Genetic and virulence characterization of Flavobacterium columnare from channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

Aim: To develop a method for conducting pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) on Flavobacterium columnare, to use PFGE to characterize F. columnare channel catfish isolates, and to determine whether variation in pathogenic potential exists in F. columnare isolates from channel catfish. Methods and Results: On the basis of PFGE-derived profiles, similarity dendrograms constructed for more than 30 F. columnare isolates showed two major genetic groups with more than 60% similarity. Channel catfish fingerlings challenged with PFGE group A isolates by bath immersion had significantly higher average mortalities (>60%) than fish challenged with PFGE group B isolates (<9%). However, abrasion and skin mucus removal made channel catfish fingerlings susceptible to disease caused by group B isolates following immersion exposure. Conclusion: Our results suggest that two genetic divisions of F. columnare channel catfish isolates exist, and that isolates in PFGE group A isolates tend to be more pathogenic to immunocompetent channel catfish fingerlings than PFGE group B isolates. Significance and Impact of the Study: PFGE is a potentially useful tool for determining whether F. columnare isolates are more likely to be primary or secondary pathogens. Pathogenesis research for columnaris disease in catfish should focus on pathogenic isolates from PFGE group A.     

Definition of the USDA103 strain of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

Although there are differences in performance between genetic groups of channel catfish, identification and management of these groups is difficult because catfish strains look alike and individuals cannot be tagged efficiently. Thus, US catfish producers have not been able to objectively identify fish from different strains or populations, and it has been difficult for them to maintain the genetic purity of populations on the farm. We have developed a multiplexed microsatellite genotyping system to define catfish populations based on allelic frequency and exclusion. A commercial catfish genotype database was developed using catfish samples collected from 24 processing plants in the four main US catfish-producing states. The utility of the system was tested by the molecular characterization of the USDA103 research strain. Using eight microsatellite loci, the probability of falsely classifying an individual non-USDA103 catfish as a USDA103 was 0.0065. From a sample of 50 fish from a putative USDA103 pond, the probability of falsely including two non-USDA103 fish was 1 x 10(-105), and the conservative probability of falsely excluding two USDA103 fish was 1 x 10(-6). This genotyping system provides channel catfish producers with an objective mechanism for identification and management of genetically selected fish.     

Molecular cloning and functional characterization of a novel delayed rectifier potassium channel from channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus): expression in taste buds

The gustatory system of channel catfish is widely studied for its sensitivity to amino acids. As a first step in identifying the molecular components that play a role in taste transduction in catfish, we cloned the full-length cDNA for Kv2-catfish, a novel K(+) channel that is expressed in taste buds. The deduced amino acid sequence is 816 residues, and shares a 56-59% sequence identity with Kv2.1 and Kv2.2, the other members of the vertebrate Kv2 subfamily of voltage-gated K(+) channels. The Kv2-catfish RNA was expressed in taste buds, brain, skeletal muscle, kidney, intestine and gills, and its gene is represented as a single copy in the catfish genome. Recombinant channels expressed in XENOPUS: oocytes were selective for K(+), and were inhibited by tetraethylammonium applied to the extracellular side of the membrane during two-electrode voltage clamp analysis with a 50% inhibitory constant of 6.1 mM. The channels showed voltage-dependent activation, and did not inactivate within 200 ms. Functionally, Kv2-catfish is a voltage-gated, delayed rectifier K(+) channel, and its primary structure is the most divergent sequence identified among the vertebrate members of the Kv2 subfamily of K(+) channels, being related equally well to Kv2.1 and Kv2.2.     

不同水温下氟甲砜霉素在斑点叉尾鮰体内的药代动力学研究

研究不同水温(18℃和28℃)条件下,单剂量(10mg/kgb·w)强饲氟甲砜霉素,在斑点叉尾鮰(Ictaluruspunc-tatus)体内药代动力学特征.采用高效液相色谱紫外检测法可以同时检测血浆中氟甲砜霉素及其代谢物氟甲砜霉素的浓度.用3p97药代动力学软件处理药时数据.结果表明:在不同水温条件下氟甲砜霉素在斑点叉尾鮰体内的药时数据均符合一室开放式模型.药时规律符合理论方程C血浆=71921(e-0.036t-e-0.18t)和C血浆=91061(e-0.081t-e-0.301t).18℃和28℃的条件下,主要药代动力学参数:吸收半衰期T1/2ka分别为31845h和21301h,消除半衰期T1/2ke分别为191118h和81519h,达峰时间Tpeak分别为111136h和51953h,最大血药浓度Cmax分别为41074μg/mL和41226μg/mL,曲线下面积AUC分别为1741547(μg/mL)/h和811279(μg/mL)/h,平均驻留时间MRT分别为271581h和121290h,相对表观分布容积V/F(c)分别为11580L/kg和115121L/kg.采用氟甲砜霉素防治斑点叉尾鮰细菌性疾病,建议在18℃左右口服10mg/kg体重剂量的氟甲砜霉素,2d给药1次;在28℃左右口服10mg/kg体重剂量的氟甲砜霉素,1d给药1次.试验过程中在斑点叉尾鮰血浆样品中未检测到氟甲砜霉素的主要代谢物氟甲砜霉素胺.       

Effect of the exogenous soyabean phyto-oestrogen genistein on sperm quality, ATP content and fertilization rates in channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque) and walleye Sander vitreus (Mitchill)

This study examined whether the soya phyto-oestrogen genistein would have an effect on spermatozoa quality and in vitro fertilization capacity in mature channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus or walleye Sander vitreus . For both species, motility time and motility rank were significantly different among treatment groups and control, with higher genistein concentrations producing significantly lower motility time and motility rank ( P ≤ 0·01). Walleye and channel catfish ATP content was significantly lower compared to control treatments at several incubation concentrations and was significantly related to fertilization rate. Fertilization rate was significantly dependant on genistein incubation concentrations ( P ≤ 0·01). Additionally, logistic regression showed a significant negative relation between genistein concentration and fertilization in channel catfish ( P ≤ 0·01). These results establish that genistein could play a role in reproductive performance within aquaculture species. In addition, these findings warrant further examination of the impact of phyto-oestrogens in broodstock feeds.     

Alternative complement pathway of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus): molecular characterization, mapping and expression analysis of factors Bf/C2 and Df

The complement system is important in both innate and adaptive host defense against microbial infection in vertebrates. It contains three pathways: the classical, alternative, and lectin pathways. Complement component factors B and D are two crucial proteases in the alternative pathway. In this study, the genes of complement factors Bf/C2 and Df from channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus were identified and characterized. Two complement factor B-related genes, Bf/C2A and Bf/C2B, and factor D gene Df were identified. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that Bf/C2A and Bf/C2B is likely orthologous to factor B and factor C2, respectively. Southern blot results suggested that these three genes are all single-copy genes in the catfish genome. The catfish Bf/C2A, Bf/C2B and Df genes were genetically mapped on linkage group 3, 20 and 29, respectively. Bf/C2A and Bf/C2B are highly expressed in liver and kidney, while Df is highly expressed in gill and spleen. After infection with Edwardsiella ictaluri, the expression of Bf/C2A, Bf/C2B and Df genes were found to be remarkably induced in the gill, liver, spleen and kidney at some sampling times, indicating that these three complement factors play a pivotal role in immune responses after the bacterial infection in catfish.