Effects of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) Gene Knockout on the Diversity, Composition, and Function of Gut Microbiota in Adult Zebrafish
Yajuan Huang,
Yadong Chen,
Haisheng Xie,
Yidong Feng,
Songlin Chen,
Baolong Bao
Affiliations
Yajuan Huang
Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
Yadong Chen
Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
Haisheng Xie
Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
Yidong Feng
Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
Songlin Chen
National Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
Baolong Bao
Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
The gut microbiota constitutes a complex ecosystem that has an important impact on host health. In this study, genetically engineered zebrafish with inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS or NOS2) knockout were used as a model to investigate the effects of nos2a/nos2b gene single knockout and nos2 gene double knockout on intestinal microbiome composition and function. Extensive 16S rRNA sequencing revealed substantial changes in microbial diversity and specific taxonomic abundances, yet it did not affect the functional structure of the intestinal tissues. Notably, iNOS-deficient zebrafish demonstrated a decrease in Vibrio species and an increase in Aeromonas species, with more pronounced effects observed in double knockouts. Further transcriptomic analysis of the gut in double iNOS knockout zebrafish indicated significant alterations in immune-related and metabolic pathways, including the complement and PPAR signaling pathways. These findings underscore the crucial interplay between host genetics and gut microbiota, indicating that iNOS plays a key role in modulating the gut microbial ecology, host immune system, and metabolic responses.
