Changes in gene expression in European eels (Anguilla anguilla) induced by infection with swim bladder nematodes (Anguillicola crassus).
The European eel, Anguilla anguilla, is considered an endangered species that is under pressure for many reasons. Among others, the introduced parasite Anguillicola crassus is thought to play an important role in the decline of eel populations. These nematodes have been shown to negatively affect many fitness-related traits in eels, e.g., growth, osmoregulation, and stress tolerance. Nevertheless, there has been little work on the way in which the host-parasite interaction influences the molecular regulation of these key physiological processes. We experimentally analyzed the effect of this nematode on the expression of genes involved in the physiology of European eels during their continental life. Included are genes that are implicated in the eel's somatic growth (insulin-like growth factor 1 and thyroid hormone receptor beta), osmoregulation (Na+/K+-ATPase beta1 and aquaporin 3), and hematopoiesis (hemoglobin alpha-chain). Our results showed the absence of an effect on genes involved in fish growth; the parasite may, however, have an effect on osmoregulation and hematopoiesis. We also noted a differential impact of male and female parasites on the expression of some genes, perhaps owing to the sexual dimorphism in body size of the parasite.
Fazio
Géraldine
G
Laboratoire de Biologie et d'Ecologie Tropicale et Méditerrandénne, UMR 5244 CNRS-EPHE-UPVD, Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, 52 Avenue Paul Alduy, 66860 Perpignan Cedex, France. fazio@univ-perp.fr
Monée
Hélene
H
Da Silva
Catherine
C
Simon-Levert
Gael
G
Allienne
Jean-François
JF
Lecomte-Finiger
Raymonde
R
Sasal
Pierre
P
D000400:Air Sacs / Q000469:parasitology*; D000811:Anguilla / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000469:parasitology*; D000818:Animals; D051400:Aquaporin 3 / Q000235:genetics; D018533:Biomass; D017176:Dracunculoidea / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000469:parasitology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000235:genetics; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000235:genetics; D017205:Spirurida Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D037042:Thyroid Hormone Receptors beta / Q000235:genetics
D006454:Hemoglobins; D037042:Thyroid Hormone Receptors beta; D051400:Aquaporin 3; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase