Comparative characterization of digestive proteases in redhead cichlid (Vieja melanurus) and twoband cichlid (Vieja bifasciata) (Percoidei: Cichlidae)

In the Southeast of Mexico, there are many native cichlids with commercial interest such as redhead cichlid (Vieja melanurus) and twoband cichlid (V. bifasciata), which have a great local demand and excellent meat quality. However, it is necessary to implement their culture based on nutrition studies and digestive biochemistry. This study's objective was to characterize these two cichlids' digestive proteases (pH, temperature, and inhibitors) through biochemistry techniques. Results showed that V. melanurus and V. bifasciata have a digestive capacity analogous to other omnivore fishes, where the optimal pH values of stomach proteases (4 and 2, respectively) and intestinal proteases (6 and 12, respectively), the optimal temperature of acid (35°C and 55°C, respectively) and alkaline proteases (45°C and 55°C, respectively) are quite similar. Both species presented high thermal and pH stabilities. Inhibition showed that V. melanurus is more sensitive to specific inhibitors for alkaline proteases than V. bifasciata. In conclusion, V. bisfasciata and V. melanurus have different digestive protease patterns. Both species can hydrolyze different protein ingredients to formulate a specific diet. Nevertheless, V. bifasciata is more resistant to the presence of inhibitors, which allow it to include vegetable proteins in its diet.(AU)

En el sureste de México, existen muchas especies de cíclidos nativos de interés comercial como el cíclido rojo (Vieja melanurus) y el cíclido de dos bandas (V. bifasciata), los cuales tienen una gran demanda local y tienen una excelente calidad de carne; sin embargo, es necesario implementar su cultivo con base en estudios de nutrición y bioquímica digestiva. El objetivo de este estudio fue caracterizar las proteasas digestivas (pH, temperatura e inhibidores) de estos dos cíclidos nativos mediante técnicas bioquímicas. Los resultados mostraron que V. melanurus y V. bifasciata tienen una capacidad digestiva similar a otros peces omnívoros, donde los valores óptimos de pH de proteasas estomacales (4 y 2, respectivamente) e intestinales (6 y 12, respectivamente), la temperatura óptima de proteasas ácidas (35°C y 55°C, respectivamente) y alcalinas (45°C y 55°C, respectivamente) son muy parecidas. Ambas especies presentaron alta estabilidad térmica y de pH. La inhibición mostró que V. melanurus es más sensible a inhibidores específicos de proteasas alcalinas que V. bifasciata. En conclusión, V. bisfasciata y V. melanurus tienen diferentes patrones de proteasas digestivas, pero ambas especies pueden hidrolizar diversos ingredientes proteicos para formular dietas específicas; sin embargo, V. bifasciata es más resistente a la presencia de inhibidores, lo que permitiría incluir proteínas vegetales en su dieta.(AU)

Trypsin gene expression in adults and larvae of tropical gar Atractosteus tropicus.

Trypsin gene (try) expression levels were quantified in different organs of wild and captive tropical gar (Atractosteus tropicus) adults, and changes in expression during initial ontogeny of the species were determined. RNA was extracted from the pancreas, and cDNA was synthesized and later amplified by endpoint PCR using oligonucleotides designed from different try sequences of fish registered in GenBank. Subsequently, specific oligonucleotides were designed from the partial sequences. Gene expression was measured after RNA extraction and synthesis of the cDNA of 11 organs (liver, pancreas, stomach, esophagus, intestine, pyloric caeca, brain, muscle, gills, gonad, and kidney) of captive and wild adults. Likewise, samples of A. tropicus larvae were taken on days 0 (embryo), 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 days after hatching (DAH), the RNA was extracted, and the synthesis of cDNA was carried out to measure real-time gene expression (qPCR). The results showed that the highest relative try expression occurred mainly in the esophagus, liver, stomach, and pancreas of both wild and captive adult fish; however, captive organisms had a higher try expression level than wild fish. Although try expression during initial ontogeny was high in embryos (0 DAH), it did not reach the maximum value until 15 DAH. It was concluded that try expression levels in captive adults are due to the high protein content in the balanced feed (trout diet). The highest try expression level during larviculture was detected at 15 DAH, which indicates that A. tropicus larvae have a mature digestive system and can efficiently hydrolyze proteins from feed at this developmental stage.