Effect of salinity on the osmotic, chloride, total protein and calcium concentrations in the hemolymph of the prawn Peneaus monodon (fabricius)

Identification of differentially transcribed genes in shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei exposed to osmotic stress and challenged with WSSV virus

The effects of hyposmotic stress and white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) challenge in expression was studied in the marine shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Messenger RNA from gills of shrimp submitted to osmotic stress was isolated to identify genes differentially expressed through the suppressive subtractive hybridization (SSH) method. Two subtractive libraries forward and two reverse were constructed to identify up and down-regulated genes under these conditions. About 192 clones were sequenced, of which 46 genes were identified. These genes encode proteins corresponding to a wide range of biological roles, including defense, cell signaling, electron transfer, cell proliferation and differentiation, apoptosis, intermediary metabolism, cytoskeleton and digestion. Among the identified genes, 19 were up-regulated and 27 were down-regulated in the animals kept at a lower ion concentration. We evaluated the expression of eight genes by RT-qPCR in shrimp submitted to hyposmotic conditions with and without WSSV challenge. The SSH enabled the identification of genes that are influenced by hyposmotic stress. A significant up-regulation was observed in lectin-C, QM, TGF beta inducible nuclear protein 1, ciclophilin, malate dehydrogenase, mitochondrial ATP synthase F chain and ATP synthase subunit 9 precursor transcripts. However, the expression of these genes in L. vannamei was not affected by WSSV infection both at isosmotic and hyposmotic conditions.

Effects of potassium on nitrate mediated alterations of osmoregulation in marine crabs

Determining the acute nitrate tolerance of marine animals is important for conservation as high levels of nitrate may be discharged into aquatic ecosystems via various anthropogenic sources. Typically, sodium nitrate (NaNO(3)) is used to determine the acute nitrate toxicity of marine animals. The standard procedure involves dissolving NaNO(3) salt in distilled water to create a stock solution, which is then diluted in seawater to obtain the desired nitrate concentration for the toxicity test. However, due to the relatively low toxicity of NO(3)(-), large volumes of the stock solution are required to create high NaNO(3)-N concentrations in the test solutions for LC(50) (median lethal concentration) calculations. As the stock solution contains no other elements, other than Na(+) and NO(3)(-), this can lead to drastically altered Na(+)/K(+) ratios (compared to natural seawater) of the test solutions, which could significantly affect the osmo-ionoregulation of the animals, and subsequently bias survival data. Consequently, experiments were performed to determine if incorporating potassium chloride (KCl), at a K(+) level equaling natural seawater at 30 per thousand, to the NaNO(3)-N stock solution influences the haemolymph osmolality, ion composition and LC(50) values of two commercially important crab species, the mud crab Scylla serrata and the blue swimmer crab Portunus pelagicus. In each experiment with S. serrata and P. pelagicus, a total of 20 replicate crabs were exposed to NaNO(3)-N concentrations of 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000 and 6000 mgl(-1) with and without incorporated KCl. Mortality observations were made at 12-h interval for 96-h. After 96-h, the haemolymph osmolality, Na(+), K(+) and Ca(2+) of the surviving crabs were measured. The 96-h LC(50) values for early juveniles of S. serrata and P. pelagicus were 3601 (3314-3902) mg l(-1) versus 4339 (4056-4518) mg l(-1) and 3355 (3085-3620) mg l(-1) versus 4132 (3864-4409) mg l(-1), respectively for the treatments without and with incorporated KCl. Statistical analysis showed that the sole utilisation of NaNO(3) led to a significantly (p<0.01) lower LC(50) value for both crabs, likely a consequence of their significantly lower (p<0.05) haemolymph K(+) levels. In contrast, no significant differences (p>0.05) in haemolymph K(+) was detected between crabs from the control and the treatment with incorporated KCl. It is therefore likely that previously reported acute nitrate toxicity tests have substantially underestimated the nitrate tolerances of marine animals. To avoid this problem, we propose incorporating KCl to the NaNO(3)-N stock solution as a standard protocol for future acute nitrate toxicity experiments on marine animals.

Hemolymph patterns of free amino acids in the brine shrimp Artemia franciscana after three days starvation at different salinities

The hemolymph pattern of free amino acids was examined in the brine shrimp, Artemia franciscana (Great Salt Lake origin). After one-month acclimation to 35 or 60 ppt salinity at 27 degrees C, the animals were transferred to 10, 35 or 60 ppt salinities to continue acclimation for 3 days without feeding at 27 degrees C. The osmolarity of one of the new media was raised by glycerol addition. In the hemolymph, 8 amino acids such as taurine, alanine, threonine, serine, lysine, glycine, arginine and leucine, comprised approximately 70% of the total content of free amino acids. This pattern suggested internal proteolysis due to starvation at high temperature. The total content of free amino acids significantly increased at 10 and 60 ppt salinities in comparison to 35 ppt. The hemolymph patterns from the 10 ppt and glycerol-added media showed a singularly high peak of taurine or alanine.

Osmo and ionic regulation of black tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon Fabricius 1798) juveniles exposed to K+ deficient inland saline water at different salinities

An 11-day trial was conducted to investigate the osmoregulatory capacity (OC) and regulation of K(+), Na(+), Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) of Penaeus monodon juveniles when exposed to K(+) deficient inland saline water (ISW) of four different salinities (5, 15, 25 and 35 ppt). The survival of juveniles showed a positive linear relationship (R(2) ranging from 0.72 to 0.98) with salinity. At the end of the trial, juveniles were able to survive only in 5 ppt of ISW and showed no changes in OC when transferred from ocean water (OW) to ISW. Further, the OC of juveniles in 5 ppt of ISW was significantly different (P<0.05) from the OC of juveniles exposed to 15, 25 and 35 ppt and exhibited strong serum K(+), Na(+), Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) regulation monitored over 16 h. In contrast, at 35 ppt, significant decrease (P<0.05) in serum K(+) and Mg(2+) concentrations and accumulation of serum Na(+) concentration occurred after 16 h of exposure to ISW. At higher salinity, an increase in serum Na(+) concentration leads to an increase in the serum osmolality of the juveniles, which in turn causes decrease in the OC of the juveniles. The results of this study suggest that K(+) deficiency in ISW has a negative effect on survival, OC and the ability of P. monodon juveniles to regulate serum Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) concentrations. These effects are compounded as salinity increases.

Effect of sudden salinity change on Penaeus latisulcatus Kishinouye osmoregulation, ionoregulation and condition in inland saline water and potassium-fortified inland saline water

Two trials were conducted to determine the effect of sudden decrease in salinity of raw and potassium-fortified inland saline water on western king prawn Penaeus latisulcatus osmoregulation, ionoregulation and condition. Prawns were subjected to salinity decrease over 1 h from 32 to 25 ppt in the first trial and from 27 to 20 ppt in the second trial in three water types: inland saline water with potassium fortified to 100% and 80% of the marine water concentration (IS100, IS80), and raw inland saline water (ISW). In the first trial condition and ingestion rate were monitored over 19 days following salinity change. In the second trial condition, haemolymph osmo- and iono-regulation were recorded over 48 h following salinity change. In the first trial, 100% mortality was observed in ISW by day 13, with final survival 94% in IS80 and 100% in IS100. Tail muscle moisture content increased significantly (P < 0.05) over time in both trials and in all water types, suggesting loss of energy reserves. In the second trial, serum osmolality, sodium concentration and osmoregulatory capacity decreased following salinity change, stabilising by 24 h in IS100 and IS80 but continuing to decrease till 48 h in ISW, suggesting partial breakdown of osmoregulatory function in the potassium-deficient medium. Prawns were stronger regulators of divalent than monovalent cations. These trials demonstrate that potassium-deficient inland saline water requires fortification with potassium to allow prawn survival and efficient osmoregulation.

Biochemical characterization and cloning of transglutaminases responsible for hemolymph clotting in Penaeus monodon and Marsupenaeus japonicus

To investigate the shrimp blood clotting enzyme, a transglutaminase in the hemocytes of Penaeus monodon (abbreviated as TGH) was purified. TGH is an abundant homodimeric cytosolic protein with 84.2 kDa subunits. It clotted shrimp plasma and incorporated fluorescent dansylcadaverine into succinyl casein upon activation by CaCl(2) in vitro. IC(50) for the activation was 3 mM, which is below the shrimp plasma Ca(2+) level. Showing similar properties as other type II transglutaminase, TGH was particularly unstable after activation. MALDI-TOF/TOF mass-analyses of tryptic peptides of P. monodon TGH confirmed its identity to STG I (AY074924) previously cloned. A possible allele of the other isozyme STG II (AY771615) has also been cloned from the P. monodon cDNA and designated as PmTG. The predicted PmTG protein sequence is 58% similar to that of STG I and 99.2% to that of STG II. Likewise, a novel enzyme Mj-TGH was purified and cloned from Marsupenaeus japonicus hemocytes. Results of sequence alignment and phylogenetic analyses of these transglutaminases suggest that STG I and Mj-TGH are 83% identical and orthologous to each other, while PmTG/STG II and a previously cloned M. japonicus transglutaminase (AB162767) are their paralogs. Protein of the latter two could not be isolated, their regulated expression was discussed.

Hemolymph osmolality and cation concentrations in Litopenaeus vannamei during exposure to artificial sea salt or a mixed-ion solution: relationship to potassium flux

Interest in culturing the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei in low-salinity and brackish-well waters has led to questions about the ability of this species to osmo- and ionoregulate in environments containing low concentrations of ions and in environments with ionic ratios that differ from those found in sea water. After seven days, hemolymph osmolality and potassium, sodium and calcium values were all significantly affected by salinity (as artificial sea salt) with values decreasing with decreasing salinity. These decreases were small, however, relative to decreases in salinity, indicating iono- and osmoregulation with adjustment for gradients. The hemolymph osmolality and sodium and calcium concentrations in shrimp exposed to either 2 g/L artificial sea salt or 2 g/L mixed-ion solution (a mixture of sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium chlorides that approximate the concentrations and ratios of these cations found in 2 g/L dilute seawater) did not differ significantly. However, hemolymph potassium levels were significantly lower in shrimp held in the mixed-ion environment. Potassium influx rates were similar in shrimp held in either artificial sea salt or mixed ions. The results of this study indicate that salinity affects hemolymph-cation concentrations and osmolality. Further, differential potassium-influx rates do not appear to be the basis for low hemolymph potassium levels observed in shrimp held in mixed-ion environments.

The role of the antennal glands in ion and body volume regulation of cannulated Penaeus monodon reared in various salinity conditions

Urinary production rate and the osmotic and ionic concentrations in both urine and hemolymph were measured in cannulated intermolt Penaeus monodon which were either abruptly transferred from 45 ppt seawater to 15 ppt seawater (Experiment 1) or acclimated to 5, 25 and 45 ppt seawater (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, urinary magnesium concentration fell dramatically from 228 to 30 mEq/l within 4 h post-transfer, but 8 h after transfer, U/H (urine/hemolymph) ratios stabilized at between 1.0 and 2.5. Sodium was higher in urine than in hemolymph during the first 24 h after transfer, while potassium was lower in urine than in hemolymph until 72 h after transfer, which suggests that sodium and potassium concentrations are regulated by the antennal gland after an abrupt change in media. In Experiment 2, the urinary production rate of P. monodon decreased as salinity increased, suggesting that the antennal glands also regulate body volume. In the acclimated shrimps of Experiment 2, the antennal glands did not appear to regulate osmolarity or the concentration of chloride, sodium, potassium, and calcium ions, but as salinity increased, U/H ratios of magnesium increased from 2.3 to 13.5, and active secretion by the antennal gland accounted for 57 approximately 93% of the total magnesium excretion through urine. These results suggest that active secretion of magnesium by the antennal gland enable this shrimp to maintain hypoionic levels of magnesium in the hemolymph.

Recovery of Penaeus monodon from functional anaemia after exposure to sublethal concentration of nitrite at different pH levels

Tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon (14.79+/-0.19 g) which had been exposed individually to 0.72 mM nitrite at pH 6.8, 8.2 and 9.8 after 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h were examined for the water nitrite concentration, hemolymph nitrite, oxyhemocyanin, protein and osmolality levels. Same parameters were examined for shrimp depurated in nitrite-free water after 3, 6, 12 and 24 h following 48 h exposure to nitrite. In the nitrite-exposed test, nitrite influx, hemolymph nitrite and osmotic differential (medium osmolality - hemolymph osmolality) increased with exposure time, and were higher at pH 6.8, whereas water nitrite concentration, oxyhemocyanin, protein, ratio of oxyhemocyanin to protein and hemolymph osmolality decreased with exposure time and were lower at pH 6.8. In the depuration test, water nitrite concentration increased with depuration time, and was higher at pH 6.8, whereas, hemolymph oxyhemocyanin, ratio of oxyhemocyanin to protein and hemolymph osmolality increased with depuration time and were higher at pH 9.8. Hemolymph nitrite decreased with depuration time, and was 2.52, 2.19 and 0.24 µmol ml(-1) after 6 h at pH 6.8, 8.2 and 9.8, respectively. Nitrite entry is considered to occur mainly via the form of nitrous acid (HNO(2)) in water uptake. The fact that the hemolymph nitrite decreased to non-detectable level with 72-88% recovery of oxyhemocyanin after 24 h depuration suggests an occurrence of reductase for nitrite-exposed shrimps.

Pegademase bovine: replacement therapy for severe combined immunodeficiency disease

Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) represents a syndrome characterized by abnormal function of cellular and humoral immunity. Of the various types of SCID, approximately one-fourth are associated with adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency. Treatment consists of bone marrow transplantation, red blood cell transfusions, enzyme replacement, and, more recently, gene therapy. Pegademase bovine is the sole agent available for enzyme replacement therapy of SCID associated with ADA deficiency. The drug is administered intramuscularly to infants from birth and to children of any age at time of diagnosis. At present, few adverse effects or drug interactions have been documented. Although it is expensive (approximately $60,000 annually), pegademase bovine offers an alternative to standard means of therapy.