Analysis of differentially expressed proteins after EHP-infection and characterization of caspase 3 protein in the whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei).

Whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) is the most important species of shrimp farmed worldwide in terms of its economic value. Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) infects the hepatopancreas, resulting in the hepatopancreatic microsporidiosis (HPM) of the host, which causes slow growth of the shrimp and poses a threat to the farming industry. In this study, differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between EHP-infected and uninfected shrimp were investigated through proteomics sequencing. A total of 9908 peptides and 2092 proteins were identified. A total of 69 DEPs were identified in the hepatopancreas (HP), of which, 28 were upregulated and 41 were downregulated. Our results showed that the differences among the level of multiple proteins involved in the apoptosis were significant after the EHP infection, which indicated that the apoptosis pathway was activated in whiteleg shrimp. In addition, expression leve of caspase 3 gene were identified related to the EHP infection. Furthermore, predictions of spatial structure, analysis of phylogeny and chromosome-level linearity of the caspase 3 protein were performed as well. In conclusion, a relatively complete proteomic data set of hepatopancreas tissues in whiteleg shrimp were established in this study. Findings about genes involved in the apoptosis here will provide a further understanding of the molecular mechanism of EHP infection in the internal immunity of whiteleg shrimp.

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of convex reef crab Carpilius convexus (Forskål, 1775).

The complete mitochondrial genome of convex reef crab Carpilius convexus was determined and characterized for the first time from the South China Sea. The whole mitogenome is 15,766 bp long and consists of 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), and 1 control region. The nucleotide composition of the mitogenome is significantly biased (A, G, T, and C is 36.91%, 17.94%, 34.95%, and 10.19%, respectively) with A + T contents of 71.86%. All PCGs start with a normal initiation codon ATN and terminate with a standard stop codon except ND1 gene end with TTG. Five microsatellites are identified in C. convexus mitogenome sequences. The phylogenetic tree showed that C. convexus was first clustered with Carpilius maculatus, and strongly supports that the recognition of the Carpiliidae as a monophyletic family.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Trachycardium flavum (Linnaeus, 1758).

The complete mitochondrial genome of Trachycardium flavum from South China Sea was first determined in this study, which is 16,596 bp in length. The base composition of the mitogenome is a less biased (A, G, T, and C was 21.5%, 26.3%, 37.0%, and 15.2%, respectively) with A + T contents of 58%. It consists of 24 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and 12 protein-coding genes (PCGs). No typical control region was found in non-coding sequence. Interestingly, ATP8 genes was absence same as most shellfish. Nine PCGs use a special start codon TTG, and the other three genes use a normal initiation codon ATN. Except ND6 use a single base G as the stop codon, the others all end with the normal stop codon TAG. The phylogenetic tree showed that T. flavum was first clustered with Fulvia mutica, Cerastoderma edule, and Acanthocardia tuberculate, which all belong to Cardiidae.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the cockle Anadara antiquata (Linnaeus, 1758).

The complete mitochondrial genome of Anadara antiquata was first determined. With a length of 45,454 bp, it consists of 29 tRNA, 2 rRNA, and 17 protein-coding genes (PCGs). The non-coding region was large and atypical around the genome with total 24,162 bp long. The nucleotide composition is significantly biased with AT contents of 62.2%. PCGs have five types of start codon, and terminate with a complete stop codon TAA or TAG. 19 microsatellites (SSRs) were identified in mitogenome sequences. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that A. antiquata was first clustered with Anadara vellicate, then together with Tegillarca granosa.

Complete mitochondrial genome of tiger cowrie Cypraea tigris (Linnaeus, 1758).

The complete mitochondrial genome of Cypraea tigris from the South China Sea has been determined, which was the first report of complete mitogenome in the superfamily Cypraeoidea. It is 16,177 bp long and consists of 21 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), and 1 control region. The base composition of C. tigris mitogenome is biased (A, G, T, and C were 28.8, 17.9, 37.1, and 16.3%, respectively) with A + T contents of 58.5%. All of the PCGs use a typical start codon (ATN) and a complete stop codon (TAA or TAG) as normal. The maximum-likelihood tree demonstrated that the Cypraeoidea was closer to the superfamily Tonnoidea, and further clarified the phylogenetic relationships of each superfamily in Littorinimorpha.

The effect of peginterferon alpha-2a vs. interferon alpha-2a on intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), as the template of HBV transcription, plays a key role in the virus infection. The present study aimed to compare the effect of pegylated interferon (IFN)-α-2a with that of conventional IFN-α-2a on intrahepatic covalently closed circular (ccc)DNA in patients with chronic hepatitis B. METHODS: Seventy-six HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients were randomly divided into two groups (n=38): group A was treated with interferon alpha-2a (IFN-α-2a) and group B was treated with peginterferon alpha-2a (peg IFN-α-2a). The intrahepatic level of cccDNA and its detection rate, levels of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in liver and serum, histologic inflammation and some biochemistry parameters (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and total bilirubin levels) were measured. RESULTS: The outcome of 48 weeks therapy showed that the mean level of intrahepatic HBV cccDNA level and its detection rate, the levels of HBV DNA and the histology and biochemistry parameters were significantly decreased following therapy in two groups (P<0.05). While, the reductions in the group treated with peg IFN-α-2a were greater (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It may be concluded that the ability of the peg IFN-α-2a to clear and suppress cccDNA and HBV DNA was superior compared with that of conventional IFN-α-2a. Furthermore, the effects of peg IFN-α-2a on histology and biochemistry parameters were also more obvious than conventional IFN-α-2a.

[The relationship between hepatic expression, serum level of TGFbeta1 and the hepatic fibrosis in patients with viral hepatitis].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the hepatic tissue and serum level of TGFbeta1 in patients with viral hepatitis, in order to clarify their relationship of the starting, developing of hepatic fibrosis. METHODS: This study included 92 patients with viral hepatitis. Liver puncture was performed in 31 patients. Hepatic collagen staining (Masson's three colors) and TGFbeta1 immunohistochemistry staining of the liver tissue specimens were performed, morphometric quantitative measurements of hepatic histological collagen and TGFbeta1 were made. The serum level of TGFFbeta1 was detected by ELISA. RESULTS: The surface density of hepatic TGFbeta1 increased linearly with the elevation of fibrosis stage (P < 0.05), there were no significant differences between every two groups of G1, G2, G3 and G4 (P > 0.005). There was a closely positive correlation between the levels of TGFbeta1 in hepatic tissue and serum, the coefficient was 0.896 (P < 0.01). The levels of TGFbeta1 in tissue and serum both had positive correlation with hepatic collagen, coefficients were 0.863 and 0.667 (P < 0.001). The level of TGFbeta1 in tissue and serum both had positive correlation with serum levels of PCIII, HA, LN, CIV (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There was a closely relationship between the levels of TGFbeta1 in hepatic tissue and serum and liver fibrosis. The detection of TGFbeta1 in liver and serum are more sensitive than HA, LN, CIV in early period of hepatic fibrosis.