Phylogenetic relationships of five species of Dorippinae (Crustacea, Decapoda) revealed by 16S rDNA sequence analysis

A molecular phylogeny is presented for the subfamily Dorippinae (including 9 individuals, representing 5 species and 4 genera), based on the sequence data from 16S rRNA gene. Two-cluster test between lineages in these phylogenetic trees has been performed. On the basis of rate constancy, the rate of nucleotide substitutions of 16S rDNA sequence data is estimated as 0.27% per million years. The analysis strongly supports the recognition of the Dorippinae as a monophyletic subfamily. Phylogenetic tree indicates that the subfamily Dorippinae is divided into two main clades, and genus Dorippe appears basal in the subfamily, diverging from other species 36.6 Ma ago. It is also clear that the Heikea is closely related to the genus Neodorippe. The divergence time between them is 15.8 Ma.

Study on the GABA gated channels in the neurosecretory cells of MTXO in the eyestalks of Eriocheir sinensis

The responses to rapid application of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and the GABA receptor characteristics of MTXO neurosecretory cells in the eyestalks of Chinese mitten-handed crab (Eriocheir sinensis) were examined by whole-cell patch clamp. Under current clamp mode, the depolarization and hyperpolarization were evoked from the three types of neurosecretory cells in response to the GABA (0.1 mmol/L) depending on the Nernst Cl- potential. Under voltage clamp mode, the inward Cl- channel currents (I-GABA) were resolved from all three types of neurosecretory cells in response to GABA (0.01similar to5 mmol/L). The GABA currents were activated within 1 200 ms and peaked within 800 ms. No obviously desensitization was observed during GABA application. The dose-response curve showed usual S-shape, with a just-discernible effect at 0.01 mmol/L and near-saturation at 0.5 mmol/L. The GABA currents had reversal potentials that followed Nernst Cl- potentials when [Cl-] was varied. The pharmacological results revealed that the GABA receptor of the crab neurosecretory cells was sensitive to the Cl- channel blockers picrotoxin and niflumic acid (0.5 mmol/L), insensitive to GABA(A) receptor antagonist bicuculline and GABA(C) receptor agonist cis-4-aminocrotonic acid (CACA 1 mmol/L) and trans-4-aminocrotonic (TACA 1 mmol/L).

The mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase gene in Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis: Cloning, distribution and expression

Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) plays an important role in crustacean immune defense reaction by eliminating oxidative stress. Knowledge on MnSOD at molecular level allows us to understand its regulatory mechanism in crustacean immune system. A novel mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase (mMnSOD) was cloned from hepatopancreas of Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis by 3' and 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) PCR. The full-length cDNA consists of 1185 bp with a 660 bp open reading frame, encoding 220 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence contains a putative signal peptide of 20 amino acids. Sequence comparison showed that the mMnSOD of F. chinensis shares 88% and 82% identity with that of giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii and blue crab Callinectes sapidus, respectively. mMnSOD transcripts were detected in hepatopancreas, hemocytes, lymphoid organ, intestine, ovary, muscle and gill by Northern blotting. RT-PCR analysis indicated that mMnSOD showed different expression profiles in shrimp hemocytes and hepatopancreas after artificial infection with while spot syndrome virus (WSSV). In addition, a fusion protein containing mMnSOD was produced in vitro. LC-ESI-MS analysis showed that two peptide fragments (-GDVNTVISLAPALK- and -NVRPDYVNAIWK-) of the recombinant protein were identical to the corresponding sequence of M. rosenbergii mMnSOD, and the enzyme activity of the refolded recombinant protein was also measured. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Molecular characterization of an ecdysone inducible gene E75 of Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis and elucidation of its role in molting by RNA interference

Ecdysone inducible gene. E75 is a primary target of ecdysone receptor (EcR). and is found to play a critical role in the molting process of arthropods In this study, a cDNA encoding the E75 of Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis (FcE75) was cloned using RT-PCR and RACE techniques FcE75 cDNA was 3611 bp in length with an ORF of 2394 bp. The deduced amino acid sequence of FcE75 had the highest sequence identity to E75 from a land crab Gecarcinus lateral's and E75 of the shrimp Metapenaeus crisis Quantitative real-time PCR revealed a prominently high expression of FcE75 mRNA in the whole body RNA extract of late premolt period (D3) juvenile shrimp. The role of E75 in the process of shrimp molting was investigated using the RNA interference technique Long double-stranded RNA corresponding to the FcE75 (dsE75) efficiently silenced the FcE75 transcript levels in juvenile F. chinensis. Further, injection with dsE75 completely arrested the molting process in experimental shrimp which eventually caused death Setogenic analysis of the uropods from molt-arrested shrimp, showed defective epidermal retraction, poor development of setae and new cuticle. These results indicate that E75 might be related to the molting process and is essential for proper molting and survival of shrimp This is the first report demonstrating the use of double stranded RNA to elucidate the possible role of E75 in the molting of decapod crustaceans (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc All rights reserved

The second anti-lipopolysaccharide factor (EsALF-2) with antimicrobial activity from Eriocheir sinensis

The anti-lipopolysaccharide factor CALF) is a small basic protein that can bind and neutralize lipopolysaccharide (LPS), mediating degranulation and activation of an intracellular coagulation cascade. In the present study, cDNA of the second Eriocheir sinensis ALF (designated as EsALF-2) was cloned and the full-length cDNA of EsALF-2 was of 724 bp, consisting of an open reading frame (ORF) of 363 bp encoding a polypeptide of 120 amino acids. The deduced amino acid of EsALF-2 shared 82% similarity with EsALF-1 from E. sinensis and about 53-65% similarity with ALFs from other crustaceans. The potential tertiary structures of EsALF-1 and EsALF-2 contained two highly conserved-cysteine residues to define the LPS binding site, but the N-terminal of EsALF-1 formed a single additional alpha-helix compared to EsALF-2, implying that EsALF-1 and EsALF-2 might represent different biological functions in E. sinensis. The mRNA transcript of EsALF-2 was detected in all examined tissues of healthy crabs, including haemocytes, hepatopancreas, gill, muscle, heart and gonad, which suggested that EsALF-2 could be a multifunctional molecule for the host immune defense responses and thereby provided systemic protection against pathogens. The mRNA expression of EsALF-2 was up-regulated after Listonelln anguillarum and Pichia pastoris challenge and the recombinant protein of EsALF-2 showed antimicrobial activity against L. anguillarum and P. pastoris. indicating that EsALF-2 was involved in the immune defense responses in Chinese mitten crab against L. anguillarum and P. pastoris. These results together indicated that there were abundant and diverse ALFs in E. sinensis with various biological functions and these ALFs would provide candidate promising therapeutic or prophylactic agents in health management and diseases control of crab aquaculture. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

中华绒螯蟹（Eriocheir sinensis）cDNA文库的构建、EST分析及其酚氧化酶系统关键基因的研究

中华绒螯蟹（Eriocheir sinensis）是我国的特色物种，具有重要的经济和科研价值。酚氧化酶系统作为节肢动物特有的免疫机制，在中华绒螯蟹的免疫反应中发挥重要作用。本研究构建了一个中华绒螯蟹的cDNA文库，利用表达序列标签 (Expressed Sequence Tag，EST) 技术，对中华绒螯蟹表达序列进行了大规模测序分析，并利用cDNA末端快速扩增（rapid amplification of cDNA ends，RACE）、实时定量PCR、原核重组和RNAi等技术研究了其酚氧化酶免疫系统的分子基础及其相应功能。 用鳗弧菌和金黄色葡萄球菌同时感染中华绒螯蟹，提取血细胞的RNA构建了一个库容为3.3×106 克隆cDNA文库。随机测序后获得7535条高质量的EST序列，其中在GenBank数据库中未发现同源序列的为4593 条，而具有较高同源性2942条可以分为20个功能类别，参与了23个生物学反应。 进一步分析发现，969 条（32.9% ）EST与免疫相关，可拼接成221个免疫基因。这个比例高于其它任何一个已公布的甲壳动物cDNA文库。在免疫相关EST中，抗菌肽比例最高，约占总数的20.1%（195条EST）。免疫基因的高比例和抗菌肽的高表达，证明细菌刺激是提高cDNA 文库中免疫基因丰度的有效方法。 EST序列的获得和免疫基因的富集，丰富了中华绒螯蟹的基因组信息，初步了解了中华绒螯蟹固有免疫系统的概况, 为进一步克隆和研究中华绒螯蟹免疫防御功能基因提供了序列基础。 本研究在EST分析的基础上，克隆获得了中华绒螯蟹酚氧化酶系统10个基因的cDNA全长序列, 它们分别是前酚氧化酶（EsproPO），丝氨酸蛋白酶同源物（EsSPH), 丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂pacifastin, serpin, PAPII (EsPLC, Es serpin, EsPAPII), 模式识别丝氨酸蛋白酶（EsPRSP），peroxinectin (Esperoxinectin)和3个前酚氧化酶激活酶 (EsPAP1, 2, 3)。它们与相近物种的酚氧化酶系统相应基因均具有较高同源性，并含有胰酶催化结构域，CLIP结构域，PLD结构域，KAZAL结构域，Serpin结构域以及酚氧化酶结构域等酚氧化酶系统相应基因典型的特征结构域。分析发现，PAPs的CLIP结构域和PRSP，Pacifastin，Proxinectin，proPO基因是节肢动物特有的，是酚氧化酶系统作为节肢动物特有免疫机制的分子基础。本研究从多个基因的3′UTR区发现了调控元件，如15-LOX-DICE，K-box和 Brd-Box。在所推断的蛋白中，EsPAP3和EsPAPII的等电点呈碱性，Esperoxinetin的为中性，而EsPRSP，EsSPH，EsproPO, EsPAPII, Esserpin，EsPAP1的等电点在酸性区间。健康中华绒螯蟹 EsPAP1，EsPAP2，EsPAPII基因在肌肉中的表达量最高，而在血细胞中的表达量相对较低；EsPAP3，EsproPO，EsPLC基因在血细胞中表达量较高，在肌肉中的表达量最低。其中，EsPAP3在血细胞中的表达量是其在肌肉组织中表达量的526.35倍。调控元件和多种激活酶与抑制剂的存在、组织分布和等电点的差异，说明中华绒螯蟹酚氧化酶系统在转录、翻译、激活等多个层次上受到了调控。在中华绒螯蟹受到鳗弧菌刺激后，EsPAP1，EsPAP2，EsPAP3，EsPLC和EsPAPII基因的表达量呈上升或下降的趋势，但表达量的极限值均出现在2小时和12小时，这一规律与EsproPO应激后的mRNA表达和酶比活力的变化特点相吻合，说明中华绒螯蟹酚氧化酶系统各因子相互协调共同参与中华绒螯蟹对入侵细菌的防御反应。同时EsPAP2，EsPAP3，EsproPO，EsPAPII，EsPLC在中华绒螯蟹受到鳗弧菌刺激后的表达呈现反复多次上升，表明酚氧化酶系统可能参与了多种免疫反应。研究还发现EsPAP1参与中华绒螯蟹血液凝集过程，而EsPAP3是蟹血细胞中的有效的前酚氧化酶激活因子。研究结果初步揭示了中华绒螯蟹酚氧化酶系统的分子基础、对微生物的响应机制及其调控机制和演化趋势，为节肢动物固有免疫系统研究奠定了良好基础。

中华绒螯蟹（Eriocheir sinensis）Peroxiredoxin 6和Thioredoxin1基因的克隆及表达

中华绒螯蟹是我国重要的水产经济动物，近年来养殖规模不断扩大，产量持续增加。但是，伴随着养殖规模的扩大，养殖环境也日益恶化并导致了大量疾病的发生，严重制约了中华绒螯蟹养殖业的健康发展。因此，疾病预防和控制对中华绒螯蟹养殖业的可持续发展具有举足轻重的作用。与其他无脊椎动物一样，中华绒螯蟹的免疫系统没有免疫球蛋白和淋巴细胞，而是依靠由细胞免疫和体液免疫构成的固有免疫系统来对病原进行识别和清除。中华绒螯蟹的固有免疫机制的研究有助于推动中华绒螯蟹病害防治工作的开展。 本研究采用大规模EST测序方法，结合末端快速扩增（rapid amplification of cDNA ends，RACE）技术从中华绒螯蟹血淋巴中克隆到了过氧化物还原酶（peroxiredoxin，EsPrx6）和硫氧还蛋白（thioredoxin，EsTrx1）基因的cDNA 全长序列；采用实时荧光定量PCR 技术检测了这两个基因在健康个体中表达的组织分布情况以及鳗弧菌刺激后血淋巴细胞中的时序表达规律；同时，将这两个基因的编码区克隆到pET 系列载体，并在大肠杆菌中实现了重组表达，并进行了体外活性检测。 过氧化物还原酶是一个抗氧化蛋白超家族，在保护机体免受活性氧（reactive oxygen species，ROS）的伤害中发挥着重要作用。中华绒螯蟹Prx6（EsPrx6） 基因的cDNA 全长为1076 bp，5` UTR（untranslated region，UTR） 为69 bp，3` UTR 为347 bp，开放阅读框（open reading frame，ORF）为660 bp，编码219 个氨基酸的蛋白。mRNA 3`-端具有多聚腺苷酸加尾信号（polyadenylation signal）AATAAA 和polyA 尾巴。EsPrx6 的预测分子量为 24 kDa，理论等电点为6.21，具有一个保守的Prx 结构域、一个AhpC 结构域和过氧化物酶催化活性中心PVCTTE，表明EsPrx6 属于1-Cys 型Prx。在所检测的组织中均有EsPrx6 的表达，其中以肝胰腺表达量最高，为血淋巴细胞中表达量的17.4 倍。鳗弧菌刺激后，血淋巴细胞中EsPrx6 的表达下降，到12 h 时，实验组显著低于对照组（P<0.05）；随时间推移，表达水平逐渐回升，但在整个实验期间，都没有恢复到起始水平。将EsPrx6 进行体外重组并在大肠杆菌E. coli BL21（DE3）中实现表达，重组EsPrx6 具有预期的抗氧化活性和过氧化物酶活性，其中抗氧化活力为14.69 U/mg 蛋白，高于相同条件下GSH 的抗氧化力（P<0.05），过氧化物酶活力为23.46 U/mg 蛋白。结果表明，EsPrx6 作为一种重要的抗氧化剂，在中华绒螯蟹抵御ROS 可能引起的氧化损伤方面具有重要作用。 硫氧还蛋白是广泛存在于生物体内的一种具有硫醇依赖性的具有还原活性的蛋白。中华绒螯蟹Trx1（EsTrx1）基因的cDNA 全长为641 bp，5` UTR 为17 bp，3` UTR 为306 bp，开放阅读框为318 bp，编码105 个氨基酸。EsTrx1 的预测分子量为12.2 kDa，理论等电点为4.8。EsTrx1 不含信号肽，其氨基酸序列与其他动物的Trx1s 具有高度相似性，如与地中海黄蝎的Trx1 相似度达到73%；而与其他物种Trx2 的同源性很低，相似度仅为14.3-22.8%，表明EsTrx1 属于Trx1 亚族。实时荧光定量PCR 检测发现，EsTrx1 在鳃、性腺、肝胰腺、肌肉、心脏和血淋巴细胞中都有表达。血淋巴细胞中EsTrx1 mRNA 的表达量在菌刺激后上升，刺激后6 h，实验组表达量显著高于对照组和空白组（P<0.05），然后逐渐恢复到刺激前水平。为进一步探讨其生物学功能，将EsTrx1 进行体外重组并在大肠杆菌E. coli BL21（DE3）得到表达，重组EsTrx1 具有预期的氧化还原调节活性，抗氧化活力为3.06 U/mg，且抗氧化活力高于GSH（P<0.05）。rEsTrx1 的二硫键还原活力为5.03，低于凡纳滨对虾的二硫键还原活力（10.44），接近于大肠杆菌（4.93），小牛胸腺（6.50）和小牛肝脏（5.09），而高于鲍鱼Trx2（1.83）活力。结果表明，EsTrx1 在生理条件下能够作为一种重要的抗氧化剂，参与对细菌感染的免疫应答反应。

A review of the genus Apocepon Nierstrasz & Brender a Brandis (Isopoda : Epicaridea : Bopyridae) parasitic on purse crabs (Decapoda : Brachyura : Leucosiidae) from Chinese waters, with description of a new species

Description of a new species Apocepon leucosiae sp. nov. of genus Apocepon Nierstrasz & Brender a Brandis, 1930 from Chinese waters, a redescription of Apocepon pulcher Nierstrasz & Brender a Brandis, 1930 from the type locality and the second record of Apocepon digitatum Stock, 1959 are presented. All hosts are in the brachyuran family Leucosiidae. Four purse crab species, i.e. Philyra carinata Bell, Philyra heterograna Ortmann, Leucosia sinica Shen et Chen and Leucosia anatum ( Herbst), are recorded for the first time as hosts of parasitic isopods of this genus. A brief differential diagnosis, data on the distribution and a key to the three species in the genus Apocepon are provided.

On two species of spider crabs of the genus Doclea (Crustacea : Decapoda : Brachyura : Majidae : Pisinae) from China, one of which is new

A new species of spider crab, Doclea unidentata, is described from the South China Sea. Allied to D. brachyrhynchos Bleeker, 1856, and D. macracanthus Bleeker, 1856, it can easily be distinguished by its very short, unidentate rostrum. The identity of Doclea canalifera Stimpson, 1857, is resolved with the selection of a neotype, and it is here regarded as a senior subjective synonym of D. japonica Ortmann, 1893. The taxonomy of this species as well as the allied D. ovis (Fabricius, 1787) is also discussed.