Disease Resistant Fish Helps Human Health and Hunger

CSIC Ocean Organism Spain Library

It is amazing to think that just one fish of this beautiful wide ocean could actually have the power to solve Global issues such as Global Human Diseases or Global Hunger. 

Science Daily reported on March 9 that the Turbot´s genes -a classic European vertebrate fish is giving clues into diseases resistance. These clues could not only serve fish diseases but also inspire solutions in the human health sector. Fish derived antibiotics have already responded swiftly to many human health issues. But Fish genetic sequencing is only just getting started. What it can do for the World is yet to be revealed. The potential of fish sequencing is poised to make radical changes and the Turbot which holds more than one card under its sleeve speaks of this today better than no one else out there.  

The Spanish National Research Council CSIC released the findings of one of their latest study. CSIC sequenced the first vertebrate ever to be sequenced in Spain -the Turbot. Not a coincidence given that the fish is extensively used in aquaculture in the country and given that Spain is the leading producer of the fish. 

“The Turbot has a much more highly developed sense of sight than other fish, since it has evolved in order to adapt itself to the lack of light on the seabed. In addition, its genes show us that the levels of fat in its cellular membranes are far higher than in other species, so as to be able to withstand the low water temperatures in its habitat,” CSIC explained. 

Results of the study were published in the DNA Research Magazine. CSIC assures that the results and the study could one day be used in the future design of genetic selection programs or possible vaccines. 

CSIC worked along the University of Santiago de Compostela and the National Center for the Genomic Analysis of Barcelona. 

“The work opens new doors for research not only in disease resistance but also in the deepening of the understanding on how fish respond to these pathologies,” CSIC called. 

On March 21 El Progreso Galiciae spoke to Paulo Martinez -leader of the Group of Applied Genetic of the Faculty of Veterinary which along CSIC researchers and other cooperators worked in the sequencing of the Turbot´s Genomic Sequence. 

“What is challenging is to dive into the genome and identify the genes by observing their positions,” Martinez stated. 

Martinez assured that the work has only began with the Turbot and that efforts are already in motion with the sequencing of the Gilt-head Bream, the European Sea Bass, the Common Sole, Trout and the Corvina specie. 

“In Latin America we are working with neotropical species which have raised much interest because some of them are herbivores or frugivore and the problem with aquaculture is the use of fish meals. As aquaculture of carnivorous fish grows they demand more nourishment and that needs a solution. Either we substitute animal diet for vegetable diet completely or partially or we go in search of vegetarian species which do not use animal protein,” Martinez added giving a new spin on the Global Hunger and Global Food Demand issue which many have been working on -including Hero X in their F 3 Challenge, Worldfish Center or WWF in their latest aquaculture challenge.  

“We are also working with Molluscs -Oysters, Mytilidae, Clams and Cockle and with Crustaceous. We are providing support to the genetic selection which is being conducted in Central America with Prawns,” Martinez revealed. 

But other sectors besides aquaculture have shown interest in the sequence of the Turbot and further work of CSIC. 

CSIC words “the Turbot dwells in the marine depths which implies that it has had to adapt to conditions of light shortage...” rang a bell for Human Health Sector working with eye diseases. 

National Human Genome Research Institute mid last year reported that “Millions of people worldwide suffer from diseases of the retina that cause partial or complete blindness”. These are caused by over 250 genetic mutations. 

“While there is no cure for retinal degenerative disease, there are several promising areas of research that aim to, at least, partially restore vision. May's (2015) Genome Advance of the Month focused on two experimental therapeutic approaches -gene replacement therapy and optogenetics,” Genome adds.  

“In gene replacement therapy, a normal copy of a gene is inserted into the cells of a person with a mutated and improperly functioning gene,” Genome explains. The process is extremely complex but the end goal which is obtained is that the affected cell is restored to normal activity.

“This type of gene replacement therapy was used in a landmark 2012 study that partially restored vision in people with a form of childhood blindness called Leber congenital amaurosis LCA. LCA is a rare, inherited condition, affecting about 1 in 80,000 people, and is one of the most common causes of blindness in children,” Genome added. 

While a follow up study conducted in May 2015 by the New England Journal of Medicine which investigated the results of three of the 15 patients who were treated with the investigational therapy and showed that a constant cure was not obtained new studies could present new opportunities in this specific sector or related sectors or serve as inspiration. Could the genes of the Turbot hold a key in this specific line of work or in others human health oriented sectors?

New antibiotics, vaccines and drugs synthesised through new gene sequences and new tools such as Gene Editing Technology and Gene replacement therapy are on the rise just as the sequencing and discovery of new ocean species are. Things from all perspectives are beginning to shape up like a puzzle and look really interesting.

CSIC took a look into the Turbot´s genes responsible for sight. "We have seen that many of the genes which are involved in sight, mainly those which carry pigment codes, and others involved in forming the crystalline, are repeated in this vertebrate with respect to other fish. This would indicate that they have evolved, refining their sense of sight to adapt to the low levels of light which surrounds them," CSIC investigator Antonio Figueras from the Institute of Marine Investigation in Vigo told the media. 

On the other hand Martinez responding in El Progreso on budget limitations assured that the cost of sequencing the Turbot was of 20 thousand Euros and compared it to the cost to the 15 million USD which was spent in 2002 to sequence the human genome. 

Martinez assured that what is time consuming is to to riddle out the genes and identify which are which. This can translate into years of hard work because searching for particular genes in a structure of millions and finding the patterns is like searching for a needle in a haystack. Professionals are in demand.  

CSIC also highlighted the Turbot´s genes responsible for developing fatty acid in the cellular membranes. The Turbot generates doubled fatty acids in the cellular membranes which allow it to withstand low temperatures. This lipid composition is also of interest for other sectors such as climate change adaptation. 

El Progreso reported that over half of the marine products which are consumed Worldwide come from water-farms. These in the past years have become a source of wealth, employment and biodiversity. In 2013 aquaculture exceeded for the first time the wild capture and Spain has consolidated itself as the country with the greatest production volume of the European Union. According to the Work Association of Marine Resources of Aquaculture of Spain- APROMAR over 5 thousand aquaculture organizations which employ over 20 thousand people call Spain home. Spain is today the number one producer of farmed turbot in Europe, with 99% of the total harvest produced in Galicia. 

"This information (the Turbot Study) is essential for the development of more efficient genetic selection projects, with the aim of identifying the breeding fish with the best production traits," CSIC stated. 

“We have managed to identify the most important genes involved in all cycles and most importantly in disease resistance,” CSIC ended it.  

It really is amazing to think that just one fish of this beautiful wide ocean could actually have the power to solve Global issues such as Global Human Diseases or Global Hunger.