Hypo-Osmoregulatory Roles of Vasotocinergic and Isotocinergic Systems in the Intestines of Two European Sea Bass Lineages.

European sea bass () are a major aquaculture species that live in habitats with fluctuating salinities that are sometimes higher than in seawater (SW). Atlantic and West-Mediterranean genetic lineages were compared regarding intestinal neuropeptide receptor expression in SW (36%) and following a two-week transfer to hypersalinity (HW, 55%). Phylogenetic analysis revealed seven neuropeptide receptors belonging to the arginine vasotocine (AVTR) family and two isotocin receptors (ITR). Among AVTR paralogs, the highest mRNA levels were recorded for , with a two- to fourfold upregulation in the European sea bass intestinal sections after transfer of fish to HW. Principal component analysis in posterior intestines showed that expression grouped together with the expression and activity of main ion transporters and channels involved in solute-coupled water uptake, indicating a possible role of this receptor in triggering water absorption. expression, however, was decreased or did not change after transfer to hypersaline water. Among ITR paralogs, was the most expressed paralog in the intestine and opposite expression patterns were observed following salinity transfer, comparing intestinal sections. Overall, different expression profiles were observed between genetic lineages for several analyzed genes which could contribute to different osmotic stress-related responses in lineages.