Response of AMP-activated protein kinase and energy metabolism to acute nitrite exposure in the Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus.
Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a prevalent mammalian energy metabolism sensor, but little is known about its role as an energy sensor in fish experiencing stress. We aimed to study AMPK in Oreochromis niloticus on both the molecular and the physical level. We found that the cDNAs encoding the AMPKα1 and AMPKα2 variants of the O. niloticus catalytic α subunit were 1753bp and 2563 bp long and encoded 571 and 557 amino acids, respectively. Both the AMPKα1 and the AMPKα2 isoform possess structural features similar to mammalian AMPKα, including a phosphorylation site at Thr172 in the N-terminus, and exhibit high homology with other fish and vertebrate AMPKα sequences (81.3%-98.1%). mRNA encoding the AMPKα isoforms was widely expressed in various tissues with distinctive patterns. AMPKα1 and AMPKα2 were primarily expressed in the intestines and brain, respectively. Under acute nitrite challenge, the mRNA encoding the AMPKα isoforms, as well as AMPK activity, changed over time. Its recovery period in freshwater, combined with the fact that it is highly conserved, suggests that fish AMPK, like its mammalian orthologues, acts as an energy metabolism sensor. Furthermore, subsequent decreases in AMPK mRNA levels and activity suggested that its action was transient but efficient. Physically, glucose, lactic acid and TGs in plasma, as well as energy materials in the hepatopancreas and muscle, were significantly altered over time, indicating changes in energy metabolism during the experimental period. These data have enabled us to characterize energy utilization in O. niloticus and further illustrate the role of fish AMPK as an energy sensor. This study provides new insight into energy metabolism and sensing by AMPK in teleost and necessitates further study of the multiple physiologic roles of AMPK in fish.
Laboratory of Aquaculture Nutrition and Environmental Health, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Rd., Shanghai 200241, China.
Zhixin
Z
Xu
Laboratory of Aquaculture Nutrition and Environmental Health, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Rd., Shanghai 200241, China. Electronic address: ecli@bio.ecnu.edu.cn.
Erchao
E
Li
Laboratory of Aquaculture Nutrition and Environmental Health, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Rd., Shanghai 200241, China.
Chang
C
Xu
Laboratory of Aquaculture Nutrition and Environmental Health, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Rd., Shanghai 200241, China.
Lei
L
Gan
School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
Jian G
JG
Qin
Laboratory of Aquaculture Nutrition and Environmental Health, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Rd., Shanghai 200241, China.
Liqiao
L
Chen
D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D023681:Cichlids / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D009573:Nitrites / Q000633:toxicity*; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000378:metabolism; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity
D009573:Nitrites; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases
AMP-activated protein kinase α; Energy metabolism; Gene expression; Nitrite; Oreochromis niloticus