GSTA is a major glutathione S-transferase gene responsible for 4-hydroxynonenal conjugation in largemouth bass liver

We have previously shown that largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) has a remarkable ability to conjugate 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4HNE), a mutagenic and cytotoxic alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehyde produced during the peroxidation of lipids. In addition, we have isolated a glutathione S-transferase cDNA (bass GSTA) that encodes a recombinant protein which is highly active in 4HNE conjugation and structurally similar to plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) GSTA. In the present study, HPLC-GST subunit analysis revealed the presence of at least two major GST isoforms in bass liver, with one peak constituting 80% of the total bass liver GST protein. Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and electrospray ionization analysis of the major bass GST subunit yielded a molecular weight of 26,396 kDa. Endo-proteinase Lys-C digestion and Edman degradation protein sequencing of this GST peak demonstrated that this protein was encoded by bass GSTA. Analysis of genomic DNA fragments isolated by nested PCR indicated the presence of a GST gene cluster in bass liver that contained GSTA, and was similar to a GST gene cluster characterized by Leaver et al., in plaice. Collectively, our data indicates the presence of a major GST in bass liver involved in the protection against oxidative stress. This GST is part of a gene cluster that may be conserved in certain freshwater and marine fish.     

Conjugation of 4-hydroxynonenal by largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) glutathione S-transferases

The glutathione S-transferases (GST) are a major group of conjugative enzymes involved in the detoxification of electrophilic compounds and products of oxidative stress. We have previously described the kinetics of hepatic GST conjugation in largemouth bass using a variety of synthetic GST reference substrates. In the present study, we investigated the ability of largemouth bass hepatic GSTs to conjugate 4-hydroxynon-2-enal (4HNE), a mutagenic and cytotoxic alpha-beta-unsaturated aldehyde produced during oxidative injury. Hepatic cytosolic fractions from largemouth bass rapidly catalyzed GSH-dependent 4HNE conjugation, with the rate of GST-4HNE conjugation in bass liver exceeding those of several other mammalian and aquatic species. No apparent sex-related differences in GST-4HNE activity were observed among adult bass. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting analysis of GSH affinity-purified bass liver cytosolic GST revealed the presence of two major GST subunits of approximately 30 and 27 KDa that exhibited slight cross-reactivity when probed with a rat alpha class GST antibody, but not to rat mu, pi or theta class GST. The rapid conjugation of 4HNE by hepatic GST suggests an important role for GSTs in protecting against peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids in bass liver.     

Regulation of hepatic glutathione S-transferase expression in flounder

The major glutathione S-transferase isoform of flounder liver, an antigenically related structural homologue of plaice GST-A, also displays mRNA homology. A 901bp cRNA probe for plaice GST-A cross-hybridised to a 1100bp flounder mRNA on northern blot analysis. The plaice antibody and cRNA probes were used to study effects of inducer treatment on GST-A expression in flounder liver. Six days after PAH treatment (3-methylcholanthrene) total hepatic GST activity was halved, levels of GST-A were 80% and GST-A mRNA levels were 25% of controls. A commercial PCB mixture (Aroclor 1254^TM) had little effect on total GST or GST-A levels despite halving GST-A mRNA levels. An epoxide, trans-stilbene oxide induced total GST activity 1·4 fold and GST-A protein levels 1·8-fold and its mRNA levels 3-fold. This reduced expression of the major flounder hepatic GST by agents which induce cytochrome P4501A1 may modulate cytoxicity of environmental pollutants in this species.     

Effects of β-naphthoflavone on hepatic biotransformation and glutathione biosynthesis in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

We are investigating the effects of in vivo exposure of prototypical enzyme inducing agents on hepatic biotransformation enzyme expression in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), a predatory game fish found throughout the United States and Canada. The current study targeted those genes involved in biotransformation and oxidative stress that may be regulated by Ah-receptor-dependent pathways. Exposure of bass to β-naphthoflavone (β-NF, 66 mg/kg, i.p.) elicited a 7–9-fold increase in hepatic microsomal cytochrome P4501A-dependent ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activities, but did not affect cytosolic GST catalytic activities toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) or 5-androstene-3,17-dione (ADI). Glutathione S-transferase A (GST-A) mRNA expression exhibited a transient, but non-significant increase following exposure to β-NF, and generally tracked the minimal changes observed in GST–CDNB activities. Expression of the mRNA encoding glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), the rate-limiting enzyme in glutathione (GSH) biosynthesis, was increased 1.7-fold by β-NF. Changes in GCLC mRNA expression were paralleled by increases in intracellular GSH. In summary, largemouth bass hepatic CYP1A-dependent and GSH biosynthetic pathways, and to a lesser extent GST, are responsive to exposure to β-NF.     

Comparison of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes of Tilapia with those of other fish species and interspecies relationships between gene families

Baseline data for hepatic xenobiotic metabolizing biomarker enzyme activities were obtained for artificially reared tilapia Oreochromis niloticus, and were compared with those of the plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) and rainbow trout (Onchorynchus mykiss). Basal activities exhibited species variations with notably higher CYP1A and phenol UGT activities and lower GST activity in plaice than the freshwater species. Interspecies relationships between gene families determined by immunoblotting and substrate-activity profiles demonstrated the presence of homologous CYP1A and CYP3A enzymes in all three species, alpha class GSTs in plaice and trout, mu and pi class GSTs in trout and theta class GSTs in plaice and tilapia. CYP1A of tilapia was induced by 3-MC or PBO treatment, whilst CYP3A was induced by PCN treatment.     

A piscine glutathione S-transferase which efficiently conjugates the end-products of lipid peroxidation

A cDNA clone for glutathione S-transferaseA (GSTA) from plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) was expressed in Eschericia coli (E. coli) and purified to homogeneity by S-hexylglutathione affinity chromatography. When compared to literature values for a variety of purified mammalian GSTs, the heterologously expressed purified plaice enzyme had moderate activity towards the model substrate 1,2-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and exhibited a Km of 2.5 ± 2 mM and Vmax of 30.9 ± 2.3 μmol min⁻¹ mg⁻¹. It had little or no activity towards several other model GST substrates including 1,2-dinitrochloro-4-benzene (DCNB), ethacrynic acid (EA), and p-nitrobenzylchloride (NBC). However plaice GSTA was a relatively efficient catalyst for the conjugation of a series of alk-2-enals and alk-2,4-dienals and also 4-hydroxynonenal. The highest activity observed with this series of substrates was with trans-non-2-enal with a Km of 17.9 ± 2.2 μM and a Vmax of 3.01 ± 0.57 μmol min⁻¹ mg⁻¹. These unsaturated alkenals have been identified in cells and cell extracts as highly toxic products arising from peroxidation of unsaturated fatty acids particularly during periods of oxidative stress. Fish are relatively rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and thus GSTA mediated conjugation may be an important mechanism for detoxifying peroxidised lipid breakdown products.     

大叶藻微粒体GST基因对温度胁迫响应的分子机制

为了分析鳗草（Zostera marina）中微粒体谷胱甘肽S-转移酶在不同温度下的基因表达规律以及响应机制，本文通过在大肠杆菌中表达ZmGST，纯化重组蛋白以及热稳定性分析，以此为进一步阐述Z. marina的种群退化机制并提供理论依据。总之，鳗草中的微粒体GST的热稳定性和其对温度变化的响应决定了其对温度的耐受范围，并进而影响其恢复力。     

一株大口黑鲈(Micropterus salmoides)虹彩病毒(Iridoviridae)的分离及鉴定

2018年7月,浙江省某大口黑鲈(Micropterus salmoides)养殖场暴发疑似病毒引起的疾病。现场采样发现,病鱼体长约15—20cm,鱼体于水面下暗游,反应迟钝,体表有出血点或溃疡症状。本研究通过采用鲤鱼上皮瘤细胞(epithelioma papulosum cyprinid, EPC)培养、超薄切片透射电镜观察、病毒主要衣壳蛋白(majorcapsidprotein,MCP)克隆与测序分析等方法,从患病大口黑鲈中分离得到一株病毒,鉴定其属于虹彩病毒科蛙病毒属,命名为大口黑鲈虹彩病毒宁波分离株(LMBIV-NB001)。EPC经患病鱼组织匀浆液接种后出现细胞圆缩、死亡、脱落等典型的细胞病变症状。将感染后的EPC细胞制作超薄切片,通过电镜观察发现,EPC细胞质中存在大量直径约120nm具囊膜的正六边形成熟病毒粒子,形态与虹彩病毒相似。根据虹彩病毒MCP基因保守区域序列设计特异性引物对病鱼组织样本进行PCR扩增,获得了1029bp的目的基因片段。将该扩增片段连入pMD19-T simple质粒后测序,经BLAST比对分析显示,其与GenBank中已报道的鳜鱼蛙病毒NH-1609、大口黑鲈溃疡综合征病毒BG/TH/CU3、EPC060608-08的MCP基因同源性最高,相似度均达到99.13%。构建系统进化树分析表明,本研究分离的LMBIV-NB001株与NC_038508、GU256635、MG941005等虹彩病毒科蛙病毒属毒株聚成一簇。本论文研究结果为不同地区蛙病毒属成员的起源和分化等相关研究等提供了基础材料。     

Glucuronidation in the polar bear (Ursus maritimus)

Polar bears bioaccumulate lipophilic pollutants, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), into their bodies from their exclusive diet of marine organisms. Hydroxylated PCB metabolites (OH-PCBs) have been found in plasma, presumably due to CYP-dependent biotransformation of PCBs in liver. Little is known about the phase 2 metabolism of hydroxylated xenobiotics in polar bears. The objective of this study was to examine UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) activity with OH-PCBs and a hydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, 3-hydroxy-benzo(a)pyrene (3-OH-BaP), in polar bear liver. Samples of frozen polar bear liver were used to prepare microsomes. UGT activity with 3-OH-BaP in Brij-treated microsomes, measured by a fluorescence assay, was readily measurable with protein concentrations in assay tubes of up to 10 μg/ml, but dropped off very sharply at higher protein concentrations. The apparent K_m for 3-OH-BaP was 1.71 ± 0.04 μM, and V_max 1.26 ± 0.16 nmol/min/mg protein (mean ± SD, n=3). UGT activities with a model tetrachloro-OH-PCB (4^′-OH-CB72) and a model hexachloro-OH-PCB (4^′-OH-CB159) were assayed with [¹⁴-C]-UDPGA and separation of the [¹⁴-C]-glucuronide by ion-pair extraction and thin-layer chromatography. [¹⁴-C]-glucuronide conjugates were readily formed by polar bear liver microsomes in the absence of added substrate, apparently from contaminants present in liver. This phenomenon was not observed using hepatic microsomes from laboratory-held catfish. Glucuronidation efficiency was much higher with 4^′-OH-CB72 (K_m 7.3 μM; V_max 1.55 nmol/min/mg) than 4^′-OH-CB159 (K_m 16.1 μM; V_max 0.46 nmol/min/mg). The identities of the aglycones present in polar bear liver are not known, but could include OH-PCBs or hydroxylated metabolites of other persistent organic pollutants. This study demonstrates that UGT with high activity for 3-OH-BaP and other substrates is present in polar bear liver.     

Characterization and molecular analysis of hepatic microsomal UDP-glucuronosyltransferases in the marine fish, Pleuronectes platessa

Here we report the results of the first molecular enzymological study of fish UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UDPGT). UDPGT activities of plaice liver microsomes were greatest for planar phenols and there was low but measurable conjugation of bilirubin, testosterone and androsterone. A highly purified preparation was isolated which possessed activities towards 1-naphthol, bilirubin and testosterone, containing several molecular weight species of M_r 52–56 kDa. On immunoblot analysis these proteins cross-reacted with a polyspecific anti-rat UDPGT antibody, suggesting that a number of plaice UDPGT isoforms with epitopes in common with the corresponding rat enzymes had been purified.     

Kinetics of hepatic phase I and II biotransformation reactions in eight finfish species

Hepatic microsomes and cytosols of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), striped bass (Morone saxatilis), hybrid striped bass (M. saxatilis × M. crysops), and bluegill (Lepomis macrochuris) (n = 8) were used to study the kinetics of phase I (ECOD, EROD, PROD, BROD) and phase II (UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UDPGT)-, sulfotransferase (ST)- and glutathione-s-transferase (GST)-mediated) reactions. The best catalytic efficiency for ECOD and GST activities was performed by channel catfish, Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout and tilapia. The highest EROD catalytic efficiency was for Atlantic salmon. None of the species had either PROD or BROD activities. Rainbow trout had very similar UDPGT catalytic efficiency to tilapia, channel catfish, Atlantic salmon, largemouth bass and bluegill. Sulfotransferase conjugation had no significant differences among the species. In summary, tilapia, channel catfish, Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout had the best biotransforming capabilities; striped bass, hybrid striped bass and bluegill were low metabolizers and largemouth bass shared some capabilities with both groups.     

Mycobacteria, but not mercury, induces metallothionein (MT) protein in striped bass, Morone saxitilis, phagocytes, while both stimuli induce MT in channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, phagocytes

Recent advances in molecular immunology indicate that the expression of inducible pro-inflammatory proteins is increased in vertebrates in response to both infectious disease agents and various xenobiotics. For example, iNOS, COX-2, and CYP1A are induced by both inflammation and AhR ligands. Moreover, the expression of these proteins in response to stimuli varies among individuals within populations. Little is known of the differences among fish in the inducibility of proinflammatory proteins in response to both infectious agents and xenobiotics. Through random screening of a striped bass, Morone saxitilis, peritoneal macrophage cDNA library, a full length metallothionein (MT) gene was cloned and sequenced. MT is a low-molecular weight (6–8 kDa), cysteine-rich metal binding protein. Metals are required by pathogenic bacteria for growth, and by the host defense system by serving as a catalyst for the generation of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs) by phagocytes. A recombinant striped bass MT (rMT) was expressed and purified, then used to generate a specific mAb (MT-16). MT protein expression was followed in freshly isolated striped bass and channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, phagocytes after in vitro exposure to the naturally occurring intracellular pathogen Mycobacteria fortuitum or to 0.1 and 1 μM mercury (Hg), as HgCl₂. MT expression was increased by 24 h in both channel catfish and striped bass phagocytes as a result of exposure to M. fortuitum cells. On the other hand, MT was induced by Hg in channel catfish cells, but not those of striped bass. These results indicate that metal homeostasis in phagocytes is different between catfish and striped bass. In addition, these data suggest that care should be taken to distinguish between inflammation-induced vs. metal-induced MT when using MT expression as a biomarker of metal exposure.     

Marine invertebrate glutathione-S-transferases: purification, characterization and induction

High glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity was found in hepatopancreas and gill cytosol of the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) and the digestive gland cytosol of two marine gastropods (Nassarius obsoletus and Cerithium floridanum).Purification of GST from crab hepatopancreas by Sephadex G-200, DEAE-Sephacel and chromofocusing resulted in the isolation of two isoenzymes with isoelectric points of 5·9 and 5·7 (GST 5·9 and GST 5·7). Antibodies were prepared to these two isoenzymes and the two forms cross-reacted immunologically. The two transferases had similar molecular weights, amino acid compositions, substrate specifities and kinetic parameters.Crab gill cytosol showed one isoenzyme which reacted with antibodies to GST 5·9 and GST 5·7. The major isoenzyme of N. obsoletus was a basic form while C. floridanum showed a homodimer acidic form. The gastropod GST forms did not react with antibodies to crab GST. The presence of the phenolic antioxidant, butylated hydroxytoluene, in the diet of blue crab or shrimp (Penaeus aztecus) resulted in high hepatic GST activity.     

The impact of intrapopulation variability in reproductive traits on population reproductive potential of Grand Bank American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides) and yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea)

In geographically extensive fish populations the potential exists for reproductive traits to vary over the population’s range but, the impact that such intrapopulation variability has on overall population reproductive potential has not been formally assessed. Here intrapopulation spatial variability in size at maturity and fecundity are demonstrated for Grand Bank American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides) and yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea). Recognition of intrapopulation variability in these reproductive traits coupled with spatial variability in abundance resulted in an increase in estimated population total egg production (TEP) by as much as 10¹⁴ eggs for American plaice and 10¹⁵ eggs for yellowtail flounder as compared to assessment of TEP for the population as a whole. Results highlight the need to explore variability in life history traits not only between but, also within populations and emphasizes the need for sufficient spatial coverage during sampling in order to assess the reproductive potential of fish populations.     

大黄鱼(Larimichthys crocea)白细胞介素10(IL-10)基因克隆及溶藻弧菌(Vibrio alginolyticus)侵染后表达变化分析

白细胞介素10(interleukin10,IL-10)是鱼类先天性免疫因子之一,在炎症反应和免疫调节中有着重要作用。本研究获得大黄鱼(Larimichthys crocea)IL-10基因cDNA序列,由899个核苷酸组成,含1个555bp的开放阅读框、编码184个氨基酸,预测编码蛋白分子量为21.24kDa、N端有22个氨基酸组成的信号肽序列。氨基酸序列多重比对表明大黄鱼IL-10具有IL-10家族特征性序列和构成2对二硫键的4个保守性半胱氨酸,与欧洲鲈(Dicentrarchuslabrax)IL-10序列相似性最高(78.5%);系统进化树分析显示大黄鱼IL-10和其他鱼类IL-10形成一个大簇,与欧洲鲈进化关系最近。荧光定量PCR(quantitative real-time PCR, qRT-PCR)检测结果显示健康大黄鱼IL-10基因在鳃和肠中高表达,肝和头肾中低表达;溶藻弧菌(Vibrio alginolyticus)侵染后大黄鱼肠、脑、脾、肝和头肾中IL-10基因表达量均显著上调(P0.05),其中头肾和肝中上调幅度最大(分别为菌侵染前的10.06倍和8.79倍)。综上,大黄鱼IL-10基因表达与病原菌感染密切相关,为深入研究大黄鱼IL-10的生物学功能及免疫机制提供了基础资料。     

青蛤(Cyclina sinensis)IKK基因的克隆及其在鳗弧菌(Vibrio anguillarum)刺激下的表达分析

利用构建的青蛤(Cyclina sinensis)转录组文库,筛选到青蛤IKK基因的类似序列。经设计引物克隆比对后确认为CsIKK基因。利用生物信息学软件在线对该基因进行结构分析。采用PCR技术克隆基因,并使用实时荧光定量PCR技术克隆得到CsIKK基因在青蛤五个不同组织中的表达情况及在鳗弧菌(Vibrioanguillarum)的刺激下IKK基因在青蛤血淋巴中的时序性表达情况。综合结果得到, CsIKK基因序列开放阅读框长2298bp,编码765个氨基酸。IKK基因在青蛤的血淋巴、外套膜、闭壳肌、肝脏、性腺和鳃六个组织中均表达,在血淋巴中表达量最高。青蛤IKK基因在鳗弧菌胁迫下表达量在6h时达到最大值,与对照组相比差异极显著(P0.01),表明该基因所指导的蛋白是青蛤重要的免疫信号通路蛋白。     

The effect of salinity on growth and weight loss of juvenile plaice (Pleuronectes platessa, L): An experimental test

Previous population estimates of the 0+ plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.) in the Firth of Forth, east central Scotland, did not take account of the Forth estuary west of the Forth bridges. Previous work found plaice in the estuary grew as fast as, or faster than, the outer firth plaice. It was hypothesised that salinity may affect growth rates of early 0+ plaice. This hypothesis was tested in a laboratory experiment, by exposing juvenile plaice to three different, but naturally — experienced by the juveniles, salinities; 25, 30 and 35. Plaice fed a minimum ration did not grow in length. Mean weight decreased at all three salinities, however, the lowest weight loss was found at the lowest salinity (25) and the highest weight loss was found at the highest salinity (35). The minimum feeding ration was halted and plaice were then fed ad libitum. Consumption rates were not significantly different during the ad libitum feeding, while significant differences in mean weight change were found between the highest and lowest salinities.