Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify potential mucin genes in the Atlantic salmon genome and evaluate tissue-specific distribution and transcriptional regulation in response to aquaculture-relevant stress conditions in post-smolts. Seven secreted gel-forming mucin genes were identified based on several layers of evidence; annotation, transcription, phylogeny and domain structure. Two genes were annotated as muc2 and five genes as muc5. The muc2 genes were predominantly transcribed in the intestinal region while the different genes in the muc5 family were mainly transcribed in either skin, gill or pyloric caeca. In order to investigate transcriptional regulation of mucins during stress conditions, two controlled experiments were conducted. In the first experiment, handling stress induced mucin transcription in the gill, while transcription decreased in the skin and intestine. In the second experiment, long term intensive rearing conditions (fish biomass ~125 kg/m3) interrupted by additional confinement led to increased transcription of mucin genes in the skin at one, seven and fourteen days post-confinement.
Highlights
The mucus matrix that lines the epithelia of all the mucosal tissues has an important but poorly understood role in protection
Seven unique mucins were identified as secreted gel-forming mucins in the Atlantic salmon reference genome, including two mucins annotated as muc2 and five mucins annotated as muc5
Identification and structural characterization of putative mucin genes Our search for Atlantic salmon mucin genes began with the identification of all the genes annotated as mucins in the recently released Atlantic salmon genome [25]
Summary
The mucus matrix that lines the epithelia of all the mucosal tissues has an important but poorly understood role in protection. The main constituent of the mucus matrix is the large gel-forming glycoproteins called mucins [1]. Intensive research on mammalian mucins is due to the involvement of mucins in intestinal protection [2], cancer [3] and diseases of the respiratory system [4]. Fish are exposed to more stressful events than their wild relatives, which may make them more susceptible to diseases [5,6,7]. The route of infection is usually through the skin, gill or gastrointestinal regions, which are the main mucosal tissues. These tissues contain mucous producing cells which secret a protective mucus matrix that cover the epithelial surfaces. The matrix protects the surface both by its physical properties
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