Dietary regulation of activities and mRNA levels of trypsin and amylase in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) larvae

Abstract

Specific activities and mRNA levels of trypsin and amylase were studied in sea bass larvae. From day 20 to day 40, Dicentrarchus labrax were fed two rations of one day old Artemia: satiation (LP) and one-eighth of the satiation ration (LP/8) or two isoenergetic compound diets that varied in protein (30 and 60%) and carbohydrate (37 and 7%) content (FP30 and FP60 respectively). Trypsin mRNA levels and specific activities were mainly influenced by the nature of dietary protein and the Artemia ration. By using fish meal as protein source, dietary protein concentration did not affect either mRNA level nor specific activity of trypsin. These results suggested that the trypsin synthesis was not affected at a transcriptional level by the protein ration, i.e., Artemia ration. Decrease in amylase mRNA observed from day 29 in the four dietary groups suggested that this decrease in amylase expression is genetically programmed during sea bass larvae development. Nevertheless, the composition and the quantity of the diet influenced the amylase specific activities revealing primarily translational regulation of amylase. This study shows for the first time that the molecular mechanisms which control the dietary adaptation of trypsin and amylase are independently regulated, age-dependent and influenced by the composition and the quantity of the diet.