Osmosensory Signal Transduction in Euryhaline Tilapia

该项目研究了使鱼类能够耐受水盐度变化的分子机制。盐度变化与沿海鱼类栖息地和沙漠湖泊有关。因为海水盐碱化是气候变化引起的主要环境问题，了解鱼类如何应对盐度压力至关重要。一些被称为泛盐鱼的鱼类，如罗非鱼，已经进化出了应对盐度压力的极端能力。本项目利用分子和生化方法研究罗非鱼的盐度胁迫反应机制。这将揭示鱼类耐盐性和应激与免疫反应的分子串扰机制。重点是鳃组织。在这个项目中产生的知识可以在鱼类管理过程中针对特定的应激反应机制。管理具有重要商业价值的鱼类的先决条件是了解分子途径和生理反应，以减轻环境压力。由于对不同类型应激的许多分子反应是高度保守的，该项目对理解脊椎动物（包括人类）的一般应激反应机制具有广泛的意义。此外，人类肾脏包含一个区域（内髓质），就像泛盐鱼一样经历盐度波动。了解盐胁迫下的分子应对机制有助于诊断和治疗与肾尿浓缩机制失败相关的肾脏疾病。为研究生、本科生和K-12学生提供鱼类和一般脊椎动物应激生物学以及分子和生化方法的培训和教育。外联伙伴包括环境和约翰·缪尔环境研究所项目、水产养殖业生产者、州政府机构和公众。重点放在代表性不足的群体的参与上。该项目的成果将通过同行评议的科学期刊、研讨会、科学会议和K-12学校的出版物、网络传播、海报以及有针对性的实践外展活动广泛传播。

This project investigates molecular mechanisms that allow fish to tolerate changes in water salinity. Salinity changes are pertinent in coastal fish habitats and desert lakes. Because water salinization represents a main environmental problem caused by climate change understanding how fish cope with salinity stress is critical. Some fish species, called euryhaline, such as tilapia have evolved extreme capacity for coping with salinity stress. This project utilizes molecular and biochemical approaches to investigate salinity stress response mechanisms in tilapia. It will reveal mechanisms underlying salinity tolerance and molecular cross-talk of stress and immune responses in fish. The focus is on gill tissue. Knowledge generated in this project allows targeting specific stress response mechanisms during fish management. A prerequisite for management of commercially important fish is knowledge of molecular pathways and physiological responses that should be targeted to alleviate environmental stress. Because many molecular responses to different types of stress are highly conserved the project has broad implications for understanding general stress response mechanisms in vertebrates (including humans). Moreover, the human kidney contains a region (the inner medulla) that experiences salinity fluctuations just like euryhaline fish. Understanding molecular coping mechanisms during salinity stress could benefit diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases associated with failure of the renal urinary concentrating mechanism. Training and education in fish and general vertebrate stress biology and molecular and biochemical approaches is provided to graduate, undergraduate, and K-12 students. Outreach partnerships include the EnvironMentors and John Muir Institute of the Environment programs, aquaculture producers, state agencies, and the general public. Emphasis is placed on participation of underrepresented groups. The results of this project will be disseminated broadly via publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals, seminars, at scientific conferences and K-12 schools, web-based dissemination, posters, and during targeted hands-on outreach activities.