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Effect of different salinities on gene expression and activity of digestive enzymes in the thick-lipped grey mullet (Chelon labrosus)

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Abstract

The effects of different environmental salinities (0, 12, 40, and 55 ppt) on pepsinogen 2 (pga2), trypsinogen 2 (try2), chymotrypsinogen (ctr), and pancreatic alpha-amylase (amy2a) gene expression, and on the total activities of their corresponding enzymes, were assessed in Chelon labrosus juveniles, after their corresponding full-complementary DNA sequences were cloned. Furthermore, the quantitative effect of different salinities on the hydrolysis of feed protein by fish digestive enzymes was evaluated using an in vitro system. Relative pga2 expression levels were significantly higher in animals maintained at 12 ppt, while a significantly higher gene expression level for ctr and try2 was observed at 40 ppt. amy2a gene expression showed its maximum level at 40 ppt and the lowest at 55 ppt. A significant reduction in the activity of amylase with the increase in salinity was observed, whereas the maximum activity for alkaline proteases was observed in individuals maintained at 40 ppt. A negative effect of high salinity on the action of proteases was confirmed by the in vitro assay, indicating a decreased efficiency in the digestive function in C. labrosus when maintained at high environmental salinities. Nevertheless, individuals can live under different environmental salinities, even though gene expression is different and the enzymatic activities are not maintained at the highest studied salinity. Therefore, compensatory mechanisms should be in place. Results are discussed on the light of the importance as a new species for aquaculture.

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Acknowledgements

The authors want to thank the “Estero Leocadia” (Cádiz, Spain) for providing the experimental fish. Experiment has been carried out at the Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEI·MAR) facilities from the University of Cádiz.

Funding

This work was funded by project AGL2010-14876 from MICINN to JMM.

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Author notes

  1. J. A. Martos-Sitcha

    Present address: Nutrigenomics and Fish Growth Endocrinology Group, Institute of Aquaculture Torre de la Sal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IATS-CSIC), 12595, Ribera de Cabanes, Castellón, Spain

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales, Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEI·MAR), Universidad de Cádiz, 11519, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain

    I. M. Pujante & J. M. Mancera

  2. Department of Biology, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cádiz, Avenida República Saharaui, 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain

    I. M. Pujante

  3. Departamento de Biología Aplicada, Escuela Politécnica, Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEI·MAR), Universidad de Almería, 04120, La Cañada de San Urbano, Almería, Spain

    F. J. Moyano

  4. Instituto de Ciencias Marinas de Andalucía (ICMAN), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 11519, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain

    J. A. Martos-Sitcha & G. Martínez-Rodríguez

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Pujante, I.M., Moyano, F.J., Martos-Sitcha, J.A. et al. Effect of different salinities on gene expression and activity of digestive enzymes in the thick-lipped grey mullet (Chelon labrosus). Fish Physiol Biochem 44, 349–373 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-017-0440-6

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