46 research outputs found
Proteomics of Buccal Cavity Mucus in Female Tilapia Fish (Oreochromis spp.): A Comparison between Parental and Non-Parental Fish
Mouthbrooding is an elaborate form of parental care displayed by many teleost
species. While the direct benefits of mouthbrooding such as protection and
transportation of offsprings are known, it is unclear if mouthbrooding offers
additional benefits to embryos during incubation. In addition, mouthbrooding
could incur negative costs on parental fish, due to limited feeding
opportunities. Parental tilapia fish (Oreochromis spp.) display
an elaborated form of parental care by incubating newly hatched embryos in oral
buccal cavity until the complete adsorption of yolk sac. In order to understand
the functional aspects of mouthbrooding, we undertake a proteomics approach to
compare oral mucus sampled from mouthbrooders and non-mouthbrooders,
respectively. Majority of the identified proteins have also been previously
identified in other biological fluids or mucus-rich organs in different
organisms. We also showed the upregulation of 22 proteins and down regulation of
3 proteins in mucus collected from mouthbrooders. Anterior gradient protein,
hemoglobin beta-A chain and alpha-2 globin levels were lower in mouthbrooder
samples. Mouthbrooder oral mucus collectively showed increase levels of proteins
related to cytoskeletal properties, glycolytic pathway and mediation of
oxidative stress. Overall the findings suggest cellular stress response,
probably to support production of mucus during mouthbrooding phase