The generation of the first chromosome-level de novo genome assembly and the development and validation of a 50K SNP array for the St. John River aquaculture strain of North American Atlantic salmon.

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in Northeastern US and Eastern Canada has high economic value for the sport fishing and aquaculture industries. Large differences exist between the genomes of Atlantic salmon of European origin and North American (N.A.

Functional feeds marginally alter immune expression and microbiota of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) gut, gill, and skin mucosa though evidence of tissue-specific signatures and host-microbe coadaptation remain.

Background: Mucosal surfaces of fish provide cardinal defense against environmental pathogens and toxins, yet these external mucosae are also responsible for maintaining and regulating beneficial microbiota. To better our understanding of interactions between host, diet, and microbiota in finfish and how those interactions may vary across mucosal tissue, we used an integrative approach to characterize and compare immune biomarkers and microbiota across three mucosal tissues (skin, gill, and gut) in Atlantic salmon receiving a control diet or diets supplemented with mannan-oligosaccharides, coconut oil, or both. Dietary impacts on mucosal immunity were further evaluated by experimental ectoparasitic sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) challenge.

A transdisciplinary approach to the initial validation of a single cell protein as an alternative protein source for use in aquafeeds.

The human population is growing and, globally, we must meet the challenge of increased protein needs required to feed this population. Single cell proteins (SCP), when coupled to aquaculture production, offer a means to ensure future protein needs can be met without direct competition with food for people. To demonstrate a given type of SCP has potential as a protein source for use in aquaculture feed, a number of steps need to be validated including demonstrating that the SCP is accepted by the species in question, leads to equivalent survival and growth, does not result in illness or other maladies, is palatable to the consumer, is cost effective to produce and can easily be incorporated into diets using existing technology.

Dose-dependent consumption of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) increases plasma phospholipid n-3 fatty acids differentially.

Enhanced n-3 fatty acid intake benefits cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk reduction. Increasing consumption at a population level may be better addressed by diet than through supplementation. However, limited data are available on the effect of the dose response to fish intake on plasma levels of n-3 fatty acids.

Baking reduces prostaglandin, resolvin, and hydroxy-fatty acid content of farm-raised Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar).

The consumption of seafood enriched in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) is associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. Several n-3 oxidation products from eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) have known protective effects in the vasculature. It is not known whether the consumption of cooked seafood enriched in n-3 PUFA causes appreciable consumption of lipid oxidation products.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the prebiotics GroBiotic-A, inulin, mannanoligosaccharide, and galactooligosaccharide on the digestive microbiota and performance of hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops x Morone saxatilis).

Two separate experiments were conducted with hybrid striped bass to evaluate four potential prebiotics: GroBiotic-A (partially autolyzed brewer's yeast, dairy ingredient components, and fermentation products), mannanoligosaccharide (MOS), galactooligosaccharide (GOS), and inulin. In the in vitro experiment, intestinal contents were incubated with the individual prebiotics (0.5% by weight) at 25 degrees C for 24 and 48 h.

A preliminary in vitro assessment of GroBiotic-A, brewer's yeast and fructooligosaccharide as prebiotics for the red drum Sciaenops ocellatus.

This study examined the effects of brewers yeast, fructooligosaccharide (FOS), and GroBiotic-A, a mixture of partially autolyzed brewers yeast, dairy components and dried fermentation products, on the intestinal microbial community of red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus. Gastrointestinal (GI) tracts were aseptically removed from three sub-adult red drum previously maintained on a commercial diet and placed in an anaerobic chamber. Intestinal contents were removed, diluted and incubated in vitro in one of four liquid media: normal diet alone, diet + 2% (w/w) GroBiotic-A, diet + 2% brewers yeast, and diet + 2% FOS.

Connexin 35/36 is phosphorylated at regulatory sites in the retina.

Connexin 35/36 is the most widespread neuronal gap junction protein in the retina and central nervous system. Electrical and/or tracer coupling in a number of neuronal circuits that express this connexin are regulated by light adaptation. In many cases, the regulation of coupling depends on signaling pathways that activate protein kinases such as PKA, and Cx35 has been shown to be regulated by PKA phosphorylation in cell culture systems.

Calcium-dependent binding of calmodulin to neuronal gap junction proteins.

We examined the interactions of calmodulin with neuronal gap junction proteins connexin35 (Cx35) from perch, its mouse homologue Cx36, and the related perch Cx34.7 using surface plasmon resonance. Calmodulin bound to the C-terminal domains of all three connexins with rapid kinetics in a concentration- and Ca2+-dependent manner.

Protein kinase A mediates regulation of gap junctions containing connexin35 through a complex pathway.

Connexin 35 (Cx35) is a major component of electrical synapses in the central nervous system. Many gap junctions containing Cx35 are regulated by dopamine receptor pathways that involve protein kinase A (PKA). To study the mechanism of PKA regulation, we analyzed direct phosphorylation of Cx35 by PKA in vitro and studied the regulation of neurobiotin tracer coupling in HeLa cells expressing Cx35 or Cx35 mutants that lack phosphorylation sites.

Broadly distributed chemical reactivity of natural antibodies expressed in coordination with specific antigen binding activity.

Antibody (Ab) nucleophilic reactivity was studied using hapten and polypeptide antigens containing biotinylated phosphonate diester groups (covalently reactive antigen analogs, CRAs). Polyclonal IgG from healthy donors formed covalent adducts with a positively charged hapten CRA at levels superior to trypsin. Each of the 16 single chain Fv clones studied expressed a similar reactivity, indicating the V domain location of the nucleophiles and their broad distribution in diverse Abs.

A mechanism-based probe for gp120-Hydrolyzing antibodies.

An antigenic peptide analogue consisting of HIV gp120 residues 421-431 (an antigen recognition site probe) with diphenyl amino(4-amidinophenyl)methanephosphonate located at the C-terminus (a catalytic site probe) was synthesized and its trypsin and antibody reactivity characteristics were studied. Antibodies to the peptide determinant recognized the peptidyl phosphonate probe. Trypsin was inhibited equipotently by the peptidyl phosphonate and its simple phosphonate counterpart devoid of the peptide determinant.

Covalent reactivity of phosphonate monophenyl esters with serine proteinases: an overlooked feature of presumed transition state analogs.

Phosphonate monoesters have been assumed to serve as noncovalent transition state analogs for enzymes capable of catalyzing transacylation reactions. Here, we present evidence for the covalent reaction of certain serine proteinases and peptidase antibody fragments with monophenyl amino(4-amidinophenyl)methanephosphonate derivatives. Stable adducts of the N-biotinylated monophenyl ester with trypsin and antibody fragments were evident under conditions that disrupt noncovalent interactions.