Bilirubin-binding protein in the serum of spawning-migrating chum salmon,Oncorhynchus keta: Its identity with carotenoid-carrying lipoprotein.

The serum carotenoid level gradually increased during the spawning migration of chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta). Zeaxanthin, a yellowish carotenoid, was detected in the serum of spent males, while astaxanthin was a main carotenoid in the serum of males and females at other developmental stages. A high bilirubin level was found in the serum of spent males; the serum of spent male was yellow in colour due to the presence of zeaxanthin and bilirubin, although the serum of the other fish was bright orange.Three types of carotenoid-carrying lipoprotein such as low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and very high density lipoprotein fractions were present in the serum. Carotenoid-carrying lipoprotein from the HDL fraction became a main component during spawning migration. The serum bilirubin from the spent male salmon was distributed in the HDL fraction. Because bilirubin, as well as carotenoids, were present in the HDL fraction, the carotenoid-carrying lipoprotein from the HDL fraction was identical with bilirubin-binding protein in the serum of spent males. This carrier lipoprotein had two subunits (molecular weight 24,000 and 12,000); no disulfide bond was detected between the two subunits.