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HAVBRUKS-Havbruk - en næring i vekst

Nitric oxide regulation of development in fish: emphasis on the light-brain-pituitary axis and gill during salmon smoltification

Awarded: NOK 2.2 mill.

Development of organs and tissues occur during critical periods throughout life. Specific systems develop at specific stages, e.g. early development (organogenesis) and smoltification (light-brain-pituitary axis (LBP) and gill). Our research has shown the LBP and gill undergo morphological, molecular and functional reorganizations which are crucial for normal smolt development. The proposed project aims to determine roles of NO as a putative key regulatory factor in reorganizations during critical develop mental stages. Nitric oxide (NO) is central in the control of tissue development through its regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, and rapid modulation of cellular processes, yet in fish, insight into the role of NO is just starting to emerge . Our research has shown that the enzymes producing NO (nitric oxide synthase, NOS) are present in LBP and gill. Both systems are essential for normal smolt development, and development of these systems can be disrupted by environmental factors. Further, our data show that NO inhibits gill Na+, K+-ATPase activity during smoltification, suggesting that NO is an important physiological regulator of the smolt window. Using zebrafish as a model, we have recently found that NO plays a crucial role in organogen esis, specifically in development of heart, retina and brain. The project focuses on events that are subject to disrupted development, using salmon smoltification as a central model. We propose to investigate 1) the identity and presence of NOS isoforms, not yet fully cloned nor characterized in fish, and describe their spatiotemporal development in target organs, 2) the mechanisms of NO´s action and regulation in development the gill, and 3) the influence of environment and endocrine systems on NOS regul ation. Knowledge of basic mechanisms through which NO regulates tissue development will increase our understanding of fish biology and development and could ultimately lead to improved smolt production.

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HAVBRUKS-Havbruk - en næring i vekst