A novel 90-kDa stress protein induced in fish cells by fish rhabdovirus infection

Histological and Electrophoretic Analysis of Carpathian barbel (Barbus carpathicus, Cyprinidae) Skin and Mucus in Environmental Context

Simple Summary

Natural environment monitoring and identification of river or lake water pollution plays an important role for human comfort and safety. Some fish, as water-living animals, are especially sensitive to any water quality changes. Fish skin forms a natural border between the water and internal organs of the animal’s body; therefore, the skin must be able to provide defense and resistance against any factors dangerous for the fish. Some seasonal changes can influence the skin morphology and physiology (mucus composition), blurring the assessment of the skin’s reaction to any contamination.

Abstract

Fish frequently serve as bioindicators of aquatic environments during their ecological evaluation. Carpathian barbel (Barbus carpathicus, Cyprinidae) is a species common to rivers and lakes of Eurasia and Africa. Seasons of the year can influence its skin morphology and mucus composition. The clinical status of the animal depends on the above-mentioned factors. The aim of this study was a histological, histometrical and electrophoretical analysis of periodical changes in barbel common integument. The accessible material was investigated in histological, cytological and electrophoretic analysis using hematoxylin-eosin staining, histometric morphometry, gel electrophoresis and cytological methods. The results demonstrated significant differences in the investigated parameters for spring–summer and autumn–winter periods. Both skin epithelium morphology (epithelium thickness, number of cell layers, melanophores and mucous cell existence) and mucus composition (proteins, immune system cells, keratinocytes and mucocytes) showed significant differences between investigated seasons. These morphological and physiological changes were more pronounced in the dorsal than ventral regions of common integument. The differences in the physical characteristics of mucus and the histological structure of the skin cannot only serve as a source of useful information about an evaluated ecosystem, but can be also related to additional factors, e.g., microbiological and chemical water contamination.

Biochemical indicators and biomarkers in chub (Squalius cephalus L.) from the Sava River

Biochemical indicators and biomarkers were analyzed in the liver and gills of chub caught in three localities along the Sava River exposed to different environmental impacts. Sampling sites were: downstream from Zagreb (Zgd), downstream Sremska Mitrovica (SM) and downstream from Belgrade (Bgd). We observed that the relative amounts and levels of activity of Cu, Zn containing superoxide dismutase and glutathione in both the liver and gills, and the relative amounts of heat shock protein (HSP90) and metallothioneins in the gills were highest in the Zgd locality, suggesting a higher impact of metal pollution. The Zgd locality had higher concentrations of trace metals in the water, especially iron. In the SM and Bgd localities, higher relative levels of glutathione peroxidase and catalase were recorded (especially in SM) as compared to the Zgd locality, pointing to the presence of hydrogen peroxide and different classes of organic peroxides. Low water oxygen and high temperature levels in the Bgd locality suggesting different metabolic activity between examined locations. Our results suggest that different presence and concentrations of individual environmental factors (total environment) influence the way how fish establish homeostasis.

The effects of acute waterborne exposure to sublethal concentrations of molybdenum on the stress response in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

To determine if molybdenum (Mo) is a chemical stressor, fingerling and juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were exposed to waterborne sodium molybdate (0, 2, 20, or 1,000 mg l^-1 of Mo) and components of the physiological (plasma cortisol, blood glucose, and hematocrit) and cellular (heat shock protein [hsp] 72, hsp73, and hsp90 in the liver, gills, heart, and erythrocytes and metallothionein [MT] in the liver and gills) stress responses were measured prior to initiation of exposure and at 8, 24, and 96 h. During the acute exposure, plasma cortisol, blood glucose, and hematocrit levels remained unchanged in all treatments. Heat shock protein 72 was not induced as a result of exposure and there were no detectable changes in total hsp70 (72 and 73), hsp90, and MT levels in any of the tissues relative to controls. Both fingerling and juvenile fish responded with similar lack of apparent sensitivity to Mo exposure. These experiments demonstrate that exposure to waterborne Mo of up to 1,000 mg l^-1 did not activate a physiological or cellular stress response in fish. Information from this study suggests that Mo water quality guidelines for the protection of aquatic life are highly protective of freshwater fish, namely rainbow trout.

Characterize and Gene Expression of Heat Shock Protein 90 in Marine Crab Charybdis japonica following Bisphenol A and 4-Nonylphenol Exposures

OBJECTIVES

Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is a highly conserved molecular chaperone important in the maturation of a broad spectrum of protein. In this study, an HSP90 gene was isolated from Asian paddle crab, Charybdis japonica, as a bio-indicator to monitor the marine ecosystem.

METHODS

This work reports the responses of C. japonica HSP90 mRNA expression to cellular stress by endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), such as bisphenol A (BPA) and 4-nonylphenol (NP) using real-time. reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

The deduced amino acid sequence of HSP90 from C. japonica shared a high degree of homology with their homologues in other species. In a phylogenetic analysis, C. japonica HSP90 is evolutionally related with an ortholog of the other crustacean species. The expression of HSP90 gene was almost distributed in all the examined tissues of the C. japonica crab but expression levels varied among the different body parts of the crabs. We examined HSP90 mRNA expression pattern in C. japonica crabs exposed to EDCs for various exposure times. The expression of HSP90 transcripts was significantly increased in C. japonica crabs exposed to BPA and NP at different concentrations for 12, 24, 48 and 96 hours. The mRNA expression of HSP90 gene was significantly induced in a concentration- and time-dependent manner after BPA or NP exposures for 96 hours.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, expression analysis of Asian paddle crab HSP90 gene provided useful molecular information about crab responses in stress conditions and potential ways to monitor the EDCs stressors in marine environments.

Cloning of an orange-spotted grouper Epinephelus coioides heat shock protein 90AB (HSP90AB) and characterization of its expression in response to nodavirus

The heat shock proteins (HSPs) family which consists of HSP90, HSP70, and low molecular mass HSPs are involved in chaperone activity. Here, we report the cloning and characterization of HSP90AB gene from orange-spotted grouper, Epinephelus coioides. The full-length of grouper HSP90AB was 727 amino acids and possessed an ATPase domain as well as an evolutionarily conserved molecular chaperone. The HSP90AB-green fluorescent protein fusion protein was evenly distributed in the cytoplasm. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses indicated that the expression of grouper HSP90AB was marginally increased following nodavirus infection. Grouper E. coioides that received HSP90 inhibitor geldanamycin (GA) showed an increase in HSP90AB expression and growth of nodavirus supporting nodavirus replication.

Molecular characterization and expression analysis of a heat shock protein 90 gene from disk abalone (Haliotis discus)

Heat shock protein 90s (hsp90s) are chaperones that contribute to the proper folding of cellular proteins and help animals cope with the cellular protein damages in stress conditions. In this study, an hsp90 gene was isolated from disc abalone (Haliotis discus). The complete nucleotide sequence of the hsp90 gene contains an open reading frame of 2,184 base pairs, encoding an 84 kDa protein. Disk abalone hsp90 shares high sequence similarity with other hsp90 family proteins. Although the phylogenetic analysis did not classify it into the hsp90α group, the inductivity of this gene was confirmed by heat shock and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge test. Disk abalone hsp90 gene displayed a rapid and reversible induction response to both an exposure of typical heat shock and the LPS challenge. Once given the sublethal heat shock treatment, the transcription of disk abalone hsp90 gene was significantly up-regulated. With a recovery of 12 h, the transcription of disk abalone hsp90 gene gradually attenuated to the control level. These observations reflected the feedback regulation of abalone heat shock responses faithfully. In response to LPS challenge, the transcription of disk abalone hsp90 gene was significantly increased within 2 h and it approached maximum induction at 4 h later and recovered finally the reference level in 24 h. Take all together, the cloning and expression analysis of disk abalone hsp90 gene provided useful molecular information of abalone responses in stress conditions and potential ways to monitor the chronic stressors in abalone culture environments and diagnose the animal health status.

Pesticide and pathogen: heat shock protein expression and acetylcholinesterase inhibition in juvenile Chinook salmon in response to multiple stressors

Rapid expression of heat shock protein (hsp) families in response to a variety of stressors has been demonstrated in many organisms, including fish. The present 60-d challenge study was designed to compare hsp induction in juvenile Chinook salmon following exposure to individual pesticides, virus, and both stressors combined. Heat shock protein expression patterns over time were monitored and related to the extent of virus infection and mortality. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition and recovery in response to applied stressors were measured in brain. High enzyme inhibition levels have been correlated with imminent mortality, and other sublethal physiological effects have been observed in fish concurrent with depressed AChE activity. Mortality was elevated considerably in fish exposed to 0.08 microg/L of the pyrethroid esfenvalerate (EV). Mortality due to infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) was lower in groups previously treated with pesticides; however, these fish died sooner than individuals exposed to virus only. Both pesticides, EV and the organophosphate (OP) chlorpyrifos (CP), as well as virus exposure, induced hsp expression, but highest hsp levels were observed after the combined treatments, suggesting an additive effect between virus and pesticides. Highest virus titers were accompanied by strongest hsp induction, indicating a connection between virus concentration and hsp expression. In conclusion, the measurement of hsp expression appears to be a very sensitive, integrative indicator of stress. Esfenvalerate and IHNV did not affect AChE activity, and exposure to 3.7 microg/L CP led to significantly inhibited AChE for at least 20 d. The time required for complete recovery of AChE activity raises concern about deleterious behavioral effects.

Gene expression profiles of some immune relevant genes from skin of susceptible and responding Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) infected with Gyrodactylus salaris (Monogenea) revealed by suppressive subtractive hybridisation

Suppressive subtractive hybridisation was used to examine the genetic basis of susceptibility and resistance of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) to Gyrodactylus salaris infection. Selected immune relevant genes are listed and two genes, for myeloid leukemia differentiation protein (Mcl-1) and opioid growth factor receptor (OGFr), obtained from the susceptible salmon library were characterised. Both sequences showed high amino acid identity and similarity with human and mouse isoforms, and their possible involvement in the response of salmon to G. salaris is discussed. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR was performed for both genes. Upregulation of Mcl-1 in B1 backcross salmon of the susceptible phenotypic category compared with resistant salmon was demonstrated. The possible relationship of the salmon Mcl-1 and cytokines (interleukin 1beta) in the G. salaris-induced host response is discussed. Potential involvement of OGFr in the depletion of mucous cells during prolonged and heavy G. salaris infection, via suppression of DNA synthesis and profound decrease in basal cell proliferation, is proposed. However, only two of six susceptible fish showed high upregulation of OGFr, which might indicate that its expression is localised to sites of wounds resulting from a heavy burden of G. salaris.

Short- and long-term effects of a dietary yeast beta-glucan (Macrogard) and alginic acid (Ergosan) preparation on immune response in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

The present study investigated the immunomodulatory activity of Ergosan, an algal extract containing alginic acid, and Macrogard, a yeast extract containing beta-glucans, on innate and specific immunity in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Four cycles of experimental feeding using normal fish feed formulation (control group) supplemented with Ergosan (0.5%) or Macrogard (0.1%) were performed at 60-day intervals (15 days of treatment+45 days of suspension). Serum complement, lysozyme, total proteins and heat shock protein (HSP) concentrations were measured at 15, 30 and 45 days from the end of the first 15-day feeding cycle (short term) and 45 days after the end of each feeding cycle over a 35-week period (long term). The percentage of B- and T-lymphocytes in peripheral blood leucocytes and gut were measured over long-term trial. Significant elevation (P < 0.05) in serum complement activity occurred in sea bass fed with alginic acid and glucans, at 15 days from the end of first cycle of treatment. Significant elevation (P < 0.05) in serum lysozyme, gill and liver HSP concentration were observed in the same experimental groups at 30 days from the end of treatment, whereas a significant increase (P < 0.05) of complement activity was only observed in fish that received an Ergosan diet. At 45 days from the end of treatment, complement, lysozyme and HSP concentration did not differ among groups. Over the long-term period, no significant differences were observed in innate and specific immune parameters, survival, growth performances and conversion index in treated and control fish. A dramatic decrease of both innate and acquired immune parameters was observed during the winter season in all groups, followed by a partial recovery when water temperature increased. Reduction in complement and lysozyme activities was significatively correlated (p < 0.01) to water temperature variation. The results suggested the potential of alginic acid and beta-glucans to activate some innate immune responses in sea bass, and particularly under conditions of immunodepression related to environmental stress.

Bacterial infection and tissue-specific Hsp72, -73 and -90 expression in western painted turtles

Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are molecular chaperones that assist intracellular folding, assembly and translocation of proteins in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. A variety of stresses including hyperthermia, radiation, heavy metals, ischemia, anoxia and reoxygenation have been shown to increase the expression of Hsps. Likewise, bacterial infection represents a stress for the host cell. In this study, expression of the constitutive (Hsp73) and inducible (Hsp72) isoforms of Hsp70 and Hsp90 was monitored in brain, heart, liver and skeletal muscle from the western painted turtle Chrysemys picta bellii diagnosed with Septicemic Cutaneous Ulcerative Dermatitis (SCUD). This disease is caused by a gram-negative bacterium probably belonging to the Citrobacter spp. The expression of Hsp73 increased 1.8-fold in brain and liver, 2.2-fold in heart but did not change in skeletal muscle; Hsp72 expression increased 5.5-fold in brain and 3-fold in liver but did not change in heart or skeletal muscle; Hsp90 expression increased 9-fold in brain, 2.7-fold in heart and 2.4-fold in skeletal muscle but did not change in liver. These results suggest a tissue-specific Hsp response during bacterial infection and a role for Hsps in immunopathological events in reptiles.

Molecular cloning of a novel chaperone-like protein induced by rhabdovirus infection with sequence similarity to the bacterial extracellular solute-binding protein family 5

Previously we demonstrated that a novel stress protein is induced in fish cells by the infection of a fish rhabdovirus (Cho W. J., Cha, S. J., Do, J. W., Choi, J. Y., Lee, J. Y., Jeong, C. S., Cho, K. J., Choi, W. S., Kang, H. S., Kim, H. D., and Park, J. W. (1997) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 233, 316-319). In this paper, we present the molecular cloning and characterization of a gene encoding this protein named virus-inducible stress protein (VISP). The VISP was purified partially by immunoprecipitation using a monoclonal antibody against the VISP and further purified by the electroelution from a SDS-PAGE gel. The protein was subjected to internal protein sequencing, and the sequence of three peptides was determined. Degenerate oligonucleotides based on the three peptide sequences were used to screen a cDNA library from rhabdovirus-infected CHSE-214 fish cells, and a cDNA of a 2193-bp open reading frame encoding the VISP with 730 amino acid residues (M(r) = 79.84) was identified. Whereas the nucleotide sequence of VISP shows no similarity with other genes in the GenBank(TM), the amino acid sequence of the VISP has similarity with the bacterial extracellular solute-binding protein family 5 (SBP_bac_5) that is proposed to have chaperone activity. Thus, we explored whether the VISP also had chaperone-like activity. Purified recombinant VISP expressed in Escherichia coli promoted the functional folding of alpha-glucosidase after urea denaturation and also prevented thermal aggregation of alcohol dehydrogenase. These results suggest that the VISP has amino acid sequence similarity with SBP_bac_5 and that it has chaperone activity that may play a role in virus infection.

Heat shock protein genes and their functional significance in fish

Despite decades of intensive investigation, important questions remain regarding the functional, ecological, and evolutionary roles of heat shock proteins. In this paper, we discuss the utility of fish as a model system to address these questions, and review the relevant studies of heat shock protein genes and the regulation of their expression in fish. Although molecular studies of the heat shock proteins in fish are still in their early descriptive phase, data are rapidly being collected. More is known about the biotic and abiotic factors regulating heat shock proteins. We briefly review these studies and focus on the role of heat shock proteins in development, their regulation by the endocrine system, and their importance in fish in nature. Functional genomics approaches will provide the tools necessary to gain a comprehensive understanding of the significance of heat shock proteins in the cellular stress response, in the physiological processes at higher levels of organization, and in the whole animal in its natural environment.

Tissue-specific expression of zebrafish (Danio rerio) heat shock factor 1 mRNAs in response to heat stress

All organisms respond to environmental, chemical and physiological stresses by enhanced synthesis of an evolutionarily conserved family of proteins known as heat shock proteins (HSPs) or stress proteins. Certain HSPs are also expressed constitutively during cell growth and development, and they function as molecular chaperones. The transcriptional regulation of hsp genes is mediated by the heat shock transcription factor (HSF). The stress response has been studied mostly in mammalian cell lines or organisms normally maintained under constant laboratory conditions. There is much less information on the regulation of the stress response of animals, such as fish, that have to tolerate large fluctuations in environmental and internal conditions. To characterize the regulation of the heat shock response in fish, we have cloned the first heat shock transcription factor from fish, zebrafish Danio rerio. Phylogenetic analysis confirms that the isolated zebrafish HSF belongs to the HSF1 family and is therefore designated zHSF1. Analysis by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) shows the presence of two zHSF1 mRNA forms that are expressed in a tissue-specific fashion upon exposure to heat stress. Both forms are expressed in gonads under all conditions; in liver and to a lesser extent in the gills, the longer splice form of zHSF1 disappears upon heat shock. We present evidence for a unique tissue-specific regulation of HSF1 upon exposure to elevated temperature.

The 90-kDa molecular chaperone family: structure, function, and clinical applications. A comprehensive review

The 90-kDa molecular chaperone family (which comprises, among other proteins, the 90-kDa heat-shock protein, hsp90 and the 94-kDa glucose-regulated protein, grp94, major molecular chaperones of the cytosol and of the endoplasmic reticulum, respectively) has become an increasingly active subject of research in the past couple of years. These ubiquitous, well-conserved proteins account for 1-2% of all cellular proteins in most cells. However, their precise function is still far from being elucidated. Their involvement in the aetiology of several autoimmune diseases, in various infections, in recognition of malignant cells, and in antigen-presentation already demonstrates the essential role they likely will play in clinical practice of the next decade. The present review summarizes our current knowledge about the cellular functions, expression, and clinical implications of the 90-kDa molecular chaperone family and some approaches for future research.