Amino acids dissolved in stream water as possible home stream odorants for masu salmon

Messenger RNA transcription levels of neuronal soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor complex components in the olfactory nerve system of the anadromous Pacific salmon, masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou

Anadromous Pacific salmon (genus Oncorhynchus) are known for homing behavior to their natal rivers based on olfactory imprinted memories during seaward migration. The SNARE complex is a regulator of vesicle exocytosis from the presynaptic membrane. Our previous study suggested that its component genes (Snap25, Stx1, and Vamp2) are more highly expressed in the olfactory nervous system (ONS) during the migration stages associated with olfactory imprinting in the evolutionary species of Pacific salmon, such as chum (O. keta) and pink (O. gorbuscha) salmon. Masu salmon (O. masou) has a significantly different life history from these species, living longer in rivers and being a more primitive Pacific salmon species. In this study, the transcription of snare mRNAs in the ONS was analyzed using mainly male wild masu salmon. Five cDNAs encoding masu salmon SNAREs, which are well conserved among vertebrates, were isolated and sequenced. Each snare mRNA was highly expressed in age 1+ (yearling) parr prior to smoltification, particularly in the olfactory bulb. Their transcription status was significantly different from that of chum and pink salmon, which showed high expression in earlier under-yearling juveniles. The present results and our previous studies indicate that snare mRNAs are highly transcripted until the seaward migration, reflecting neural development and neuroplasticity of the ONS for olfactory imprinting.

HPLC-MS-based untargeted metabolomic analysis of differential plasma metabolites and their associated metabolic pathways in reproductively anosmic black porgy, Acanthopagrus schlegelii

Olfaction, a universal form of chemical communication, is a powerful channel for animals to obtain social and environmental cues. The mechanisms by which fish olfaction affects reproduction, breeding and disease control are not yet clear. To evaluate metabolites profiles, plasma from anosmic and control black porgy during reproduction was analyzed by non-targeted metabolomics using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and multivariate statistical analysis techniques, including principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis. The metabolite profiles of anosmia and control groups were found to be significantly separated. Ten different differential metabolites, mainly including amino acids, such as isoleucine and methionine, and lipids, such as phosphatidylserine, were screened based on the combined analysis of variable importance in the projection and p values. In addition, six key differential metabolic pathways were analyzed using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and enriched for four metabolic pathways including the citrate acid (TCA) cycle, tyrosine metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism, and arginine synthesis. The TCA cycle enhances fertility through the reduction of pyruvate kinase, and intermediate derivatives (acetyl CoA, malonyl CoA) act as signaling factors that regulate immune cell function. The tyrosine cycle can indirectly participate and promote reproduction in black porgy through melanin-concentrating hormone. Arginine and proline metabolism can promote reproduction by promoting growth hormone and enhance immunity in anosmic black porgy by stimulating T lymphocytes. Our metabolomic study revealed that anosmia in black porgy played an active role in immunity and reproduction and provided theoretical support for breeding and disease control.

Ontogenetic shifts in olfactory rosette morphology of the sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka

Sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka, are anadromous, semelparous fish that breed in freshwater-typically in streams, and juveniles in most populations feed in lakes for 1 or 2 years, then migrate to sea to feed for 2 or 3 additional years, before returning to their natal sites to spawn and die. This species undergoes important changes in behavior, habitat, and morphology through these multiple life history stages. However, the sensory systems that mediate these migratory patterns are not fully understood, and few studies have explored changes in sensory function and specialization throughout ontogeny. This study investigates changes in the olfactory rosette of sockeye salmon across four different life stages (fry, parr, smolt, and adult). Development of the olfactory rosette was assessed by comparing total rosette size (RS), lamellae number, and lamellae complexity from scanning electron microscopy images across life stages, as a proxy for olfactory capacity. Olfactory RS increased linearly with lamellae number and body size (p < .001). The complexity of the rosette, including the distribution of sensory and nonsensory epithelia and the appearance of secondary lamellar folding, varied between fry and adult life stages. These differences in epithelial structure may indicate variation in odor-processing capacity between juveniles imprinting on their natal stream and adults using those odor memories in the final stages of homing to natal breeding sites. These findings improve our understanding of the development of the olfactory system throughout life in this species, highlighting that ontogenetic shifts in behavior and habitat may coincide with shifts in nervous system development.

The Olfactory Tract: Basis for Future Evolution in Response to Rapidly Changing Ecological Niches

Within the forebrain the olfactory sensory system is unique from other sensory systems both in the projections of the olfactory tract and the ongoing neurogenic potential, characteristics conserved across vertebrates. Olfaction plays a crucial role in behaviors such as mate choice, food selection, homing, escape from predators, among others. The olfactory forebrain is intimately associated with the limbic system, the region of the brain involved in learning, memory, and emotions through interactions with the endocrine system and the autonomic nervous system. Previously thought to lack a limbic system, we now know that teleost fishes process emotions, have exceptional memories, and readily learn, behaviors that are often associated with olfactory cues. The association of neuromodulatory hormones, and more recently, the immune system, with odor cues underlies behaviors essential for maintenance and adaptation within natural ecological niches. Increasingly anthropogenic perturbations affecting ecosystems are impacting teleost fishes worldwide. Here we examine the role of the olfactory tract as the neural basis for the integration of environmental cues and resulting behaviors necessary for the regulation of biotic interactions that allow for future adaptation as the climate spins out of control.

Salinity-dependent expression of calcium-sensing receptors in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) tissues

Multiple reports suggest that calcium-sensing receptors (CaSRs) are involved in calcium homeostasis, osmoregulation, and/or salinity sensing in fish (Loretz 2008, Herberger and Loretz 2013). We have isolated three unique full-length CaSR cDNAs from Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) kidney that share many features with other reported CaSRs. Using anti-CaSR antibodies and PCR primers specific for individual salmon CaSR transcripts we show expression in osmoregulatory, neuroendocrine and sensory tissues. Furthermore, CaSRs are expressed in different patterns in salmon tissues where mRNA and protein expression are modified by freshwater or seawater acclimation. For example, in seawater, CaSR mRNA and protein expression is increased significantly in kidney as compared to freshwater. Electrophysiological recordings of olfactory responses produced upon exposure of salmon olfactory epithelium to CaSR agonists suggest a role for CaSRs in chemoreception in this species consistent with other freshwater, anadromous, and marine species where similar olfactory responses to divalent and polyvalent cations have been reported. These data provide further support for a role of CaSR proteins in osmoregulatory and sensory functions in Atlantic salmon, an anadromous species that experiences a broad range of environmental salinities in its life history.

Ontogenetic Shifts in Brain Size and Brain Organization of the Atlantic Sharpnose Shark,

Throughout an animal’s life, species may occupy different environments and exhibit distinct life stages, known as ontogenetic shifts. The life histories of most sharks (class: Chondrichthyes) are characterized by these ontogenetic shifts, which can be defined by changes in habitat and diet as well as behavioral changes at the onset of sexual maturity. In addition, fishes experience indeterminate growth, whereby the brain and body grow throughout the organism’s life. Despite a presupposed lifelong neurogenesis in sharks, very little work has been done on ontogenetic changes in the brain, which may be informative about functional shifts in sensory and behavioral specializations. This study quantified changes in brain-body scaling and the scaling of six major brain regions (olfactory bulbs, telencephalon, diencephalon, optic tectum, cerebellum, and medulla oblongata) throughout ontogeny in the Atlantic sharpnose shark, <i>Rhizoprio­nodon terraenovae</i>. As documented in other fishes, brain size increased significantly with body mass throughout ontogeny in this species, with the steepest period of growth in early life. The telencephalon, diencephalon, optic tectum, and medulla oblongata scaled with negative allometry against the rest of the brain throughout ontogeny. However, notably, the olfactory bulbs and cerebellum scaled hyperallometrically to the rest of the brain, whereby these structures enlarged disproportionately as this species matured. Changes in the relative size of the olfactory bulbs throughout ontogeny may reflect an increased reliance on olfaction at later life history stages in <i>R. terraenovae</i>, while changes in the relative size of the cerebellum throughout ontogeny may be indicative of the ability to capture faster prey or an increase in migratory nature as this species moves to offshore habitats, associated with the onset of sexual maturity.

Sensory mechanisms of natal stream imprinting and homing in Oncorhynchus spp

Juvenile Oncorhynchus spp. can memorise their natal stream during downstream migration; juveniles migrate to feed during their growth phase and then they migrate long distances from their feeding habitat to their natal stream to reproduce as adults. Two different sensory mechanisms, olfaction and navigation, are involved in the imprinting and homing processes during short-distance migration within the natal stream and long-distance migration in open water, respectively. Here, olfactory functions are reviewed from both neurophysiological studies on the olfactory discrimination ability of natal stream odours and neuroendocrinological studies on the hormonal controlling mechanisms of olfactory memory formation and retrieval in the brain. These studies revealed that the long-term stability of dissolved free amino-acid composition in the natal stream is crucial for olfactory imprinting and homing. Additionally, the brain-pituitary-thyroid and brain-pituitary-gonadal hormones play important roles in olfactory memory formation and retrieval, respectively. Navigation functions were reviewed from physiological biotelemetry techniques with sensory interference experiments during the homing migration of anadromous and lacustrine Oncorhynchus spp. The experiments demonstrated that Oncorhynchus spp. used compass navigation mechanisms in the open water. These findings are discussed in relation to the sensory mechanisms involved in natal stream imprinting and homing in Oncorhynchus spp.

The behavioural homing response of adult chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta to amino-acid profiles

Adult chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta homing behaviour in a two-choice test tank (Y-maze) was monitored using a passive integrated transponder (PIT)-tag system in response to river-specific dissolved free amino-acid (DFAA) profiles and revealed that the majority of O. keta showed a preference for artificial natal-stream water and tended to stay in this maze arm for a longer period; natal-stream water was chosen over a nearby tributary's water, but not when the O. keta were presented with a non-tributary water. The results demonstrate the ability of O. keta to discriminate artificial stream waters containing natural levels of DFAA.

Identification of olfactory receptor genes in the Japanese grenadier anchovy Coilia nasus

Olfaction is essential for fish to detect odorant elements in the environment and plays a critical role in navigating, locating food and detecting predators. Olfactory function is produced by the olfactory transduction pathway and is activated by olfactory receptors (ORs) through the binding of odorant elements. Recently, four types of olfactory receptors have been identified in vertebrate olfactory epithelium, including main odorant receptors (MORs), vomeronasal type receptors (VRs), trace-amine associated receptors (TAARs) and formyl peptide receptors (FPRs). It has been hypothesized that migratory fish, which have the ability to perform spawning migration, use olfactory cues to return to natal rivers. Therefore, obtaining OR genes from migratory fish will provide a resource for the study of molecular mechanisms that underlie fish spawning migration behaviors. Previous studies of OR genes have mainly focused on genomic data, however little information has been gained at the transcript level. In this study, we identified the OR genes of an economically important commercial fish Coilia nasus through searching for olfactory epithelium transcriptomes. A total of 142 candidate MOR, 52 V2R/OlfC, 32 TAAR and two FPR putative genes were identified. In addition, through genomic analysis we identified several MOR genes containing introns, which is unusual for vertebrate MOR genes. The transcriptome-scale mining strategy proved to be fruitful in identifying large sets of OR genes from species whose genome information is unavailable. Our findings lay the foundation for further research into the possible molecular mechanisms underlying the spawning migration behavior in C. nasus.

Atmospheric depression-mediated water temperature changes affect the vertical movement of chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta

The Sanriku coastal area, Japan, is one of the southern-most natural spawning regions of chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta. Here, we report their behavioral response to changes in ambient temperature after the passage of an atmospheric depression during the early spawning season. Before the passage, all electrically tagged fish moved vertically for several hours to depths below the shallow thermocline at >100 m. However, during the atmospheric depression, the salmon shortened the duration of their vertical movements and spent most time at the surface. The water column was homogenous at <150 m deep except for the surface. The descending behavior may have been discontinued because the cooler water below the thermocline was no longer in a thermally defined layer, due to strong vertical mixing by high wave action. Instead, they likely spent time within the cooler water temperatures at the surface of bays to minimize metabolic energy cost during migration.

Chemical cues and pheromones in the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus)

Chemical cues and pheromones guide decisions in organisms throughout the animal kingdom. The neurobiology, function, and evolution of olfaction are particularly well described in insects, and resulting concepts have driven novel approaches to pest control. However, aside from several exceptions, the olfactory biology of vertebrates remains poorly understood. One exception is the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), which relies heavily upon olfaction during reproduction. Here, we provide a broad review of the chemical cues and pheromones used by the sea lamprey during reproduction, including overviews of the sea lamprey olfactory system, chemical cues and pheromones, and potential applications to population management. The critical role of olfaction in mediating the sea lamprey life cycle is evident by a well-developed olfactory system. Sea lamprey use chemical cues and pheromones to identify productive spawning habitat, coordinate spawning behaviors, and avoid risk. Manipulation of olfactory biology offers opportunities for management of populations in the Laurentian Great Lakes, where the sea lamprey is a destructive invader. We suggest that the sea lamprey is a broadly useful organism with which to study vertebrate olfaction because of its simple but well-developed olfactory organ, the dominant role of olfaction in guiding behaviors during reproduction, and the direct implications for vertebrate pest management.

Biological effects and toxicity of diluted bitumen and its constituents in freshwater systems

Approximately 50 billion cubic meters of bitumen resides within the oil sands region of Alberta, Canada. To facilitate the transport of bitumen from where it is extracted to where it is processed, the bitumen is diluted with natural gas condensate ('dilbit'), synthetic crude from hydrocracking bitumen ('synbit'), or a mixture of both ('dilsynbit'). A primary consideration for the effects of diluted bitumen products on freshwater organisms and ecosystems is whether it will float on the water surface or sink and interact with the stream or lake sediments. Evidence from a spill near Kalamazoo, MI, in 2010 and laboratory testing demonstrate that the nature of the spill and weathering of the dilbit, synbit or dilsynbit prior to and during contact with water will dictate whether the product floats or sinks. Subsequent toxicological data on the effects of dilbit and other diluted bitumen products on freshwater organisms and ecosystems are scarce. However, the current literature indicates that dilbit or bitumen can have significant effects on a wide variety of toxicological endpoints. This review synthesizes the currently available literature concerning the fate and effects of dilbit and synbit spilled into freshwater, and the effects of bitumen and bitumen products on aquatic organisms and ecosystems. Dilbit is likely to provide ecological impacts that are similar to and extend from those that follow from exposure to lighter crude oil, but the prospect of bitumen settling after binding to suspended sediments elevates the risk for benthic impacts in streams and lakes.

Olfactory navigation during spawning migrations: a review and introduction of the Hierarchical Navigation Hypothesis

Migrations are characterized by periods of movement that typically rely on orientation towards directional cues. Anadromous fish undergo several different forms of oriented movement during their spawning migration and provide some of the most well-studied examples of migratory behaviour. During the freshwater phase of the migration, fish locate their spawning grounds via olfactory cues. In this review, we synthesize research that explores the role of olfaction during the spawning migration of anadromous fish, most of which focuses on two families: Salmonidae (salmonids) and Petromyzontidae (lampreys). We draw attention to limitations in this research, and highlight potential areas of investigation that will help fill in current knowledge gaps. We also use the information assembled from our review to formulate a new hypothesis for natal homing in salmonids. Our hypothesis posits that migrating adults rely on three types of cues in a hierarchical fashion: imprinted cues (primary), conspecific cues (secondary), and non-olfactory environmental cues (tertiary). We provide evidence from previous studies that support this hypothesis. We also discuss future directions of research that can test the hypothesis and further our understanding of the spawning migration.

Sublethal toxicity of chlorpyrifos to salmonid olfaction after hypersaline acclimation

Salmonid habitats can be impacted by several environmental factors, such as salinization, which can also affect salmonid tolerance to anthropogenic stressors, such as pesticides. Previous studies have shown that hypersaline acclimation enhances the acute toxicity of certain organophosphate and carbamate pesticides to euryhaline fish; however, sublethal impacts have been far less studied. The current study aims to determine how hypersaline acclimation and exposure to the organophosphate chlorpyrifos (CPF) impact salmonid olfaction. Combined acclimation and exposure to CPF was shown to impact rainbow trout olfaction at the molecular, physiological, and behavioral levels. Concurrent exposure to hypersalinity and 0.5μg/L CPF upregulated four genes (chloride intracellular channel 4, G protein zgc:101761, calcium calmodulin dependent protein kinase II delta, and adrenergic alpha 2C receptor) that inhibit olfactory signal transduction. At the physiological level, hypersalinity and chlorpyrifos caused a decrease in sensory response to the amino acid l-serine and the bile salt taurocholic acid. Combined acclimation and exposure also negatively impacted behavior and reduced the avoidance of a predator cue (l-serine). Thus, acclimation to hypersaline conditions and exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of chlorpyrifos caused an inhibition of olfactory signal transduction leading to a decreased response to odorants and impairment of olfactory mediated behaviors.

Genomic organization and evolution of the trace amine-associated receptor (TAAR) repertoire in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

There is strong evidence that olfaction plays a key role in the homing of salmonids to their natal spawning grounds, particularly in the freshwater phase. However, the physiological and genetic mechanisms behind this biological phenomenon are largely unknown. It has been shown that Pacific salmon respond to dissolved free amino acids from their natal streams. This indicates that amino acids comprise part of the olfcatory cues for imprinting and homing in salmonids. As trace amine-associated receptors (TAARs), a class of olfactory receptors that are close relatives of the G protein-coupled aminergic neurotransmitter receptors, recognize amino acid metabolites, we hypothesize that TAARs play an important role in salmon homing by recognizing olfactory cues. Therefore, to better understand homing in Atlantic salmon, we set out to characterize the TAAR genes in this species. We searched the first assembly of the Atlantic salmon genome for sequences resembling TAARs previously characterized in other teleosts. We identified 27 putatively functional TAAR genes and 25 putative TAAR pseudogenes, which cluster primarily on chromosome 21 (Ssa21). Phylogenetic analysis of TAAR amino acid sequences from 15 vertebrate species revealed the TAAR gene family arose after the divergence of jawed and jawless vertebrates. The TAARs group into three classes with salmon possessing class I and class III TAARs. Within each class, evolution is characterized by species-specific gene expansions, which is in contrast to what is observed in other olfactory receptor families (e.g., OlfCs and oras).

Olfactory Sensory Neuron Morphotypes in the Featherback Fish, Notopterus notopterus (Osteoglossiformes: Notopteridae)

BACKGROUND

As in other vertebrates, olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) in fishes are the main components of sensory part of olfactory epithelium that relay olfactory information (smell and taste) to the brain.

PURPOSE

Objective of the present study was to analyze if any polymorphism occurs in the OSNs in a featherback fish, Notopterus notopterus as far as the teleost lineage is concerned.

METHODS

With the help of neuronal staining technique, polymorphism of OSNs in N. notopterus was studied.

RESULTS

Three polymorphic forms of OSNs were identified which are ciliated OSNs, microvillus OSNs and crypt OSNs. These morphotypes were identified on the basis of location of their somata within the depth of olfactory epithelium and resulting length of their dendrites. The ciliated OSNs have basally situated somata and long, thin dendrites with a few apically arranged cilia while microvillous OSNs have somata located midway in the epithelium and thick moderate-length dendrites with microvilli. Third cell type is crypt OSNs which are spherical or pear-shaped, located apically just close to the epithelial surface having cilia and microvilli in an invagination and devoid of any dendrite.

CONCLUSION

N. notopterus belongs to order Osteoglossiformes which is a representative of an early evolutionary lineage of teleost fishes. OSN polymorphism reported in the present work indicates that it is a fairly conserved trait throughout the evolution of teleosts. To our knowledge, we are the first ones to report OSN polymorphism in a member of the order Osteoglossiformes.

Cloning and characterization of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit NR1 gene from chum salmon, Oncorhynchus keta (Walbaum, 1792)

Here, we report the information about molecular and expression characterization of NR1 gene in chum salmon for the first time. The complete NR1 subunit showed a large open-reading frame of 2844 bp in the total length of 3193 bp, and this cDNA contained a coding region encoding 948 amino acids and a stop codon. The organization of the NR1 subunit of chum salmon were similar of most other fishes, except C’ terminal. The expression of NR1 subunit was to show higher in the natal river near to the hatchery than near to the coast. We expect that the information reported herein may facilitate further investigations on the relationship between memory factors of natal rivers and homing mechanisms in Salmonidae.

Olfactory homing of chum salmon to stable compositions of amino acids in natal stream water

Many attempts have been made to identify natal stream odors for salmon olfactory homing. It has recently been hypothesized that odors are dissolved free amino acids; however, it is unknown whether these odors change on a seasonal or annual basis. We analyzed dissolved free amino acid (DFAA) concentration and composition of water from the Teshio River in Hokkaido, Japan, where chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) returned for spawning, during juvenile downstream migration in spring and adult upstream migration in autumn with a 4-year difference. Among the 19 amino acids found in the Teshio River water, DFAA concentrations fluctuated largely, but 5-7 stable DFAA compositions (mole %) were found between the spring and autumn samples over a 4-year span. Two kinds of artificial stream water (ASW) were prepared using the same DFAA concentration in the Teshio River during the time of juvenile imprinting in spring (jASW) and adult homing in autumn (aASW), after a 4-year period. In behavioral experiments of upstream selective movement in a 2choice test tank, 4-year-old mature male chum salmon captured in the Teshio River showed significant preference for either jASW or aASW when compared to control water, but did not show any preference with respect to jASW or aASW. In electro-olfactogram experiments, adults were able to discriminate between jASW and aASW. Our findings demonstrate that the long-term stability of the DFAA compositions in natal streams may be crucial for olfactory homing in chum salmon.

Properties, projections, and tuning of teleost olfactory receptor neurons

In many fishes, the olfactory sense participates in such vital processes as feeding, reproduction, orientation, and predator avoidance. In teleosts, these tasks are fulfilled by a single type of olfactory organ for odorant and pheromone detection, containing ciliated and microvillus receptor neurons, and olfactory crypt cells. Recently, progress was made in understanding crypt cell function with the discovery of a V1R-like odorant receptor expressed in this neuron, an analysis of crypt cell odorant tuning properties, and the dissection of crypt cell connectivity within the telecephalon. Here, we review recent findings on the molecular properties, functions, and associated neural pathways of the three types of teleost olfactory receptor neurons with special emphasis on the crypt cell, and evaluate their roles in the detection of food, social and sexual odorants.

Amino acid- vs. peptide-odorants: responses of individual olfactory receptor neurons in an aquatic species

Amino acids are widely used waterborne olfactory stimuli proposed to serve as cues in the search for food. In natural waters the main source of amino acids is the decomposition of proteins. But this process also produces a variety of small peptides as intermediate cleavage products. In the present study we tested whether amino acids actually are the natural and adequate stimuli for the olfactory receptors they bind to. Alternatively, these olfactory receptors could be peptide receptors which also bind amino acids though at lower affinity. Employing calcium imaging in acute slices of the main olfactory epithelium of the fully aquatic larvae of Xenopus laevis we show that amino acids, and not peptides, are more effective waterborne odorants.

Physiological mechanisms of imprinting and homing migration in Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp

After several years of feeding at sea, salmonids have an amazing ability to migrate long distances from the open ocean to their natal stream to spawn. Three different research approaches from behavioural to molecular biological studies have been used to elucidate the physiological mechanisms underpinning salmonid imprinting and homing migration. The study was based on four anadromous Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp., pink salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha, chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta, sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka and masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou, migrating from the North Pacific Ocean to the coast of Hokkaido, Japan, as well as lacustrine O. nerka and O. masou in Lake Toya, Hokkaido, where the lake serves as the model oceanic system. Behavioural studies using biotelemetry techniques showed swimming profiles from the Bering Sea to the coast of Hokkaido in O. keta as well as homing behaviours of lacustrine O. nerka and O. masou in Lake Toya. Endocrinological studies on hormone profiles in the brain-pituitary-gonad axis of O. keta, and lacustrine O. nerka identified the hormonal changes during homing migration. Neurophysiological studies revealed crucial roles of olfactory functions on imprinting and homing during downstream and upstream migration, respectively. These findings are discussed in relation to the physiological mechanisms of imprinting and homing migration in anadromous and lacustrine salmonids.

Olfactory responses to natal stream water in sockeye salmon by BOLD fMRI

Many studies have shown that juvenile salmon imprint olfactory memory of natal stream odors during downstream migration, and adults recall this stream-specific odor information to discriminate their natal stream during upstream migration for spawning. The odor information processing of the natal stream in the salmon brain, however, has not been clarified. We applied blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the odor information processing of the natal stream in the olfactory bulb and telencephalon of lacustrine sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka). The strong responses to the natal stream water were mainly observed in the lateral area of dorsal telencephalon (Dl), which are homologous to the medial pallium (hippocampus) in terrestrial vertebrates. Although the concentration of L-serine (1 mM) in the control water was 20,000-times higher than that of total amino acid in the natal stream water (47.5 nM), the BOLD signals resulting from the natal stream water were stronger than those by L-serine in the Dl. We concluded that sockeye salmon could process the odor information of the natal stream by integrating information in the Dl area of the telencephalon.

Physiological mechanism of homing migration in Pacific salmon from behavioral to molecular biological approaches

The amazing abilities of Pacific salmon to migrate long distances from the ocean to their natal streams for spawning have been investigated intensively since 1950's, but there are still many mysteries because of difficulties to follow their whole life cycle and to wait their sole reproductive timing for several years. In my laboratory, we have tried to clarify physiological mechanisms of homing migration in Pacific salmon, using four anadromous Pacific salmon (pink, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha; chum, Oncorhynchus keta; sockeye, Oncorhynchus nerka; masu, Oncorhynchus masou) in the north Pacific Ocean as well as two lacustrine salmon (sockeye and masu) in Lake Toya and Lake Shikotsu, Hokkaido, Japan, where the lakes serve as a model "ocean". Three different approaches from behavioral to molecular biological researches have been conducted using these model fish. First, the homing behaviors of adult chum salmon from the Bering Sea to Hokkaido as well as lacustrine sockeye and masu salmon in Lake Toya were examined by means of physiological biotelemetry techniques, and revealed that salmon can navigate in open water using different sensory systems. Second, the hormone profiles in the brain-pituitary-gonadal (BPG) axis were investigated in chum salmon and lacustrine sockeye salmon during their homing migration by means of hormone specific time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TR-FIA) systems, and clarified that salmon gonadotropin-releasing hormone (sGnRH) plays leading roles on homing migration. Third, the olfactory functions of salmon were studied by means of electrophysiological, behavioral, and molecular biological techniques, and made clear that olfactory discriminating ability of natal stream odors. These results have discussed with the evolutional aspects of four Pacific salmon, sexual differences in homing profiles, and the possibility of dissolved free amino acids (DFAA) as natal stream odors for salmon.

Behavioral responses by migratory chum salmon to amino acids in natal stream water

We propose that amino acids in natal stream water have Important roles in Pacific salmon homing. This study hypothesized that amino acids found in natal stream water have a role in the ability of mature male chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) to home to the Osaru River (OR), Hokkaido, Japan. Behavioral experiments were conducted in a two-choice test tank using various combinations of control water (natural Toya Lake water; NLW and three artificial stream waters using amino acids: 1) artificial OR water (AOR); 2) AOR without L-glutamic acid, the major amino acid in OR water (AOR-E); and 3) artificial water matching another stream (ALS) that had much higher amino acid concentrations than OR. In behavioral tests, the fish did not select between AOR and AOR-E, but still chose AOR over NLW, AOR-E over NLW, and AOR over ALS. These results suggest that migratory male chum salmon respond to amino acid mixtures in their natal stream water and appear to be affected by multiple amino acids.

Olfactory imprinting of amino acids in lacustrine sockeye salmon

Juvenile salmon have an olfactory ability to imprint their natal stream odors, but neither the odor properties of natal stream water nor the imprinting timing and duration have been clarified as yet. Here we show, using electrophysiological and behavioral experiments, that one-year-old lacustrine sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) can be imprinted around the stage of parr-smolt transformation (PST) by a single amino acid, 1 microM L-proline (Pro), or L-glutamic acid (Glu). We also show by real-time PCR that changes occur in mRNA levels of the salmon olfactory imprinting-related gene (SOIG) around PST. The electro-olfactogram (EOG) responses of test fish exposed to Pro in March (before PST) and April-June (during PST) for 2 weeks were significantly (1.7-fold) greater than those of non-exposed control fish, but not those of test fish exposed in July (after PST). When Pro and control water were added to the water inlets of a two-choice test tank during the spawning season 2 years after the test water exposure, 80% of maturing and matured test fish exposed before and during PST showed a preference for Pro, whereas those exposed after PST did not. The EOG response of test fish exposed to Pro or Glu for 1 hour, 6 hours, 1 day, 7 days, or 14 days in May revealed that only the response after 14 days of exposure was significantly (1.8-fold) greater than the control. The expression levels of SOIG mRNA increased before and during PST, and decreased after PST. We conclude that one-year-old lacustrine sockeye salmon can be imprinted by a single amino acid before and during PST, and that imprinting requires exposure for at least 14 days.

Molecular biological research on olfactory chemoreception in fishes

This review describes recent molecular biological research on olfactory chemoreception in fishes. The recent rapid development of molecular biological techniques has provided new valuable information on the main and vomeronasal olfactory receptor (OR) genes, the axonal projection from ciliated, microvillous and crypt-olfactory receptor cells to the olfactory bulb, properties of odorant substances and olfactory imprinting and homing in salmon. Many important questions, however, remain unanswered on functional differences among OR genes, on ligand binding to each OR and on the molecular biological mechanisms underlying olfactory imprinting and homing in salmon. Olfactory chemoreception is believed to be the oldest sensory cue for both animal survival and adaptation to various different environments. Further intensive molecular biological research on olfactory memory formation and remembrance should be carried out to clarify the fundamental process of olfactory chemoreception in fishes.

Morphometry of olfactory lamellae and olfactory receptor neurons during the life history of chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta)

It is generally accepted that anadromous Pacific salmon (genus Oncorhynchus) imprint to odorants in their natal streams during their seaward migration and use olfaction to identify these during their homeward migration. Despite the importance of the olfactory organ during olfactory imprinting, the development of this structure is not well understood in Pacific salmon. Olfactory cues from the environment are relayed to the brain by the olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) in the olfactory organ. Thus, we analyzed morphometric changes in olfactory lamellae of the peripheral olfactory organ and in the quantity of ORNs during life history from alevin to mature in chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta). The number of lamellae increased markedly during early development, reached 18 lamellae per unilateral peripheral olfactory organ in young salmon with a 200 mm in body size, and maintained this lamellar complement after young period. The number of ORNs per olfactory organ was about 180,000 and 14.2 million cells in fry and mature salmon, respectively. The relationship between the body size (fork length) and number of ORNs therefore revealed an allometric association. Our results represent the first quantitative analysis of the number of ORNs in Pacific salmon and suggest that the number of ORNs is synchronized with the fork length throughout its life history.

PM. Contribution of conservation genetics in assessing neotropical freshwater fish biodiversity

Human activities have a considerable impact on hydrographic systems and fish fauna. The present review on conservation genetics of neotropical freshwater fish reveals that DNA analyses have been promoting increased knowledge on the genetic structure of fish species and their response to environmental changes. This knowledge is fundamental to the management of wild fish populations and the establishment of Evolutionary Significant Units capable of conserving genetic integrity. While population structuring can occur even in long-distance migratory fish, isolated populations can show reduced genetic variation and be at greater risk of extinction. Phylogeography and phylogeny have been powerful tools in understanding the evolution of fish populations, species and communities in distinct neotropic environments. Captive fish can be used to introduce new individuals and genes into the wild and their benefits and disadvantages can be monitored through genetic analysis. Understanding how fish biodiversity in neotropical freshwaters is generated and maintained is highly important, as these habitats are transformed by human development and fish communities are increasingly exploited as food sources to sustain a growing human population.

Screening the V2R-type putative odorant receptor gene repertoire in bitterling Tanakia lanceolata

Fish odorant receptors comprise several distinct families of G protein-coupled receptors. The repertoires of fish vomeronasal receptor family 2 (V2R) genes differ substantially among species, which seems to be related to the different odor sensitivity among fish species. In this study, the number and diversity of V2R genes in a cyprinid fish, bitterling Tanakia lanceolata, were examined by gene cloning and genomic Southern blot analysis. Fifty-six distinct V2R partial sequences were identified by extensive cloning of degenerate PCR fragments. Phylogenetic analysis of the V2R genes in bitterling and other model fishes showed that the bitterling V2Rs were subdivided into eight subfamilies that diverged before the separation of cyprinids and other fishes. Most bitterling V2Rs belonged to two major subfamilies, while only one or a few genes were identified in the remaining six subfamilies. The repertoire of bitterling V2Rs was quite similar to that of zebrafish, although some bitterling-specific gene expansions have also occurred. Based on the genomic Southern blot analysis, the copy number of the bitterling V2R gene was estimated at least 60, similar to the number of V2R genes found in the zebrafish genome. This also suggests that bitterling has relatively larger number of V2R genes than other model fishes.

Cloning and characterization of an odorant receptor in five Pacific salmon

The olfactory system of fish is extremely important as it is able to recognize and distinguish a vast of odorous molecules involved in wide ranges of behaviors including reproduction, homing, kin recognition, feeding and predator avoidance; all of which are paramount for their survival. We cloned and characterized one type olfactory receptors (ORs) from five congeneric salmonids: lacustrine sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), pink salmon (O. gorbuscha), chum salmon (O. keta), masu salmon (O. masou) and rainbow trout (O. mykiss). Lacustrine sockeye salmon olfactory receptor 1 (LSSOR1) showed high sequence homology to the OR subfamily, and was expressed only in the olfactory epithelium (as indicated by PCR amplified genomic DNA and cDNA). OR genes from the five salmonids examined all showed strong homology (96-99%) to each other. Hypervariable regions, believed to be ligand-binding pockets, showed homologous completely matched amino acid sequences except for one amino acid in pink salmon olfactory receptor 1 (PSOR1), revealing that these ORs may be well conserved among salmon species. These results suggest that the isolated 5 salmonid ORs might play an important role in salmon life cycles.

Evolution of vomeronasal-type odorant receptor genes in the zebrafish genome

Teleost fishes have two distinct families of odorant receptors, main odorant receptors (MORs) and vomeronasal receptors family 2 (V2Rs), both of which are expressed in the olfactory epithelium where they detect soluble chemicals. To obtain an insight into the evolution of the fish V2R gene family, V2R genes and their chromosomal locations were identified from zebrafish genome sequences. Eighty-eight putative V2R genes and pseudogenes were identified, most being tightly clustered into two chromosomal regions. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that V2R genes belonging to the same phylogenetic clade were located close to one another on the same chromosome. However, some V2R genes were also found in several different chromosome regions, either as singletons or small gene clusters. Recent large-scale duplications of V2R-containing chromosomal regions were detected in two V2R gene clusters. The evolution of the zebrafish V2R gene family can be explained by repeated tandem gene duplications within gene clusters and large-scale duplications among chromosomes.