Characterization of defensin gene from abalone <Emphasis Type="Italic">Haliotis discus hannai</Emphasis> and its deduced protein

Defensin is one of preserved ancient host defensive materials formed in biological evolution. As a regulator and effector molecule, it is very important in animals＇ acquired immune system. This paper reports the defensin gene from the mixed liver and kidney cDNA library of abalone Haliotis discus hannai Ino. Sequence analysis shows that the gene sequence of full-length cDNA encodes 42 mature peptides （including six Cys）, molecular weight of 4 323 Da, and pI of 8.02. Amino acid sequence homology analysis shows that the peptides are highly similar （70% in common） to other insects defensin. Because of a typical insect-defensin structural character of mature peptide in the secondary structure, the polypeptide named Haliotis discus defensin （hd-def）, a novel of antimicrobial peptides, belongs to insects defensin subfamily. The RT-PCR result of Haliotis discus defensin shows that the gene can be expressed only in the hepatopancreas by Gram-negative and positive bacteria stimulation, which is ascribed to inducible expression. Therefore, it is revealed that the Haliotis discus defensin gene expression was related to the antibacterial infection of Haliotis discus hannai Ino.     

养殖牙鲆淋巴囊肿病流行状况与组织病理学研究

１９９７～１９９８年,山东省烟台市和威海市４个养殖场的养殖牙鲆发生了一种危害很大的疾病。该病症状为患病牙鲆的眼睛、口腔内外、鳍及上下体表等部位有明显囊肿物。病症轻的牙鲆援食正常且有自愈现象,病症重的牙鲆基本不摄食、部分出现死亡。自愈牙鲆体质弱,在运输过程中死亡率超过了８０×１０－２,可以说失去了商品价值。据调查,发病养殖场的鱼苗系购自同一育苗场,而该育苗场则使用了韩国亲鱼进行鱼苗生产。病理组织切片表明,在囊肿细胞的胞质内有嗜碱性、具网状结构、形状不规则的包涵体。由于本病的症状和病理组织特征与国内外有关真鲷和石斑鱼等的报道基本一致,所以,本研究初步认为该病为淋巴囊肿病。     

Screen and effect analysis of immunostimulants for sea cucumber,Apostichopus japonicus

Immunostimulants may improve disease resistance of aquaculture animals by promoting the nonspecific immunity response of the organisms. Five types of saccharides, including chitosan, yeast polysaccharide, burdock oligosaccharide, seaweed polysaccharide and lentinus edodes polysaccharide, were screened for potential use as immunostimulants by using spectrophotometry. The saccharides were injected into Apostichopus japonicus, a sea cucumber, and the lysozyme and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities of the coelomic fluid and epidermal slime were monitored in six consecutive days. The results show that the lysozyme activity of the animal's coelomic fluid was significantly stimulated on day 2, day 4 and day 6 after the injection of the saccharides (P<0.05). The effects of chitosan and yeast polysaccharide were the most notable. The lysozyme activity of the epidermal slime was significantly increased by chitosana, yeast polysaccharide, seaweed polysaccharide, and burdock oligosaccharide on day 1 and day 2 after the injection (P<0.05). The SOD activity of the coelomic fluid was significantly promoted by the saccharides on day 2 and day 4 post-injection (P<0.05), while the SOD activity of the epidermal slime increased on day 2. These findings indicate that chitosan and yeast polysaccharide are the most effective immunostimulants and potential healthy anti-disease feedstuff for A. japonicus.