D.C. Zhang, Y.T. Hu, H.Y. Guo, S.G. Cui, T.F. Su, S.G. Jiang
Published: September 09, 2011
Genet. Mol. Res. 10 (3) : 1963-1974
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4238/vol10-3gmr1149
Cite this Article:
D.C. Zhang, Y.T. Hu, H.Y. Guo, S.G. Cui, T.F. Su, S.G. Jiang (2011). cDNA cloning and mRNA expression of a tandem-repeat galectin (PoGal2) from the pearl oyster, Pinctada fucata. Genet. Mol. Res. 10(3): 1963-1974. https://doi.org/10.4238/vol10-3gmr1149
About the Authors
D.C. Zhang, Y.T. Hu, H.Y. Guo, S.G. Cui, T.F. Su, S.G. Jiang
Corresponding Author: S.G. Jiang
Email: jiangsg@21cn.com
ABSTRACT
Galectins can recognize and specifically bind to β-galactoside residues, playing crucial roles in innate immune responses of vertebrates and invertebrates. We cloned the cDNA of a tandem-repeat galectin from the pearl oyster Pinctada fucata (designated as PoGal2). PoGal2 cDNA is 1347 bp long and consists of a 5ꞌ-untranslated region (UTR) of 3 bp, a 3ꞌ-UTR of 297 bp with one cytokine RNA instability motif (ATTTA), and an open reading frame of 1047 bp, encoding a polypeptide of 349 amino acids, with an estimated molecular mass of 38.1 kDa and a theoretical isoelectric point of 8.5. PoGal2 contains two carbohydrate recognition domains (CRDs); both have the conserved carbohydrate-binding motifs H-NPR and WG-EE. PoGal2 shares 50.6 and 50.9% identity with those of abalone (Haliotis discus) and the Manila clam (Venerupis philippinarum), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the tandem-repeat galectins formed two clades for the different species. Molluscan tandem-repeat galectins were clustered into a single clade, and nematode tandem-repeat galectins were clustered into another single clade. In both clades, CRD-N and CRD-C were divided into different groups. PoGal2 mRNA was constitutively expressed in all tissues analyzed, and the expression level of PoGal2 mRNA was found to be significantly up-regulated in digestive glands, gills and hemocytes after Vibrio alginolyticus stimulation/infection. Expression profile analysis showed that the expression level of PoGal2 mRNA was significantly up-regulated at 8, 12 and 24 h after V. alginolyticus infection. These results suggest that PoGal2 is a constitutive and inducible acute-phase protein involved in the innate immune response of pearl oysters.
Key words: Pinctada fucata, Pearl oyster, Lectin, β-galactoside, Innate immunity.