Hormone receptors in gills of smolting Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar: expression of growth hormone, prolactin, mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors and 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2

Endocrine control of gill ionocyte function in euryhaline fishes

The endocrine system is an essential regulator of the osmoregulatory organs that enable euryhaline fishes to maintain hydromineral balance in a broad range of environmental salinities. Because branchial ionocytes are the primary site for the active exchange of Na+, Cl-, and Ca2+ with the external environment, their functional regulation is inextricably linked with adaptive responses to changes in salinity. Here, we review the molecular-level processes that connect osmoregulatory hormones with branchial ion transport. We focus on how factors such as prolactin, growth hormone, cortisol, and insulin-like growth-factors operate through their cognate receptors to direct the expression of specific ion transporters/channels, Na+/K+-ATPases, tight-junction proteins, and aquaporins in ion-absorptive (freshwater-type) and ion-secretory (seawater-type) ionocytes. While these connections have historically been deduced in teleost models, more recently, increased attention has been given to understanding the nature of these connections in basal lineages. We conclude our review by proposing areas for future investigation that aim to fill gaps in the collective understanding of how hormonal signaling underlies ionocyte-based processes.

Thyroid and Corticosteroid Signaling in Amphibian Metamorphosis

In multicellular organisms, development is based in part on the integration of communication systems. Two neuroendocrine axes, the hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal/interrenal axes, are central players in orchestrating body morphogenesis. In all vertebrates, the hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid axis controls thyroid hormone production and release, whereas the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal/interrenal axis regulates the production and release of corticosteroids. One of the most salient effects of thyroid hormones and corticosteroids in post-embryonic developmental processes is their critical role in metamorphosis in anuran amphibians. Metamorphosis involves modifications to the morphological and biochemical characteristics of all larval tissues to enable the transition from one life stage to the next life stage that coincides with an ecological niche switch. This transition in amphibians is an example of a widespread phenomenon among vertebrates, where thyroid hormones and corticosteroids coordinate a post-embryonic developmental transition. The review addresses the functions and interactions of thyroid hormone and corticosteroid signaling in amphibian development (metamorphosis) as well as the developmental roles of these two pathways in vertebrate evolution.

Testing of NKA expression by mobile real time PCR is an efficient indicator of smoltification status of farmed Atlantic salmon

Assessment of seawater readiness of freshwater salmon smolts is a crucial husbandry step with economic implications in salmon aquaculture but current methods rely on delayed centralised enzymic activity measurement. The efficiency of a qRT-PCR assay for sodium potassium ATPase (NKA) α1a mRNA was tested in a 3-year study on 19 hatcheries across Scotland incorporating environmental factors such as temperature and metal contamination. The NKA qRT-PCR assay was transferred to a mobile laboratory and on-site testing was carried out at 3 hatchery sites. For the first two years standard enzymatic and gene expression assays had similar success rates in detecting smoltification (NKA activity 60%, qRT-PCR 57%). In the third year, all but one site were determined as sea water ready by qRT-PCR but only at 4 by enzymatic testing. On site testing with mobile qRT-PCR was successfully performed on four farm sites. Altogether, high sensitivity was shown for the in lab (98.9%, SE 0.24) and mobile (93.43%, SE 0.119) assays when tested using a quantitative RNA standard. Some indication for obscured smoltification assay results due to environmental increased heavy metal contamination was observed. Our results prove it is possible to test a smoltification marker on site and provide results on the day of testing during the smolt period allowing for informed decisions on seawater transfer.

Interdependence of Thyroid and Corticosteroid Signaling in Vertebrate Developmental Transitions

Post-embryonic acute developmental processes mainly allow the transition from one life stage in a specific ecological niche to the next life stage in a different ecological niche. Metamorphosis, an emblematic type of these post-embryonic developmental processes, has occurred repeatedly and independently in various phylogenetic groups throughout metazoan evolution, such as in cnidarian, insects, molluscs, tunicates, or vertebrates. This review will focus on metamorphoses and developmental transitions in vertebrates, including typical larval metamorphosis in anuran amphibians, larval and secondary metamorphoses in teleost fishes, egg hatching in sauropsids and birth in mammals. Two neuroendocrine axes, the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal/interrenal axes, are central players in the regulation of these life transitions. The review will address the molecular and functional evolution of these axes and their interactions. Mechanisms of integration of internal and environmental cues, and activation of these neuroendocrine axes represent key questions in an “eco-evo-devo” perspective of metamorphosis. The roles played by developmental transitions in the innovation, adaptation, and plasticity of life cycles throughout vertebrates will be discussed. In the current context of global climate change and habitat destruction, the review will also address the impact of environmental factors, such as global warming and endocrine disruptors on hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal/interrenal axes, and regulation of developmental transitions.

11-Deoxycortisol controls hydromineral balance in the most basal osmoregulating vertebrate, sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus)

It is unknown whether and how osmoregulation is controlled by corticosteroid signaling in the phylogenetically basal vertebrate group Agnatha, including lampreys and hagfishes. It is known that a truncated steroid biosynthetic pathway in lampreys produces two predominant circulating corticosteroids, 11-deoxycortisol (S) and 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC). Furthermore, lampreys express only a single, ancestral corticosteroid receptor (CR). Whether S and/or DOC interact with the CR to control osmoregulation in lampreys is still unknown. We examined the role of the endogenous corticosteroids in vivo and ex vivo in sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) during the critical metamorphic period during which sea lamprey increase osmoregulatory capacity and acquire seawater (SW) tolerance. We demonstrate in vivo that increases in circulating [S] and gill CR abundance are associated with increases in osmoregulatory capacity during metamorphosis. We further show that in vivo and ex vivo treatment with S increases activity and expression of gill active ion transporters and improves SW tolerance, and that only S (and not DOC) has regulatory control over active ion transport in the gills. Lastly, we show that the lamprey CR expresses an ancestral, spironolactone-as-agonist structural motif and that spironolactone treatment in vivo increases osmoregulatory capacity. Together, these results demonstrate that S is an osmoregulatory hormone in lamprey and that receptor-mediated discriminative corticosteroid regulation of hydromineral balance is an evolutionarily basal trait among vertebrates.

Salmo salar glucocorticoid receptors analyses of alternative splicing variants under stress conditions

Cortisol is the main corticosteroid in teleosts, exerting multiple functions by activating glucocorticoid receptors (GR). Most teleost species have two GR genes, gr-1 and gr-2. Some teleost also presents two splice variants for gr-1; gr-1a and gr-1b. In this study, we report for first time the presence of 2 homeologous genes for gr-1 and gr-2, located on chromosomes 4q-13q (gr-1) and 5p-9q (gr-2) of the Salmo salar genome. Furthermore, our results describe gr-1 splice variants derived from chromosome 4 and 13, sharing typical teleost GR elements such as the 9 amino acid insertion in the DNA binding domain (DBD) and variations in the length of the ligand binding domain (LBD). Three splice variants were predicted for the gr-2 homeologous gene in chromosome 5, with differences of a 5 amino acid insertion in the DBD. We also identified an uncommon truncated gr-2 gene in chromosome 9 in salmon, which lacked the DBD and LBD domains. Finally, by designing specific primers for each predicted splice variant, we validated and evaluated the expression of their transcripts in S. salar subjected to stress caused by stocking density. Differences were observed in the expression of all identified mRNAs, revealing that gr-1 and gr-2 splice variants were upregulated in head kidney and gills of post-stressed fish. In conclusion, our findings suggest that from specific salmonid genomic duplication (125 MYA), two gene copies of each GR receptor were generated in S. salar. The identified splice variants could contribute to the variability of GR receptor complex modulation expression during stressful events, leading to variations in physiological responses in fish.

Passage through a hydropower plant affects the physiological and health status of Atlanstic salmon smolts

Atlantic salmon is an anadromous species migrating from upper-reach nursery areas in rivers to the oceanic feeding areas at smolt stage and inversely at adult stage requiring unimpeded migration routes. However, dams associated with hydroelectric power plants (HPP) disrupt river connectivity and affect fish movement and survival. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the short and mid-term physiological and immune response of Atlantic salmon smolts after passing through Andenne HPP (Meuse River, Belgium). Several parameters were studied after an in situ deliberate passage including direct mortality and external damages, stress and immune biomarkers as plasma cortisol and glucose levels, complement and peroxidase activities, and immune and oxidative stress related gene expression 24 h, 72 h and 120 h after passage. Survival rate was lower and external damages were more important in fish that confronted the HPP compared to the control ones. Moreover, the passage through the turbine affected plasma glucose levels, complement and peroxidase activities and the expression of some immune genes such as lysg, igm and mpo in a timely manner suggesting that this passage can lead to a great energy expenditure and a disruption of innate immunity. Our observations can partially explain the delayed mortality observed in many studies leading to a poor success of restocking programs. HPPs not only have a direct impact in terms of mortalities and injuries but also an indirect one in terms of physiological and immune changes that can compromise Atlantic salmon smolts ability to escape successfully to the ocean.

Impact of temperature shift on gill physiology during smoltification of Atlantic salmon smolts (Salmo salar L.)

Exposure to a temperature increase may disrupt smoltification and delay or stop the downstream migration of smolts. Thermal regimes are often different between a river and its tributaries, but the effects of a relative temperature shift are not well described. We used expression of smoltification genes coupled with gill Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity (NKA) and plasma cortisol and growth hormone (GH) levels to investigate the impact of a 5 °C difference between tributary and river on salmon juveniles. Responses to a temperature challenge were examined at four time points during the smoltification period, with juveniles reared under three regimes including control, early and late temperature increase. The temperature shifts reduced gill NKA, plasma GH and cortisol levels which indicate hypo-osmoregulation impairment and may reduce the survival of smolts. Out of the 22 genes examined, the expression of six genes was influenced by the temperature treatments, while changes in further eleven genes were influenced by the date of sampling. Genes usually known to be upregulated during smoltification were downregulated after the temperature increase, notably nkaα1b, nkcc1a and igf1r. Upregulation of some genes involved in the hormonal regulation and acid-base equilibrium in early June may indicate a switch towards desmoltification. This study gives further insights about the impact of temperature increase on the molecular processes underlying smoltification and possible responses to human-related water temperature increase. The data also suggest dual roles in the smoltification and desmoltification for GH and IGF1 and points to the implication of genes in the smoltification process, that have previously been unstudied (nbc) or with little data available (igf2).

Growth, physiological, and molecular responses of golden pompano Trachinotus ovatus (Linnaeus, 1758) reared at different salinities

Golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus) is a commercially important marine fish and is widely cultured in the coastal area of South China. Salinity is one of the most important environmental factors influencing the growth and survival of fish. The aims of this study are to investigate the growth, physiological, and molecular responses of juvenile golden pompano reared at different salinities. Juveniles reared at 15 and 25‰ salinity grew significantly faster than those reared at the other salinities. According to the final body weights, weight gain rate, and feed conversion ratio, the suitable culture salinity range was 15-25‰ salinity. The levels of branchial NKA activity showed a typical "U-shaped" pattern with the lowest level at 15‰ salinity, which suggested a lower energy expenditure on osmoregulation at this level of salinity. The results of this study showed that the alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and cortisol of juveniles at 5‰ were higher than those of other salinity groups. Our results showed that glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase significantly increased at 5‰ and 35‰ salinity. Our study showed that osmolality had significant differences in each salinity group. GH, GHR1, and GHR2 had a wide range of tissue expression including the liver, intestine, kidneys, muscle, gills and brain. The expression levels of GH, GHR1 and GHR2 in the intestine, kidneys, and muscle at 15‰ salinity were significantly higher than those in other three salinity groups. Based on the growth parameters and physiological and molecular responses, the results of the present study indicated that the optimal salinity for rearing golden pompano was 21.36‰ salinity.

Discovery and validation of candidate smoltification gene expression biomarkers across multiple species and ecotypes of Pacific salmonids

Early marine survival of juvenile salmon is intimately associated with their physiological condition during smoltification and ocean entry. Smoltification (parr-smolt transformation) is a developmental process that allows salmon to acquire seawater tolerance in preparation for marine living. Traditionally, this developmental process has been monitored using gill Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase (NKA) activity or plasma hormones, but gill gene expression offers the possibility of another method. Here, we describe the discovery of candidate genes from gill tissue for staging smoltification using comparisons of microarray studies with particular focus on the commonalities between anadromous Rainbow trout and Sockeye salmon datasets, as well as a literature comparison encompassing more species. A subset of 37 candidate genes mainly from the microarray analyses was used for TaqMan quantitative PCR assay design and their expression patterns were validated using gill samples from four groups, representing three species and two ecotypes: Coho salmon, Sockeye salmon, stream-type Chinook salmon and ocean-type Chinook salmon. The best smoltification biomarkers, as measured by consistent changes across these four groups, were genes involved in ion regulation, oxygen transport and immunity. Smoltification gene expression patterns (using the top 10 biomarkers) were confirmed by significant correlations with NKA activity and were associated with changes in body brightness, caudal fin darkness and caudal peduncle length. We incorporate gene expression patterns of pre-smolt, smolt and de-smolt trials from acute seawater transfers from a companion study to develop a preliminary seawater tolerance classification model for ocean-type Chinook salmon. This work demonstrates the potential of gene expression biomarkers to stage smoltification and classify juveniles as pre-smolt, smolt or de-smolt.

Enhanced osmoregulatory ability marks the smoltification period in developing chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta)

The freshwater (FW) life of chum salmon is short, as they migrate to the ocean soon after emergence from the substrate gravel of natal waters. The alevins achieve seawater (SW) acclimating ability at an early developmental stage and the details of smoltification are not clear. We examined the stage-dependent SW acclimating ability in chum salmon alevins and found a sharp increase in SW tolerance during development that resembles the physiological parr-smolt transformation seen in other salmonids. Perturbation of plasma Na⁺ after SW exposure was prominent from the hatched embryo stage to emerged alevins, but the plasma Na⁺ became highly stable and more resistant to perturbation soon after complete absorption of yolk. Marker gene expression for SW-ionocytes including Na/K-ATPase (NKA α1b), Na-K-Cl cotransporter 1a (NKCC1a), Na/H exchanger 3a (NHE3a), cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulators (CFTR I and CFTR II) were all upregulated profoundly at the same stage when the alevins were challenged by SW, suggesting that the stability of plasma Na⁺ concentration was partly a result of elevated osmoregulatory capability. FW-ionocyte markers including NKA α1a and NHE3b were consistently downregulated independent of stage by SW exposure, suggesting that embryos at all stages respond to salinity challenge, but the increase in SW osmoregulatory capability is restricted to the developmental stage after emergence. We propose that the "smoltification period" is condensed and integrated into the early development of chum salmon, and our results can be extrapolated to the future studies on hormonal controls and developmental triggers for smoltification in salmonids.

Salmonid gene expression biomarkers indicative of physiological responses to changes in salinity and temperature, but not dissolved oxygen

An organism's ability to respond effectively to environmental change is critical to its survival. Yet, life stage and overall condition can dictate tolerance thresholds to heightened environmental stressors, such that stress may not be equally felt across individuals and at all times. Also, the transcriptional responses induced by environmental changes can reflect both generalized responses as well as others that are highly specific to the type of change being experienced. Thus, if transcriptional biomarkers specific to a stressor, even under multi-stressor conditions, can be identified, the biomarkers could then be applied in natural environments to determine when and where an individual experiences such a stressor. Here, we experimentally challenged juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) to validate candidate gill gene expression biomarkers. A sophisticated experimental design manipulated salinity (freshwater, brackish water and seawater), temperature (10, 14 and 18°C) and dissolved oxygen (normoxia and hypoxia) in all 18 possible combinations for 6 days using separate trials for three smolt statuses (pre-smolt, smolt and de-smolt). In addition, changes in juvenile behaviour, plasma variables, gill Na+/K+-ATPase activity, body size, body morphology and skin pigmentation supplemented the gene expression responses. We identified biomarkers specific to salinity and temperature that transcended the multiple stressors, smolt status and mortality (live, dead and moribund). Similar biomarkers for dissolved oxygen were not identified. This work demonstrates the unique power of gene expression biomarkers to identify a specific stressor even under multi-stressor conditions, and we discuss our next steps for hypoxia biomarkers using an RNA-seq study.

The mineralocorticoid receptor contributes to barrier function of a model fish gill epithelium

Cortisol-induced epithelial tightening of a primary cultured rainbow trout gill epithelium model occurs in association with reduced paracellular permeability and increased abundance of select barrier-forming tight junction (TJ) proteins. Corticosteroid receptor (CR) pharmacological blocker studies have suggested that to produce this tightening effect, cortisol acts on the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) as well as glucocorticoid receptors (GRs). This study considered how cortisol influences model gill epithelium permeability and TJ properties by transcriptional knockdown of the gene encoding the MR (mr-KD) using double-stranded RNA. Following mr-KD, a significant reduction in MR protein abundance was observed in the epithelium. The mr-KD epithelium demonstrated reduced transepithelial resistance (TER) and an increase in the paracellular flux of [³H]polyethylene glycol (MW 400 kDa, PEG-400). Concurrently, mRNA abundance of gr2 and 11βhsd increased, indicating a possible compensatory response to mr-KD. Transcript abundance of claudin (cldn)-6, -8d, -23a and -28b decreased while that of cldn-20a increased in mr-KD preparations. Cortisol-induced epithelial tightening was enhanced in mr-KD preparations, suggesting that alterations in CRs and TJ composition augmented model epithelium barrier function in response to lowered MR abundance. Cortisol treatment significantly increased the transcript and protein abundance of TJ proteins such as Cldn-8d and -28b. However, in mr-KD preparations, Cldn-28b protein abundance did not significantly alter in response to cortisol treatment, while Cldn-8d abundance was significantly elevated. Data suggest that mr-KD compromises normal barrier function of a primary cultured rainbow trout gill epithelium in both the presence and absence of cortisol and that Cldn-28b protein abundance may be modulated by cortisol via the MR only.

The physiology of saltwater acclimation in large juvenile Atlantic salmon Salmo salar

The present study investigated the effects of transferring freshwater (FW) acclimated S. salar (678 g) that had been maintained under a constant photoperiod and thermal regime, into FW (salinity 0) and salt water (SW; salinity 35) on growth and physiological responses over a 28 day period. There were no mortalities observed throughout the study and no significant differences in mass or fork length between FW and SW groups after 28 days. Compared with fish transferred to FW, plasma osmolality and plasma chloride levels increased significantly in fish in SW by day 1. In the SW group, plasma chloride and osmolality had decreased significantly at day 14 when compared with day 1. Na⁺ -K⁺ -ATPase activity was significantly higher in SW compared with the FW group from day 7 and thereafter, but continued to increase until day 22. No differences in plasma cortisol and thyroxine were observed between FW and SW groups throughout the study. Plasma glucose significantly increased from day 1 to day 2 in SW but not in the FW group and levels were significantly reduced in SW compared with the FW group at day 28. Plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in FW at day 22 and day 14 to day 22, respectively, when compared with the SW group. In the SW group, plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels did not change significantly throughout the study. The findings of this study suggest that large S. salar retained in FW maintain a high level of SW tolerance in the absence of photoperiod and thermal regimes necessary for smoltification, as demonstrated by 100% survival, unaffected growth performance, increased Na⁺ -K⁺ -ATPase activity and a capacity to regulate plasma chloride and osmolality for 28 days in the SW group.

Is the duration of the smolt window related to migration distance in coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch?

Physiological changes during the parr-smolt transformation were investigated in short distance (Chilliwack River) and long-distance (Salmon River) migrating coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch populations in British Columbia, Canada. Biochemical and molecular indicators were used to monitor smolt development for fish reared at 10 °C throughout the spring. Fish grew well and developed the physical appearance of competent smolts. Both populations exhibited increases in gill Na⁺ -K⁺ -ATPase activity (NKA; an important indicator of seawater tolerance) at the same date and the duration of the increase in enzyme activity did not differ between populations. Gill messenger (m)RNA copies for two isoforms of the NKA α subunit, α1a and α1b, showed significant changes and the pattern was similar between populations. Growth hormone receptor and prolactin receptor mRNA from the gill showed modest changes associated with smolting in the spring for both populations, suggesting that these may not be useful indicators of smolt development in hatchery-reared O. kisutch. Consequently, the duration of the smolt window was not based on the region of origin in the present study.

Dynamic responses of prolactin, growth hormone and their receptors to hyposmotic acclimation in the olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

Prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH) play important roles in regulating salt and water balance through osmoregulatory organs in vertebrates. The aim of this study was to investigate the dynamic changes of GH/PRL hormone gene expressions in the pituitary gland and their receptors in gill and kidney, as well as the plasma osmolality when the olive flounder fish Paralichthys olivaceus were acclimated in freshwater (FW) conditions. After transfer from seawater (SW) to freshwater (FW), the osmolality of FW-adaption fish reached the lowest level at 1d which rose slightly afterwards. However, the hormone gene expression of PRL increased from 2d, reaching its peak at 5d, and then decreased at 14d. At this time, the value was still significantly higher than the control, showing a similar trend to the plasma hormone PRL. In contrast, the pituitary mRNA level of GH significantly decreased at 1d and then returned to normal levels. The mRNA levels of PRL receptor (PRLR) in both gill and kidney displayed a similar trend to the pituitary PRL. We also observed the synchronous expression trend of the renal PRLR with pituitary PRL (5d) and the asynchronous expression peaks between branchial (8d) and renal PRLR (5d). Significant responses of GH and its receptor (GHR) in both gill and kidney during the FW-acclimation were not observed. Nevertheless, the gene expression of GH receptor variant (GHR-V) in both gill and kidney declined at 2d, indicating unknown osmoregulatory functions of GHR-V. Collectively, our results provided more insights of the PRL, GH and their corresponding receptors in modulating osmoregulatory responses, representing an important aspect of FW-acclimation in flounder fish.

Lineage-specific rediploidization is a mechanism to explain time-lags between genome duplication and evolutionary diversification

BACKGROUND

The functional divergence of duplicate genes (ohnologues) retained from whole genome duplication (WGD) is thought to promote evolutionary diversification. However, species radiation and phenotypic diversification are often temporally separated from WGD. Salmonid fish, whose ancestor underwent WGD by autotetraploidization ~95 million years ago, fit such a 'time-lag' model of post-WGD radiation, which occurred alongside a major delay in the rediploidization process. Here we propose a model, 'lineage-specific ohnologue resolution' (LORe), to address the consequences of delayed rediploidization. Under LORe, speciation precedes rediploidization, allowing independent ohnologue divergence in sister lineages sharing an ancestral WGD event.

RESULTS

Using cross-species sequence capture, phylogenomics and genome-wide analyses of ohnologue expression divergence, we demonstrate the major impact of LORe on salmonid evolution. One-quarter of each salmonid genome, harbouring at least 4550 ohnologues, has evolved under LORe, with rediploidization and functional divergence occurring on multiple independent occasions >50 million years post-WGD. We demonstrate the existence and regulatory divergence of many LORe ohnologues with functions in lineage-specific physiological adaptations that potentially facilitated salmonid species radiation. We show that LORe ohnologues are enriched for different functions than 'older' ohnologues that began diverging in the salmonid ancestor.

CONCLUSIONS

LORe has unappreciated significance as a nested component of post-WGD divergence that impacts the functional properties of genes, whilst providing ohnologues available solely for lineage-specific adaptation. Under LORe, which is predicted following many WGD events, the functional outcomes of WGD need not appear 'explosively', but can arise gradually over tens of millions of years, promoting lineage-specific diversification regimes under prevailing ecological pressures.

Variation in branchial expression among insulin-like growth-factor binding proteins (igfbps) during Atlantic salmon smoltification and seawater exposure

Background

In preparation for migration from freshwater to marine habitats, Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) undergo smoltification, a transformation that includes the acquisition of hyposmoregulatory capacity. The growth hormone (Gh)/insulin-like growth-factor (Igf) axis promotes the development of branchial ionoregulatory functions that underlie ion secretion. Igfs interact with a suite of Igf binding proteins (Igfbps) that modulate hormone activity. In Atlantic salmon smolts, igfbp4,−5a,−5b1,−5b2,−6b1 and−6b2 transcripts are highly expressed in gill. We measured mRNA levels of branchial and hepatic igfbps during smoltification (March, April, and May), desmoltification (July) and following seawater (SW) exposure in March and May. We also characterized parallel changes in a broad suite of osmoregulatory (branchial Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase (Nka) activity, Na⁺/K⁺/2Cl⁻cotransporter 1 (nkcc1) and cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator 1 (cftr1) transcription) and endocrine (plasma Gh and Igf1) parameters.

Results

Indicative of smoltification, we observed increased branchial Nka activity, nkcc1 and cftr1 transcription in May. Branchial igfbp6b1 and -6b2 expression increased coincidentally with smoltification. Following a SW challenge in March, igfbp6b1 showed increased expression while igfbp6b2 exhibited diminished expression. igfbp5a,−5b1 and−5b2 mRNA levels did not change during smolting, but each had lower levels following a SW exposure in March.

Conclusions

Salmonids express an especially large suite of igfbps. Our data suggest that dynamic expression of particular igfbps accompanies smoltification and SW challenges; thus, transcriptional control of igfbps may provide a mechanism for the local modulation of Igf activity in salmon gill.

Steroids in teleost fishes: A functional point of view

Steroid hormones are involved in the regulation of a variety of processes like embryonic development, sex differentiation, metabolism, immune responses, circadian rhythms, stress response, and reproduction in vertebrates. Teleost fishes and humans show a remarkable conservation in many developmental and physiological aspects, including the endocrine system in general and the steroid hormone related processes in particular. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge about steroid hormone biosynthesis and the steroid hormone receptors in teleost fishes and compares the findings to the human system. The impact of the duplicated genome in teleost fishes on steroid hormone biosynthesis and perception is addressed. Additionally, important processes in fish physiology regulated by steroid hormones, which are most dissimilar to humans, are described. We also give a short overview on the influence of anthropogenic endocrine disrupting compounds on steroid hormone signaling and the resulting adverse physiological effects for teleost fishes. By this approach, we show that the steroidogenesis, hormone receptors, and function of the steroid hormones are reasonably well understood when summarizing the available data of all teleost species analyzed to date. However, on the level of a single species or a certain fish-specific aspect of physiology, further research is needed.

Stress in Atlantic salmon: response to unpredictable chronic stress

Combinations of stressors occur regularly throughout an animal's life, especially in agriculture and aquaculture settings. If an animal fails to acclimate to these stressors, stress becomes chronic, and a condition of allostatic overload arises with negative results for animal welfare. In the current study, we describe effects of exposing Atlantic salmon parr to an unpredictable chronic stressor (UCS) paradigm for 3 weeks. The paradigm involves exposure of fish to seven unpredictable stressors three times a day. At the end of the trial, experimental and control fish were challenged with yet another novel stressor and sampled before and 1 h after that challenge. Plasma cortisol decreased steadily over time in stressed fish, indicative of exhaustion of the endocrine stress axis. This was confirmed by a lower cortisol response to the novel stressor at the end of the stress period in chronically stressed fish compared with the control group. In the preoptic area (POA) and pituitary gland, chronic stress resulted in decreased gene expression of 11βhsd2, gr1 and gr2 in the POA and increased expression of those genes in the pituitary gland. POA crf expression and pituitary expression of pomcs and mr increased, whereas interrenal gene expression was unaffected. Exposure to the novel stressor had no effect on POA and interrenal gene expression. In the pituitary, crfr1, pomcs, 11βhsd2, grs and mr were down-regulated. In summary, our results provide a novel overview of the dynamic changes that occur at every level of the hypothalamic-pituitary gland-interrenal gland (HPI) axis as a result of chronic stress in Atlantic salmon.

Epithelial sodium transport and its control by aldosterone: the story of our internal environment revisited

Transcription and translation require a high concentration of potassium across the entire tree of life. The conservation of a high intracellular potassium was an absolute requirement for the evolution of life on Earth. This was achieved by the interplay of P- and V-ATPases that can set up electrochemical gradients across the cell membrane, an energetically costly process requiring the synthesis of ATP by F-ATPases. In animals, the control of an extracellular compartment was achieved by the emergence of multicellular organisms able to produce tight epithelial barriers creating a stable extracellular milieu. Finally, the adaptation to a terrestrian environment was achieved by the evolution of distinct regulatory pathways allowing salt and water conservation. In this review we emphasize the critical and dual role of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in the control of the ionic composition of the extracellular fluid and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in salt and water conservation in vertebrates. The action of aldosterone on transepithelial sodium transport by activation of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) at the apical membrane and that of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase at the basolateral membrane may have evolved in lungfish before the emergence of tetrapods. Finally, we discuss the implication of RAAS in the origin of the present pandemia of hypertension and its associated cardiovascular diseases.

Effect of the liquorice root derivatives on salt and water balance in a teleost fish, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The effect of liquorice root derivatives (LRDs) glycyrrhizic acid (GL) and glycyrrhetinic acid (18βGA) on salt and water balance and end points of gill ion transport in a freshwater teleost, (rainbow trout) was examined after feeding fish diets containing GL or 18βGA (0, 5, 50 or 500 µg/g diet) for a two week period. Serum cortisol levels and gill 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 mRNA abundance decreased in fish fed GL but increased (at select doses) in fish fed 18βGA. At higher doses of GL, gill Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and H(+)-ATPase activity increased, while cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator type II mRNA abundance significantly decreased at the lowest dose of GL. End points of gill transcellular ion transport were not significantly altered in fish fed 18βGA, except for a reduction in Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity at a 50 µg/g dose. In contrast, high doses of GL and 18βGA increased gill transcript abundance of the tight junction protein claudin-31 (cldn-31). Other end points of gill paracellular transport differed in fishes fed LRDs. Tricellulin mRNA abundance was increased by high dose GL and decreased by high dose 18βGA, and cldn-23a and cldn-27b mRNA abundance significantly decreased in response to GL irrespective of dose. Despite the above observations, systemic end points of salt and water balance (i.e. serum [Na(+)] and [Cl(-)] as well as muscle moisture) were unaffected by LRDs. Therefore data suggest that LRDs can alter end points of ion transport in fishes but that overall salt and water balance need not be perturbed.

Divergence in expression of candidate genes for the smoltification process between juvenile resident rainbow and anadromous steelhead trout

Rainbow and steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), among other salmonid fishes, exhibit tremendous life history diversity, foremost of which is variation in migratory propensity. While some individuals possess the ability to undertake an anadromous marine migration, others remain resident in freshwater throughout their life cycle. Those that will migrate undergo tremendous physiological, morphological, and behavioral transformations in a process called smoltification which transitions freshwater-adapted parr to marine-adapted smolts. While the behavior, ecology, and physiology of smoltification are well described, our understanding of the proximate genetic mechanisms that trigger the process are not well known. Quantitative genetic analyses have identified several genomic regions associated with smoltification and migration-related traits within this species. Here we investigate the divergence in gene expression of 18 functional and positional candidate genes for the smoltification process in the brain, gill, and liver tissues of migratory smolts, resident parr, and precocious mature male trout at the developmental stage of out-migration. Our analysis reveals several genes differentially expressed between life history classes and validates the candidate nature of several genes in the parr-smolt transformation including Clock1α, FSHβ, GR, GH2, GHR1, GHR2, NDK7, p53, SC6a7, Taldo1, THRα, THRβ, and Vdac2.

Plasma growth hormone-binding protein levels in Atlantic salmon Salmo salar during smoltification and seawater transfer

Specific growth hormone (GH)-binding protein (Ghbp) was purified from Atlantic salmon Salmo salar and rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss plasma with immunoprecipitation and characterized in cross-linking studies using autoradiography and western blots. The size of the Ghbp was estimated to be c. 53 kDa. A radioimmunoassay was established to measure Ghbp in salmonids, using antibodies specific against the extracellular segment of the S. salar growth hormone receptor 1 (grh1; GenBank AY462105). Plasma Ghbp levels were measured in S. salar smolts in fresh water and after transfer to seawater (SW; experiments 1 and 2), and in post-smolts kept at different salinities (0, 12, 22 and 34) for 3 months (experiment 3). A transient increase in plasma Ghbp, which lasted for 1 month or less, was noted in smolts after transfer to SW. Concomitantly, plasma GH and gill Na(+) -K(+) -ATPase activity increased during smoltification (in experiment 2). No difference in plasma Ghbp was evident between post-smolts kept at different salinities, although the fish kept at salinity 34 had higher plasma GH than the group kept at salinity 22 and higher hepatic ghr1 expression than post-smolts kept at salinity 12. This suggests that plasma Ghbp regulation may respond to salinity changes in the short term. The lack of correlation between Ghbp, plasma GH and hepatic ghr1 expression in the long-term post-smolt experiment indicates that Ghbp levels may be regulated independently of other components of the endocrine GH system in salmonids.

Seasonal changes in gene expression of corticoid receptors in anadromous and non-anadromous strains of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

To clarify the regulation of expression of corticoid receptor (CR) genes during period of parr-smolt transformation of salmonids, seasonal changes in mRNA levels of glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-1, GR-2 and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) were examined in gill, leucocytes, spleen and brain of anadromous and non-anadromous forms of Oncorhynchus mykiss. Increases in gill Na(+) , K(+) ATPase activity, plasma thyroxine levels and hypo-osmoregulatory ability assessed by 24 h seawater challenge test represented characteristics of smoltification in anadromous O. mykiss from May to June, whereas there was no apparent increase in the values of non-anadromous O. mykiss. Plasma cortisol levels of anadromous O. mykiss were higher than levels of non-anadromous O. mykiss from April to June. In gill of non-anadromous O. mykiss, there were significant increases in mRNA levels of three types of CR in spring. Although there were significant seasonal variations of CR mRNA levels in gill of anadromous O. mykiss, they appear to be less clear than those variations in non-anadromous O. mykiss. In anadromous O. mykiss, significant elevations in mRNA levels of the three types of CR were observed especially in the spleen. In both preoptic area and basal hypothalamus of the brain, there were tendencies to increase in CR mRNA levels from spring to summer in both anadromous and non-anadromous O. mykiss. These results showed difference in regulation of CR gene expression between the two forms of O. mykiss for osmoregulatory, immune and central nervous systems.

Diverse mechanisms for body fluid regulation in teleost fishes

Teleost fishes are the major group of ray-finned fishes and represent more than one-half of the total number of vertebrate species. They have experienced in their evolution an additional third-round whole genome duplication just after the divergence of their lineage, which endowed them with an extra adaptability to invade various aquatic habitats. Thus their physiology is also extremely diverse compared with other vertebrate groups as exemplified by the many patterns of body fluid regulation or osmoregulation. The key osmoregulatory organ for teleosts, whose body fluid composition is similar to mammals, is the gill, where ions are absorbed from or excreted into surrounding waters of various salinities against concentration gradients. It has been shown that the underlying molecular physiology of gill ionocytes responsible for ion regulation is highly variable among species. This variability is also seen in the endocrine control of osmoregulation where some hormones have distinct effects on body fluid regulation in different teleost species. A typical example is atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP); ANP is secreted in response to increased blood volume and acts on various osmoregulatory organs to restore volume in rainbow trout as it does in mammals, but it is secreted in response to increased plasma osmolality, and specifically decreases NaCl, and not water, in the body of eels. The distinct actions of other osmoregulatory hormones such as growth hormone, prolactin, angiotensin II, and vasotocin among teleost species are also evident. We hypothesized that such diversity of ionocytes and hormone actions among species stems from their intrinsic differences in body fluid regulation that originated from their native habitats, either fresh water or seawater. In this review, we summarized remarkable differences in body fluid regulation and its endocrine control among teleost species, although the number of species is still limited to substantiate the hypothesis.

Evolution of hormone selectivity in glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors

Mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) and glucocorticoid receptors (GR) are descended from an ancestral corticoid receptor (CR). To date, the earliest CR have been found in lamprey and hagfish, two jawless fish (cyclostomes) that evolved at the base of the vertebrate line. Lamprey CR has both MR and GR activity. Distinct orthologs of the GR and MR first appear in skates and sharks, which are cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyes). Aldosterone, the physiological mineralocorticoid in terrestrial vertebrates, first appears in lobe-finned fish, such as lungfish and coelacanth, forerunners of terrestrial vertebrates, but not in sharks, skates or ray-finned fish. Skate MR are transcriptionally activated by glucocorticoids, such as corticosterone and cortisol, as well as by mineralocorticoids such as deoxycorticosterone and (experimentally) aldosterone; skate GR have low affinity for all human corticosteroids and 1α-OH-corticosterone, which has been proposed to be biologically active glucocorticoid. In fish, cortisol is both physiological mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid; in terrestrial vertebrates, cortisol or corticosterone are the physiological glucocorticoids acting through GR, and aldosterone via MR as the physiologic mineralocorticoid. MR have equally high affinity for cortisol, corticosterone and progesterone. We review this evolutionary process through an analysis of changes in sequence and structure of vertebrate GR and MR, identifying changes in these receptors in skates and lobe-fined fish important in allowing aldosterone to act as an agonist at epithelial MR and glucocorticoid specificity for GR. hMR and hGR have lost a key contact between helix 3 and helix 5 that was present in their common ancestor. A serine that is diagnostic for vertebrate MR, and absent in terrestrial and fish GR, is present in lamprey CR, skate MR and GR, but not in coelacanth GR, marking the transition of the GR from MR ancestor. Based on the response of the CR and skate MR and GR to corticosteroids, we conclude that the mechanism(s) for selectivity of GR for cortisol and corticosterone and the specificity of aldosterone for MR are incompletely understood. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'CSR 2013'.

First evidence of the possible implication of the 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC) in immune activity of Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis, L.): comparison with cortisol

Cortisol, the main corticosteroid in fish, is frequently described as a modulator of fish immune system. Moreover, 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC) was shown to bind and transcriptionally activate the mineralocorticoid receptor and may act as a mineralocorticoid in fish. Immune modulations induced by intraperitoneal injections of these two corticosteroids were assessed in Eurasian perch juveniles. Cortisol and DOC were injected at 0.8 mg kg(-1) and 0.08 mg kg(-1) body weight respectively. Cortisol increased plasma lysozyme activity 72 h post-injection, C-type lysozyme expression in spleen from 1 to 72 h post-injection, and favoured blood neutrophils at the expense of a mixture of lymphocytes and thrombocytes. Moreover, 6 h after injection, cortisol reduced expression levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α in spleen. DOC had no effects on the immune variables measured in plasma, but increased expression levels of C-type lysozyme and apolipoprotein A1 mRNA in both gills and spleen. Meanwhile, DOC stimulated its putative signalling pathway by increasing expression of mineralocorticoid receptor and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-2 in spleen. These results confirmed the role of cortisol as an innate, short term immune stimulator. For the first time, DOC is described as a possible immune stimulator in fish.

The role of 'mineralocorticoids' in teleost fish: relative importance of glucocorticoid signaling in the osmoregulation and 'central' actions of mineralocorticoid receptor

It has long been held that cortisol, a glucocorticoid in many vertebrates, performs glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid actions in the teleost fish since it lacks aldosterone. However, in addition to the counterparts of tetrapod mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs), 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC) has been recently identified as a specific endogenous ligand for the MRs in teleosts. Here, we point out the minor role of mineralocorticoid signaling (i.e., DOC-MR) in the osmoregulation compared with those of glucocorticoid signaling (i.e., cortisol-glucocorticoid receptor [GR]), and review the current findings on the physiological roles of the DOC-MR in teleosts. Cortisol promotes both freshwater and seawater adaptation via the GRs in the osmoregulatory organs such as gills and gastrointestinal tracts, but the expressions of MR mRNA are abundant in the brains especially in the key components of the stress axis and cerebellums. Together with the behavioral effects of intracerebroventricular injection with DOC, the MR is suggested to play an important role in the brain dependent behaviors. Since the abundant expression of central MRs has been reported also in higher vertebrates and the MR is thought to be ancestral to the GR, the role of MR in fish might reflect the principal and original function of corticosteroid signaling. Functional evolution of corticosteroid systems is summarized and areas in need of research like our on-going experiments with MR-knockout medaka are outlined.

Differential expression patterns and localization of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptor transcripts in the osmoregulatory organs of tilapia during salinity stress

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) plays an essential role during seawater (SW) acclimation. However, the regulation of GR isoforms 1 and 2 (GR1 and GR2) and the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) during SW acclimation is poorly understood. To address this, we localized and examined the GR1, GR2 and MR transcripts in the tilapia gill, kidney and intestine. Our results indicated that the GR1, GR2 and MR levels were increased in the kidney and intestine on day 1 in seawater (SW) fish, which is in agreement with the recognized osmoregulatory role of the corticosteroid receptors. The SW transfer increased the GR2 and MR transcripts in the gill on day 1 and 4, respectively. Surprisingly, no significant difference was obtained for the GR1 mRNA level. Analysis of the plasma parameters in freshwater (FW) and SW tilapia showed that the plasma cortisol levels were significantly increased at day 1 in the SW fish compared to the FW fish. This is the first study that focused on the spatial distribution of GR1, GR2 and MR in the osmoregulatory organs of freshwater (FW)- and SW-acclimated tilapia by in situ hybridization. Consistent with the Q-PCR results, the expression levels of the GR1, GR2 and MR transcripts were increased or decreased in the SW-acclimated tilapia's gill, kidney and intestine compared to the FW fish. We observed that GR1, GR2 and MR were localized in the branchial epithelial cells and chloride cells of the gill, proximal tubules of the kidney and columnar cells of the intestine. Together, these results indicate that the mobilization of corticosteroid receptors is dependent on the target tissue, salinity and exposure time.

The mineralocorticoid signaling pathway throughout development: expression, regulation and pathophysiological implications

The mineralocorticoid signaling pathway has gained interest over the past few years, considering not only its implication in numerous pathologies but also its emerging role in physiological processes during kidney, brain, heart and lung development. This review aims at describing the setting and regulation of aldosterone biosynthesis and the expression of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), a nuclear receptor mediating aldosterone action in target tissues, during the perinatal period. Specificities concerning MR expression and regulation during the development of several major organs are highlighted. We provide evidence that MR expression is tightly controlled in a tissue-specific manner during development, which could have major pathophysiological implications in the neonatal period.

Cortisol promotes differentiation of epidermal ionocytes through Foxi3 transcription factors in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Glucocorticoid regulates epidermal cell proliferation, and is used to treat certain skin disorders. Cortisol, a glucocorticoid, is also linked to skin development in teleost fish. Cortisol increases the number of epithelial ionocytes during environmental acclimation in euryhaline fishes, but it is unclear whether this is due to increased differentiation or proliferation. To investigate, we treated zebrafish embryos with exogenous cortisol (20mg/L). The densities of the ionocytes Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase rich cells (NaRCs) and H(+)-ATPase rich cells (HRCs) were significantly increased by cortisol, and this was accompanied by an increase in the respective marker genes. Expression of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene was decreased. Cortisol treatment also increased ionocytes in cultured adult zebrafish gills, and up-regulated expression of genes encoding forkhead box I3 (foxi3a and foxi3b) transcription factors, which regulate ionocyte progenitor development. GR expression was up-regulated by cortisol in vitro; as such, the observed decrease in vivo reflects a regulatory systemic-negative feedback. Notably, in situ hybridization revealed that foxi3a/b mRNA expression was increased by cortisol at 24-48h post-fertilization. Cortisol also decreased keratinocytes, but did not affect epidermal stem cells or mucus cells. We conclude that foxi3a/b transactivation by cortisol-GR favors differentiation of ionocyte progenitors, thereby facilitating proliferation of mature ionocytes.

Evidence for a divergence in function between two glucocorticoid receptors from a basal teleost

Background

Duplicated glucocorticoid receptors (GR) are present in most teleost fish. The evolutionary advantage of retaining two GRs is unclear, as no subtype specific functional traits or physiological roles have been defined. To identify factors driving the retention of duplicate GRs in teleosts, the current study examined GRs in representatives of two basal ray-finned fish taxa that emerged either side of the teleost lineage whole genome duplication event (WGD) event, the acipenseriform, Acipenser ruthenus, (pre-WGD) and the osteoglossimorph, Pantodon buchholzi, (post-WGD).

Results

The study identified a single GR in A. ruthenus (ArGR) and two GRs in P. buchholzi (PbGR1 and PbGR2). Phylogenetic analyses showed that ArGR formed a distinct branch separate from the teleosts GRs. The teleost GR lineage was subdivded into two sublineages, each of which contained one of the two P. buchholzi GRs. ArGR, PbGR1 and PbGR2 all possess the unique 9 amino acid insert between the zinc-fingers of the DNA-binding domain that is present in one of the teleost GR lineages (GR1), but not the other (GR2). A splice variant of PbGR2 produces an isoform that lacked these 9 amino acids (PbGR2b). Cortisol stimulated transactivation activity of ArGR, PbGR2b and PbGR1 in vitro; with PbGR2b and PbGR1, the glucocorticoid 11-deoxycortisol was a more potent agonist than cortisol. The hormone sensitivity of PbGR2b and PbGR1 differed in the transactivation assay, with PbGR2b having lower EC50 values and greater fold induction.

Conclusions

The difference in transactivation activity sensitivity between duplicated GRs of P. buchholzi suggests potential functional differences between the paralogs emerged early in the teleost lineage. Given the pleiotropic nature of GR function in vertebrates, this finding is in accordance with the hypothesis that duplicated GRs were potentially retained through subfunctionalisation followed by gene sharing. A 9 amino acid insert in the DNA-binding domain emerged in basal ray-finned fish GRs. However, the presence of a PbGR2 splice variant that lacks this insert, as well as the loss of the exon encoding these amino acids in the genes encoding for other teleost GR2 suggests the selection of two receptors with different DNA-binding domain structures in teleosts.

Differential physiological and endocrine responses of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, transferred from fresh water to ion-poor or salt water

To understand the physiological and molecular endocrine changes that occur in response to a salinity challenge, we transferred rainbow trout from fresh water to an ion-poor or 24‰ saltwater treatment for 14 days. An increase in gill Na(+), K(+)-ATPase (NKA) activity in salt water was associated with higher mRNA expression for the NKA α1b subunit. In contrast, there was little change in gill NKA activity following transfer to ion-poor water, but the mRNA expression of NKA α1a was significantly elevated. Endocrine signals were assessed by measuring plasma cortisol concentrations and by quantifying changes in mRNA extracted from the gill for glucocorticoid receptors 1 and 2 (GR1 and GR2), mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), growth hormone receptor (GHR1), and prolactin receptor (PrlR). Cortisol increased after transfer to ion-poor and salt water, but both GR and MR mRNA in the gill showed little change. PrlR mRNA was significantly higher when fish were transferred to the ion-poor water and GHR1 mRNA was elevated during the saltwater challenge. This study demonstrated an increase in gill PrlR mRNA that parallels the changes in gill NKA α1a when rainbow trout were transferred to a lower salinity level. Furthermore, the increase in gill GHR1 mRNA supports the importance of GH for seawater acclimation as there is a corresponding increase in the expression of gill NKA α1b, the saltwater isoform. GH and Prl, therefore, may differentially determine the function of cortisol in both fresh- and saltwater ionoregulation.

Changes of glycogen metabolism in the gills and hepatic tissue of tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) during short-term Cd exposure

The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that the mechanism of glycogen metabolism has taken place in gills rather than in liver during Cd exposure. Male tilapia were exposed to 44.45 μM ambient Cd for 12h, and we found blood glucose significantly increased, however, lactate levels showed no significant changes. The glycogen phosphorylase (GP) activity increased immediately after 0.75 to 3h of Cd exposure in the gills, and after 1 to 6h in the liver, respectively. In addition, the glycogen level depleted faster in the gills than in the liver. Plasma cortisol level increased from 0.25 to 1h and recovered after 3h, while the glucagon did not significantly change during Cd exposure. Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) mRNA expression decreased after 0.75 h in the gills, while it significantly increased after 6h in the liver. Ca(2+), Na(+), Cl(-), and K(+) significantly decreased upon Cd exposure within 6h following Cd-induced toxic stress. We suggested that the cortisol is the spontaneous stimulation of glycogen metabolism in the gills, and it triggers a subsequent energy supply later in the liver. Taken together, the profile of glycogen metabolism between gills and liver during Cd-exposure stress provide good support to our hypothesis.

Corticosteroid regulation of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase α1-isoform expression in Atlantic salmon gill during smolt development

The proposed mineralocorticoid-like signalling axis in teleost fish, consisting of the hormone 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC) and a mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), has recently challenged our conception of cortisol being the only osmoregulatory corticosteroid in teleost fish. This paper aimed at comparing the osmoregulatory role of DOC with that of cortisol during the pre-adaptive development of SW-tolerance, smoltification, in Atlantic salmon. Using an in vitro gill block incubation system, the effect of DOC and cortisol in the gill was investigated from January to September, using Na(+),K(+)-ATPase α-subunit isoforms α-1a and α-1b mRNA levels as targets for regulation by the hormones. Cortisol and DOC both conferred significant up-regulation of α-1a and α-1b mRNA levels at specific time-points during smoltification. However, the effect of cortisol and DOC on α-subunit isoforms varied seasonally between isoforms and hormones. The maximum induction of α-1a was 3- to 4-fold compared to controls whereas a 2-fold induction was observed for α-1b. The pattern and capacity of stimulation of α-1a through smoltification were similar for cortisol and DOC, whereas cortisol had an enhanced capacity to stimulate α-1b as compared to DOC. Even though there was no demonstrable change in cortisol or DOC sensitivity in the gill, the magnitude of the hormonal effects were seasonally dependent. This is the first report of DOC-induced effects on osmoregulatory targets in fish, thus indicating a role for DOC and MR signalling in osmoregulation.

Rapid evolution of osmoregulatory function by modification of gene transcription in steelhead trout

Populations experiencing sudden environmental change must be capable of rapidly evolving to survive. Here we explore changes in gene transcription as a mechanism for rapid adaptation at four osmoregulatory genes (CFTR I, NaK ATPase1αa, NaK ATPase1αb and GHRII) in anadromous steelhead trout versus a derived land-locked population after 14 generations. Transcription was measured before and after a 24-h saltwater challenge in pure and reciprocal hybrid offspring of fish from both populations reared in a common environment for two generations. Significant differences between the landlocked and migratory populations were observed, particularly in fresh water at the NaK ATPase1αa and GHRII genes, indicating rapid evolutionary change, possibly associated with reduced energy expenditure in the landlocked lake system. Phenotypic divergence analysis (Q (ST)) shows that the observed transcriptional differences deviate from neutral expectations. Some reciprocal crosses exhibited anomalous transcription consistent with sex-linked epistatic or genetic imprinting effects. Our results highlight unpredictable phenotypic outcomes of hybridization among locally adapted populations and the need to exercise caution when interbreeding populations for conservation purposes.

Extrapituitary growth hormone

Pituitary somatotrophs secrete growth hormone (GH) into the bloodstream, to act as a hormone at receptor sites in most, if not all, tissues. These endocrine actions of circulating GH are abolished after pituitary ablation or hypophysectomy, indicating its pituitary source. GH gene expression is, however, not confined to the pituitary gland, as it occurs in neural, immune, reproductive, alimentary, and respiratory tissues and in the integumentary, muscular, skeletal, and cardiovascular systems, in which GH may act locally rather than as an endocrine. These actions are likely to be involved in the proliferation and differentiation of cells and tissues prior to the ontogeny of the pituitary gland. They are also likely to complement the endocrine actions of GH and are likely to maintain them after pituitary senescence and the somatopause. Autocrine or paracrine actions of GH are, however, sometimes mediated through different signaling mechanisms to those mediating its endocrine actions and these may promote oncogenesis. Extrapituitary GH may thus be of physiological and pathophysiological significance.

Dynamic gene expression of GH/PRL-family hormone receptors in gill and kidney during freshwater-acclimation of Mozambique tilapia

In teleosts, prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH) act at key osmoregulatory tissues to regulate hydromineral balance. This study was aimed at characterizing patterns of expression for genes encoding receptors for the GH/PRL-family of hormones in the gill and kidney of Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) during freshwater (FW)-acclimation. Transfer of seawater (SW)-acclimated tilapia to FW elicited rapid and sustained increases in plasma levels and pituitary gene expression of PRL177 and PRL188; plasma hormone and pituitary mRNA levels of GH were unchanged. In the gill, PRL receptor 1 (PRLR1) mRNA increased markedly after transfer to FW by 6h, while increases in GH receptor (GHR) mRNA were observed 48 h and 14 d after the transfer. By contrast, neither PRLR2 nor the somatolactin receptor (SLR) was responsive to FW transfer. Paralleling these endocrine responses were marked increases in branchial gene expression of a Na+/Cl- cotransporter and a Na+/H+ exchanger, indicators of FW-type mitochondrion-rich cells (MRCs), at 24 and 48 h after FW transfer, respectively. Expression of Na+/K+/2Cl- cotransporter, an indicator of SW-type MRCs, was sharply down-regulated by 6h after transfer to FW. In kidney, PRLR1, PRLR2 and SLR mRNA levels were unchanged, while GHR mRNA was up-regulated from 6h after FW transfer to all points thereafter. Collectively, these results suggest that the modulation of the gene expression for PRL and GH receptors in osmoregulatory tissues represents an important aspect of FW-acclimation of tilapia.

Gene expression of growth hormone family and glucocorticoid receptors, osmosensors, and ion transporters in the gill during seawater acclimation of Mozambique tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus

This study characterized endocrine and ionoregulatory responses accompanying seawater (SW) acclimation in Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus). Changes in plasma hormones and gene expression of hormone receptors, putative osmosensors, and ion transporters in the gill were measured. Transfer of freshwater (FW)-acclimated tilapia to SW resulted in a marked elevation in plasma osmolality and a significant rise in plasma growth hormone (GH) levels at 12 hr and 14 days after transfer. Significant reductions in plasma prolactin (PRL(177) and PRL(188)) levels also occurred in SW-transferred fish; no effect of transfer upon plasma cortisol or insulin-like growth factor I was observed. Gene expression of GH receptor increased strongly 6 hr after transfer, whereas PRL receptor was lower than controls at 12 hr. By contrast, mRNA levels of somatolactin and glucocorticoid receptors were unaffected by SW transfer. Osmotic stress transcription factor 1 mRNA levels rose significantly between 3 and 12 hr, whereas the calcium-sensing receptor was unaffected. Aquaporin-3 gene expression was strongly down-regulated during SW acclimation from 12 hr until the conclusion of the experiment. Na(+)/K(+)/2Cl(-) cotransporter gene expression increased significantly 3 hr after transfer, whereas expression of Na(+)/Cl(-) cotransporter, specific to FW-type chloride cells, declined by 6 hr into SW acclimation. The response of Na(+)/H(+) exchanger was less pronounced, but showed a similar pattern to that of the Na(+)/Cl(-) cotransporter. These results suggest that acquisition of hyposmoregulatory mechanisms in Mozambique tilapia entails the coordinated interaction of systemic hormones with local factors in the gill, including hormone receptors, ion transporters, and osmosensors.

Differential gene expression during smoltification of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.): a first large-scale microarray study

The life cycle of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) involves a period of 1 to 3 years in freshwater followed by migration to the sea where the salmon undergoes rapid growth. In preparation for the marine environment, while still in freshwater, the salmon undergo a transformation from a freshwater dwelling parr to a saltwater adapted smolt, a process known as smoltification. The Atlantic salmon Transcriptome Analysis of Important Traits of Salmon/Salmon Genome Project (TRAITS/SGP) cDNA microarray was used to investigate how gene expression alters during smoltification. Genes differentially expressed during smoltification were identified by comparing gene expression profiles in smolt brain, gill, and kidney tissue samples with those of parr. Of the three tissues investigated, the number of differentially expressed genes was the greatest in gill. Many of the differentially expressed genes could be assigned to one of four main categories: growth, metabolism, oxygen transport, and osmoregulation. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction successfully confirmed the differential expression of seven of the upregulated genes. The TRAITS/SGP cDNA microarray was used to successfully demonstrate for the first time how gene expression mediates smoltification in the Atlantic salmon. Changes in gene expression observed in this study reflected the physiological and biochemical changes recorded by previous studies describing the parr-smolt transformation. This study significantly increases our knowledge of smoltification and will benefit future studies in this area of research.

Osmotic stress regulates mineralocorticoid receptor expression in a novel aldosterone-sensitive cortical collecting duct cell line

Aldosterone effects are mediated by the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), a transcription factor highly expressed in the distal nephron. Given that MR expression level constitutes a key element controlling hormone responsiveness, there is much interest in elucidating the molecular mechanisms governing MR expression. To investigate whether hyper- or hypotonicity could affect MR abundance, we established by targeted oncogenesis a novel immortalized cortical collecting duct (CCD) cell line and examined the impact of osmotic stress on MR expression. KC3AC1 cells form domes, exhibit a high transepithelial resistance, express 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 and functional endogenous MR, which mediates aldosterone-stimulated Na(+) reabsorption through the epithelial sodium channel activation. MR expression is tightly regulated by osmotic stress. Hypertonic conditions induce expression of tonicity-responsive enhancer binding protein, an osmoregulatory transcription factor capable of binding tonicity-responsive enhancer response elements located in MR regulatory sequences. Surprisingly, hypertonicity leads to a severe reduction in MR transcript and protein levels. This is accompanied by a concomitant tonicity-induced expression of Tis11b, a mRNA-destabilizing protein that, by binding to the AU-rich sequences of the 3'-untranslated region of MR mRNA, may favor hypertonicity-dependent degradation of labile MR transcripts. In sharp contrast, hypotonicity causes a strong increase in MR transcript and protein levels. Collectively, we demonstrate for the first time that optimal adaptation of CCD cells to changes in extracellular fluid composition is accompanied by drastic modification in MR abundance via transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms. Osmotic stress-regulated MR expression may represent an important molecular determinant for cell-specific MR action, most notably in renal failure, hypertension, or mineralocorticoid resistance.

Low renal mineralocorticoid receptor expression at birth contributes to partial aldosterone resistance in neonates

The human neonatal period is characterized by renal immaturity with impaired capacity to regulate water and sodium homeostasis, resembling partial aldosterone resistance. Because aldosterone effects are mediated by the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), we postulated that this hormonal unresponsiveness could be related to low MR expression in the distal nephron. We measured aldosterone and renin levels in umbilical cord blood of healthy newborns. We used quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry to analyze the expression of MR and key players of the mineralocorticoid signaling pathway during human and mouse renal development. High aldosterone and renin levels were found at birth. MR mRNA was detected in mouse kidney at d 16 postcoitum, peaking at d 18 postcoitum, but its expression was surprisingly very low at birth, rising progressively afterward. Similar biphasic temporal expression was observed during human renal embryogenesis, with a transient expression between 15 and 24 wk of gestation but an undetectable immunoreactive MR in late gestational and neonatal kidneys. This cyclic MR expression was tightly correlated with the evolution of the 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 and the epithelial sodium channel alpha-subunit. In contrast, glucocorticoid and vasopressin receptors and aquaporin 2 followed a progressive and sustained evolution during renal maturation. Our study provides the first evidence for a low renal MR expression level at birth, despite high aldosterone levels, which could account for compromised postnatal sodium handling. Elucidation of regulatory mechanisms governing MR expression should lead to new strategies for the management of sodium waste in preterms and neonates.

The regulatory role of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors in pulsatile urea excretion of the gulf toadfish,Opsanus beta

Gulf toadfish, Opsanus beta, are one among a group of unusual teleosts that excrete urea as their predominant nitrogen end product in response to stressful conditions. Under conditions of crowding or confinement,fasted toadfish excrete the majority of their nitrogen waste in large pulses of urea (>90% of total nitrogen) lasting up to 3 h. An earlier study demonstrated that cortisol has an inhibitory influence on urea pulse size. The present study tested the hypothesis that cortisol mediates changes in urea pulse size in ureotelic toadfish through the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and not the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). In vivo pharmacological investigations were used to manipulate the corticosteroid system in crowded toadfish, including experimentally lowering plasma cortisol levels by the injection of metyrapone, blocking cortisol receptors through exposure to either RU-486 (GR antagonist) and spironolactone (MR antagonist), or through exogenous infusion of the tetrapod mineralocorticoid aldosterone (tetrapod MR agonist). The data demonstrate that lowering the activity of cortisol, either by inhibiting its synthesis or by blocking its receptor, resulted in a two- to threefold increase in pulse size with no accompanying change in pulse frequency. Treatment with spironolactone elicited a minor (∼1.5-fold)reduction in pulse size, as did aldosterone treatment, suggesting that the anti-mineralocorticoid spironolactone has an agonistic effect in a piscine system. In summary, the evidence suggests that urea transport mechanisms in pulsing toadfish are upregulated in response to low cortisol, mediated primarily by GRs, and to a lesser extent MRs.