A list of genes expressed in the liver of Atlantic salmon A as compiled using the expressed sequence tag (EST) strategy. 733 ESTs, derived from 170 abundant and 563 rare mRNA encoding liver cDNA clones, were determined. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that 390 (53,111,,) of the salmon liver ESTs could be ascribed to the transcriptional products of 93 identified genes including 7 previously described in the Atlantic salmon. The identified Atlantic salmon genes were classified with respect to cellular role which showed that 33 (36%) of the identified genes encoded proteins associated with primary liver functions such as transport, acute phase response, and blood clotting. Furthermore. comparative analysis revealed that 12 of the 16 salmon genes that were shown to encode abundant mRNA transcripts in liver had homologues that have also been shown to be highly expressed in mammalian liver systems. Finally. two cDNA variants corresponding to the two cDNA forms of the apolipoprotein A-I gene previously identified in rainbow trout were also found in Atlantic salmon. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.