Food habits of two-year-old Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) stocked in Lake Bao'an, China

Gastric mills of 362 specimens of two-year-old Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis), which contained recognizable food items, from Lake Bao'an, China were examined. The food items were macrophytes, algae, arthropods, oligochaetes, fish, protozoa, rotifers, gastropods, and detritus, and the percent frequencies of occurrence (FO) for these items were 87.3%, 82.0%, 48.2%, 28.2%, 28.7%, 0.3%, 0.6%, 0.3% and 88.7%, respectively. Unidentified animal tissue was often observed and had a FO of 46.1%. In total, FO of plants (macrophytes + algae) was 87.7% and of animals was 89.8%. However, 5.8% of the gastric mills contained only animals, 5.3% had only macrophytes, and 0.3% contained only algae. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in food habits between male and female crabs. The ratio of cell number of macrophytes to algae was about 156:1.

Characterization of degQ(Vh), a serine protease and a protective immunogen from a pathogenic Vibrio harveyi strain

Vibrio harveyi is an important marine pathogen that can infect a number of aquaculture species. V. harveyi degQ (degQ(Vh)), the gene encoding a DegQ homologue, was cloned from T4, a pathogenic V. harveyi strain isolated from diseased fish. DegQ(Vh) was closely related to the HtrA family members identified in other Vibrio species and could complement the temperature-sensitive phenotype of an Escherichia coli strain defective in degP. Expression of degQVh in T4 was modulated by temperature, possibly through the sigma(E)-like factor. Enzymatic analyses demonstrated that the recombinant DegQVh protein expressed in and purified from E. coli was an active serine protease whose activity required the integrity of the catalytic site and the PDZ domains. The optimal temperature and pH of the recombinant DegQVh protein were 50 C and pH 8.0. A vaccination study indicated that the purified recombinant DegQVh was a protective immunogen that could confer protection upon fish against infection by V. harveyi. In order to improve the efficiency of DegQVh as a vaccine, a genetic construct in the form of the plasmid pAQ1 was built, in which the DNA encoding the processed DegQVh protein was fused with the DNA encoding the secretion region of AgaV, an extracellular beta-agarase. The E.coli strain harboring pAQ1 could express and secrete the chimeric DegQVh protein into the culture supernatant. Vaccination of fish with viable E. coli expressing chimeric degQ(Vh) significantly (P < 0.001) enhanced the survival of fish against V. harveyi challenge, which was possibly due to the relatively prolonged exposure of the immune system to the recombinant antigen produced constitutively, albeit at a gradually decreasing level, by the carrier strain.

Characterization of degQ(Vh), a serine protease and a protective immunogen from a pathogenic Vibrio harveyi strain

Vibrio harveyi is an important marine pathogen that can infect a number of aquaculture species. V. harveyi degQ (degQ(Vh)), the gene encoding a DegQ homologue, was cloned from T4, a pathogenic V. harveyi strain isolated from diseased fish. DegQ(Vh) was closely related to the HtrA family members identified in other Vibrio species and could complement the temperature-sensitive phenotype of an Escherichia coli strain defective in degP. Expression of degQVh in T4 was modulated by temperature, possibly through the sigma(E)-like factor. Enzymatic analyses demonstrated that the recombinant DegQVh protein expressed in and purified from E. coli was an active serine protease whose activity required the integrity of the catalytic site and the PDZ domains. The optimal temperature and pH of the recombinant DegQVh protein were 50 C and pH 8.0. A vaccination study indicated that the purified recombinant DegQVh was a protective immunogen that could confer protection upon fish against infection by V. harveyi. In order to improve the efficiency of DegQVh as a vaccine, a genetic construct in the form of the plasmid pAQ1 was built, in which the DNA encoding the processed DegQVh protein was fused with the DNA encoding the secretion region of AgaV, an extracellular beta-agarase. The E.coli strain harboring pAQ1 could express and secrete the chimeric DegQVh protein into the culture supernatant. Vaccination of fish with viable E. coli expressing chimeric degQ(Vh) significantly (P < 0.001) enhanced the survival of fish against V. harveyi challenge, which was possibly due to the relatively prolonged exposure of the immune system to the recombinant antigen produced constitutively, albeit at a gradually decreasing level, by the carrier strain.

Using the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) as a complement marker for species identification of red macroalgae

Barcodes based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase (mtDNA CO1) sequences are being used for broad taxonomic groups of animals with demonstrated success in species identification and cryptic species discovery, but it has become clear that complementation by a nuclear marker system is necessary, in particular for the barcoding of plants. Here, we propose the nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) as a potentially usable and complementary marker for species identification of red macroalgae, as well as present a primary workflow for species barcoding. Data show that for most red macroalgal genera (except members of the family Delesseriaceae), the size of ITS region ranges from 600 to 1200 bp, and contains enough variation to generate unique identifiers at either the species or genus levels. Consistent with previous studies, we found that the ITS sequence can resolve closely related species with the same fidelity as mtDNA CO1. Significantly, we confirmed that length polymorphism in the ITS region (including 5.8S rRNA gene) can be utilized as a character to discriminate red macroalgal species. As a complementary marker, the verifiable nuclear ITS region can speed routine identification and the detection of species, advance ecological and taxonomic inquiry, and permit rapid and accurate analysis of red macroalgae.

Identification and immunoprotective analysis of an in vivo-induced Edwardsiella tarda antigen

Edwardsiella tarda is a severe aquaculture pathogen that can infect many important fish species cultured worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the vaccine potential of an E. tarda antigen, Eta21, which was identified from a pathogenic E. tarda strain via the method of in vivo-induced antigen technology (IVIAT). Eta21 is 510-amino acid in length and shares similar to 58% sequence identity with a putative peptidase of several bacterial species. eta21 was subcloned into Escherichia colt, and recombinant Eta21 was purified as a histidine-tagged protein. When used as a subunit vaccine, purified recombinant Eta21 was effective against lethal E. tarda challenge in a Japanese flounder model. In order to improve the immunoprotective efficacy of Eta21, the chimera AgaV-Eta21 was constructed, which consists of Eta21 fused in-frame to the secretion domain of AgaV, an extracellular beta-agarase. E. coli DH5 alpha harboring plasmid pTAET21, which constitutively expresses agaV-eta21, was able to produce and secret AgaV-Eta21 into the extracellular milieu. Vaccination of Japanese flounder with live DH5 alpha/pTAET21 elicited immunoprotection that is significantly higher in level than that induced by vaccination with purified recombinant Eta21. Vaccination with DH5 alpha/pTAET21 and recombinant Eta21 both induced the production of specific serum antibodies at four to eight weeks post-vaccination. Taken together, these results demonstrate that Eta21, especially that delivered by DH5 alpha/pTAET21, is an effective vaccine candidate against E. tarda infection. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Immunoprotective analysis of VhhP2, a Vibrio harveyi vaccine candidate

VhhP2 is an Outer membrane protein identified in a pathogenic Vibrio harveyi strain, T4, isolated from diseased fish. When used as a Subunit Vaccine, purified recombinant VhhP2 affords high level of protection upon Japanese flounder against V harveyi challenge. Vaccination with VhhP2 induced the expression of a number of immune-related genes, especially those encoding immunoglobulin M (IgM) and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II alpha. A VhhP2 surface display system, in the form of the fish commensal strain FIR harboring the vhhP2-expressing plasmid pJVP, was constructed. PF3/pJVP is able to produce and present recombinant VhhP2 on cell surface. Vaccination of fish with live PF3/pJVP via intraperitoneal injection elicited Strong immunoprotection. Vaccination of fish orally with live PF3/pJVP embedded in alginate microspheres also induced effective immunoprotection. In addition, a VhhP2-based surface display system was created, in which VhhP2 serves as a carrier for the Surface delivery of a heterologous Edwardsiella tarda immunogen, Et18, that is fused in-frame to VhhP2. DH5 alpha/pJVP18, which expresses and surface-displays the VhhP2-Et18 chimera, proved to be an effective vaccine that call protect fish against infections by V. harveyi and E. tarda to the extents comparable to those produced by vaccination with purified recombinant VhhP2 and Et18, respectively. These data suggest that VhhP2 may be applied as a vaccine and a vaccine carrier against infections by V. harveyi and other pathogens such as F. tarda. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Construction of an attenuated Pseudomonas fluorescens strain and evaluation of its potential as a cross-protective vaccine

Ferric uptake regulator (Fur) is a global transcription regulator that is ubiquitous to Gram-negative bacteria and regulates diverse biological processes, including iron uptake, cellular metabolism, stress response, and production of virulence determinants. As a result, for many pathogenic bacteria, Fur plays a crucial role in the course of infection and disease development. In this study, the fur gene was cloned from a pathogenic Pseudomonas fluorescens strain, TSS, isolated from diseased Japanese flounder cultured in a local farm. TSS Fur can partially complement the defective phenotype of an Escherichia coli fur mutant. A TSS fur null mutant, TFM, was constructed. Compared to TSS, TFM exhibits reduced growth ability, aberrant production of outer membrane proteins, decreased resistance against host serum bactericidal activity, impaired ability to disseminate in host blood and tissues, and drastic attenuation in overall bacterial virulence in a Japanese flounder infection model. When used as a live vaccine administered via the injection, immersion, and oral routes, TFM affords high levels of protection upon Japanese flounder against not only P.fluorescens infection but also Aeromonas hydrophila infection. Furthermore, a plasmid, pJAQ, was constructed, which expresses the coding element of the Vibrio harveyi antigen AgaV-DegQ. TFM harboring pJAQ can secret AgaV-DegQ into the extracellular milieu. Vaccination of Japanese flounder with live TFM/pJAQ elicited strong immunoprotection against both V. harveyi and A. hydrophila infections. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Expression profiles of penaeidin from Fenneropenaeus chinensis in response to WSSV and vibrio infection by real-time PCR

Penaeidin from Chinese shrimp (Fenneropenaeus chinensis) has proved to be one of the most important antimicrobial peptides in the bodies of animals. The relative quantitative real-time PCR method is developed to study through time, the mRNA expression profile of penaeidin in the muscle and haemocyte tissue of Chinese shrimp infected with vibrio (Vibrio anguillarum) and WSSV (white spot syndrome virus). Research results showed that the same pathogens infection experiments produced similar gene expression profile in different tissues while different expression profiles appeared in the same tissues infected by different exterior pathogens. In vibrio infection experiments, a "U" Re expression profile resulted. Expression levels of penaeidin increased and surpassed the non-stimulated level, indicating that penaeidin from Chinese shrimp has noticeable antimicrobial activities. In WSSV infection experiments, the expression profile appeared as an inverse "U" with the expression of penaeidin gradually decreasing to below baseline level after 24 h. The expression of antimicrobial peptides gene in mRNA level in response to virus infection in shrimp showed that international mechanisms of virus to haemocytes and microbial to haemocytes are completely different. Decline of penaeidins expression levels may be due to haemocytes being destroyed by WSSV or that the virus can inhibit the expression of penaeidins by yet undiscovered modes. The expression profiles of penaeidin in response to exterior pathogen and the difference of expression profiles between vibrio and WSSV infection provided some clues to further understanding the complex innate immune mechanism in shrimp.

Expression of Scophthalmus maximus CD83 correlates with bacterial infection and antigen stimulation

CD83 is a transmembrane glycoprotein of the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily and a surface marker for fully matured dendritic cells (DCs) in humans and mice. In teleosts, DC-like cells and their molecular markers are largely unknown. In this report, we described the identification and expressional analysis of a CD83 homologue, SmCD83, from turbot Scophthalmus maximus. The open reading frame of SmCD83 is 639 bp, which is preceded by a S'-untranslated region (UTR) of 87 bp and followed by a 3'-UTR of 1111 bp. The SmCD83 gene is 4716 bp in length, which contains five exons and four introns. The deduced amino acid sequence of SmCD83 shares 40-50% overall identities with the CD83 of several fish species. Like typical CD83, SmCD83 possesses an Ig-like extracellular domain, a transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic domain. The conserved disulfide bond-forming cysteine residues and the N-linked glycosylation sites that are preserved in CD83 are also found in SmCD83. Expressional analysis showed that constitutive expression of SmCD83 was high in gill, blood, spleen, muscle, and kidney and low in heart and liver. Bacterial infection and poly(I:C) treatment enhanced SmCD83 expression in kidney in time-dependent manners. Likewise, bacterial challenge caused significant induction of SmCD83 expression in cultured macrophages. Vaccination of turbot with a bacterin and a purified recombinant subunit vaccine-induced significant SmCD83 expression during the first week following vaccination. These results demonstrate that SmCD83 expression correlates with microbial challenge and antigen stimulation, which suggests the possibility that there may exist in turbot DC-like antigen-presenting cells that express SmCD83 upon activation by antigen uptake. In addition, these results also suggest that SmCD83 may serve as a marker for activated macrophages in turbot. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Identification and molecular analysis of a stress-inducible Hsp70 from Sciaenops ocellatus

Hsp70 proteins are a family of molecular chaperones that are involved in many aspects of protein homeostasis. In this study, an Hsp70 homologue (SoHsp70) was identified from red drum Sciaenops ocellatus and analyzed at molecular level. The open reading frame of SoHsp70 is 1920 bp and intronless, with a 5'-untranslated region (UTR) of 399 bp and a 3'-UTR of 241 bp. The deduced amino acid sequence of SoHsp70 shares 84-92% overall identities with the Hsp70s of a number of fish species. In silico analysis identified in SoHsp70 three conserved Hsp70 domains involved in nucleotide and substrate binding. The coding sequence of SoHsp70 was subcloned into Escherichia coli, from which recombinant SoHsp70 was purified and, upon ATPase assay, found to exhibit apparent ATPase activity. Expressional analysis showed that constitutive expression of SoHsp70 was detectable in heart, liver, spleen, kidney, brain, blood, and gill. Experimental challenges with poly(I:C) and bacterial pathogens of Gram-positive and Gram-negative nature induced SoHsp70 expression in kidney to different levels. Stress-responsive analysis of SoHsp70 expression in primary cultures of red drum hepatocytes showed that acute heat shock treatment elicited a rapid induction of SoHsp70 expression which appeared after 10 min and 30 min of treatment. Exposure of hepatocytes separately to iron, copper, mercury, and hydrogen peroxide significantly unregulated SoHsp70 expression in time-dependent manners. Vaccination of red drum with a Streptococcus iniae bacterin was also found to induce SoHsp70 expression. Furthermore, recombinant SoHsp70 enhanced the immunoprotective effect of a subunit vaccine. Taken together, these results suggest that SoHsp70 is a stress-inducible protein that is likely to play a role in immunity and in coping with environmental and biological stresses. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Postnatal development of the retina in root vole Microtus oeconomus

Vision plays an important role in the living habits of animals, especially in feeding. We investigated the postnatal development of retina in root vole Microtus oeconornus. The result shows that the retina of the M. oeconornus is very primitive before postnatal day （PD） 3. The neuroblastic layer does not differentiate and makes up more than half of the retina layer. The outer plexiform layer （OPL） first comes into existence at PDS. At PD6, as the presence of the OPL becomes obvious, the outer nuclear layer （ONL） and inner nuclear layer （INL） are much clearer. At PD18, the retina is similar to an adult retina and each layer becomes distinct. The thickness and cell density of the ganglion cell layer （GCL） and ONL during different postnatal days were also examined. These results show that the thickness and density of ONL increase during ontogeny, while the thickness and density of GCL decrease. Compared with Rattus norvegicus, Apodemus agrarius , Cricetulus triton, Microtus mandarinus , Myospalax cansus , Spermophilus dauricus and Sciurotamias davidianus, the histological structure of the retina of M. oeconornus is between that of nocturnal and diurnal rodents.

The role of the IL-1 type 1 receptor in the life, death and differentiation of adult hippocampal neural precursor cells

Neurogenesis occurs in two distinct regions of the adult brain; the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the dentate gyrus (DG) in the hippocampus, and the subventricular zone (SVZ) lining the lateral ventricles. It is now well-known that adult hippocampal neurogenesis can be modulated by a number of intrinsic and extrinsic factors e.g. local signalling molecules, exercise, environmental enrichment and learning. Moreover, levels of adult hippocampal neurogenesis decrease with age, at least in rodents, and alterations in hippocampal neurogenesis have been reported in animal models and human studies of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative conditions. Neuroinflammation is a common pathological feature of these conditions and is also a potent modulator of adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Recently, the orphan nuclear receptor TLX has been identified as an important regulator of adult hippocampal neurogenesis as its expression is necessary to maintain the neural precursor cell (NPC) pool in the adult DG. Likewise, exposure of animals to voluntary exercise has been consistently demonstrated to promote adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Lentivirus (LV)- mediated gene transfer is a useful tool to elucidate gene function and to explore potential therapeutic candidates across an array of conditions as it facilitates sustained gene expression in both dividing and post-mitotic cell populations. Both intrinsic and extrinsic factors are important regulators of adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Examining how these factors are affected by an inflammatory stimulus, and the subsequent effects on adult hippocampal neurogenesis provides important information for the development of novel treatment strategies for neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative conditions in which adult hippocampal neurogenesis is impaired. The aims of the series of experiments presented in this thesis were to examine the effect of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β) on adult hippocampal NPCs both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, we have shown that IL-1β reduces proliferation of adult hippocampal NPCs in a dose and time-dependent manner. In addition, we have demonstrated that TLX expression is reduced by IL-1β. Blockade of IL-1β signalling prevented both the IL-1β-induced reduction in cell proliferation and TLX expression. In vivo, we examined the effect of short term and long term exposure to LV-IL-1β in sedentary mice and in mice exposed to voluntary running. We demonstrated that impaired hippocampal neurogenesis is only evident after long term exposure to IL-1β. In mice exposed to voluntary running, hippocampal neurogenesis is significantly increased following short-term but not long-term exposure to running. Moreover, short-term running effectively prevents any IL-1β-induced effects on hippocampal neurogenesis; however, no such effects are seen following long-term exposure to running.

Functional genomics of commensal Lactobacilli

Catabolic flexibility affords a bacterium the ability to utilise different sugar sources as carbon for energy. This is important for commensal lactobacilli like Lactobacillus ruminis which can be exposed to a variety of carbohydrates in vivo. However, little is known about the fermentation capabilities, metabolic pathways, genetic diversity or potential survival mechanisms used by L. ruminis in vivo. A combination of in vitro and in silico techniques was used to identify the catabolic pathways of L. ruminis. I also compared 16 L. ruminis strains using a panel of biochemical and survival assays, genetically, whole genome sequencing and RNA sequencing. Multi locus sequence typing revealed that strains clustered according to their host sources. Transcriptome analysis by RNAseq of two motile strains under three growth conditions, including swarming, identified the up-regulation of carbohydrate-related genes under swarming conditions. This suggests that carbohydrate flexibility may have an uncharacterised role in L. ruminis swarming. Following on from the assessment of L. ruminis catabolic flexibility, the porcine diet was supplemented with galactooligosaccharides or L. ruminis ATCC 25644 plus galactooligosaccharides. Supplementation of the porcine diet with galactooligosaccharide had no effect on microbiota diversity. In contrast, the L. ruminis plus galactooligosaccharide treatment significantly reduced the microbiota diversity. Diet is a major factor that affects the diversity of the gut microbiota. In order to get a more thorough understanding of diet and gut health in animals such as racehorses and domesticated herbivores, I determined the core microbiota of animals consuming different feeds. Interestingly, the gut microbiota diversity correlated with the host phylogeny of the animal. The genome of Lactobacillus equi (2.19 Mb), isolated from a healthy Irish thoroughbred was also sequenced and annotated, and comprised 2,263 predicted genes. The large repertoire of predicted carbohydrate-related genes may offer L. equi an advantage in the complex and harsh hindgut environment. In summary, this thesis uses functional genomics to assess the effect that carbohydrates have on commensal lactobacilli and the microbiota as a whole.

Gait and behavior in an IL1β-mediated model of rat knee arthritis and effects of an IL1 antagonist.

Interleukin-1 beta (IL1β) is a proinflammatory cytokine that mediates arthritic pathologies. Our objectives were to evaluate pain and limb dysfunction resulting from IL1β over-expression in the rat knee and to investigate the ability of local IL1 receptor antagonist (IL1Ra) delivery to reverse-associated pathology. IL1β over-expression was induced in the right knees of 30 Wistar rats via intra-articular injection of rat fibroblasts retrovirally infected with human IL1β cDNA. A subset of animals received a 30 µl intra-articular injection of saline or human IL1Ra on day 1 after cell delivery (0.65 µg/µl hIL1Ra, n = 7 per group). Joint swelling, gait, and sensitivity were investigated over 1 week. On day 8, animals were sacrificed and joints were collected for histological evaluation. Joint inflammation and elevated levels of endogenous IL1β were observed in knees receiving IL1β-infected fibroblasts. Asymmetric gaits favoring the affected limb and heightened mechanical sensitivity (allodynia) reflected a unilateral pathology. Histopathology revealed cartilage loss on the femoral groove and condyle of affected joints. Intra-articular IL1Ra injection failed to restore gait and sensitivity to preoperative levels and did not reduce cartilage degeneration observed in histopathology. Joint swelling and degeneration subsequent to IL1β over-expression is associated limb hypersensitivity and gait compensation. Intra-articular IL1Ra delivery did not result in marked improvement for this model; this may be driven by rapid clearance of administered IL1Ra from the joint space. These results motivate work to further investigate the behavioral consequences of monoarticular arthritis and sustained release drug delivery strategies for the joint space.

Evolution of the sex-related locus and genomic features shared in microsporidia and fungi.

BACKGROUND: Microsporidia are obligate intracellular, eukaryotic pathogens that infect a wide range of animals from nematodes to humans, and in some cases, protists. The preponderance of evidence as to the origin of the microsporidia reveals a close relationship with the fungi, either within the kingdom or as a sister group to it. Recent phylogenetic studies and gene order analysis suggest that microsporidia share a particularly close evolutionary relationship with the zygomycetes. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Here we expanded this analysis and also examined a putative sex-locus for variability between microsporidian populations. Whole genome inspection reveals a unique syntenic gene pair (RPS9-RPL21) present in the vast majority of fungi and the microsporidians but not in other eukaryotic lineages. Two other unique gene fusions (glutamyl-prolyl tRNA synthetase and ubiquitin-ribosomal subunit S30) that are present in metazoans, choanoflagellates, and filasterean opisthokonts are unfused in the fungi and microsporidians. One locus previously found to be conserved in many microsporidian genomes is similar to the sex locus of zygomycetes in gene order and architecture. Both sex-related and sex loci harbor TPT, HMG, and RNA helicase genes forming a syntenic gene cluster. We sequenced and analyzed the sex-related locus in 11 different Encephalitozoon cuniculi isolates and the sibling species E. intestinalis (3 isolates) and E. hellem (1 isolate). There was no evidence for an idiomorphic sex-related locus in this Encephalitozoon species sample. According to sequence-based phylogenetic analyses, the TPT and RNA helicase genes flanking the HMG genes are paralogous rather than orthologous between zygomycetes and microsporidians. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: The unique genomic hallmarks between microsporidia and fungi are independent of sequence based phylogenetic comparisons and further contribute to define the borders of the fungal kingdom and support the classification of microsporidia as unusual derived fungi. And the sex/sex-related loci appear to have been subject to frequent gene conversion and translocations in microsporidia and zygomycetes.