Expression regulation and functional characterization of a novel interferon inducible gene Gig2 and its promoter

Grass carp hemorrhagic virus (GCHV)-induced gene 2 (Gig2) is a novel gene previously identified from UV-inactivated GCHV-treated Carassius auratus blastulae embryonic (CAB) cells, suggesting that it should play a pivotal role in the interferon (IFN) antiviral response. In this study, a polyclonal anti-Gig2 antiserum was generated and used to study the inductive expression pattern by Western blot analysis, showing no basal expression in normal CAB cells but a significant up-regulation upon UV-inactivated GCHV, polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (Poly I:Q and recombinant IFN (rIFN). However, constitutive expression of Gig2 is observed in all tested tissues from grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus), and Poly I:C injection increases the relative amount of Gig2 protein in skin, spleen, trunk kidney, gill, hindgut and thymus. Moreover, the genomic sequence covering the whole Gig2 ORF and the upstream promoter region were amplified by genomic walking. Significantly, the Gig2 promoter contains three IFN-stimulated response elements (ISREs), nine GAAA/TfTC motifs and five gamma-IFN activating sites (GAS), which are the characteristics of genes responsive to both type I IFN and type 11 IFN. Subsequently, the complete Gig2 promoter sequence was cloned into pGL3-Basic vector, and its activity was measured by luciferase assays in the transfected CAB cells. The Gig2 promoter-driven construct is highly induced in CAB cells after treatment with Poly I:C or rIFN, and the functional capability is dependent on IFN regulatory factor 7 (IRF7), because its activity can be stimulated by IRF7. Collectively, the data provide strong evidence that Gig2 is indeed a novel IFN inducible gene and its expression is likely dependent on IRF7 upon Poly I:C or IFN. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Molecular characterization of an ecdysone inducible gene E75 of Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis and elucidation of its role in molting by RNA interference

Ecdysone inducible gene. E75 is a primary target of ecdysone receptor (EcR). and is found to play a critical role in the molting process of arthropods In this study, a cDNA encoding the E75 of Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis (FcE75) was cloned using RT-PCR and RACE techniques FcE75 cDNA was 3611 bp in length with an ORF of 2394 bp. The deduced amino acid sequence of FcE75 had the highest sequence identity to E75 from a land crab Gecarcinus lateral's and E75 of the shrimp Metapenaeus crisis Quantitative real-time PCR revealed a prominently high expression of FcE75 mRNA in the whole body RNA extract of late premolt period (D3) juvenile shrimp. The role of E75 in the process of shrimp molting was investigated using the RNA interference technique Long double-stranded RNA corresponding to the FcE75 (dsE75) efficiently silenced the FcE75 transcript levels in juvenile F. chinensis. Further, injection with dsE75 completely arrested the molting process in experimental shrimp which eventually caused death Setogenic analysis of the uropods from molt-arrested shrimp, showed defective epidermal retraction, poor development of setae and new cuticle. These results indicate that E75 might be related to the molting process and is essential for proper molting and survival of shrimp This is the first report demonstrating the use of double stranded RNA to elucidate the possible role of E75 in the molting of decapod crustaceans (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc All rights reserved

Origin and evolution of the RIG-I like RNA helicase gene family

Background: The DExD/H domain containing RNA helicases such as retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) and melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) are key cytosolic pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) for detecting nucleotide pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) of invading viruses. The RIG-I and MDA5 proteins differentially recognise conserved PAMPs in double stranded or single stranded viral RNA molecules, leading to activation of the interferon system in vertebrates. They share three core protein domains including a RNA helicase domain near the C terminus (HELICc), one or more caspase activation and recruitment domains (CARDs) and an ATP dependent DExD/H domain. The RIG-I/MDA5 directed interferon response is negatively regulated by laboratory of genetics and physiology 2 (LGP2) and is believed to be controlled by the mitochondria antiviral signalling protein (MAVS), a CARD containing protein associated with mitochondria. Results: The DExD/H containing RNA helicases including RIG-I, MDA5 and LGP2 were analysed in silico in a wide spectrum of invertebrate and vertebrate genomes. The gene synteny of MDA5 and LGP2 is well conserved among vertebrates whilst conservation of the gene synteny of RIG-I is less apparent. Invertebrate homologues had a closer phylogenetic relationship with the vertebrate RIG-Is than the MDA5/LGP2 molecules, suggesting the RIG-I homologues may have emerged earlier in evolution, possibly prior to the appearance of vertebrates. Our data suggest that the RIG-I like helicases possibly originated from three distinct genes coding for the core domains including the HELICc, CARD and ATP dependent DExD/H domains through gene fusion and gene/domain duplication. Furthermore, presence of domains similar to a prokaryotic DNA restriction enzyme III domain (Res III), and a zinc finger domain of transcription factor (TF) IIS have been detected by bioinformatic analysis. Conclusion: The RIG-I/MDA5 viral surveillance system is conserved in vertebrates. The RIG-I like helicase family appears to have evolved from a common ancestor that originated from genes encoding different core functional domains. Diversification of core functional domains might be fundamental to their functional divergence in terms of recognition of different viral PAMPs.

Molecular characterization and effect of RNA interference of retinoid X receptor (RXR) on E75 and chitinase gene expression in Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis

Retinoid X receptor (RXR)/ultraspiracle (USP) is the heterodimeric partner of ecdysteroid receptor and is required for the molting process of arthropods. To better understand the molecular aspects governing the process of molting in shrimp, the full-length cDNA of two RXRs, named as FcRXR-1 and FcRXR-2 were obtained from Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis which were of 1715 and 1700 bp long, revealed a 1315 and 1300 bp open reading frame (ORF) respectively. Quantitative Real time PCR analysis showed a marked tissue-specific difference in the expression of FcRXR transcript, which revealed that the expression of FcRXR Could be regulated in a tissue-specific manner. Moreover, high expression of FcRXR mRNAs was observed in late pre-molt period (D3) and post molt stages (A-B) of shrimp. Among the two isoforms, FcRXR-2 appeared in a considerably high level in all the stages compared to the FcRXR-1. In addition, we examined the temporal expression of two chitinase genes: FcChitinase (FcChi) and FcChitinase-1 (FcChi-1) during the molt cycle of F chinensis. Both the FcChi and FcChi-1 transcripts were detected in all stages of molting, although considerable fluctuations observed through the molt cycle. Injection of double stranded RXR (dsRXR) into juvenile shrimp resulted in a maximum silencing effect at 48 h post injection. We analyzed the expression levels of FcChi, FcChi-1 and the ecdysone inducible gene E75 (FcE75) in samples of dsRXR injected shrimp. Significant reduction in levels of both FcE75, FcChi and FcChi-1 transcripts Occurred in the silenced shrimp. This correlation suggested that RXR might involve in the downstream regulation of E75 and chitinase gene transcription in the ecdysone signaling pathway of decapod crustaceans. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Inc.

Cloning and characterization of a new multi-stress inducible metallothionein gene in Tetrahymena pyriformis

A new multi-stress-inducible metallothionein (MT) gene isoform has been cloned and characterized from the ciliate Tetrahymena pyriformis. Both the 5'- and 3'-UT regions of the Tp-MT2 gene are very different from the previously reported Tp-MT1 isoform in this organism and from other described MT genes in Tetrahymena pigmentosa and Tetrahymena thermophila. The putative protein sequence of Tp-MT2 contains cysteine clusters with characteristics of the typical Tetrahymena Cd-inducible MT genes. However, the sequence has a special feature of four intragenic tandem repeats within its first half, with a conserved structural pattern x(5/8)CCCx(6)CCx(6)CxCxNCxCCK. To investigate the transcriptional activities of both Tp-MT2 and Tp-MT1 genes toward heavy metals (Cd, Hg, Cu, Zn) and H2O2, the mRNA levels of these two isoforms were evaluated by means of real-time quantitative PCR. Results showed that Tp-MT2 had a higher basal expression level than Tp-MT1 and both genes were induced by Cd, Hg, Cu, and Zn ions after short exposure (I h), although to different extents. Cd was the most effective metal inducer of both two isoforms, but the relative expression level of Tp-MT2 was much lower than that of Tp-MT1. Different expression patterns were also shown between the two genes when treated with Cd over a period of 24 h. We suggest that TpMT-1 plays the role of a multi-inducible stress gene, while TpMT-2 may have a more specific function in basal metal homeostasis although it may have undergone a functional differentiation process. The putative functional significance and evolutionary mode of the TpMT-2 isoform are discussed. (c) 2006 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Cloning, characterization, and gene expression analysis of a novel cadmium metallothionein gene in Tetrahymena pigmentosa

A novel cadmium-inducible metallothionein (MT) gene (Tpig-MT1) was cloned and sequenced from the ciliate Tetrahymena pigmentosa. The number of deduced amino acids is 118. The polypeptide possesses CCC and CC clusters characteristic of typical Tetrahymena Cd-inducible MTs. The structure of Tpig-MT1 is different from the reported Cd-MT in T. pyriformis, T. thermophila and T. pigmentosa. Tpig-MT1 contains two intragenic tandem repeats with 72.9% identity described as Tpig-MT1 (repeat A1) and Tpig-MT1 (repeat A2). The transcriptional response of Tpig-MT1 gene to different heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Zn, Hg, Pb) and oxidative stress (H2O2) was measured using real-time quantitative PCR. The results showed that the gene was quickly induced (1 h) by the five heavy metals and the order of expression level was Hg>Pb>Cd>Cu>Zn. The induction effect of H2O2 was 5-fold after about 15 min, but soon decreased to a non-significant level (30 min). The genetic diversity of Tetrahymena MT genes is discussed in relation to the unique structure of the Tpig-MT1 gene and other reported Cd-MT isoforms. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Identification and expression analysis of two IFN-inducible genes in crucian carp (Carassius auratus L.)

Interferon (IFN) exerts its antiviral effects mainly through activation of a subset of IFN-stimulated genes (ISG), but relatively few of fish ISGs have been isolated and characterized so far. Here, we report two fish ISGs, termed CaIF158 and CaIF156, cloned from a subtractive cDNA library constructed with mRNAs obtained from crucian carp (Carassius auratus L.) blastulae embryonic (CAB) cells infected by UV-inactivated GCHV and mock-infected cells. Database search revealed that both ISGs had a high-level homology with all members of a well conserved gene family with multiple tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) motifs, including human IF160, IF158, IF156, IFI54 and their homologues in some other mammalian species. The transcripts of CaIF158 and CaIF156 were undetectable in CAB cells but could be induced by active GCHV, UV-inactivated GCHV or CAB IFN. Analysis of expression difference between them and IFN signal factors, CaSTAT1 and CaIRF7, indicated that their transcriptions were mediated possibly through JAK-STAT signal pathway, which was further supported by the induction analysis in UV-inactivated GCHV infected, IFN-treated and untreated cells in the presence or absence of cycloheximide (CHX), a potent inhibitor of protein synthesis. In addition, a pufferfish (Fugu rubrides) DNA sequence representing putative FrIFI56 was also revealed when CalF158 and CalF156 were used to search the pufferfish genome database. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these fish ISGs form a unique clad independent of mammalian homologues, reflecting a distant evolutionary relationship from mammals. These studies identified the first teleost IFI56 and IFI58 orthologues. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.

Suppression of zebrafish VEGF gene by cytomegalovirus promoter-driven short hairpin constructs induces vascular development defects and down regulation NRP1 expression

The usage of RNA interference for gene knockdown in zebrafish through expression of the small interfering RNA mediators from DNA vectors has created a lot of excitement in the research community. In this work, the ability of human cytomegalovirus immediate early promoter (CMV promoter)-driven short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expression vector to induce shRNA against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene in zebrafish was tested, and its effects on VEGF-mediated vasculogenesis and angiogenesis were evaluated. Altogether four vectors targeting various locations of VEGF gene were constructed, and pSI-V4 was proven to be the most effective one. Microinjection of pSI-V4 into the zebrafish embryos resulted in defective vascular formation and down regulation of VEGF expression. In situ hybridization analysis indicated that silencing VEGF gene expression by pSI-V4 resulted in down regulation of neuropilin-1 (NRP1), a potent VEGF receptor. Knockdown of VEGF expression by morpholino gave the same result. This provided evidence that the VEGF-mediated angiogenesis in zebrafish was in part dependent on NRP1 expression. The results contributed to a better understanding of molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular development and provided a potential promoter for making inducible knockdown in zebrafish.

VEGF gene silencing by cytomegalovirus promoter driven ShRNA expression vector results in vascular development defects in zebrafish

Zebrafish has been generally considered as an excellent model in case of drug screening, disease model establishment, and vertebrate embryonic development study. In this work, the ability of human cytomegalovirus immediate early promoter (CMV promoter)-driven short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expression vector to induce shRNA against VEGF gene in zebrafish was tested, and its effect on vascular development was assed, too. Using RT-qPCR, blood vessel staining, and in situ hybridization, we confirmed certain transcriptional activity and down regulation of gene expression by the vector. In situ hybridization analysis indicated selective inhibition of NRP1 expression in the VEGF gene loss of function model, which might imply in turn that VEGF could not only activate endothelial cells directly but also could contribute to stimulating angiogenesis in vivo by a mechanism that involved up-regulation of its cognate receptor expression in zebrafish. This contributed to a better understanding of molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular development. The system improved the success rate in making inducible knockdown and widened the possibilities for better therapeutic targets in zebrafish.

CDNA cloning and mRNA expression of the lipopolysaccharide- and beta-1,3-glucan-binding protein gene from scallop Chlamys farreri

Lipopolysaccharide and beta-1,3-glucan-binding protein (LGBP) play a crucial role in the innate immune response of invertebrates as a pattern recognition protein (PRP). The scallop LGBP gene was obtained from Chlamys farreri challenged by Vibrio anguillarum by randomly sequencing cDNA clones from a whole body cDNA library, and by fully sequencing a clone with homology to known LGBP genes. The scallop LGBP consisted of 1876 nucleotides with a canonical polyadenylation signal sequence AATAAA and a poly(A) tail, encoding a polypeptide of 440 amino acids with the estimated molecular mass of 47.16 kDa and a predicted isoelectric point of 5.095. The deduced amino acid sequence showed a high similarity to that of invertebrate recognition proteins from blue shrimp, black tiger shrimp, mosquito, freshwater crayfish, earthworms, and sea urchins, with conserved features including a potential polysaccharide-binding motif, a glucanase motif, and N-glycosylation sites. The temporal expression of LGBP genes in healthy and V. anguillarum-challenged C farreri scallop, measured by real-time semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR), showed that expression was up-regulated initially, followed by recovery as the stimulation cleared. Results indicated that scallop LGBP was a constitutive and inducible acute-phase protein that could play a critical role in scallop-pathogen interaction. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a catalase gene from Zhikong scallop Chlamys farreri

Catalase is one of the central enzymes involved in scavenging the high level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by degradation of hydrogen peroxide to oxygen and water. The full-length catalase cDNA of Zhikong scallop Chlamys farreri (denoted as CfCAT) was identified from hemocytes by expressed sequence tag (EST) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) approaches. The nucleotide sequence of CfCAT cDNA consisted of 3146 bp with a 5' UTR of 103 bp, an unusually long 31 UTR of 1519 bp with a canonical polyadenylation signal sequence AATAAA and a potyA tail, and an open reading frame (ORF) of 1521 bp encoding a polypeptide of 507 amino acids with predicted molecular weight of 57.5 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence of CfCAT has significant homology to catalases from animals, plants and bacteria. Several highly conserved motifs including the proximal heme-ligand signature sequence RLFSYNDTH, the proximal active site signature FNRERIPERVVHAKGGGA, and the three catalytic amino acid residues of His(72), Asn(145) and Tyr(355) were identified in the deduced amino acid sequence of CfCAT. The CfCAT was demonstrated to be a peroxisomal glycoprotein with two potential glycosylation sites and a peroxisome targeting signal of ANL that was consistent with human, mouse and rat catalases. The time-course expression of CfCAT in hemocytes was measured by quantitative real-time PCR. The expression of CfCAT increased gradually and reached the highest point at 12 h post-Vibrio infection, then recovered to the original level at 24 h. All these results indicate that CfCAT, a constitutive and inducible protein, is a member of the catalase family and is involved in the process against ROS in scallop. (c) 2007 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Molecular cloning and mRNA expression of peptidoglycan recognition protein (PGRP) gene in bay scallop (Argopecten irradians, Lamarck 1819)

Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) are a type of pattern recognition molecules (PRM) that recognize the unique cell wall component peptidoglycan (PGN) of bacteria and are involved in innate immunity. The first bivalve PGRP cDNA sequence was cloned from bay scallop Argopecten irradians by expressed sequence tag (EST) and PCR technique. The full-length cDNA of bay scallop PGRP (designated AiPGRP) gene contained 10 18 bp with a 615-bp open reading frame that encoded a polypeptide of 205 amino acids. The predicted amino acid sequence of AiPGRP shared high identity with PGRP in other organisms, such as PGRP precursor in Trichoplusia ni and PGRP SC2 in Drosophila melanogaster. A quantitative reverse transcriptase Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR) assay was developed to assess the mRNA expression of AiPGRP in different tissues and the temporal expression of AiPGRP in the mixed primary cultured hemocytes challenged by microbial components lipopolyssacharide (LPS) from Escherichia coli and PGN from Micrococcus luteus. Higher-level mRNA expression of AiPGRP was detected in the tissues of hemocytes, gonad and kidney. The expression of AiPGRP in the mixed primary cultured hemocytes was up regulated after stimulated by PGN, while LPS from E. coli did not induce AiPGRP expression. The results indicated that AiPGRP was a constitutive and inducible expressed protein that was mainly induced by PGN and could be involved in scallop immune response against Gram-positive bacteria infection. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.