Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcripts in two percomorphs: evolutionary conservation and energy-status dependent responses
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By
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Nikko Alvin R. Cabillon
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Liat Koch
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Noam Mizrahi
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Shifra Ben-Dor
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Adi Segev-Hadar
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Iris Meiri Ashkenazi
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Gertrude Alupo
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Amir Bitan
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Jakob Biran
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June 30, 2026
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Objective:
To compare the cart genes in Nile tilapia and gilthead seabream and their responses to energy status.
Approach:
- Bioinformatics Analysis: Identified and compared cart genes in Nile tilapia and gilthead seabream using bioinformatics tools.
- Gene Expression Analysis: Conducted quantitative-PCR to analyze cart gene expression in response to food deprivation.
Key Findings:
- Seven cart genes identified in Nile tilapia and six in gilthead seabream, showing high sequence conservation.
- Predicted mature peptide sequences retain stabilizing cysteines, but some disulfide bridges are lost.
- All cart genes primarily expressed in the brain, with some in other tissues.
- Specific cart genes showed varied expression responses to short- and long-term food deprivation.
Interpretation:
Limitations:
- Study focused on only two fish species, limiting generalizability.
- Potential loss of disulfide bridges in cart peptides may affect functional analysis.
Conclusion:
The study supports the presence of anorexigenic cart genes in both species.
