• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.271-280
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• 2010

Vibrio alginolyticus, a Gram-negative marine bacterium, is one of the causative agents of fish vibriosis. Its virulence factors and pathogenesis mechanism are barely known, except for some extracellular products (ECPs) that are known to be regulated by quorum sensing system. Therefore, the present study used a microarray to analyze the transcription profiles of the wild-type V. alginolyticus and a deletion mutant of luxO, the pivotal regulator in Vibrio quorum sensing systems, which resulted in the identification of a putative virulence factor, MviN. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR confirmed that the transcription of mviN was upregulated in the luxO mutant when compared with wild-type, and down regulated in a luxO-con complemented strain. Furthermore, Western blotting indicated that MviN was greatly induced during the late-exponential and stationary phases of growth, indicating that the expression of MviN was cell-density dependent and quorum sensing regulated in V. alginolyticus. Meanwhile, the mviN null mutant displayed a much slower growth rate than the wild type, signifying the essential role of MviN in V. alginolyticus. Western blotting also revealed that MviN was present as an extracellular protein in V. alginolyticus. When epithelioma papulosum cyprini (EPC) cells were treated with the ECPs of the mviN mutant, no cytotoxicity was observed, whereas EPC cells treated with the wild type exhibited pathological changes, which increased with the ECPs concentration and treatment time. Therefore, the results demonstrated that MviN is a LuxO-regulated ECPs component and involved in the pathogenicity of V. alginolyticus.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.67-80
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• 2005

Phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase $C\delta$ $PLC\delta$) plays an important role in many cellular responses and is involved in the production of second messenger. The present study was conducted to obtain the biochemical characteristics of the expressed recombinant $PLC\delta$ in E. coli cloned from Misgurnus mizolepis and partially purified $PLC\delta$ enzymes from liver tissues of M. mizolepis (wild ML-$PLC\delta$). The ML $PLC\delta$ gene was cloned and expressed under the previous report (Kim et al., 2004), and purified the recombinant protein by successive chromatography using $Ni^{2+}$-NTA affinity column and gel iltration FPLC column. The wild ML-$PLC\delta$ protein was solublized with 2 M KCI and purified by successive chromatography on open heparin-Sephagel and analytical TSKgel heparin-5PW. Both the recombinant and wild ML-$PLC\delta$ form of protein showed a concentration-dependent PLC activity to phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bis-phosphate (PIP$_2$) or phosphatidylinositol (PI). Its activity was absolutely $Ca^{2+}$- dependant, which was similar to mammalian $PLC\delta$ isozymes. Maximal PI-hydrolytic activations of recombinant and wild ML- TEX>$PLC\delta$ was at pH 7.0 and pH 7.5, respectively. In addition, the enzymatic activities of recombinant and wild ML-$PLC\delta$ were increased in concentration-dependent manner by detergent, such as sodium deoxycholate SDC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC). The activities decreased in contrast by a polyamine, such as spermine. Western blotting showed that several types of $PLC\delta$ isozymes exist in various organs. Taken together our results, it suggested that the biochemical characteristics of ML-$PLC\delta$ are similar with those of mammalian $PLC\delta1$ and ${\delta}3$ isozymes.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 2013

Saprolegnia isolate from wild brook lamprey was identified on the basis of its morphological and molecular characteristics. The isolates showed aseptic hyphae and clavate zoosporagium. Zoospores discharge was typically saprolegnoid. Neither oogomia nor antheridia was observed in this study. ITS sequence obtained from the isolate was compared with other Saprolegnia spp. to analyse their phylogenetic relationships. Results showed that the isolate belongs to clade I including Saprolegnia parasitica. Based on the asexual organs, zoospore discharge manner and ITS sequence analysis, the isolate was identified as S. parasitica.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2009

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is a strong causative agent for high mortality in cultured and wild shrimps. From this study, the WSSV prevalence in marine organisms around shrimp farm as well as live feed-mediated transmission of WSSV to farmed shrimps were investigated. Based on nested-PCR method, WSSV was detected in wide array of marine organisms including Perinereis aibuhitensis (81.3% of prevalence rate, 13/16), Enedrias fangi (100%, 16/16), Ruditapes philippinarum (20%, 2/10), crab larvae (100%, 10/10), copepoda (30%, 3/10), Periophthalmus modestus (50%, 5/10), Pachygrapsus crassipes (10%, 1/10), Helice tridens (20%, 2/10) and Neomysis sp. (70%, 7/10). On the other hand, WSSV was not detected in Bullacta exarata, Uca arcuata, and Reishia clavigera. The percent prevalence of WSSV in wild shrimps, Fenneropenaeus chinensis was only 6%, but markedly increased up to 56% after a feeding trial using polychaete worms for one month, indicating that the live feed is one of significant carriers of WSSV to shrimps under practical farming conditions.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.12.1-12.8
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• 2019

Background: Wild fish populations stock is continuously diminishing in the Indo-Ganges river basin, and the population status of most fishes is unidentified. The identification of the population status and the conservation of commercially important and endemic wild fish populations in this region are crucial for the management. The aim of this paper was to identify the population status of Cirrhinus reba, a promising aquaculture but vulnerable species in the Indo-Ganges river basin in Bangladesh. Methods: C. reba samples were collected from four isolated populations of the Brahmaputra (n = 30), the Padma (33), the Karatoya (31), and the Jamuna Rivers (30) in Bangladesh, and the population status was evaluated using morphometric and landmark comparisons. Data were analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis test, univariate analysis, discriminant function analysis, and the formation of a dendrogram. Results: Three meristic characters (Pectoral fin rays, caudal fin rays, scale in lateral lines), four morphometric characters (head length, pre-orbital length, post-orbital length, maximum body depth), and truss measurement (4-7) were significantly different among the stocks. The step-wise discriminant function analysis retained 15 variables from morphometric and landmark measurements that significantly differentiated the populations based on the constructed DFI and DFII. Discriminate function analysis also showed that 91.2% of the original groups were classified into their correct samples. The cluster analysis of Euclidean distances placed the Jamuna population in one cluster and the Brahmaputra, the Padma, and the Karatoya populations in the second one. Conclusion : Morphological differences among the stock were probably due to different ancestral origin. This is the first report about population status of C. reba in their natural habitat of the Indian subcontinent. Further genetic studies and the evaluation of environmental impact on C. reba populations in Bangladesh are suggested to support our findings.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.130-135
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• 2020

Male gonadal development of the yellow catfish, Pseudobagrus fulvidraco, one of the most popular fish species in Korean aquaculture performance, was investigated by histological observation of monthly collected specimens to make comparisons between wild and cultured individuals. Their reproductive cycle was classified into the successive developmental stages as follows: a growing stage (April), a spawning stage (May), a degeneration stage (June to July), and a resting stage (August to October) in the wild and outdoor-cage individuals; a growing stage (April to June), a spawning stage (July to August), a degeneration stage (September), and a resting stage (October) in the indoor-cage ones. Values of gonadosomatic index (GSI) of wild and outdoor cages peaked in May, followed by a sudden decline in August~September and June~August, respectively. In contrast, GSI values of the indoor-cage individuals peaked in September and were followed by a sudden drop. Remarkable seasonal variation in condition factor (CF) was undetectable, peaking in June in the wild-cage individuals and November in the wild ones. Overall, our results suggest that it is suitable to use the male of the outdoor-cage individuals for artificial fertilization and that it is efficient to perform artificial fertilization in May, such as reproductive cycle of wild.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.21 no.sup1
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• pp.29-37
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• 2009

The tiny fragment of freshwater body is providing home for huge biodiversity and resources for the existence of human. The competing demand for freshwater have been increased rapidly and it caused the declination of biodiversity in recent decades. Unlike the natural process of extinction in gradual progress, the current species extinction is accelerated by human activity. As a result many fish species are already extinct or alive only in captivity in the world and about fifty eight animal species are in endangered in Korea including eighteen freshwater species. Conservation of biodiversity is the process by which the prevention of loss or damage is attained, and is often associated with management of the natural environment. The practical action is classified into in-situ, or ex-situ depending on the location of the conservation effort. Recovery means the process by which the status of endangerment is improved to persist in the wild by re-introduction of species from ex-situ conservation population into nature or translocation of some population. However there are a lot of restrictions to complete it and successful results are known very rare in case. In this article the authors explore some strategies for conservation and restoration of freshwater fish species conducted in Korea for few years. The major causes are discussed in relation with the decline of freshwater fish diversity during few decades and some strategies are evaluated to advance the process of conservation. A study on the Korean bullhead, Pseudobagrus brevicorpus, is introduced as a case for ex-situ conservation and restoration in freshwater ecosystem.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.403-410
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• 2011

Scartelaos gigas is an amphibious mudskipper species that inhabits mud flats in Korea, China, and Taiwan. This fish is at risk of extinction because of its very restricted habitat and overexploitation. Information about this fish's reproductive characteristics is needed for species conservation. The sexual maturity and early life history of S. gigas were investigated through histological methods and direct observation of eggs in the wild, respectively. In total, 560 individuals of S. gigas were collected with the aid of fishermen from March 2003 to October 2003 at Jung-do Island, southwest Korea. Through microscopic observations of gonadal development, it was determined that S. gigas of both sexes were immature in April, but began to reach maturity in May, and were then fully mature by June, which was maintained until July. In August, some female fish developed early oocytes, but by September oocytes were observed to have degenerated and had been absorbed. Spawned eggs were elliptical and had an average size of 1.37 mm (long axis) by 0.69 mm (short axis). The newly hatched larvae (3.03 mm total length, TL) had an open mouth and anus, two melanophores near the anus, and one large melanophore between the 18th and 19th myomeres. The larvae (3.18 mm TL) showed absorption of the yolk and oil globule within 5 days after hatching and became prelarvae. This species should be considered vulnerable or conservation-dependent, and thus parental fish need to be protected from fishermen during the main spawning season (June).

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2004

In order to analyse the detection of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) in marine environment surrounding coastal region of Eastern and Southern sea of Korea, the pools of each organ sample of three fish were taken for virus assay from February to May in 2003. The samples comprised 42, taken from 9 species of marine fishes. The VHSV was detected from chub mackerel Scomber japonicus and striped mullet Mugil cephalus in epithelioma papulosum cyprini (EPC) cells. The identity of the virus was confirmed a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). VHSV has previously been reported from chub mackerel, but not from striped mullet. The new isolates was classified as a member of genogroup I (American type) of VHSV and was closely related to the VHSV KVHS'01-l based on comparisons of the partial nucleotide sequence of the glycoprotein (G) gene.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.34.1-34.13
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• 2018

Sexual maturity ($L_{50}$), the length at which 50% of fish in a size class are mature, is a key aspect of domestication of new fish species because it guides the procedure for identification of appropriate broodstock size for artificial spawning. In this study, the $L_{50}$ was determined for 1083 Barbus altianalis samples obtained from Lake Edward and the Upper Victoria Nile. Gonads of freshly killed samples were examined macroscopically and verified with standard histological procedures for the maturation stages that were used to determine $L_{50}$. Oocytes and spermatogenic cell sizes were compared for fish obtained from both water bodies. Results indicated that there were no variations in macro gonad features observed for fish from Lake Edward and Upper Victoria Nile. Similarly, there were no significant differences in oocyte sizes (P > 0.05) between the two populations but significant differences in spermatogenic cell sizes were noted (P < 0.05) except for spermatozoa (P > 0.05). This however did not suggest peculiar differences between the two populations for staging the gonads. Consequently, no staging variations were suggested for both populations in determination of $L_{50}$. Sexual maturity was found in the same class size of fork length (FL) 20-24.9 cm and 35-39.9 cm for males and females from both water bodies, respectively. At this FL, however, males were too small, and for good selection of vigor broodstocks for spawning and conservation purposes, they are better picked from class size of 30-34.9 cm FL and above. These findings were crucial for integration of appropriate breeding size in spawning protocol by farmers and fisheries scientists conserving wild B. altianalis populations.