Identification and characterization of Alix/AIP1 interacting proteins from the black tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon.

Apoptosis is proposed to be a major cause of death in shrimp viral infections. From our previous study, an apoptosis-related gene, Pm-Alix, was identified from the black tiger shrimp. Its expression was high in defence-related tissues including haemocytes and the lymphoid organ. To clarify its possible role in shrimp, we used Pm-Alix as bait in a yeast two-hybrid analysis to search for Alix interacting proteins in shrimp. Two cDNA sequences discovered had homology to a predicted ubiquitin C of the purple sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, and to a guanylyl cyclase of the red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii. In vitro pull-down assays confirmed positive interaction between Pm-Alix and both proteins. Tissue distribution analysis revealed that Pm-Alix and the two binding partners were widely expressed in various tissues but more highly expressed in haemocytes. However, no significant positive or negative correlation was found in the expression of these genes as shrimp approached morbidity and death after challenge with white spot syndrome virus. Thus, the results suggested that Alix and its interacting partners did not play a direct role related to shrimp death.

Metacercaria from freshwater fishes of Mae Sa stream, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Metacercaria from freshwater fishes of Mae Sa stream, Doi Suthep-Pui National Park. Chiang Mai Province were investigated between January 1997-December 1998, 3,133 fishes of 32 species were collected. The prevalence of infection of fishes was 19.087% (598/3, 133). Six genera of metacercaria were recovered as follows: Acanthostomum sp, Centrocestus caninus, Haplorchis taichui, Haplorchoides sp, Posthodiplostomum sp and Stellantchasmus falcatus. The prevalence of each species of metacercaria was observed from total number of fishes as follow: 1.149% (36/3,133), 3.753% (96/3,133), 1.883% (59/3,133), 9.735% (305/3,133), 0.096% (3/ 3,133) and 2.553% (80/3,133) respectively. The highest prevalence of parasites were observed: Acanthostomum sp was 11.111% from Trichopsis vittatus; Centrocestus caninus was 100% from Xenentodon cancila; Haplorchis taichui was 12.108% from Mystacoleucus marginatus; Haplorchoides sp was 55.532% from Mystacoleucus marginatus; Posthodiplostomum sp was 1.176% from Dermogenus pusillus; Stellanchasmus falcatus was 100% from Xenentodon cancila. Centrocestus caninus, Haplorchis taichui and Stellantchasmus falcatus have been reported from human and mammals. The rest were reported from birds, fishes and reptiles.