regime shift around 1990 with a bottom seawater temperature decrease of about 2 °C might have occurred in both the areas. The connection between stable isotope variations in otoliths and the climate regime shifts is thus potentially useful in studying the population dynamics of Pacific halibut, and decadal scale (e.g., the last 20–30 years) ocean environmental changes.     

Effects of dietary thiamin on the physiological status of the grouper <Emphasis Type="Italic">Epinephelus coioides</Emphasis>

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary thiamin on the physiological status of the juvenile grouper, Epinephelus coioides. Graded levels of thiamin (0.08, 0.50, 2.12, 3.15, 4.63, 12.37 mg thiamin kg⁻¹ diet) were fed to grouper juveniles (mean weight: 16.97 ± 0.14 g) for 10 weeks. Although fish fed the thiamin-deficient (TD) diet showed no obvious symptoms of thiamin deficiency or increased mortality, those fed the lowest doses of thiamin (0.08 and 0.50 mg thiamin kg⁻¹ diet) had significantly decreased transketolase activity in the liver. In addition, the level of liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in fish fed the TD diet was 33–67% higher than that in fish with the thiamin-supplemented diet. There were no significant differences in superoxide dismutase activity between the different groups of fish.     

Morphological studies of peripheral blood cells of the Chinese sturgeon, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acipenser sinensis</Emphasis>

The peripheral blood cells of one-year-old Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) have been studied by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The erythrocyte count was 84.86 × 10⁴ cell mm⁻³ in the peripheral blood of the fish and that of leukocytes was 2.24 × 10⁴ cell mm⁻³. The erythrocytes and four main types of leucocyte—thrombocytes, lymphocytes, granulocytes (including neutrophils and eosinophils), and monocytes, were identified in the peripheral blood. In addition to normal erythrocytes, reticulocytes and division of erythrocytes were observed. Thrombocytes were the most numerous among the leukocytes, and the number of neutrophils with lobated nuclei was larger than for other fish. The structures of the erythrocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, granulocytes, and thrombocytes of the fish were studied. The erythrocytes were almost completely devoid of organelles, except for some mitochondria and granules. A large number of vacuoles and a few organelles were observed in cytoplasm of the monocytes. There were many microvilli on the membrane and pseudopodia-like cytoplasm bulge in the lymphocytes. The neutrophils were round or oval in shape with bilobed, trilobed, or multilobed nuclei whereas the eosinophils had big special granules, dark stained. There were many vesicles in some thrombocytes, which were related to its phagocytosis; some thrombocytes had almost no cytoplasm or organelles.     

Endocrine stress response and abnormal development in carp (Cyprinus carpio) larvae after exposure of the embryos to PCB 126

To investigate whether PCB 126 exposure duringembryonic development induces an endocrine stressresponse in larval carp, eggs were exposed,containing 0.01% ethanol (vehicle-control), 10^-11,immediately after fertilization, for 48 h to water10^-10 or 10^-9 mol l^-1 PCB in 0.01% ethanol. Eggsincubated in water served as controls. After transferto PCB-free water, mortality, the incidence ofyolk-sac and pe-ricardial oedema, wet and dry weight,rate of skin pigmentation, and whole-body contents ofthe stress hormones ACTH, -MSH and cortisol weredetermined at 48, 96, 144, 168, 192 and 216 hpost-fertilization. Except for the dry weight, allparameters of animals exposed to 10^-10 and 10^-9 moll^-1 PCB increased in a concentration-related manner.However, these changes became evident only at 144 hpost-fertilization, i.e. after resorption of theyolk-sac. Swelling of the yolk sac and pericardiumoccurred, and whole-body ACTH, -MSH and cortisollevels increased. Although animals exposed to 10^-10and 10^-9 mol l^-1 PCB displayed stable but elevatedwhole-body ACTH and -MSH levels until 216 h,whole-body cortisol concentrations gradually decreasedfrom 168 h post-fertilization, and were significantlybelow control values at 216 h post-fertilization.Exposure of the carp embryos to 10^-11 mol l^-1 PCB only increased whole-body -MSH levels. Increased whole-body ACTH and cortisol levels indicate that PCBinduces a stress response in carp larvae, possiblymediated by a disturbed hydromineral balance (oedema).We further suggest that the PCB-stimulated bodypigmentation is mediated by a stimulation of -MSHsecretion.     

Purification and characterization of a cysteine-like protease from the body wall of the sea cucumber <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stichopus japonicus</Emphasis>

The sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus) is able to undergo autolysis in response to a variety of environmental and mechanical cues. Within the framework of a long-term study of this phenomenon we have purified a protease from the body wall of the sea cucumber by means of ion-exchange chromatography with DE-52 cellulose and gel filtration chromatography with Sephadex G-100. The final enzyme preparation was nearly homogeneous on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and its molecular weight was estimated to be approximately 35.5 kDa. The purified enzyme exhibited a maximum activity for the hydrolysis of casein at pH 7.0 and 50°C and a remarkable stability at pH 4.0–7.0 and 40–60°C. Based on the inhibition and activation profiles obtained with numerous specific protease inhibitors and an activator, the protease purified from the body wall of the sea cucumber was defined to be a cysteine-like protease.     

The Yangtze River dolphin or baiji (Lipotes vexillifer): population status and conservation issues in the Yangtze River,China

• 1. Baiji were sighted 17 times during three recent simultaneous multi‐vessel surveys in the Yangtze River, China (November 4–10, 1997; December 4–9, 1998; October 31–November 5, 1999). There were 11 sightings in 1997 (consisting of 17 animals), five in 1998 (seven animals), and two in 1999 (four animals). It was concluded that 13 individuals could be considered as a minimum number of the baiji currently in the Yangtze River.
• 2. An annual rate of population decrease was roughly estimated as 10%. From the body sizes observed, the proportions of old, adult and immature individuals were approximately estimated at 57, 26, and 17% respectively.
• 3. Baiji showed a significant attraction to confluences and sand bars with large eddies. The present distribution range of the baiji is less than 1400 km in length in the Yangtze main river. Distances between the two nearest groups of baiji appear to be increasing.
• 4. Two typical sightings are described, in which surfacing and movements of baiji were recorded. Baiji were often found swimming together with finless porpoise. In the surveys they occurred in the same group in 63% of occurrences. Interactions between baiji and finless porpoise are described and discussed.
• 5. Human activities are the main threats to the baiji. Illegal electrical fishing accounted for 40% of known mortalities during the 1990s. Engineering explosions for maintaining navigation channels have become another main cause of baiji deaths. The last hope of saving the species may be to translocate the remaining baiji into a semi‐captive reserve, known as the ‘Baiji Semi‐natural Reserve’.

Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.