Search

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2008.04.022 Byline: Jie Mei (a), Qi-Ya Zhang (a), Zhi Li (a), Shuo Lin (b), Jian-Fang Gui (a) Keywords: C1q-like factor; p53; Caspase 3/9; Brain; Zebrafish; Apoptosis; G2/M phase arrest; Hematopoiesis Abstract: Except for the complement C1q, the immunological functions of other C1q family members have remained unclear. Here we describe zebrafish C1q-like, whose transcription and translation display a uniform distribution in early embryos, and are restricted to mid-hind brain and eye in later embryos. In vitro studies showed that C1q-like could inhibit the apoptosis induced by ActD and CHX in EPC cells, through repressing caspase 3/9 activities. Moreover, its physiological roles were studied by morpholino-mediated knockdown in zebrafish embryogenesis. In comparison with control embryos, the C1q-like knockdown embryos display obvious defects in the head and craniofacial development mediated through p53-induced apoptosis, which was confirmed by the in vitro transcribed C1q-like mRNA or p53 MO co-injection. TUNEL assays revealed extensive cell death, and caspase 3/9 activity measurement also revealed about two folds increase in C1q-like morphant embryos, which was inhibited by p53 MO co-injection. Real-time quantitative PCR showed the up-regulation expression of several apoptosis regulators such as p53, mdm2, p21, Bax and caspase 3, and down-regulation expression of hbae1 in the C1q-like morphant embryos. Knockdown of C1q-like in zebrafish embryos decreased hemoglobin production and impaired the organization of mesencephalic vein and other brain blood vessels. Interestingly, exposure of zebrafish embryos to UV resulted in an increase in mRNA expression of C1q-like, whereas over-expression of C1q-like was not enough resist to the damage. Furthermore, C1q-like transcription was up-regulated in response to pathogen Aeromonas hydrophila, and embryo survival significantly decreased in the C1q-like morphants after exposure to the bacteria. The data suggested that C1q-like might play an antiapoptotic and protective role in inhibiting p53-dependent and caspase 3/9-mediated apoptosis during embryogenesis, especially in the brain development, and C1q-like should be a novel regulator of cell survival during zebrafish embryogenesis. Author Affiliation: (a) State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Center for Developmental Biology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China (b) Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA Article History: Received 5 September 2007; Revised 15 April 2008; Accepted 15 April 2008

Abstract: Three Rana grylio virus (RGV) isolates and lymphocystis disease virus (LCDV-C) were molecularly characterized by antigenicity comparison, Western blot detection of viral polypeptides, restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of viral genomes, and MCP sequence analysis. Significant antigenicity differences existed among the three RGV isolates and LCDV-C. Western blot detection indicated that the viral polypeptides of three RGV isolates could be recognized by the anti-RGV9807 serum, whereas no bands were observed in the LCDV-C, and significant differences exist among the band patterns of three RGV isolates. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was performed by digesting genomic DNA of the four iridovirus isolates with restriction endonucleases HindIII, KpnI, XbaI and BamHI. On the whole, obvious discrepancies existed between LCDV-C and RGV isolates, and some significant band pattern differences were also revealed between RGV9808 and RGV9506 (or RGV9807) in the profiles of restriction endonucleases XbaI, KpnI and BamHI. PCR amplification and sequence analysis of MCP gene sequence further revealed their phylogenetic relationship among the three RGV isolates, LCDV-C and other iridoviruses. RGV9506, RGV9807 and RGV9808 are clustered together with other ranaviruses, such as FV3, BIV, TFV and ENHV, although the RGV9808 is more close to EHNV than to other ranaviruses. Additionally, LCDV-C is clustered with LCDV-1, the type species of genus Lymphocystisvirus. The current study provides clear evidence that significant genetic difference exists among the three RGV isolates. Therefore, further work on comparative genomic studies will contribute significantly to understanding of their taxonomic position and pathological mechanism. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Most of the dsDNA cyanophages employ holin-endolysin lysis systems to damage the host cells. This study aimed to elucidate the lytic activity of ORF91 and ORF117 in the cyanophage MaMV-DH01, which lacked a conventional cholinesterase system. These two proteins contained Lyz-like superfamily domains and were annotated as a member of GH family 19 (named DHGH19) and peptidase (named DHpeptidase), respectively. Overexpression of DHGH19 in E. coli over a 5 h course demonstrated potent bactericidal activity, evident from significant growth inhibition, membrane damage, and leakage of intracellular enzymes of E. coli cells. However, the lytic activity of DHpeptidase was relatively weaker, exhibiting a bacteriostatic effect. It was important to highlight that the specific mutation of enzyme-catalyzed residues in DHGH19 (E122 and E131) showed that these were the essential amino acids for DHGH19 to exert its bactericidal activity. Furthermore, the lytic function of DHGH19 and DHpeptidase on cyanobacteria cells was confirmed by their overexpression in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC6803. Overall, this study provides novel insights into the lytic mechanism of Myoviridae cyanophage, offering potential alternatives for the development of GH19 and peptidase as new antibacterial agents in the future. • DHGH19 and DHpeptidase displayed lysozyme activities. • The lytic activity of DHGH19 was stronger than that of DHpeptidase. • The enzyme catalytic residues (E122 and E131) were indispensable for bactericidal activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interferon (IFN) system plays a vital role in the first line of defense against viruses. In this study, we first identified multiple transcripts of 15 IFN system genes, including PRRs ( TLR2 , TLR3 , RIG-I , and LGP2 ), PRR-mediated IFN signal pathway ( MyD88 , MITA , and MAVS ), IFN regulatory factors ( IRF1 , IRF3 , IRF7 , and IRF9 ), IFNs ( IFNφ1 and IFNφ3 ), and ISGs ( Mx and viperin ), and one transcript of TLR9 in de novo transcriptome assembly data of gibel carp head-kidney. Multiple nucleotide alignments and phylogenetic analysis of common region showed that the transcripts of every of the 15 IFN system genes were classified into two homologs with distinctly divergent sequences, indicating that hexaploid gibel carp may be an allopolyploid. During Carassius auratus herpesvirus ( Ca HV) infection, gibel carp resistant clone H significantly suppressed Ca HV replication with markedly less viral loads than those in highly susceptible clone A + and moderately resistant clone F. Then, qPCR analyses were performed to reveal their differential and dynamic expression changes during Ca HV infection in head kidney, spleen and liver among three gibel carp gynogenetic clones. Through qPCR and hierarchical clustering analysis, 8 genes, such as RIG-Is , LGP2s , IRF1-B , IRF3s , IRF7s , IRF9-B , Mxs , and viperins , were identified as candidate resistant-related genes. They remarkably increased their expression in immune tissues of three clones after Ca HV infection. Significantly, the up-regulation folds of these genes in clone A + , F and H were related to their resistance ability to Ca HV, progressively increasing from susceptible clone to resistant clone at 1 dpi. The positive correlation to the resistance ability suggested that resistant clone H immediately triggered stronger IFN response. IFNφ3 showed a different dynamic change and was sharply induced in moderately resistant clone F at 3 dpi. The other 5 IFN system genes ( TLR2 , TLR3 , TLR9 , MyD88 , and MITA ) maintained a low expression level after Ca HV challenge. Interestingly, the A or B copies/homologs of almost these IFN system genes exhibited differential transcript abundance in immune tissue after Ca HV challenge, suggesting A or B homologs might occur dominant or biased expression of homeologs during gibel carp evolution. These data provide candidate resistant-related genes for disease-resistance breeding of gibel carp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Gibel carp IFNa and IFNc display significantly antiviral potential to viral infection. • ISRE motifs within promoters are responsible for the induction of carp IFN and IFNc by diverse stimuli including themselves. • Gibel carp IFNa and IFNc have different-sized 3′UTR that is a potential factor for regulation of IFN response. Fish interferon (IFN)-mediated antiviral innate immunity is the first line of defense against virus invasion. In the present study, we identify two fish IFN genes (here tentatively named IFNa and IFNc) with different-sized 3′ UTRs from clone F strain of gibel carp Carassius auratus gibelio. Carp IFNa has a relatively short 3′UTR without AU-rich elements (AREs) but IFNc has a long one with 9 AREs. Functionally, carp IFNa and IFNc display significantly antiviral potential to viral infection, likely through induction of downstream IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). Both carp IFN genes are induced by viral infection, poly(I:C) treatment and IRF3/7, which are ascribed to the IFN-sensitive response elements (ISRE) within their promoters. Carp IFN genes are also induced by each other and by themselves, indicating existence of a positive feedback loop in fish IFN-mediated antiviral immune response. Comparative analyses of 3′UTR-mediated expression regulation at mRNA and protein levels show that the ARE-containing 3′UTR of carp IFNc rather than the short 3′UTR of carp IFNa promotes mRNA decay but instead results in high-level protein expression, indicating that 3′UTR of fish IFN mRNAs might be a potential factor for regulation of IFN-mediated antiviral immune response. Considering a fact that a given protein function is largely related to its protein level, these results suggest that both promoter and 3′UTR contribute to the transcription and translation of fish IFN genes, thus shaping their eventually antiviral potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diverse immunoglobulin (Ig) domain-containing protein (DICP) family is a novel bony fish-specific multi-gene family encoding diversified immune receptors. However, their function and the implication of binding partners remain unknown. In this study, we first identified 28 DICPs from three gibel carp gynogenetic clones and revealed their high variability and clone-specific feature. After crucian carp herpesvirus ( Ca HV) infection, these DICPs were significantly upregulated in head kidney, kidney and spleen. The up-regulation folds in clone A + , F and H were related to the susceptibility to Ca HV, progressively increasing from resistant clone to susceptible clone. Overexpression of gibel carp DICPs inhibited interferon ( IFN ) and viperin promoter-driven luciferase activity. The additions of E. coli extracts and lipid A significantly enhanced the inhibition effect. In addition, gibel carp DICPs can interact with SHP-1 and SHP-2. These findings suggest that gible carp DICPs, as inhibitory receptors, might specifically recognize lipid A, and then interact with SHP-1 and SHP-2 to inhibit the induction of IFN and ISGs . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A ranavirus-induced thymus cDNA library was constructed from Chinese giant salamander, the largest extant amphibian species. Among the 137 putative immune-related genes derived from this library, these molecules received particular focus: immunoglobulin heavy chains (IgM, IgD, and IgY), IFN-inducible protein 6 (IFI6), and T cell receptor beta chain (TCRβ). Several unusual features were uncovered: IgD displays a structure pattern distinct from those described for other amphibians by having only four constant domains plus a hinge region. A unique IgY form (IgY(ΔFc)), previously undescribed in amphibians, is present in serum. Alternative splicing is observed to generate IgH diversification. IFI6 is newly-identified in amphibians, which occurs in two forms divergent in subcelluar distribution and antiviral activity. TCRβ immunoscope profile follows the typical vertebrate pattern, implying a polyclonal T cell repertoire. Collectively, the pioneering survey of ranavirus-induced thymus cDNA library from Chinese giant salamander reveals immune components and characteristics in this primitive amphibian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] First characterization of MHC alleles in the Chinese giant salamander Andrias davidianus. [•] Anda-MHC genes exhibit high allelic diversity maintained by positive selection acting on the PBR. [•] Two isoforms (full-length and splice transcripts) of Anda-MHC coexist in various tissues. [•] Anda-MHC variants display similar subcellular localization with the full-length transcripts. [•] Anda-MHC gene expression was increased during viral infection. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Defensins are a group of cationic antimicrobial peptides which play an important role in the innate immune system by exerting their antimicrobial activity against pathogens. In this study, we cloned a novel β-defensin cDNA from medaka (Oryzias latipes) by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) technique. The full-length cDNA consists of 480bp, and the open reading frame (ORF) of 189bp encodes a polypeptide of 63 amino acids (aa) with a predicted molecular weight of 7.44kDa. Its genomic organization was analyzed, and Southern blot detection confirmed that only one copy of β-defensin exists in the medaka HNI strain. RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry detections showed that the β-defensin transcript and protein could be detected in eyes, liver, kidney, blood, spleen and gill, and obviously prevalent expression was found in eyes. Antimicrobial activity of the medaka β-defensin was evaluated, and the antibacterial activity-specific to Gram-negative bacteria was revealed. Furthermore, the lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a major component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, was demonstrated to be able to induce about 13-fold up-regulation of the β-defensin within first 12h. In addition, promoter and promoter mutagenesis analysis were performed in the medaka β-defensin. A proximal 100 base pair (bp) sequence (+26 to −73) and the next 1700bp sequence (−73 to −1755) were demonstrated to be responsible for the basal promoter activity and for the transcription regulation. Three nuclear factor κ B (NF-κB) cis-elements and a Sp1 cis-element were revealed by mutagenesis analysis to exist in the 5′ flanking sequence, and they were confirmed to be responsible for the up-regulation of medaka β-defensin stimulated by LPS. And, the Sp1 cis-element was further revealed to be related to the basal promoter activity, and transcriptional factor II D (TFIID) was found to be in charge of the gene transcription initiation. All the obtained data suggested that the novel medaka β-defensin should have antimicrobial activity-specific to Gram-negative bacteria, and the antibacterial immune function should be modulated by NF-κB and Sp1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The complete genome of mandarin fish Siniperca chuatsi rhabdovirus (SCRV) was cloned and sequenced. It comprises 11,545 nucleotides and contains five genes encoding the nucleoprotein N, the phosphoprotein P, the matrix protein M, the glycoprotein G, and the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase protein L. At the 3′ and 5′ termini of SCRV genome, leader and trailer sequences show inverse complementarity. The N, P, M and G proteins share the highest sequence identities (ranging from 14.8 to 41.5%) with the respective proteins of rhabdovirus 903/87, the L protein has the highest identity with those of vesiculoviruses, especially with Chandipura virus (44.7%). Phylogenetic analysis of L proteins showed that SCRV clustered with spring vireamia of carp virus (SVCV) and was most closely related to viruses in the genus Vesiculovirus. In addition, an overlapping open reading frame (ORF) predicted to encode a protein similar to vesicular stomatitis virus C protein is present within the P gene of SCRV. Furthermore, an unoverlapping small ORF downstream of M ORF within M gene is predicted (tentatively called orf4). Therefore, the genomic organization of SCRV can be proposed as 3′ leader-N-P/C-M-(orf4)-G-L-trailer 5′. Orf4 transcription or translation products could not be detected by northern or Western blot, respectively, though one similar mRNA band to M mRNA was found. This is the first report on one small unoverlapping ORF in M gene of a fish rhabdovirus. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Interferon (IFN)-regulatory transcription factor-1 (IRF-1) has been studied in mammals and fish, but little is known about the relationship between its gene structure and nuclear localization of IRF-1 protein. In this study, a cDNA encoding Carassius auratus IRF-1 (CaIRF-1) was isolated from an interferon-producing cell line, C. auratus blastulae embryonic (CAB) cells, exposed to UV-inactivated grass carp hemorrhagic virus (GCHV). The CaIRF-1 genomic locus exhibits exon–intron arrangements similar to those of other vertebrate IRF-1 loci, with nine exons and eight introns, although together with pufferfish IRF-1, CaIRF-1 distinguishes itself from other vertebrate IRF-1 genes by a relatively compact genomic size. Similar to the known IRF-1 genes, CaIRF-1 is ubiquitously expressed, and is upregulated in vitro and in vivo in response to virus, Poly I:C, or CAB IFN-containing supernatant (ICS). Subcellular localization analysis confirms the nuclear distribution of CaIRF-1 protein, and reveals two nuclear localization signals (NLS), any one of which is sufficient for nuclear translocation of CaIRF-1. One NLS locates to amino acids 117–146, and appears to be the structural and functional equivalent of the NLS in mammalian IRF-1. The second NLS (amino acids 73–115) is found within the DNA-binding domain (DBD) of CaIRF-1, and contains two regions rich in basic amino acids (“95KDKSINK101” and “75KTWKANFR82”). In comparison with mammalian IRF-1, in which the corresponding amino acid stretch does not seem to drive nuclear translocation, five conserved basic amino acids (K75, K78, R82, K95, and K101) and one non-conserved basic amino acid (K97) are present in this NLS from CaIRF-1. This observation suggests that K97 of CaIRF-1 might be essential for the function of its second NLS, wherein the six basic amino acids might cooperate to drive CaIRF-1 to the nucleus. Therefore, the current study has revealed a new nuclear localization motif in the DBD of a vertebrate IRF-1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Virus infection of mammalian cells activates an innate antiviral immune response characterized by production of interferon (IFN) and the subsequent transcriptional upregulation of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) by the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. Here, we report that a fish cell line, crucian carp (Carassius auratus L.) blastulae embryonic (CAB) cells, can produce IFN activity and then form an antiviral state after infection with UV-inactivated grass carp hemorrhagic virus (GCHV), a double-stranded (ds) RNA virus. From UV-inactivated GCHV-infected CAB cells, 15 pivotal genes were cloned and sequenced, and all of them were shown to be involved in IFN antiviral innate immune response. These IFN system genes include the dsRNA signal sensing factor TLR3, IFN, IFN signal transduction factor STAT1, IFN regulatory factor IRF7, putative IFN antiviral effectors Mx1, Mx2, PKR-like, Viperin, IFI56, and other IFN stimulated genes (ISGs) IFI58, ISG15-1, ISG15-2, USP18, Gig1 and Gig2. The identified fish IFN system genes were highly induced by active GCHV, UV-inactivated GCHV, CAB IFN or poly(I).poly(C), and showed similar expression patterns to mammals. The data indicate that an IFN antiviral innate immune response similar to that in mammals exists in the UV-inactivated GCHV-infected CAB cells, and the IFN response contributes to the formation of an antiviral state probably through JAK-STAT signaling pathway. This study provides strong evidence for existence of IFN antiviral innate immune response in fish, and will assist in elucidating the origin and evolution of vertebrate IFN system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The heme-regulated initiation factor 2α kinase (HRI) is acknowledged to play an important role in translational shutoff in reticulocytes in response to various cellular stresses. In this study, we report its homologous cDNA cloning and characterization from cultured flounder embryonic cells (FEC) after treatment with UV-inactivated grass carp haemorrhagic virus (GCHV). The full-length cDNA of Paralichthys olivaceus HRI homologue (PoHRI) has 2391bp and encodes a protein of 651 amino acids. The putative PoHRI protein exhibits high identity with all members of eIF2α kinase family. It contains 12 catalytic subdomains located within the C-terminus of all Ser/Thr protein kinases, a unique kinase insertion of 136 amino acids between subdomains IV and V, and a relatively conserved N-terminal domain (NTD). Upon heat shock, virus infection or Poly I:C treatment, PoHRI mRNA and protein are significantly upregulated in FEC cells but show different expression patterns in response to different stresses. In healthy flounders, PoHRI displays a wide tissue distribution at both the mRNA and protein levels. These results indicate that PoHRI is a ubiquitous eIF2α kinase and might play an important role in translational control over nonheme producing FEC cells under different stresses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]