Sang-Gu Lim

Molecular characterization of a tandem-repeat galectin-9 (RuGlec9) from Korean rose bitterling (Rhodeus uyekii)

Galectin-9 is a b-galactoside-binding lectin that regulates many cellular functions, ranging from cell adhesion to pathogen recognition. We isolated and characterized the cDNA of tandem-repeat galectin-9 (RuGlec9) from the Korean rose bitterling (Rhodeus uyekii), an endemic Korean fish belonging to the Acheilognathinae subfamily of the Cyprinidae family. RuGlec9 cDNA is 1486 bp long and encodes a polypeptide of 323 amino acids containing two carbohydrate-recognition domains connected by a linker peptide. The deduced amino acid sequence of RuGlec9 shows 45-84% amino acid sequence identity to other galectin-9 sequences, including those from mammals and fish. RuGlec9 appeared in a large cluster with other galectin-9 sequences from fish and is more closely related to galectin-9 from Danio rerio than to those of other fish and mammals. RuGlec9 mRNA was expressed highly in the testis, spleen, intestine, stomach, and liver, and moderately in the brain, kidney, ovary, and gills of normal Korean rose bitterling. RuGlec9 mRNA expression in the spleen was increased by lipopolysaccharide. These results suggest that RuGlec9 plays a role in innate immunity in Korean rose bitterling.

Variations in the antioxidant system and circadian rhythms of goldfish, Carassius auratus, exposed to ammonia: profile of the effects of green LED spectra

Abstract The present study evaluated effects of green light emitting diode (LED) spectra on oxidative stress and circadian rhythms in goldfish exposed to various concentrations (0.25 and 0.5 mg/L) of NH3, under a white fluorescent bulb (control; simulated natural period) and green LED light. We measured mRNA expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase) and mRNA expression of circadian rhythms (period 2), in addition to levels of plasma hydrogen peroxide, cortisol and melatonin. Damage to nuclear DNA was assessed using the comet assay. All stress indicators and melatonin were significantly lower in the green LED group than in the control group. With an increase in the concentration of ammonia, the observed effects became even more significant and generally increased with time. Comparatively, damage to the nuclear DNA was greater in the 0.5 mg/L NH3 group, and lower in the green LED group. The Period 2 mRNA expression reduced as increasing ammonia treatment but increased as green LED exposed. We have suggested that Green LED reduced levels of oxidative stress, which suggests an antioxidant effect against NH3 toxicity. Additionally, ammonia is affected the circadian rhythms and the green LED wavelength is able to regulate effectively the circadian rhythm.

Temperature-dependent Index of Mitotic Interval (τ 0 ) for Chromosome Manipulation in Korean Rose Bitterling Rhodeus uyekii

Eggs of Korean rose bitterling Rhodeus uyekii were collected and fertilized to observe temperature-related cleavage rates and mitotic intervals (τ 0 ). As the water temperature was increased, the slope of first cleavage frequency with elapsed time after fertilization increased, and approximately 30% of fertilized eggs reached first cleavage frequency at every 15 min. At higher temperatures, eggs developed faster and underwent further identical developmental processes. There were strong, negative correlations between τ 0 and water temperatures at all temperatures studied (Y = -1.225X + 70.05, r 2 = 0.988, where Y is τ 0 and X is temperature).

Effects of Recombinant Aquaporin 3 and Seawater Acclimation on the Expression of Aquaporin 3 and 8 mRNAs in the Parr and Smolt Stages of Rainbow Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

This study aimed to examine the role of two aquaporin isoforms (AQP3 and AQP8) in response to the hyperosmotic challenge of transitioning from freshwater (FW) to seawater (SW) during parr and smoltification (smolt) using the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. We examined the changes in the expression of AQPs mRNAs in the gills and intestine of the parr and smolt stages of rainbow trout transferred from FW to SW using quantitative real-time PCR in an osmotically changing environment [FW, SW, and recombinant AQP3 (rAQP3) injection at two dosage rates]. Correspondingly, AQPs were greater during smoltification than during parr stages in the rainbow trout. Plasma osmolality and gill Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity increased when the fish were exposed to SW, but these parameters decreased when the fish were exposed to SW following treatment with rAQP3 during the transition to seawater. Our results suggest that AQPs play an important role in water absorbing mechanisms associated with multiple AQP isoforms in a hyperosmotic environment.

Comparison of Morphological Characteristics between Smallscale Blackfish, Girella leonina and Largescale Blackfish, G. punctata

In order to discriminate the morphologically analogous smallscale blackfish, Girella leonina and largescale blackfish, G. punctata, various methods were used by using biometric and geometric approaches. Morphometric analysis showed considerable 19 differences of total 44 morphometric dimensions: classical dimension 1 part; truss dimension 12 parts; and head part dimension 6 parts (P ＜ 0.05). Some differences of morphological features primarily involved in caudal part of truss dimension. Our results of this study confirmed that two species adequately can distinguish with external body shape, and we hope that the results of our study could be used to identify in Girellidae family as taxonomical parameters.

Histological Observation of the Barbel in Common Carp, Cyprinus carpio and Bagrid Catfish, Pseudobagrus fulvidraco

잉어, Cyprinus carpio와 동자개, Pseudobagrus fulvidraco의 상악ㆍ하악 수염을 조직학적으로 조사하였다. 동자개의 수염은 연골성 증축(axial rod of cartilage), 신경섬유다발(bundle of nerve fiber), 표피(epidermis), 평활근 층(smooth muscle layer) 및 미뢰(taste bud)로 구성되었으며, 잉어의 수염은 표피, 신경섬유다발, 혈관(blood vessel) 및 미뢰로 구성되었다. 수염 길이에서 잉어는 상악 바깥쪽 수염(second maxillary barbel)이 상악 안쪽 수염(first maxillary barbel) 보다 길게 나타났으며, 동자개는 하악 안쪽(inner mandibular barbel), 상악 위쪽(upper maxillary barbel), 하악 바깥쪽(outer mandibular barbel), 상악 아래쪽(lower maxillary barbel) 순으로 길게 나타났다(P＜0.05). 미뢰의 수를 고려하였을 때, 동자개와 잉어간의 미각에 대한 유의적 차이가 없었다(P＞0.05). 아울러, 두 어종의 모든 수염에서 수염 상부의 미뢰 수가 하부의 미뢰 수 보다 높게 나타났다(P＜0.05). 본 연구 결과, 동자개의 수염은 딱딱하며 굴절성인 수염(flexible and stiff type)이었으며 잉어의 수염은 연하고 유연한 수염(tender and yielding type)으로 파악되었다.