Gene expression in distal intestine of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) fed genetically modified soybean meal

Limited availability of fishmeal leads to exploration of alternative protein sources like soybean meal (SBM). During the last decade, genetically modified (GM) plants have been introduced to the production of soybean crops. In the current experiment RNA was isolated from the distal intestinal section of Atlantic salmon fed either GM SBM or its near-isogenic parental line (non-GM), both at 30% inclusion. From a suppression subtractive hybridization cDNA library, 95 clones were sequenced. Clones with similarity to both known Atlantic salmon genes and novel Atlantic salmon sequences were identified. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to study differential expression of seven clones between the dietary groups. The clones were selected based on their relevance to intestinal immune responses and nutrient metabolism. Expression of a serum lectin-like clone was down-regulated in the GM group compared with the non-GM group. No differential expression was observed for six other clones with similarity to actin-related protein 2/3 complex-subunit 3, cysteine-rich intestinal protein, fatty acid binding protein/gastrotropin, ferritin heavy subunit, anterior gradient protein and peptide transporter. In conclusion, only minor differences in distal intestine transcriptional gene expression were observed between fish fed the diets with the non-GM and GM varieties.