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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #159408
Title: EVALUATION OF THE TRANSCRIPTOME RESPONSE OF CHANNEL CATFISH TO ENTERIC SEPTICEMIA OF CATFISH

Author
item ARNIZAUT, A - MSU-CVM
item Waldbieser, Geoffrey - Geoff
item Scheffler, Brian
item BENGTEN, E - U. MISS. MED. CTR.
item WILSON, M - U. MISS. MED. CTR.
item Wolters, William
item HANSON, L - MSU-CVM

Submitted to: Annual Meeting of the Animal Disease Research Workers in Southern States
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/9/2004
Publication Date: 2/9/2004
Citation: Arnizaut, A., Waldbieser, G.C., Scheffler, B.E., Bengten, E., Wilson, M., Wolters, W.R., Hanson, L. 2004. Evaluation of the transcriptome response of channel catfish to enteric septicemia of catfish. 55th Annual Meeting of the Animal Disease Research Workers in Southern States/6th Annual Meeting of the Southern Conference of Researchers in Aquatic Diseases. Biloxi, MS. p. 28.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Edwardsiella ictaluri is a Gram-negative obligate bacterial pathogen and the causative agent of enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC). Outbreaks of ESC can progress very rapidly with cumulative mortalities exceeding 50% of the population in the ponds. The rapid rate of progression of ESC suggests that early defense mechanisms, conferred by the innate immune system of the fish, may play a critical role in controlling an E. ictaluri infection. The purpose of this study is to identify genetic markers for disease resistance by identifying differences in the transcription profile of sensitive and resistant channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) during E. ictaluri challenge. To date approximately 3000 DNA fragments have been amplified representing select characterized cDNA clones of the expressed sequence tag studies performed at the USDA Catfish Genetics Laboratory and at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Dept. of Microbiology. The amplified fragments have been purified and are in the process of being printed for use on arrays. Use of microarray technology in the initial steps to identify important components in the innate immune response will allow for fast screening of 9000 genes on a glass slide, and allow us to focus down to the 40-50 most likely candidates. Results from the expression profile will provide information on the events regulating the host response to ESC. This will help to evaluate responses of channel catfish to other stimuli such as viral pathogens, fungi, parasites, toxic agents and environmental stressors. Moreover, developing disease resistant strains holds great promise in the improvement of channel catfish production by optimizing the environmental genetic traits for intensive aquaculture.