Proteome analysis using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of heterotics hybrids between Red Stirling and Chitralada lines from Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Abstract

The Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is an economically important farmed fish in different countries and particularly in Brazil. Crossbreding has been carried out between two strains of nile tilapia - Red color Stirling and wild type Chitralada strains. This crossing combines superior performance of Chitrlada strain with red dominant red coloration of Stirling strain. Although crossbreding is a usual breeding strategy to produce within species hybrids with hybrid vigor, the molecular mechanisms of heterosis that affects gene expression and biological pathways to produce heterosis phenotypic effects. Accordingly, some genes (IGF-1, IGF-2, IGF-3 and myostatin) and a class of non-coding RNAs, known as microRNAs (miRNAs), have been shown to be directly correlated to weight gain and other important faming phenotypes. Their expressions and sequence are being analyzed by our group. However, the protein is the final product of the expression of a gene and its interaction with other factors such as miRNAs and other processes that can't be detected by expression analysis like posttranslational modifications, phosphorylation or proteolysis. Data from the white muscle proteome, which is the edible part of fish, can help us set new strategies that could help to determine the molecular mechanism behind the hybrid vigor. One of the tools for this analysis is the two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectromety (MALDI-TOF). As a perspective, it is expected to determine the mechanisms by which genes and regulators associated with heterosis act, and generating data with potential future applicability in the productive sector (Regular Research Support FAPESP - 2012/15589-7). (AU)