The cloning of eel osmotic stress transcription factor and the regulation of its expression in primary gill cell culture

W. K. F. Tse, S. C. Chow, C. K. C. Wong*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

33 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In the present study, we aimed to clone an osmotic stress transcriptional factor (Ostf) from gill cells of Japanese eels. In addition, we measured its expression in Percoll™-gradient-isolated gill chloride (CC) and pavement (PVC) cells and determined the regulation of its expression in primary gill cell culture. Using degenerative primers and RACE techniques, we cloned a cDNA of 615 bp, encompassing the coding sequence of Ostf (204 amino acids). The cloned Ostf1 DNA sequence shared 84% DNA homology with the Ostf1 of tilapia. In general, the basal Ostf expression level was found to be significantly higher in CCs than in PVCs. In the direct transfer of fish from freshwater to seawater, a significant but transient induction of Ostf mRNA in CCs and PVCs was measured after 6 h of acclimation. Compared with gill CCs, the level of induction measured at PVCs was lower. In the seawater-to-freshwater transfer, no significant change in Ostf transcript levels was detected in either CCs or PVCs. To decipher the regulatory mechanism of Ostf expression, we conducted experiments using primary gill cell culture to specifically address the involvement of two putative osmosensors (i.e. intracellular ion strength/macromolecular crowding and cytoskeleton) in the regulation of Ostf expression. Hypertonic treatment using impermeable solutes (i.e. NaCl, 500 mOsmol l-1) induced Ostf mRNA expression in 6 h, but no noticeable effect was measured using permeable solute (i.e. urea, 500 mOsmol l -1). The induction was transcriptionally regulated and was abolished by the addition of organic osmolytes (i.e. betaine, inositol or taurine) into the culture media. Addition of colchicine (an inhibitor of microtubule polymerization) to hypertonic (with added NaCl, 500 mOsmol l-1) cells reduced Ostf mRNA expression, suggesting that an increase in intracellular ionic strength and the integrity of the cytoskeleton are involved in the activation of Ostf mRNA expression in the cells. Collectively, the results of this study reveal, for the first time, the differential expression of Ostf in isolated CCs and PVCs. The resulting knowledge can shed light on how Ostf participates in hyperosmotic adaptation in fish gills.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1964-1968
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Experimental Biology
Volume211
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2008

Scopus Subject Areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Physiology
  • Aquatic Science
  • Animal Science and Zoology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Insect Science

User-Defined Keywords

  • Chloride cell
  • Organic osmolyte
  • Osmosensor
  • Ostf
  • Pavement cell
  • Transcription factor

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