Effect of cortisol and urea on flavin monooxygenase activity and expression in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

Expression of flavin-containing monooxygenase(s) (FMO) correlates with salinity exposure in certain species of euryhaline fish, such as the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. The mechanism(s) by which salinity regulates FMO is unclear. Adult rainbow trout were infused through the dorsal aorta with either cortisol or urea. At 500 ng/ml, cortisol caused a significant increase in FMO-catalyzed thiourea oxidase activity in gill and liver microsomes. FMO1 expression, however, was significantly increased by the high cortisol dose only in gill microsomes. The levels of TMAO and urea were not altered by cortisol. In the liver, urea infusion caused an increase in hepatic FMO activity. FMO expression and activity correlated with elevated tissue urea levels, but TMAO concentrations were not related. These results indicate that FMO expression and activity may be partially controlled by the osmoregulatory/stress hormone, cortisol, and concentrations of the organic osmolyte, urea, in the rainbow trout.