Biotechnology Bulletin ›› 2015, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (12): 158-166.doi: 10.13560/j.cnki.biotech.bull.1985.2015.12.023

• Research report • Previous Articles     Next Articles

The Cloning and Gene Expression of Delta 6 Fatty Acid Desaturase of Koi Carp(Cyprinus carpiokoi)

Zhang Ping, Xue Weiwei, Jiang Xuewei, Zhu Shuang, Liu Jiangdong   

  1. College of Life Sciences,Wuhan University,Wuhan 430072
  • Received:2015-03-22 Online:2015-12-19 Published:2015-12-19

Abstract: Highly unsaturated fatty acids(HUFAs)are important constituents of cell membrane, and the unsaturated degree of carbon chain is an important factor in resisting to low temperature, maintaining and regulating the fluidity of cell membrane. In order to discover the key enzymes of synthetizing HUAs and their functions, using koi carp(Cyprinus carpiokoi)as studying materials, a 854 bp cDNA of delta 6 fatty acid desaturase(Fad6)was amplified by RT-PCR, their sequences were analyzed and the structures of proteins were predicted. Results showed that the amplified fragment had great homology(93.5%)with that of rohu(Labeo rohita). The encoded protein possessed the features of typical Fad6, containing two histidine boxes(HDFGH and HFQHH)and two transmembrane regions. Real time PCR results demonstrated that Fad6 was expressed in all tissues, and the order of their expression levels was as follows:liver > intestine > brain > heart > muscle > gill. The expressions of the Fad6 gene in different tissues of koi carp larva, while exposing to different water temperatures, increased as water temperature decreasing for adapting to the lower temperature environment.

Key words: koi carp, highly unsaturated fatty acids, delta 6 fatty acid desaturase, fish antifreeze