Daily variation of protein synthesis in several tissues of the gulf killifish, Fundulus grandis baird and girard

Post-prandial changes in protein synthesis in red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) larvae

Protein synthesis is one of the major energy-consuming processes in all living organisms. Post-prandial changes in protein synthesis have been studied in a range of animal taxa but have been little studied in fish larvae. Using the flooding-dose method, we measured post-prandial changes in whole-body rates of protein synthesis in regularly fed red drum Sciaenops ocellatus (Linnaeus) larvae for 24-28 h following their daily meal. Fractional rates of protein synthesis increased from a baseline (pre-feeding) rate of 16% day(-1) to a post-prandial peak of 48% day(-1) ca. 8 h after feeding before declining to 12% day(-1) after 24-28 h. The overall mean daily rate of protein synthesis was calculated as 27% day(-1). Although suggested as energetically impossible in larval poikilotherms, our results show that rates in excess of 30% day(-1) can be attained by larval fishes for a few hours but are not sustained. The average daily energetic cost of protein synthesis was estimated as 34% of daily total oxygen consumption, ranging from 19% immediately before feeding to 61% during the post-prandial peak in protein synthesis. This suggests that during the post-prandial peak, protein synthesis will require a large proportion of the hourly energy production, which, given the limited metabolic scope in fish larvae, may limit the energy that could otherwise be allocated to other energy-costly functions, such as foraging and escape responses.

Protein metabolism in marine animals: the underlying mechanism of growth

Growth is a fundamental process within all marine organisms. In soft tissues, growth is primarily achieved by the synthesis and retention of proteins as protein growth. The protein pool (all the protein within the organism) is highly dynamic, with proteins constantly entering the pool via protein synthesis or being removed from the pool via protein degradation. Any net change in the size of the protein pool, positive or negative, is termed protein growth. The three inter-related processes of protein synthesis, degradation and growth are together termed protein metabolism. Measurement of protein metabolism is vital in helping us understand how biotic and abiotic factors affect growth and growth efficiency in marine animals. Recently, the developing fields of transcriptomics and proteomics have started to offer us a means of greatly increasing our knowledge of the underlying molecular control of protein metabolism. Transcriptomics may also allow us to detect subtle changes in gene expression associated with protein synthesis and degradation, which cannot be detected using classical methods. A large literature exists on protein metabolism in animals; however, this chapter concentrates on what we know of marine ectotherms; data from non-marine ectotherms and endotherms are only discussed when the data are of particular relevance. We first consider the techniques available to measure protein metabolism, their problems and what validation is required. Protein metabolism in marine organisms is highly sensitive to a wide variety of factors, including temperature, pollution, seasonality, nutrition, developmental stage, genetics, sexual maturation and moulting. We examine how these abiotic and biotic factors affect protein metabolism at the level of whole-animal (adult and larval), tissue and cellular protein metabolism. Available gene expression data, which help us understand the underlying control of protein metabolism, are also discussed. As protein metabolism appears to comprise a significant proportion of overall metabolic costs in marine organisms, accurate estimates of the energetic cost per unit of synthesised protein are important. Measured costs of protein metabolism are reviewed, and the very high variability in reported costs highlighted. Two major determinants of protein synthesis rates are the tissue concentration of RNA, often expressed as the RNA to protein ratio, and the RNA activity (k(RNA)). The effects of temperature, nutrition and developmental stage on RNA concentration and activity are considered. This chapter highlights our complete lack of knowledge of protein metabolism in many groups of marine organisms, and the fact we currently have only limited data for animals held under a narrow range of experimental conditions. The potential assistance that genomic methods may provide in increasing our understanding of protein metabolism is described.

Muscle delta13C change in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings fed on C3-or C4-cycle plants grain-based diets

The effects of grain-based diets from C3 or C4-cycle plants on muscle delta(13)C change process in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings were investigated. Two groups of sex reversal males Nile tilapia fingerlings were fed with isoproteic (32.0% DP) and isocaloric (3200 kcal DE/kg) diets, differing from each other by their delta(13)C. Muscle samples were collected and the carbon isotopic composition was measured. For C4 diet, the formula for the muscle delta(13)C change related to the intake time of a new diet was delta(13)C=-14.88-9.21e(-0.0209t) and the half-life (T) of the muscle carbon was 33.2 days. For C3 diet, the formula was delta(13)C=-25.43+8.59e(-0.0533t) with T=13 days. The C3 diet was considered more appropriate based on its palatability and consequent larger food intake than the C4 diet, resulting in an increased muscle delta(13)C change rate. However, for future studies, would be necessary to mix both the C3 and C4 feedstuffs to formulate diets nutritionally appropriated, with contrasting stable isotopes signatures. Tissue delta(13)C change rate is therefore indicated as a promising tool to better understand the biotic and abiotic factors that influence nutrients utilization from the diet and animal growth.