Ghrelin is the only known hormone posttranslationally modified with an acylation. This modification is crucial for most of ghrelin's physiological effects and is catalyzed by the polytopic enzyme ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT). The aim of this study was to characterize GOAT in a teleost model, goldfish (Carassius auratus). First, the full-length cDNA sequence was obtained by RT-PCR and rapid ...

The effects of concentration (5, 50, and 500 microg/L) and duration (24, 48 h) of exposure to carbofuran, a carbamate insecticide, were assessed on brain catecholamine (norepinephrine [NE] and dopamine), plasma glucose, and hepatic glycogen contents and behavioral activities of goldfish (Carassius auratus). After 24 h of exposure to 50 and 500 microg/L, the level of NE was increased in the olfa...

Microphonic potentials were recorded from the ears of the goldfish during acoustic stimulation in a situation where sound pressure and particle displacement could be varied. Microphonic potentials from fishes with the swim bladder intact were proportional to sound pressure. After removal of the swim bladder, sound pressure sensitivity declined by 20-35 dB and the response was generated in propo...

We determined the effect of an H1 receptor antagonist on the functional recovery of Carassius auratus submitted to telencephalic ablation. Five days after surgery the fish underwent a spatial-choice learning paradigm test. The fish, weighing 6-12 g, were divided into four groups: telencephalic ablation (A) or sham lesion (S) and saline (SAL) or chlorpheniramine (CPA, ip, 16 mg/kg). For eight co...