Effect of Escherichia coli on phospholipid monolayers: surface tensiometry and Brewster angle microscopy measurements.

The effect of Escherichia coli (E. coli) cells on two phospholipids [dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC)] monolayers at the surface of a 1.5 wt% NaCl salt solution has been investigated using surface tension measurement and Brewster angle microscopy. The results showed that a DPPC monolayer that has an elastic structure was changed in morphology by interaction with E. coli cells, whereas a DMPC monolayer that has an expandable structure did not change in morphology. In particular, the morphology changed significantly around the liquid-expanded (LE)-liquid-condensed (LC) phase transition point for the DPPC monolayer. It was found that the LE-LC phase transition range in a DPPC monolayer was sensitive to influence from the outside of the monolayer such as the action of E. coli cells. Such a monolayer has the potential for application as a membrane sensor for detecting a small amount of bacteria in a short time.

Efficacy of oral vaccine against bacterial coldwater disease in ayu Plecoglossus altivelis.

The development of a practical vaccination method against bacterial coldwater disease (BCWD) in ayu Plecoglossus altivelis and the efficacy of oral administration of formalin-killed cells (FKCs) of Flavobacterium psychrophilum was investigated. The FKC was administrated at a dose of 0.1-0.2 g kg(-1) body weight to juvenile ayu (0.5 g body weight) every day for 2 wk or on 5 days over 2 wk. Experimental immersion challenge at 3 and 7 wk after vaccination showed significantly higher survival rates than the controls. The results show the effectiveness of oral vaccination against BCWD in ayu.

Differences in lipid characteristics among populations: low-temperature adaptability of ayu, Plecoglossus altivelis.

The lipid and fatty acid compositions of the total lipids of three cultured populations (migratory between fresh and salt water, Lake Biwa landlocked, and Setogawa River forms) of ayu, Plecoglossus altivelis, were investigated to clarify the difference in lipid characteristics and temperature adaptability among the three groups. Triacylglycerols were the dominant depot lipids of the three populations, while phospholipids, such as phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, were found to be the major components of the polar lipids, and their lipid classes are similar to each other. The major fatty acids in the triacylglycerols of all specimens were 16:0, 18:0, 16:1n-7, 18:1n-7, 18:1n-9, 18:2n-6 (linoleic acid), 20:5n-3 (EPA, icosapentaenoic acid), and 22:6n-3 (DHA, docosahexaenoic acid), similar to the tissue phospholipids of the three populations, 16:0, 18:0, 16:1n-7, 18:1n-7, 18:1n-9, 18:2n-6, 20:4n-6, EPA, and DHA. All classes had high levels of 18:2n-6, which originates from their dietary lipids. Compared with the lower DHA levels of the triacylglycerols, the higher levels in the phospholipids suggest their selective accumulation or a biosynthetic pathway to DHA as in freshwater fish. Two populations (the migratory and Setogawa River forms) adapted to lower temperatures with comparatively high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) for their membrane fluidities. With significantly higher levels of n-3 PUFA and total PUFA, the mean DHA content in the lipids of the Setogawa River form (the population that adapted to lower temperatures) was significantly higher than that of the migratory form. From these results, we concluded that the Setogawa River population actively concentrates long-chain PUFA in its polar lipids and has high adaptability to low temperature.