Expression Of Growth-related Genes Research Articles

Bacillus paralicheniformis RP01 Enhances the Expression of Growth-Related Genes in Cotton and Promotes Plant Growth by Altering Microbiota inside and outside the Root.

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) can promote plant growth in various ways, allowing PGPB to replace chemical fertilizers to avoid environmental pollution. PGPB is also used for bioremediation and in plant pathogen control. The isolation and evaluation of PGPB are essential not only for practical applications, but also for basic research. Currently, the known PGPB strains are limited, and their functions are not fully understood. Therefore, the growth-promoting mechanism needs to be further explored and improved. The Bacillus paralicheniformis RP01 strain with beneficial growth-promoting activity was screened from the root surface of Brassica chinensis using a phosphate-solubilizing medium. RP01 inoculation significantly increased plant root length and brassinosteroid content and upregulated the expression of growth-related genes. Simultaneously, it increased the number of beneficial bacteria that promoted plant growth and reduced the number of detrimental bacteria. The genome annotation findings also revealed that RP01 possesses a variety of growth-promoting mechanisms and a tremendous growth-promoting potential. This study isolated a highly potential PGPB and elucidated its possible direct and indirect growth-promoting mechanisms. Our study results will help enrich the PGPB library and provide a reference for plant-microbe interactions.

Abstract 3080: Characterization of steroid receptor mediated activation of GLI as driving force of breast cancer growth

Abstract Background: Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway plays a fundamental role in the early stages of development by regulating morphogenesis. GLI transcription factors are drivers of this signaling pathway by regulating the expression of growth related genes. Hyperactivation of GLI proteins have been associated with several cancers including medulloblastoma, glioblastoma, ovarian, prostate and breast cancers. Our study in breast cancer (BCa) suggests transcriptional activation of GLI3 in estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) positive cells upon estradiol stimulation. Loss of ERα greatly decreases GLI3 protein stability and stimulation with estradiol significantly increases GLI3 stability in ER-positive BCa cells. We have discovered that GLI3 forms nuclear complexes with ERα upon estradiol stimulation and that the loss of GLI3 reduces BCa cells growth. Therefore, we hypothesize that ERα-GLI3 complex orchestrates BCa transcriptome required for cell growth and development. Our study focuses on characterizing ERα mediated activation of GLI3 in BCa cells and the possible compensation by other steroid receptors such as the androgen receptor (AR) and the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in ER-negative BCa cells. Method: We examined ERα- GLI transcriptional activity by RNA sequencing upon stimulation with estradiol and inhibition of GLI activity by GANT61 in ER-positive MCF7 cells. We also identified ERα domains that are essential for GLI3 binding by immunoprecipitation and proximity ligation assay (PLA). To identify ERα-GLI3 interactome, we have optimized Rapid Immunoprecipitation Mass Spectrometry of Endogenous protein (RIME). We also examined the role of GLI3 in ER-negative BCa cell growth and characterized the role of AR and GR in activating GLI3 by luciferase reporter assay.Results: Inhibition of GLI DNA binding by GANT61 reduced the expression of GLI regulated (CDC20, CDK1, UBE2C) and modified expression of ERα regulated (FOXM1, SPC24, KIF20A, BIRC5) genes, suggesting cooperative role of ERα-GLI3 in mediating growth and metastasis. The optimized RIME assay suggests immunoprecipitation of ERα with GLI3 in BCa cells upon estradiol induction. Immunoprecipitation and PLA studies suggest that ERα-N terminal, DNA binding and C-terminal domains interact with GLI3. We also showed that knockdown of GLI3 reduces growth in ER negative BCa cells and that AR or GR stimulation by dihydrotestosterone and dexamethasone respectively, are important for GLI3 transcriptional activity. Conclusion: Collectively, our results suggest a new role of steroid receptors in regulating GLI oncogenic transcriptional activity in BCa, leading to new therapeutic possibilities for patients. Citation Format: Shabnam Massah, Maria Guo, Jane Foo, Ralph Buttyan, Artem Cherkasov, Nada Lallous. Characterization of steroid receptor mediated activation of GLI as driving force of breast cancer growth [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 3080.

Comparison of nutritional quality, flesh quality, muscle cellularity, and expression of muscle growth-related genes between wild and recirculating aquaculture system (RAS)-farmed black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii)

Comparison of nutritional quality, flesh quality, muscle cellularity, and expression of muscle growth-related genes between wild and recirculating aquaculture system (RAS)-farmed black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii)

Investigating the heat tolerance and production performance in local chicken breed having normal and dwarf size.

Heat stress significantly impairs the growth performance of broilers, which causes serious losses to the poultry industry every year. Thus, understanding the performance of indigenous chicken breeds under such environment is crucial to address heat stress problem. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of heat stress (HS) on production performance, tissue histology, heat shock response (HSP70, HSP90), and muscle growth-related genes (GHR, IGF-1, and IGF-1R) of Normal yellow chicken (NYC) and Dwarf yellow chicken (DYC). Seventy-two female birds from each strain were raised under normal environmental conditions up to 84days, with birds from each strain being divided into two groups (HS and control). In the HS group, birds were subjected to high temperature at 35±1°C for 8h daily and lasted for a week, while in the control group, birds were raised at 28±1°C. At 91days old, bird's liver, hypothalamus, and breast muscle tissues were collected to evaluate the gene expression, histological changes, and the production performance. The Feed intake, weight gain ratio, total protein intake and protein efficiency ratio showed a significant reduction in the treatments (P<0.01) and treatment×strain interaction (P<0.05) with breast muscle rate significantly reducing among the treatments (P<0.01) after 7days of HS. Correspondingly, total abdominal fat showed significant change among treatment and strain (P<0.01, P<0.05), respectively. Besides, HS markedly upregulated the mRNA expression of HSP70 and HSP90 in the pectoralis major of both chicken strains, but no significant increase (P<0.05) was found in mRNA expression of HSP90 in liver and hypothalamus tissues of both chicken strains. Moreover, HS significantly upregulated (P<0.05) the expression of lipogenic genes (FASN, ACC) in liver tissues of NYC, while mRNA expression of these genes showed no variation in DYC. Similarly, HS downregulated the mRNA expression of muscle growth-related genes (GHR, IGF-1, and IGF-1R). Consequently, the histopathological analysis showed that histological changes were accompanied by inflammatory cell infiltration in liver tissues of both chicken strains; however, histopathological changes were more severe in NYC than dwarf chicken strain. Conclusively, this study depicted that the production performance and growth rate varied significantly between treatment and control group of NYC. However, heat treatment in DYC has not shown significant damaging consequences as compared to the control group that signifies the vital role of the dwarf trait in thermal tolerance.

Embryonic thermal manipulation leads growth inhibition and reduced hepatic insulin-like growth factor1 expression due to promoter DNA hypermethylation in broilers

When broilers cannot adapt to a high-temperature environment through self-regulation, it will cause heat stress, resulting in a large number of deaths and substantial economic losses. Studies have shown that thermal manipulation (TM) during the embryonic stage can improve broilers' ability to resist heat stress later. However, different TM strategies produce different results on broilers' growth. In this study, yellow-feathered broiler eggs were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups between E10 and E18, which the control group was incubated at 37.8°C with 56% humidity, and the TM group was subjected to 39°C with 65% humidity. After hatching, all broilers were reared normally until slaughtered at 12 d of age (D12). During D1 to D12, body weight, feed intake, and body temperature were recorded. The results showed that TM significantly decreased (P < 0.05) the final body weight, weight gain, and average daily feed intake of broilers. Meanwhile, the serum levels of Triiodothyronine (T3) and free T3 were significantly decreased in the TM group (P < 0.05). The expressions of hepatic growth regulation-associated genes, growth hormone receptor (GHR), insulin-like growth factor1, and 2 (IGF1 and IGF2) were significantly down-regulated in the TM group (P < 0.05). In addition, TM altered hepatic DNA methylation, resulting in a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the methylation of the IGF1 and GHR promoter regions. The above results indicated that TM during the embryonic stage decreased the serum thyroid hormone level and increased the methylation level of the IGF1 and GHR promoter regions to down-regulate the expression of growth-related genes, resulting in early growth inhibition of broilers.

Influences of l-ascorbic acid on cytotoxic, biochemical, and genotoxic damages caused by copper II oxide nanoparticles in the rainbow trout gonad cells-2

In parallel with the raising use of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) in various industrial and commercial practices, scientific reports on their release to the environment and toxicity are increasing. The toxicity of CuO NPs is mostly based on their oxidative stress. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the efficacy of well-known therapeutic agents as antioxidants against CuO NPs damage. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of this damage and to display whether l-ascorbic acid could preserve against the cell toxicities induced by CuO NPs in the rainbow trout gonad cells-2 (RTG-2). While CuO NPs treatment significantly diminished cell viability, the l-ascorbic acid supplement reversed this. l-ascorbic acid treatment reversed the changes in expressions of sod1, sod2, gpx1a, and gpx4b genes while playing a supportive role in the changes in the expression of the cat gene induced by CuO NPs treatment. Moreover, CuO NPs treatment caused an upregulation in the expressions of growth-related genes (gh1, igf1, and igf2) and l-ascorbic acid treatment further increased these effects. CuO NPs treatment significantly up-regulated the expression of the gapdh gene (glycolytic enzyme gene) compared to the control group, and l-ascorbic acid treatment significantly down-regulated the expression of the gapdh gene compared to CuO NPs treatment. The genotoxicity test demonstrated that l-ascorbic acid treatment increased the genotoxic effect caused by CuO NPs by acting as a co-mutagen. Based on the findings, l-ascorbic acid has the potential to be sometimes inhibitory and sometimes supportive of cellular mechanisms caused by CuO NPs.

Nano-copper Enhances Gene Regulation of Non-specific Immunity and Antioxidative Status of Fish Reared Under Multiple Stresses.

Arsenic pollution, water temperature, and pH are the major concern for aquaculture. Moreover, the aim of the present investigation was to delineate the role of nano-copper (Cu-NPs) in the mitigation of arsenic toxicity, high temperature (34°C) and low pH (6.5) stress on Pangasianodon hypophthalmus. Four isonitrogenous and isocaloric experimental diets of Cu-NPs at 0, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0mgkg-1 were formulated and prepared. Arsenic pollution, low pH and high temperature stress significantly reduced the anti-oxidative status (super oxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-s-transferase), lipid peroxidation, total anti-oxidative capacity and lipid profiling (cholesterol, total lipid, phospholipid, very low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride). Further, the supplementation of Cu-NPs at 1.5 and 1.0mgkg-1 diets noticeably improve the anti-oxidant status and capacity. The stressors groups (As + pH + T, As + T and As) significantly reduced fish immunity viz. albumin, globulin, total protein, albumin globulin ratio (A:G ratio), myeloperoxidase, respiratory burst activities, tumor necrosis factor, total immunoglobulin, and interleukin. Whereas supplementation of Cu-NPs at 1.5 and 1.0mgkg-1 diets improved the immunity of the fish reared under multiple stresses (As + pH + T). Tail DNA %, DNA damage-inducible protein (DDIP) and inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) synthase gene expression were significantly enhanced with exposure to arsenic, low pH and high temperature but supplementation of Cu-NPs protects the tissues against DNA damage and improved the gene expression of iNOS and DDIP. Cu-NPs at 1.5 and 1.0mgkg-1 diets significantly enhanced the body weight gain %, protein efficiency ratio, specific growth rate, daily growth index, relative feed intake and reduced the feed conversion ratio. Whereas, the growth-related gene expression such as myostatin (MYST), somatostatin (SMT) was downregulated by Cu supplementation and upregulated the gene expression of growth hormone regulator 1 and β (GHR1 and GHR β) and growth hormone (GH) gene in fish. Dietary Cu-NPs supplementation protects the fish against bacterial infection and enhances arsenic detoxification in different tissues. The present investigation revealed that supplementation of Cu-NPs at 1.5 and 1.0mgkg-1 diet has the potential to mitigate multiple stress (As + pH + T) in fish.

Impact of Dietary Administration of Seaweed Polysaccharide on Growth, Microbial Abundance, and Growth and Immune-Related Genes Expression of The Pacific Whiteleg Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

This work aims to determine the impact of dietary supplementation of polysaccharide, extracted from brown seaweeds Sargassum dentifolium on growth indices, feed utilization, biochemical compositions, microbial abundance, expressions of growth and immunity-related genes, and stress genes of the Pacific Whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. A total of 360 post-larvae of L. vannamei were randomly distributed into a 12-glass aquarium (40 L of each) at a stocking density of 30 shrimp with an initial weight of (0.0017 ± 0.001 g). During the 90-day experiment trial, all shrimp larvae were fed their respective diets at 10% of total body weight, three times a day. Three experimental diets were prepared with different seaweed polysaccharide (SWP) levels. The basal control diet had no polysaccharide level (SWP0), while SWP1, SWP2, and SWP3 contained polysaccharides at concentrations of 1, 2, and 3 g kg-1 diet, respectively. Diets supplemented with polysaccharide levels showed significant improvements in weight gain and survival rate, compared to the control diet. Whole-body biochemical composition and the microbial abundance (the total count of heterotrophic bacteria and Vibrio spp.) of L. vannamei showed significant differences among polysaccharide-treated diets compared to the control. At the end of the feeding experiment, the dietary supplementation of polysaccharide levels enhanced the expression of growth-related genes (Insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I, IGF-II), immune-related genes (β -Glucan-binding protein (β-Bgp), Prophenoloxidase (ProPO), Lysozyme (Lys), and Crustin), and stress genes (Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the muscle tissue of L. vannamei. However, the current study concluded that the inclusion rate of 2 g kg-1 of polysaccharide as a dietary additive administration enhanced both weight gain and survival rate of L. vannamei, while the incorporation level of 3 g kg-1 reduces the abundance of pathogenic microbes and enhances the growth-, immunity- and stress-related gene expressions of L. vannamei.

Impacts of supplemental Ginkgo biloba oil on broilers’ growth, blood indices, intestinal and hepatic morphology and expression of growth-related genes

The current work examined the impact of Ginkgo biloba oil (GBO) on growth performance, some biochemical parameters, intestinal and hepatic morphology, economic efficiency and expression of some growth-related genes in broiler chickens. A total of 135 chicks (Cobb 500) were allotted into three groups with 3 replications (15 birds/replicate). The experimental groups included: G1 (control), G2 and G3 were supplemented with GBO in the drinking water (0.25 and 0.5 cm/L), respectively. The GBO was added to the drinking water only for 3 successive weeks. Compared to the other groups, supplementation with 0.25 cm/L GBO significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased final body weight, overall weight gain, feed intake and water consumption. When 0.25 cm GBO/L was added, that group significantly differed in intestinal villus length (P ≤ 0.05). Birds received 0.25 cm GBO/L had significantly greater blood total albumin and total protein concentrations (P ≤ 0.05), while birds given 0.5 cm GBO/L had higher serum cholesterol and LDL concentrations (P ≤ 0.05). The cost parameters were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) in the 0.25 cm GBO/L supplemented group, which exhibited higher total return and net profit. The addition of 0.25 cm GBO/L resulted in higher expression of antioxidant enzymes and insulin-like growth factor while inhibiting the expression of Myostatin in muscles (P < 0.05) compared to the control and those received 0.5 cm GBO/L. In conclusion, broiler chickens that received 0.25 cm GBO/L for 3 consecutive days per week had better performance, intestinal morphology, profitability, and antioxidant status than the control birds.

Protective effects of the fructooligosaccharide on the growth performance, biochemical indexes, and intestinal morphology of blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) infected by Aeromonas hydrophila.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of dietary fructooligosaccharide (FOS) on growth performance, biochemical indexes, intestinal morphology, and growth-related gene expression of blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) infected by Aeromonas hydrophila (AH). Two hundred twenty-five healthy blunt snout bream with an initial body weight of 38.41 ± 0.88g were randomly divided into five groups with three replicates: control (basal diet), model (AH + basal diet), SFOS (AH + 2g/kg FOS), MFOS (AH + 4g/kg FOS), LFOS (AH + 6g/kg FOS). After 9weeks of feeding, the results showed that the FOS-added diet abrogated AH-induced retardation, hemorrhage, and inflammatory infiltration. FOS supplementation enhanced the growth performance degradation caused by AH, and the highest growth performance was observed at MFOS. Meanwhile, the addition of FOS to feed improved the blood immunity reduced by AH. In expansion, the mucosal epithelium of intestinal villi exfoliated, exposing the lamina propria, and a few villi were genuinely harmed in the model group. Fish fed with MFOS ameliorated the damaged intestine, evidenced by well-preserved intestine architecture. Furthermore, the model group downregulated the expression of growth-related genes (growth hormone receptor (GHR), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)). Fish fed with 2g/kg or 4g/kg FOS upregulated the genes specified above expressions in the liver compared with the model group. In conclusion, the results mentioned above suggested that the dietary FOS could relieve the pressure to elevate the immune damage and intestine injury induced by AH and enhance the hepatic expression of IGF-1 and GHR.

Environmentally relevant concentrations of organic (benzophenone-3) and inorganic (titanium dioxide nanoparticles) UV filters co-exposure induced neurodevelopmental toxicity in zebrafish

UV filters, widely used in personal care products, are ubiquitous environmental pollutants detected and pose a significant public health concern. Benzophenone-3 (BP3) and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nano-TiO2) are the predominant organic and inorganic UV filters in environmental media. However, few studies have explored the combined developmental neurotoxic (DNT) effects and the underlying mechanisms when co-exposed to BP3 and nano-TiO2. In the present study, zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of BP3 (10 μg/L), nano-TiO2 (100 μg/L), and mixtures starting from 6 h post fertilization (hpf), respectively. Developmental indicators and motor behaviors were investigated at various developmental stages. Our results showed that BP3 alone or co-exposed with nano-TiO2 increased spontaneous movement at 24 hpf, co-exposure decreased touch response at 30 hpf and hatching rate at 60 hpf. Consistent with these motor deficits, co-exposure to BP3 and nano-TiO2 inhibited relative axon length of primary motor neuron during the early developmental stages, disturbed the expression of axonal growth-related genes at 30 and 48 hpf, increased cell apoptosis on the head region and mRNA levels of apoptosis-related genes, and also increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in zebrafish, suggesting the functional relevance of structural changes. Taken together, our findings demonstrated that BP3 alone or in combination with nano-TiO2 at environmentally relevant concentrations induced evident neurotoxic effects on the developing embryos in zebrafish.

Lysolecithin Improves Broiler Growth Performance through Upregulating Growth-Related Genes and Nutrient Transporter Genes Expression Independent of Experimental Diet Nutrition Level.

We investigated the effect and interaction of lysolecithin (LPL) and nutrition level on growth performance, nutrient ileal digestibility, expression of growth-related genes and nutrient transporter genes in broilers. A total of 1280 one day old Ross 308 mixed sex chicks with an average body weight 42.23 ± 2.4 g were randomly allotted into 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (20 replicates per treatment and 16 chickens per replicate) with two types of diet (Normal nutrition treatments starter, grower and finisher diets with ME of 3000 kcal/kg, 3100 kcal/kg and 3200 kcal/kg, respectively, and CP level of 22%, 21%, and 20%, respectively; high nutrition treatments diets with 50 kcal/kg ME and 0.5% CP higher than normal nutrition treatment at each stage). Two levels of LPL supplementation (0 and 500 mg/kg) were also employed. From day 21 to day 35 and full stage of the experiment, the birds fed a high nutrition (HN) diet had a greater body weight gain (BWG) and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) than those fed a normal nutrition (NN) diet (p < 0.05). Besides, lysolecithin increased BWG significantly (p < 0.05). The birds fed a diet with LPL revealed increasing fat digestibility compared to birds fed the basal diet (p < 0.05). LPL significantly increased the ileal digestibility of amino acids, including Ile, Thr, Phe, His, Arg, Tyr, Glu, Pro, Gly, Ala (p < 0.05). No interaction was found between LPL and nutrition level in BWG, FCR and nutrient digestibility. In HN diet, the genes expression of myogenic differentiation 1 (MYOD1), myogenin (MYOG), cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36), fatty acid-binding protein (FABP1), cationic amino acid transporter 1 (CAT1) and Y + L amino acid transporter 1 (y+, LAT1) were significantly elevated via LPL supplementation (p < 0.05). In NN diet, LPL significantly increased the genes expression of growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), MYOD1 and y+, LAT1 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, upregulating the nutrients transporter gene and growth-related gene expression of the host, independent of nutrition level changes, may be the action mechanism of lysolecithin on growth promotion in animals.

Transcriptome analysis of Armillaria gallica 012 m in response to auxin.

Gastrodia elata is an achlorophyllous and fully mycoheterotrophic orchid which obtains carbon and other nutrients from Armillaria species in its life cycle. Many researchers suggested that plant hormones, as signing molecules, play a central role in the plant-fungi interaction. In the process of Armillaria gallica 012 m cultivation, both exogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) distinctly stimulated the growth of mycelia in solid media. The differential expression genes (DEGs) of A. gallica 012 m with IAA versus blank control (BK) and IBA versus BK were investigated. The results showed that more than 80% of DEGs of the IAA group were coincident with the DEGs of the IBA group, and more than half of upregulated DEGs and most of the downregulated DEGs of the IAA group coincided with those DEGs of the IBA group. Above research implied that A. gallica 012 m could perceive IAA and IBA, and possess similar responses and signaling pathways to IAA and IBA. The overlapping differential genes of the IAA group and IBA group were analyzed by GO term, and the results showed that several DEGs identified were related to biological processes including positive regulation of the biological process and biological process. The downregulated NmrA-like and FKBP_C genes might be benefit to the growth of mycelia. Those results can explain that exiguous IAA and IBA improved the growth of A. gallica to some extent. We speculate that IAA and IBA are signaling molecules, and regulate the expression of growth-related genes of A. gallica 012 m by the same signaling pathway.

Effect of Dietary Administration of Green Macroalgae (Ulva intestinalis) on Mucosal and Systemic Immune Parameters, Antioxidant Defence, and Related Gene Expression in Zebrafish (Danio rerio).

This study investigated the effects of adding green macroalgae gutweed (Ulva intestinalis) powder to zebrafish (Danio rerio) feed at different levels on innate immune responses, antioxidant defence, and gene expression. A total of 600 zebrafish (0.3 ± 0.08 g) were randomly allocated to 12 aquariums in four treatments with three replicates (50 fish per aquarium). Zebrafish were fed with different levels of U. intestinalis powder 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1% for eight weeks. Whole-body extract (WBE) immune parameters including total protein level, globulin level, and lysozyme activity were evaluated and revealed statistically significant increased in all U. intestinalis supplemented groups compared to the control (P < 0.05). However, mucus immune parameters (total protein, globulin, and lysozyme) were statistically different in only 1% gutweed supplemented groups from other groups. While glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased with the addition of gutweed (P < 0.05), catalase (CAT) did not change (P > 0.05). The study results showed that dietary gutweed remarkably upregulated immune-related genes such as lysozyme (Lyz) and Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β). Antioxidant-related genes (SOD and CAT) and growth-related genes, including growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1), were remarkably upregulated with gutweed treatment (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary U. intestinalis showed beneficial effects on immunity, and same effects were observed in case of antioxidant and growth related genes expression in zebrafish.

Improvement of Fish Growth and Metabolism by Oligosaccharide Prebiotic Supplement.

Finfish aquaculture is expected to continue to benefit from significantly improved fish diets, which are the source of energy to support the growth and health of fish. Strategies to enhance the transformation rate of dietary energy and protein to fish growth are greatly desired by fish culturists. Prebiotic compounds can be used as supplements to human, animal, and fish diets to populate beneficial bacteria in the gut. The goal of the present study is to identify low-cost prebiotic compounds with high efficacy in increasing the absorption of food nutrients by fish. Several oligosaccharides were evaluated as prebiotics in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), one of the most widely cultured species in the world. Several parameters of the fish on different diets were evaluated, including feed conversion ratios (FCRs), enzymatic activities, expression of growth-related genes, and the gut microbiome. Two age groups of fish (30 days old and 90 days old) were used in this study. The results indicated that the addition of xylooligosaccharide (XOS), galactooligosaccharide (GOS), or XOS and GOS combination to the basic fish diet significantly decreased the feed conversion ratio (FCR) of the fish in both age groups. Both XOS and GOS decreased the FCR of 30-day-old fish by 34.4% compared to the fish on the control diet. In the 90-day-old fish group, XOS and GOS decreased the FCR by 11.9%, while the combination of the two prebiotics led to a 20.2% decrease in FCR compared to the control group. The application of XOS and GOS also elevated the production of glutathione-related enzymes and the enzymatic activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPX), indicating the enhancement of antioxidation processes in fish. These improvements were associated with significant changes in the fish gut microbiota. The abundance of Clostridium ruminantium, Brevinema andersonii, Shewanella amazonensis, Reyranella massiliensis, and Chitinilyticum aquatile were upregulated by XOS and GOS supplements. The findings of the present study suggested that the prebiotics would be more effective when they were applied to the younger fish, and the application of multiple oligosaccharide prebiotic compounds could result in a greater growth enhancement. The identified bacteria can be potentially used as probiotic supplements in the future to improve fish growth and feeding efficiency and ultimately reduce the cost of tilapia aquaculture.

Nutritional Components, Biochemical Characteristics, Enzyme Activities, and Growth Differences of Five Freshwater Fish Species?

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is an economically important fish worldwide, with many of its species bred for consumption. However, there are few reports on the comprehensive comparative analysis of the muscle nutritional quality and stress resistance characteristics of different common carp species. In this study, after 15 months of feeding in the same environment, the nutritional components, serum biochemical indices, liver antioxidant and intestinal digestive enzyme activities, and muscle growth-related gene expression were determined in Songpu mirror carp (SPM; Cyprinus carpio Songpumirror), Heilongjiang wild carp (HLJ; Cyprinus carpio haematopirus), cold-resistant strain of purse red carp (CPR; Cyprinus carpio ‘Red purse cold-resistant’), Songhe carp (SH; Cyprinus carpio ‘Songhe’), and Songpu carp (SP; Cyprinus carpio Songpu). Muscle nutrient composition showed that HLJ had a significantly lower crude fat content and higher docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) + eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) proportion than the other four common carp species (p &lt; 0.05). The contents of lysine (Lys) and aspargine (Asp) were significantly higher in the CPR than in other species (p &lt; 0.05). Serum biochemical parameters showed that total protein (TP), total cholesterol (T-CHO), triglycerides (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were significantly lower in SPM than in the other species (p &lt; 0.05). The results of tissue enzyme activity showed that the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase from Micrococcus lysodeikticus (CAT) in the liver were significantly higher, while the activities of lipase (LPS), trypsin (TRS), and α-amylase (α-AMS) in the intestine were significantly the lower in HLJ than in the other species (p &lt; 0.05). In addition, the relative expression levels of growth hormone (GH), growth hormone receptor (GHR), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF1R), and myoblast determination factor (MyoD) in SP and SH were significantly higher than those in the other species, while the relative expression of myostatin (MSTN) in HLJ was significantly higher (p &lt; 0.05). Therefore, there were significant differences in muscle nutritional quality, serum biochemical indices, liver, and intestinal enzyme activities, and muscle growth potential among the five species of common carp. This study could provide a theoretical basis for the germplasm evaluation and variety improvement of common carp.

Endophytic Metarhizium robertsii suppresses the phytopathogen, Cochliobolus heterostrophusand modulates maize defenses.

Fungi in the genus Metarhizium (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) are insect-pathogens and endophytes that can benefit their host plant through growth promotion and protection against stresses. Cochliobolus heterostrophus (Drechsler) Drechsler (Pleosporales: Pleosporaceae) is an economically-significant phytopathogenic fungus that causes Southern Corn Leaf Blight (SCLB) in maize. We conducted greenhouse and lab-based experiments to determine the effects of endophytic M. robertsii J.F. Bisch., Rehner & Humber on growth and defense in maize (Zea mays L.) infected with C. heterostrophus. We inoculated maize seeds with spores of M. robertsii and, at the 3 to 4-leaf stage, the youngest true leaf of M. robertsii-treated and untreated control plants with spores of C. heterostrophus. After 96 h, we measured maize height, above-ground biomass, endophytic colonization by M. robertsii, severity of SCLB, and expression of plant defense genes and phytohormone content. We recovered M. robertsii from 74% of plants grown from treated seed. The severity of SCLB in M. robertsii-treated maize plants was lower than in plants inoculated only with C. heterostrophus. M. robertsii-treated maize inoculated or not inoculated with C. heterostrophus showed greater height and above-ground biomass compared with untreated control plants. Height and above-ground biomass of maize co-inoculated with M. robertsii and C. heterostrophus were not different from M. robertsii-treated maize. M. robertsii modulated the expression of defense genes and the phytohormone content in maize inoculated with C. heterostrophus compared with plants not inoculated with C. heterostrophus and control plants. These results suggest that endophytic M. robertsii can promote maize growth and reduce development of SCLB, possibly by induced systemic resistance mediated by modulation of phytohormones and expression of defense and growth-related genes in maize.

Assessment of Performance, Microbial Community, Bacterial Food Quality, and Gene Expression of Whiteleg Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) Reared under Different Density Biofloc Systems.

Biofloc shrimp culture, as a way of improving shrimp production, gains worldwide consideration. However, the effects of the biofloc system on shrimp culture at high densities could be a challenge. Here, this study is aimed at identifying a better stocking density of whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) between two intensive biofloc systems of 100 and 300 org./m2. Achieving that was done by comparing growth performance, water quality, feed utilization, microbial loads from water and shrimps, and gene expression of growth, stress, and immune-related genes. Shrimp postlarvae with a mean weight of 35.4 ± 3.7 mg were reared in six indoor cement tanks (36 m3 total capacity each) at two stocking densities (3 replicates each) for a rearing period of 135 days. Better final weight, weight gain, average daily weight gain, specific growth rate, biomass increase percentage, and survival rate were associated with lower density (100/m2), whereas high-density showed significantly higher total biomass. Better feed utilization was found in the lower density treatment. Lower density treatment enhanced water quality parameters, including higher dissolved oxygen and lower nitrogenous wastes. Heterotrophic bacterial count in water samples was recorded as 5.28 ± 0.15 and 5.11 ± 0.28 log CFU/ml from the high- and low-density systems, respectively, with no significant difference. Beneficial bacteria such as Bacillus spp. were identified in water samples from both systems, still, the Vibrio-like count was developed in the higher density system. Regarding shrimp food bacterial quality, the total bacterial count in the shrimp was recorded as 5.09 ± 0.1 log CFU/g in the 300 org./m2 treatment compared to 4.75 ± 0.24 log CFU/g in the lower density. Escherichia coli was isolated from the shrimps in a lower density group while Aeromonas hydrophila and Citrobacter freundii were associated with shrimps from a higher density system. Immune-related genes including prophenoloxidase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and lysozyme (LYZ) expressions were all significantly higher expressed in the shrimp from the lower density treatment. Toll receptor (LvToll), penaiedin4 (PEN4), and stress-related gene (HSP 70) showed a decreased gene expression in the shrimp raised in the lower density. Significant upregulation of growth-related gene (Ras-related protein-RAP) expression was associated with the lower stocking density system. In conclusion, the current study found that applying high stocking density (300 org./m2) contributes negatively to performance, water quality, microbial community, bacterial food quality, and gene expression of immune, stress, and growth-related genes when compared with the lower stocking density system (100 org./m2) under biofloc system.

The growth performance, antioxidative status and muscle quality of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) cultured in the recirculating pond aquaculture system (RPAS)

The recirculating pond aquaculture system (RPAS) consisted of culture ponds, a purification pond, inflow ditch, outflow pipe, ecological ditch, and electrically driven pump. The performance of RPAS on grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) was explored in this study. In both the RPAS and the traditional pond aquaculture system (TPAS), water quality, fish growth performance, muscle quality, and tissue biochemical properties were assessed. Pond water was exchanged every seven days in RPAS and treated using a purification system that included an ecological ditch and a purification pond with a floating bed and aquatic plant. In RPAS, nitrate‑nitrogen, ammonia‑nitrogen, and nitrite‑nitrogen concentrations were lower than in TPAS. Fish cultured in RPAS exhibited significant higher growth rate and lower feed conversion rate. A significant increase in the expression of growth-related genes of myogenin (MyoG), myofactar-5 (Myf-5), insulin-like growth factor-I gene (igf-1), insulin-like growth factor-II gene (igf-2), and growth hormone receptor gene (ghr) were found in the fish cultured in the RPAS ponds. The content of malondialdehyde in either serum or liver and hepatic protein carbonyls content declined significantly in the RPAS ponds. The activities of T-SOD and GSH in liver and GSH in serum elevated significantly in RPAS fish. Muscular histological characteristics and texture profiles did not alter between two groups. The muscular contents of aromatic amino acids of aspartic acid and glutamic acid were significantly higher in RPAS than those in TPAS. It is inferred that RPAS is beneficial to promote fish growth, decrease oxidative stress, and increase muscle umami flavor.

Combined transcriptomic and proteomic analysis reveals multiple pathways involved in self-pollen tube development and the potential roles of FviYABBY1 in self-incompatibility in Fragaria viridis.

Fragaria viridis exhibits S-RNase-based gametophytic self-incompatibility, in which S-RNase is the major factor inhibiting pollen tube growth. However, the pathways involved in and the immediate causes of the inhibition of pollen tube growth remain unknown. Here, interactive RNA sequencing and proteome analysis revealed changes in the transcriptomic and proteomic profiles of F. viridis styles harvested at 0 and 24 h after self-pollination. A total of 2,181 differentially expressed genes and 200 differentially abundant proteins were identified during the pollen development stage of self-pollination. Differentially expressed genes and differentially abundant proteins associated with self-incompatible pollination were further mined, and multiple pathways were found to be involved. Interestingly, the expression pattern of the transcription factor FviYABBY1, which is linked to polar growth, differed from those of other genes within the same family. Specifically, FviYABBY1 expression was extremely high in pollen, and its expression trend in self-pollinated styles was consistent with that of S-RNase. Furthermore, FviYABBY1 interacted with S-RNase in a non-S haplotype way. Therefore, FviYABBY1 affects the expression of polar growth-related genes in self-pollen tubes and is positively regulated by S-RNase.