Localisation of a tumor-associated phenotype of benz-aldehyde dehydrogenase in liver carcinogenesis of flounder by quantitative histochemistry

Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) oxidize endogeneous reactive aldehydes including lipid peroxidation products (propionaldehyde, malondialdehyde) and are also inducible by xenobiotics like DDT and TCDD. ALDHs are found in injured livers and cancers of contaminant-exposed flounder (Platichthys flesus L.) and showed identical characteristics as in hepatocellular carcinomas of rats by its cytosolic localisation, the preferential oxidation of aromatic compounds (benzaldehyde), dependency on NADP as coenzyme and sensitivity to the specific inhibitor disulfiram. Image analysis showed increased activity of NADP-dependent benzaldehyde dehydrogenase localised in a few cells of early eosinophilic foci and in basophilic adenomas, carcinomas and their invasively growing protrusions (satellites). Disulfiram sensitivity to differentiate between the xenobiotic-inducible isozyme and the tumor-specific isozyme in rats was highest in the early stages of carcinogenesis in the liver of fish. Moderate disulfiram inhibition was observed in non-neoplastic and extrafocal tissue. In neoplastic livers of flounder from contaminated areas (Elbe estuary), hepatocytes in early stages of carcinogenesis were best protected against accumulation of toxic aldehydes by increased activity of the specific tumor-associated isozyme.     

Flounder health status in the Seine Bay. A multibiomarker study.

The Seine Bay is used as a pilot area to assess the usefulness of monitoring programmes using a suite of biological measurements. These biomarkers included ethoxyresorfin-O-deethylase (EROD) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities, multixenobiotic resistance (MXR) protein expression level assessment and gonad histopathology. Samples of European flounder collected in three sites close to the Seine Estuary in late September 1998 showed that 8% of the males were intersex, i.e. had gonads with both male and female tissues. Another 10% of individuals, identified as male by morphological observation during sampling, showed only female tissues on histological sections. These dramatic changes were associated with different patterns of EROD activity, MXR expression or AChE activity inhibition that might reflect shorter time effects of xenobiotics and constitute a starting point to integrate biological responses for the assessment of the health status of flounder in the Seine Bay.     

牙鲆RAG2 基因的质粒构建和体外原核表达

将牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)RAG2 cDNA序列插入到体外表达质粒pProEXTM HT,在大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli) BL-21中进行体外表达,分析了诱导时间和 IPTG 浓度对重组蛋白产生量的影响,确定了最佳诱导条件为:诱导时间为3 h, IPTG诱导浓度0.2 mmol/L.本研究同时对RAG2重组蛋白的可溶性进行确认,并利用BD TALONTM 金属亲和柱纯化了RAG2蛋白.本研究结果为进一步深入研究RAG2蛋白的生物学功能奠定了良好的基础.     

条斑星鲽幼鱼变态期间核酸及蛋白的变化

本试验测定了条斑星鲽(Verasper moseri)幼鱼变态过程中DNA、RNA、蛋白及其比值的变化,作为评价幼鱼变态阶段生长潜能的指标。结果表明,试验期间培育水温为16.5～18.0°C,DNA、RNA及蛋白的变化都带有发育阶段特异性。DNA含量在34～42日龄增加缓慢,然后快速增加直至44日龄,在45日龄和46日龄分别保持下降和上升趋势。蛋白含量和RNA含量的变化趋势相似,在试验期间保持快速增长的趋势。RNA/DNA比值从试验开始至35日龄呈上升状态,36日龄时下降,38日龄时达到最高值5.01,然后显著下降(P0.05),在试验结束时达到最低值1.76。蛋白/DNA在40日龄时达到最高值58.64,在46日龄时达到最低值21.28。RNA、DNA及蛋白含量跟全长和体质量有明显的线性关系(P0.05)。RNA/DNA与全长和体质量的关系比蛋白/DNA与全长和体质量的关系密切。蛋白/DNA比值的变化趋势跟RNA/DNA比值类似,但前者的变化滞后于后者,表明RNA/DNA比值是评价条斑星鲽生理状况的更有效的生理指标。     

Identification of a c-Ki-ras oncogene in a neoplasm isolated from winter flounder

It has been shown that a high incidence of hepatomas are present in winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) obtained from Boston Harbor. It has been suggested that this may be a consequence of locally high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons found in the sediment. The purpose of this study was to determine whether transforming DNA sequences (oncogenes) could be identified in liver neoplasms isolated from feral fish and to study their relationship to their corresponding proto-oncogenes. The ultimate aim of this study is to characterize novel mutations in oncogenes derived from these hepatomas to correlate these genetic changes with chemical exposure history. Genomic DNA was isolated from liver neoplasms and transfected into NIH3T3 mouse fibroblasts to assay for the formation of transformed foci. DNA was prepared from transformed foci and analyzed by Southern blot hybridization to viral DNA probes specific for c-Ki-ras and c-Ha-ras DNA sequences. A c-Ki-ras oncogene was identified in a transformant derived from one of the two tumors assayed. Comparison of c-Ki-ras DNA sequences of tumor and tumor-derived transformants indicate that the activated oncogene in the transformant is of flounder origin. We are currently analyzing the flounder oncogene for activating point mutations by primer-directed enzymatic amplification and direct sequence analysis.     

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.     

Quantitation of CYP1A expression in two flatfish species showing different prevalences of contaminant-induced hepatic disease

English sole (Pleuronectes vetulus) and starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus) are two sympatric flatfish species which show markedly different responses to chemical contaminant exposure. Whereas English sole develop hepatic neoplasms, the prevalences of which are strongly linked to exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), evidence of neoplasia is virtually nonexistent in starry flounder, even those residing in areas with very high levels of PAH in the sediments. Because PAHs are activated to genotoxic forms by the action of cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) in teleosts, we are examining the hypothesis that variation in the hepatic expression of this major inducible cytochrome P450 isozyme may contribute to the differential contaminant response. These two species were captured in the Duwamish Waterway, a contaminated area of Puget Sound, Washington. Catalytic activity of CYP1A [determined as aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity] was measured in the liver to quantitatively assess the relative induction of CYP1A in these two species, and AHH activity was significantly higher in English sole than in starry flounder (p = 0.015). Cellular expression of CYP1A was determined by immunohistochemical localization of tissues, using an avidin-biotin peroxidase complex method, with polyclonal rabbit anti-cod CYP1A. The results showed a markedly reduced expression of CYP1A in hepatocytes of starry flounder, which is consistent with the apparent resistance of this species to the development of hepatocellular neoplasia. This reduced expression of CYP1A in hepatocytes of contaminant-exposed fish was previously seen in oyster toadfish from the Elizabeth River, Virginia, and this species is also apparently resistant to hepatocellular neoplasia.     

牙鲆NPY的体外表达及体内检测

神经肽Y(Neuropeptide Y,NPY)被普遍认为是一种重要的促食因子,在调节鱼类的摄食行为方面起着至关重要的作用。为进一步研究牙鲆NPY蛋白的生物学功能,作者克隆了牙鲆NPY成熟肽序列(m-NPY)及含有信号肽的全长序列(f-NPY),利用原核表达系统分别进行体外重组表达,筛选出诱导剂IPTG最佳诱导浓度为0.8 mmol/L及最佳诱导时间3 h;此外,根据牙鲆NPY第49-64位氨基酸序列制备了多克隆抗体并通过Western blot验证该多抗能够有效检验重组NPY及牙鲆体内NPY的表达。研究结果为研究重组牙鲆NPY蛋白在牙鲆水产养殖产业中的应用及检测提供了依据。     

Metabolism and mutagenicity of 4-nitroquinoline N-oxide by microsomes and cytosol of digestive gland of the mussel Mytilus edulis L.

The modulation of the mutagenicity of 4-nitroquinoline N-oxide (4-NQO) by M. edulis digestive gland cytosolic and microsomal fractions was studied by monitoring the induction of the umu operon by 4-NQO in Salmonella typhimurium 1535/pSK1002. The mutagenicity of 4-NQO was increased by M. edulis cytosol and microsomes in dose-dependent manner with respect to protein and toxicant concentration. The mutagenic enhancement reflected increased NAD(P)H-dependent oxygen consumption by microsomes in the presence of 4-NQO and enhanced nitroreductase activity in cytosol. The former was stimulated by azide, indicating 4-NQO-enhanced oxyradical production by microsomes, and the latter was inhibitable by dicoumarol, indicating involvement of DT-diaphorase in nitroreduction by M. edulis cytosol. Neither dicoumarol nor allopurinol (inhibitors of DT-diaphorase and xanthine oxidase, respectively) affected the enhanced mutagenic expression of 4-NQO by cytosol. The results support the possibility of oxidative stress as a pollution-mediated mechanism of toxicity.     

应用单克隆抗体检测牙鲆血清中抗淋巴囊肿病毒的特异性抗体

应用杂交瘤单克隆抗体技术制备10株分泌抗牙鲆免疫球蛋白单克隆抗体的杂交瘤细胞。利用单抗2H4,通过间接酶联免疫法(ELISA)对牙鲆血清中抗淋巴囊肿病毒(LCDV)特异性抗体进行了检测。结果表明:无外观症状的牙鲆血清中特异性抗体水平很低(平均OD值为0.092),个别鱼体偏高,证明已感染LCDV,处于潜伏期;患淋巴囊肿病且症状显现的牙鲆血清中特异性抗体水平升高(平均OD值为0.165),患淋巴囊肿病后处于恢复期的牙鲆抗体水平最高(平均OD值为0.231);健康牙鲆接种LCDV灭活疫苗后,特异性抗体水平显著升高。     

Availability of cadmium and zinc from sewage sludge to the flounder, Platichthys flesus, via a marine food chain

This paper examines the potential availability to a demersal fish of cadmium and zinc associated with digested sewage sludge, via a food chain as well as directly from the sludge, and the tissue distribution and possible excretion of any accumulated cadmium and zinc. Radioactive tracer techniques were used in order to follow the food chain transfer of the metals. Flounder (Platichthys flesus) accumulated cadmium both directly from sludge (delivered in newly ingested unassimilated gutfuls in the amphipods) and in assimilated form from the tissues of the amphipod crustacean Corophium volutator that had been feeding on a sludge–sediment mixture. Cadmium from both sources could be excreted by the fish. The concentration of cadmium within the whole fish increased as the input of cadmium in the diet increased. Zinc, similarly, is available to the flounder both directly from sludge and from zinc accumulated in C. volutator. Only a limited increase in net accumulation of zinc by the flounder was observed upon increased inputs of zinc through the diet, perhaps indicating some regulation of body zinc concentration by the flounder.     

Pathology of the liver, kidney and gonad of flounder (Platichthys flesus) from a UK estuary impacted by endocrine disrupting chemicals.

The Mersey estuary is highly contaminated with xenobiotics compared to the nearby Dee estuary. Male flounder, a migratory flatfish caught in the Mersey frequently contains high blood concentrations of the oestrogen controlled, female protein vitellogenin, suggesting that Mersey flounder have been exposed to endocrine disrupting contaminants. Males caught from the Dee contain lower blood vitellogenin levels. Preliminary histopathological examination of 410 flounder from both estuaries, focuses on the liver, kidney and gonads. Hepatic tubular vacuolation, foci of cellular alteration, and hepatocellular tumours were seen. Renal and gonadal pathology included the presence of two Mersey fish with enlarged and abnormal glomeruli, three phenotypic male Mersey flounder with unilateral intersex gonads and one male with bilateral, abnormal ovarian follicular components in the testis. These initial results provide pathological evidence of xenobiotic exposure in flounder sampled from both estuaries. Preliminary findings from flounder sampled from Millport, an offshore site in Southwest Scotland, showed no histopathological evidence of xenobiotic exposure.     

Anthropogenic pollution stimulates oxidative stress in soft tissues of mussel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crenomytilus grayanus</Emphasis> (Dunker1853)

The digestive gland and gills of the mussel Crenomytilus grayanus extracted from three locations — (i) sampled from a clean and (ii) polluted site and (iii) transplanted from the nonpolluted to polluted site - were analysed for antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase), total oxyradical scavenging capacity and levels of lipid peroxidation products (malondialdehyde, conjugated dienes and lipofuscin). Perturbation of redox status was found in both digestive gland and gill tissues of mussels living in the polluted area. As the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were 1.2–3 times higher, the total oxyradical scavenging capacity was lower by 20–35% and the levels of lipid peroxidation products were 2–7 times higher compared to mussels from the reference site. In transplanted mussels, the lipid peroxidation process in both tissues was significantly stimulated (the level of conjugated dienes was increased 1.7–2.5-fold; malondialdehyde and lipofuscin contents were increased 3.5–5-fold) and the total oxyradical scavenging capacity fell by 50–70%. In addition, the transplantation generally resulted in transient and variable responses of antioxidant enzymes for both tissues. Complex response-behaviour of the antioxidant enzymes strongly points to the necessity of employing a combined approach that takes into account activities of antioxidant enzymes and the total oxyradical scavenging capacity, as well as measurement of oxidative damage (e.g., lipid peroxidation) to evaluate the physiological health of molluscs.     

Biomarkers in flounder (Platichthys flesus): an evaluation of their use in pollution monitoring

Flounder (Platichthys flesus) is among the most common fish-species in Norwegian and European estuaries. It lives in or on sediments from which it also finds most of its food. The aim of the present work was to evaluate biomarkers in flounder for possible future use in monitoring programmes. There were clear biomarker responses in flounder following injection of model contaminants benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), PCB #156 and Cd, singly or in sequence. Cytochrome P4501A responded following injection of the organic contaminants and metallothionein (MT) following Cd injection. All groups receiving B[a]P, either singly or in combination with other contaminants, accumulated high levels of B[a]P-metabolites in bile. There was little change in glutathione-S-transferase activity (measured using CDNB as substrate) following the treatments. Starvation appeared to affect the response of hepatic MT to Cd, but none of the other biomarkers. PAH in sediments elicited strong biomarker responses in caged flounder, whereas sediment-associated metals appeared to be largely unavailable to flounder in this study.     

Spawning and fecundity of two flounder species in the Hauraki gulf,New Zealand

Spawning grounds and spawning times of the sand flounder, Rhombosolea plebeia (Richardson), and the yellow‐belly flounder, Rhombosolea leporina Gunther, in the Hauraki Gulf are described. The occurrence of female fish at different stages of ovarian development at different stations during the year, the distribution of eggs in the plankton, and changes in ovary weight during the year were used as indicators of spawning grounds and spawning times.

The sand flounder was found to spawn in the waters to the east of Waiheke and Ponui Islands, at the northern end of the Firth of Thames, from June to November.

Yellow‐belly flounders spawned during September, October, and November, slightly to the south of the sand flounder spawning grounds in a belt extending from Tapu, on the eastern side of the Firth of Thames, north‐westwards towards Ponui Island.

Fecundity of both species was approximately proportional to the weight of the fish, or to the length cubed, and less than proportional to the ovary weight. The mean fecundity of sand flounders in the Hauraki Gulf varied from approximately 100,000 eggs in a fish of 18 cm to 500,000 in a 30 cm fish. That of yellow‐belly flounders varied from approximately 250,000 eggs in a fish of 30 cm to 1.25 million in a 45 cm fish.     

海萝抗氧化酶系与失水响应因子表达模式分析

潮间带红藻海萝(Gloiopeltis furcata)对失水胁迫具有很强的耐受能力。为探索海萝周期性失水过程中的响应机制,本研究在24 h内设计了两次连续的失水-复水循环处理,测定了海萝抗氧化酶活力的变化情况。同时,利用转录组测序技术,结合荧光定量PCR方法(qRT-RCR),对海萝失水响应基因的转录表达进行了验证。结果表明:海萝转录组共组装到32681条基因。与对照组相比,处理组共表达了7161条差异表达基因(differentially expressed genes, DEGs)。KEGG分析显示, DEGs分布在代谢、环境信息加工、有机体系统、遗传信息加工、细胞进程等方面。海萝抗氧化酶活力测定发现,抗氧化能力对海萝响应失水胁迫十分重要。过氧化氢酶(CAT)、硫氧还蛋白还原酶(TrxR)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)参与抗氧化过程,其中CAT酶活力对海萝抵抗失水胁迫尤为重要。此外,qRT-PCR结果显示,海萝中渗透调节物质红藻糖苷合成的相关基因(GfUGPase、GfGK、GfGPDH)只对初次失水处理有正响应。而热激蛋白70基因(GfHSP70)、碳酸酐酶基因(GfCA)、MYB蛋白编码基因(GfMYB)以及谷胱甘肽S转移酶基因(GfGST)在两次失水过程中其转录水平均有上调表达,它们也参与了海萝失水响应机制。     

Comparative histopathological effects of chemically contaminated sediment on marine organisms

Comparative pathological effects in three species of fish and six species of invertebrates were investigated using a chemically contaminated sediment from Black Rock Harbor (BRH), Connecticut, USA. Substances contained in BRH sediment are known to be genotoxic, carcinogenic, co-carcinogenic and tumor-promoting. Proliferative lesions were observed in winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) external, oral and esophageal epithelial surfaces, renal vascular and nephroblastic elements, and the pancreatic islets. Islet lesions included cystic adenomas and a diffuse islet proliferative condition, nesidioblastosis. In addition, pathology was enhanced when winter flounder were fed mussels (Mytilus edulis) previously exposed to BRH sediment. Neoplastic lesions developed in kidney tubule epithelia, gills, some regions of the gastrointestinal tract, neural elements and heart of oysters (Crassostrea virginica) exposed to BRH sediment for 30 days in the laboratory. In addition, renal carcinomas in three oysters had metastasized to the viseral ganglion. Lesions were also found in oysters exposed in situ in BRH and Long Island Sound for 30 or 36 days. Digestive diverticula, gills and kidneys appeared to be the prime organs affected in mussels, soft-shelled clams (Mya arenaria) and oysters exposed to BRH sediment. Mucous cell activity increased greatly in corals (Astrangia densa) while no microscopic lesions were detectable in lobster (Homarus americanus) exposed in the laboratory. Myxomas were also found in the hearts of < 5% of the mussels exposed in the laboratory.     

Endogenously-mediated, pretranslational suppression of cytochrome P4501A in PCB-contaminated flounder

Gonadally mature fish display strong sex-related differences in the content and activity of P4501A, the major polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon-inducible P450 form in teleosts. Such differences appear related to plasma levels of the female sex steroid, estradiol (E₂); however, neither the mechanism of estradiol suppression of P4501A nor the capacity for hormonal regulation to overcome P4501A induction by high concentrations of potent inducers are known. Gonadally mature flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) were collected from Fox Island (FI), Rhode Island, a reference site, and New Bedford Harbor (NB), Massachusetts, a site highly contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Differences in flounder P4501A expression were determined at the level P4501A catalytic activity (measured as ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase, EROD), P4501A protein content (immunoquantitated), and P4501A mRNA content (by Northern blot) as they relate to sex, reproductive status, and hepatic PCB content. Our results confirm that suppression of P4501A in gonadally mature female fish is probably due, at least in part, to elevated E₂ titers, and demonstrate that such suppression occurs at a pretranslational level and, further, that endogenous regulation of P4501A expression can ‘override’ exogenous regulation by even high concentrations of P4501A inducers.     

牙鲆gnrh基因的表达分析

本文通过qPCR方法,研究了我国重要海水鱼类——牙鲆（Paralichthys olivaceus）雌、雄成体组织以及性腺分化期的脑、性腺中gnrh1、gnrh2和gnrh3的表达水平。结果显示,gnrh1分布于所有检测的组织：在脑、垂体、肾脏和肝脏中高表达,在性腺中表达相对较低;gnrh2则在雌、雄性的肝脏以及雄性的肠、肾脏、眼睛和头肾中;而gnrh3只在雄性的肾脏、眼睛和肌肉中检测到微弱表达。人工诱导的牙鲆雌核发育鱼苗分别用17β-雌二醇（E₂）和17α-甲基睾酮（MT）处理,使其分化为雌性或雄性个体表型。在性腺分化期的脑中,gnrh1的表达呈现上升趋势,在全长（total length,TL）4 cm鱼苗中,E₂组的表达显著高于MT组（P<0.05）;gnrh2在2 cm TL时E₂组显著高于MT组（P<0.05）,随后在E₂和对照组的表达水平均出现下降趋势;gnrh3在2 cm TL时E₂和对照组的表达均显著高于MT组（P<0.05）,自6 cm TL时MT和E₂组的表达开始下降。在性腺中,三种gnrh在性腺分化前2 cm TL表达量都相对较高,随后呈现下降趋势。综上,推测牙鲆gnrh1可能参与了性腺分化的启动、分化过程及性腺发育,gnrh2主要参与了性腺分化的启动,gnrh3主要参与了性腺分化的启动和分化过程。     

苯并[a]芘(BaP)对褐菖鲉(Sebasticus marmoratus)肝CYP1A1酶活性、基因表达及蛋白表达的影响

为了了解苯并[a]芘(BaP)对鱼类细胞色素P4501A1(CYP1A1)表达的影响,以褐菖鲉(Sebasticus marmoratus)为实验材料,采用体内实验,研究其在经过不同浓度(0.1、1、10、20、50mg/kg鱼体重量)的BaP诱导后,鱼体肝脏研究CYP1A1基因表达的情况,筛选出后续时间-效应实验中BaP注射的最佳浓度,研究BaP诱导6h、12h、1d、3d、7d后(质量浓度为20mg/kg鱼体重量)鱼体肝脏CYP1A1酶活性、基因表达和蛋白表达的情况。结果表明:剂量-效应实验中,20mg/kg鱼体重量为最佳浓度,此浓度下,基因表达在各组中变化最显著。时间-效应实验中,较空白对照组而言,染毒6h、12h和1d后,EROD酶活性显著增加。3d后开始下降,与对照组相比变化不大,7d后酶活性又发生上调。半定量RT-PCR结果表明,各染毒组与对照组相比,CYP1A1基因表达量都发生了上调,呈现先上升后下降的趋势。其中,6h和12h组相对表达量极显著增加,1d后开始下降且与3d和7d组相比变化不明显。Western blot结果表明,蛋白表达量在染毒12h后表现出显著的诱导效应,随着时间的延长略有回落,但与对照组相比仍有显著性差异。研究表明:BaP对褐菖鲉CYP1A1具有较强的诱导作用。一定质量浓度的BaP注射于褐菖鲉不同的时间后,能诱导褐菖鲉活体EROD酶活性、CYP1A1基因m RNA表达及蛋白表达,并随着时间的延长呈现先诱导后抑制的趋势。这说明BaP作为诱导剂对CYP1A1酶活性和蛋白表达的作用机制可能与调控CYP1A1的转录水平有关。