Cloning and stage-specific expression of CK-M1 gene during metamorphosis of Japanese flounder,Paralichthys olivaceus

The symmetrical body of flatfish larvae changes dramatically into an asymmetrical form after metamorphosis. The molecular mechanisms responsible for this change are poorly understood. As an initial step to clarify these mechanisms, we used representational difference analysis of cDNA for the identification of genes active during metamorphosis in the Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olicaceus. One of the up-regulated genes was identified as creatine kinase muscle type 1 (CK-M1). Sequence analysis of CK-M1 revealed that it spanned 1 708 bp and encoded a protein of 382 amino acids. The overall amino acid sequence of the CK-M1 was highly conserved with those of other organisms. CK-M1 was expressed in adult fish tissues, including skeletal muscle, intestine and gill. Whole mount in-situ hybridization showed that the enhanced expression of CK-M1 expanded from the head to the whole body of larvae as metamorphosis progressed. Quantitative analysis revealed stage-specific high expression of CK-M1 during metamorphosis. The expression level of CK-M1 increased initially and peaked at metamorphosis, decreased afterward, and finally returned to the pre-metamorphosis level. This stage-specific expression pattern suggested strongly that CK-M1 was related to metamorphosis in the Japanese flounder. Its specific role in metamorphosis requires further study.     

Quantitative comparison of the expression of myogenic regulatory factors in flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)embryos and adult tissues

MyoD,Myf5,and myogenin are myogenic regulatory factors that play important roles during myogenesis.It is thought that MyoD and Myf5 are required for myogenic determination,while myogenin is important for terminal differentiation and lineage maintenance.To better understand the function of myogenic regulatory factors in muscle development of flounder,an important economic fish in Asia,real-time quantitative RT-PCR was used to characterize the expression patterns of MyoD,Myf5, and myogenin at early stages of embryo development,and in different tissues of the adult flounder.The results show that,Myf5 is the first gene to be expressed during the early stages of flounder development, followed by MyoD and myogenin.The expressions of Myf5,MyoD,and myogenin at the early stages have a common characteristic:expression gradually increased to a peak level,and then gradually decreased to an extremely low level.In the adult flounder,the expression of the three genes in muscle is much higher than that in other tissues,indicating that they are important for muscle growth and maintenance of grown fish.During embryonic stages,the expression level of MyoD might serve an important role in the balance between muscle cell differentiation and proliferation.When the MyoD expression is over 30%of its highest level,the muscle cells enter the differentiation stage.     

Molecular cloning and mRNA expression analysis of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) from fast skeletal muscle of grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella

The myosin heavy chain(MyHC)is one of the major structural and contracting proteins of muscle.We have isolated the cDNA clone encoding MyHC of the grass carp,Ctenopharyngodon idella. The sequence comprises 5 934 bp,including a 5 814 bp open reading frame encoding an amino acid sequence of 1 937 residues.The deduced amino acid sequence showed 69%homology to rabbit fast skeletal MyHC and 73%–76%homology to the MyHCs from the mandarin fish,walleye pollack,white croaker,chum salmon,and carp.The putative sequences of subfragment-1 and the light meromyosin region showed 61.4%–80%homology to the corresponding regions of other fish MyHCs.The tissue-specific and developmental stage-specific expressions of the MyHC gene were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR.The MyHC gene showed the highest expression in the muscles compared with the kidney,spleen and intestine.Developmentally,there was a gradual increase in MyHC mRNA expression from the neural formation stage to the tail bud stage.The highest expression was detected in hatching larva.Our work on the MyHC gene from the grass carp has provided useful information for fish molecular biology and fish genomics.     

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism of FSHβ Gene Associated with Reproductive Traits in Japanese Flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

Follicle stimulating hormone β (FSHβ) of Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) plays a key role in the regulation of gonadal development.This study aimed to investigate molecular genetic characteristics of the FSHβ gene and elucidate the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of FSHβ on reproductive traits in Japanese flounder.We used polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and sequencing of the FSHβ gene in 60 individuals.We identified only an SNP (T/C) in the coding region of exon3 of FSHβ.The SNP (T/C) did not lead to amino acid changes at the position 340 bp of FSHβ gene.Statistical analysis showed that the SNP was significantly associated with testosterone (T) level and gonadosomatic index (GSI) (P0.05).Individuals with genotype TC of the SNP had significantly higher serum T levels and GSI (P0.05) than that of genotype CC.Therefore, FSHβ gene could be a useful molecular marker in selection for prominent reproductive trait in Japanese Flounder.     

Morphological and molecular diagnoses of Polydora brevipalpa Zachs,1933(Annelida: Spionidae) from the shellfish along the coast of China

Shell-boring species Polydora brevipalpa Zachs, 1933 is redescribed based on morphological observations and molecular approach for future unambiguous identification. Genetic distance analyses showed that the interspecific polydorid variation(16.7%–25.6%) was at least 15 times higher than the intraspecific one(0.2%–0.9%) based on the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I(CO1) gene sequences of polydorids. However, 18 S rDNA variation pattern demonstrated a rather narrow barcoding gap, with the interspecific polydorid variation(0.5%–5.6%) being very close to the intraspecific one(0.0%–0.4%). As such, the CO1 gene exhibited better DNA barcode for identification of polydorids than the 18 S rDNA gene because of the su ciently large barcoding gaps. Analysis of molecular variance results based on CO1 gene sequences showed that most variations in sequences(97.79%) lay within groups of adult worms and egg capsules rather than between them. This indicated that egg capsules from Crassostrea gigas(Thunberg,1793) in Ningbo and Nantong were related to the adult worms from Patinopecten yessoensis(Jay, 1857) in Dalian, and both of them belonged to P. brevipalpa. This result was further supported by parsimony network analysis, which showed that egg capsules collected from dif ferent localities and adult worms shared a single haplotype. This study was the first to report both P. brevipalpa infestation on C. gigas and to utilise the known CO1 sequences of the adult polydorids to validate morphologically unidentified egg capsules or early larvae. P. brevipalpa was most possibly brought to Chinese waters through transportation of Pa. yessoensis brood stock from Japan.     

Proline with or without Hydroxyproline Influences Collagen Concentration and Regulates Prolyl 4-Hydroxylase α(I) Gene Expression in Juvenile Turbot(Scophthalmus maximus L.)

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary proline(Pro), and Pro and hydroxyproline(Hyp) in combination on the growth performance, total Hyp and collagen concentrations of tissues, and prolyl 4-hydroxylase α(I)(P4H α(I)) gene expression in juvenile turbot feeding high plant protein diets. A diet containing 50% crude protein and 12% crude lipid was formulated as the basal and control, on which other two protein and lipid contents identical experimental diets were formulated by supplementing the basal with either 0.75% Pro(Pro-0.75) or 0.75% Pro and 0.75% Hyp(Pro+Hyp). Four groups of fish in indoor seawater recirculating systems, 35 individuals each, were fed twice a day to apparent satiation for 10 weeks. The results showed that dietary Pro and Hyp supplementation had no significant effect on growth performance and feed utilization of juvenile turbot(P 0.05). Total Hyp and collagen concentrations in muscle were significantly increased when dietary Pro and Hyp increased(P 0.05), and fish fed diet Pro+Hyp showed significantly higher free Hyp content in plasma than those fed other diets(P 0.05). The expression of P4 H α(I) gene in liver and muscle was significantly up regulated in fish fed diet Pro-0.75 in comparison with control(P 0.05); however the gene was significantly down regulated in fish fed diet Pro+Hyp in muscle in comparison with fish fed diet Pro-0.75(P 0.05). It can be concluded that supplement of crystal L-Pro and L-Hyp to high plant protein diets did not show positive effects on growth performance of juvenile turbot, but enhanced total collagen concentrations in muscle.     

PROPERTIES OF PROTEOLYTIC TOXIN OF VIBRIO ANGUILLARUM FROM DISEASED FLOUNDER

Extracellular products(ECP)produced by Vibrio anguillarum strain M3 originally isolated from diseased flounder(Paralichthys olivaceus)were prepared.ECP of M3 showed gelatinase,casinase,amylase and haemolytic activity on agarose plates.High protease activity against azocasin was detected.Bacterium M3 showed highest growth and protease activity at 25℃。The Protease present in ECP showed maximal activity at pH 8 and 55℃；was completely inactivated by application of 80℃ heat for 30 min;was completely inhibited by EDTA and HgCl2,and was partially inhibited by PMSF,SDS,MnCl2 and iodoacetic acid;but not inhibited by CaCl2 and MgCl2.The ECP was toxic to flounder fish at LD50 values of 3.1 μg protein/g body weight.The addition of HgCl2 and application of heat at 50℃ decreased the lethal toxicity of ECP.When heated at 100℃,ECP lethality to flounder was completely in-hibited.After intramuscular injection of ECP into flounder,it showed evident histopathological changes including necrosis of muscle,extensive deposition of haemosiderin in the spleen,dilated bolld vessels congested with numerous lymphocytes in the liver.These results showed that ECP protease was a lethal factor produced by the baterium V.anguillarum M3.     

Characterization of SNAP-25 gene from marine teleostean, Lateolabrax japonicus

The t-SNARE protein SNAP-25 (synaptosome-associated protein of 25 kDa) plays an essential role in regulating fusion between the vesicle and plasma membranes during exocytosis. To clone and characterize SNAP-25 gene, the first step in the functional study of SNARE proteins in marine teleostean, was to obtain the cDNA of sea perch SNAP-25 (SPsn25) by RT-PCR and RACE-PCR amplification of a Japanese sea perch. The full-length cDNA of 831bp contains a CDS of 615 bp, coding 204 amino acid residues, and a 5′UTR of 219bp. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that SPsn25 corresponds with SNAP-25a isoform and shares 91.1% identity with SNAP-25a of a goldfish and a zebrafish. The SPsn25 expression in both mRNA and protein levels in the Japanese sea perch had been identified through semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western Blot assay. Together, these data again confirmed the nerve tissue specificity of the fish SNAP-25 gene expression.     

Molecular cloning of the heat shock protein 20 gene from Paphia textile and its expression in response to heat shock

P. textile is an important aquaculture species in China and is mainly distributed in Fujian, Guangdong, and Guangxi Provinces. In this study, an HSP20 c DNA designated Pt HSP20 was cloned from P. textile. The full-length c DNA of Pt HSP20 is 1 090 bp long and contains a 5′ untranslated region(UTR) of 93 bp, a 3′ UTR of 475 bp, and an open reading frame(ORF) of 522 bp. The Pt HSP20 c DNA encodes 173 amino acid residues and has a molecular mass of 20.22 k Da and an isoelectric point of 6.2. Its predicted amino acid sequence shows that Pt HSP20 contains a typical α-crystallin domain(residues 77–171) and three polyadenylation signal-sequences at the C-terminus. According to an amino acid sequence alignment, Pt HSP20 shows moderate homology to other mollusk s HSPs. Pt HSP20 m RNA was present in all of the test tissues including the heart, digestive gland, adductor muscle, gonad, gill, and mantle, with the highest concentration found in the gonad. Under the stress of high temperature, the expression of Pt HSP20 m RNA was down-regulated in all of the tissues except the adductor muscle and gonad.     

Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of Lectin Gene cDNA Isolated from Sea Cucumber(Apostichopus japonicus) Body Wall

As a ‘living fossil' of species origin and ‘rich treasure' of food and nutrition development, sea cucumber has received a lot of attentions from researchers. The cDNA library construction and EST sequencing of blood had been conducted previously in our lab. The bioinformatic analysis provided a gene fragment which is highly homologous with the genes of lectin family, named AjL(Apostichopus japonicus lectin). To characterize and determine the phylogeny of AjL genes in early evolution, we isolated a fulllength cDNA of lectin gene from the body wall of A. japonicus. The open reading frame of this gene contained 489 bp and encoded a 163 amino acids secretory protein being homologous to lectins of mammals and aquatic organisms. The deduced protein included a lectin-like domain. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that AjL migrated as a specific band(about 36.09 kDa under reducing), and agglutinated against rabbit red blood cells. AjL was similar to chain A of CEL-IV in space structure. We predicted that AjL may play the same role of CEL-IV. Our results suggested that more than one lectin gene functioned in sea cucumber and most of other species, which was fused by uncertain sequences during the evolution and encoded different proteins with diverse functions. Our findings provided the insights into the function and characteristics of lectin genes invertebrates. The results will also be helpful for the identification and structural, functional, and evolutionary analyses of lectin genes.     

Characterization of ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase and transcriptional analysis of its related genes in Saccharina japonica (Laminariales,Phaeophyta)

Saccharina japonica is a common macroalga in sublittoral communities of cold seawater environments,and consequently may have highly effi cient ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase(Rubisco)activity for carbon assimilation.In our study,we cloned the full-length Rubisco gene from S.japonica(SJ-rbc).It contained an open reading frame for a large subunit gene(SJ-rbcL)of 1 467 bp,a small subunit gene(SJ-rbcS)of 420 bp,and a SJ-rbcL /S intergenic spacer of 269 bp.The deduced peptides of SJ-rbcL and SJ-rbcS were 488 and 139 amino acids with theoretical molecular weights and isoelectric points of 53.97 kDa,5.81 and 15.84 kDa,4.71,respectively.After induction with 1 mmol/L isopropyl-β-Dthiogalactopyranoside for 5 h and purifi cation by Ni 2+ affi nity chromatography,electrophoresis and western blot detection demonstrated successful expression of the 55 kDa SJ-rbcL protein.Real-time quantitative PCR showed that the mRNA levels of SJ-rbcL in gametophytes increased when transferred into normal growth conditions and exhibited diurnal variations: increased expression during the day but suppressed expression at night.This observation implied that Rubisco played a role in normal gametophytic growth and development.In juvenile sporophytes,mRNA levels of SJ-rbcL,carbonic anhydrase,Calvin-BensonBassham cycle-related enzyme,and chloroplast light-harvesting protein were remarkably increased under continuous light irradiance.Similarly,expression of these genes was up-regulated under blue light irradiance at 350 μmol/(m 2·s).Our results indicate that long-term white light and short-term blue light irradiance enhances juvenile sporophytic growth by synergistic effects of various photosynthetic elements.