Brain Distribution of 10 cart Transcripts and Their Response to 4 Days of Fasting in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.)

Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) has been known to be involved in feeding energy balance mammals, acting as an anorexigenic neuropeptide hypothalamus. In Atlantic salmon, little is about Cart brain localization its function. this study, silico analysis revealed the existence of 10 cart paralogs, here named cart1a , 1b1 1b2 2a 2b1 2b2 3a1 3a2 3b 4. The salmon sequences shared from 19 50% identity with human homolog between 25 90% sequence among except for Cart4 which only 18–23% identity. We further explored mRNA expressions 8 regions (Olfactory Bulb-OB, Telencephalon-TEL, Midbrain-MB, Cerebellum-CE, Hypothalamus-HYP, Saccus vasculosus-SV, Pituitary-PT, Brain Stem-BS) smolt under 4 days fasting continuous fed conditions. paralogs analyzed were widely distributed OB, TEL, HYP, MB, BS seemed major sites expression. expression 1b showed quite similar pattern BS. cart2a had highest MB followed by HYP TEL. cart3a was rostrocaudal OB SV whereas cart3b predominantly expressed MB. Expression cart4 high With regards effect status cart2b most abundant upregulated after compared group. This may suggest unexpected, but possible orexigenic role or a induced stress effect. No other significant observed. Collectively, differential different that they have roles regional integration appetite signals are possibly regulating functions salmon. fact while mammalians one, opens interesting perspectives comparative research on evolutionary adaptations gene function control homeostasis.