Five hepatopancreatic and one epidermal chitinases from a pandalid shrimp (Pandalopsis japonica): cloning and effects of eyestalk ablation on gene expression

Six cDNAs encoding chitinase proteins in Pandalopsis japonica were isolated by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) cloning methods and bioinformatic analysis of expressed sequence tags (ESTs). The cDNAs, designated Pj-Cht1, 2, 3A, 3B, 3C, and 4, encoded proteins ranging from 388 to 607 amino acid residues in length (43.61-67.62 kDa) and displayed a common structural organization: an N-terminal catalytic domain, a Thr/Pro-rich linker region, and either 0 (Pj-Cht2, 3A), 1 (Pj-Cht1, 3B, and 3C), or 2 (Pj-Cht4) C-terminal chitin-binding domain(s) (CBD). Pj-Cht1 and 2 lacked the 5′ end of the open reading frame (ORF); the other Pj-Chts contained the complete ORF. All known decapod crustacean chitinases were segregated into at least four groups based on phylogenetic analysis and domain organization. Group 1 chitinases, represented by Pj-Cht1, were most closely related to insect group I chitinases and may function in the digestion of the peritrophic membrane. Group 2 chitinases including Pj-Cht2 show different domain organizations and pI value from other chitinases and appear to function in degradation of the old exoskeleton during the premolt period. Group 3 chitinases, represented by Pj-Cht3A, 3B, and 3C, may function in digestion of chitin-containing food and defense against pathogens. Group 4 chitinases, represented by Pj-Cht4, have two CBDs and their functions are unknown. Five Pj-Chts (Pj-Cht1, 3A, 3B, 3C, and 4) are expressed in the hepatopancreas and intestine, whereas Pj-Cht2 is expressed in epidermis and SG/XO complex suggesting crustacean chitinases can be classified into two groups (hepatopancreatic and epidermal) based on the expression profile. Eyestalk ablation (ESA) down-regulated the hepatopancreatic chitinase expression (Pj-Cht1, 3A, and 3C); Pj-Cht3B expression was not significantly affected by ESA. By contrast, mRNA levels of Pj-Cht2 were significantly upregulated in 7 days post-ESA. Pj-Cht4 mRNA levels were too low for measurement with quantitative polymerase chain reaction. ESA had no significant effect on chitinase expression in the intestine. These data indicate that Pj-Cht1, 3A, 3B, 3C, and 4 are hepatopancreatic chitinases that may function in the digestion of ingested chitin and the modification of peritrophic membrane in the intestine. By contrast, epidermal chitinase, Pj-Cht2 may play a role in chitin metabolism during molt cycle as shown in other crustacean group 2 chitinases.     

Two type I crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) genes in Morotoge shrimp (Pandalopsis japonica): cloning and expression of eyestalk and pericardial organ isoforms produced by alternative splicing and a novel type I CHH with predicted structure shared with type II CHH peptides

Crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) peptide family members play critical roles in growth and reproduction in decapods. Three cDNAs encoding CHH family members (Pj-CHH1ES, Pj-CHH1PO, and Pj-CHH2) were isolated by a combination of bioinformatic analysis and conventional cloning strategies. Pj-CHH1ES and Pj-CHH1PO were products of the same gene that were generated by alternative mRNA splicing, whereas Pj-CHH2 was the product of a second gene. The Pj-CHH1 and Pj-CHH2 genes had four exons and three introns, suggesting the two genes arose from gene duplication. The three cDNAs were classified in the type I CHH subfamily, as the deduced amino acid sequences had a CHH precursor-related peptide sequence positioned between the N-terminal signal sequence and C-terminal mature peptide sequence. The Pj-CHH1ES isoform was expressed at a higher level in the eyestalk X-organ/sinus gland (XO/SG) complex and at a lower level in the gill. The Pj-CHH1PO isoform was expressed at higher levels in the XO/SG complex, brain, abdominal ganglion, and thoracic ganglion and at a lower level in the epidermis. Pj-CHH2 was expressed at a higher level in the thoracic ganglion and at a lower level in the gill. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to quantify the effects of eyestalk ablation on the mRNA levels of the three Pj-CHHs in the brain, thoracic ganglion, and gill. Eyestalk ablation reduced expression of Pj-CHH1ES in the brain and Pj-CHH1PO and Pj-CHH2 in the thoracic ganglion. Sequence alignment of the Pj-CHHs with CHHs from other species indicated that Pj-CHH2 had an additional alanine at position #9 of the mature peptide. Molecular modeling showed that the Pj-CHH2 mature peptide had a short alpha helix (α1) in the N-terminal region, which is characteristic of type II CHHs. This suggests that Pj-CHH2 differs in function from other type I CHHs.     

cDNA cloning and expression analysis of the juvenile hormone acid methyltransferase from seabuckthorn carpenterworm,Holcocerus hippophaecolus (Lepidoptera: Cossidae)

In this study, we report the cDNA cloning and sequence determination of Hh‐JHAMT from the seabuckthorn carpenterworm, Holcocerus hippophaecolus, by using rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The full‐length cDNA of putative Hh‐JHAMT was 1659 bp and contained a highly conserved Motif I, SAM motif I, which showed that Hh‐JHAMT like enzyme was a member of SAM‐dependent MTases. Moreover, putative Hh‐JHAMT had high homology to the other members of the JHAMT peptide family: 59% with Spodoptera litura, 54% with Bombyx mori and 54% with Helicoverpa armigera. Multiple alignments and phylogenetic analysis revealed that Hh‐JHAMT was closely related to JHAMT from Lepidoptera. Real‐time quantitative PCR experiments showed that Hh‐JHAMT mRNA expression was highest in the corpora allata (CA) complex, and was also detected at high levels during earlier larval and adult stages. The JHAMT mRNA level gradually declined during larval development, and the lowest amount of expression was observed in the pupal stage, while it increased to a higher level during adult stages. The pattern of Hh‐JHAMT expression was similar to the mode of JH biosynthesis. These results provided information concerning molecular characteristics of Hh‐JHAMT, whose expression profile suggests that the Hh‐JHAMT gene might be changed with larval development, metamorphosis and adult reproduction of the H. hippophaecolus.     

Molecular cloning and functional characterization of crustapain: a distinct cysteine proteinase with unique substrate specificity from northern shrimp Pandalus borealis

A cDNA clone encoding a cysteine proteinase of the papain superfamily has been isolated from the hepatopancreas of northern shrimp Pandalus borealis (NsCys). NsCys shares the highest identity of 64% with a cathepsin L-like cysteine proteinase from lobster, and its identity to the well-characterized mammalian cathepsins S, L, and K falls within a narrow range of 54-59%. However, it differs from each of these cathepsins in certain key residues including, for example, the unique occurrence of tryptophan and cysteine residues at the structurally important S2 subsite. Consequently, NsCys produced in Pichia pastoris appears to be distinct in various physicokinetic properties. The recombinant enzyme is active and stable over a wide range of pH values, and its substrate specificity is unusual, as demonstrated by its poor affinity for phenylalanine residues. Instead, it shows the highest specificity for proline residues, a property similar to cathepsin K. Unlike cathepsin K, however, NsCys cleaves valine residues more efficiently than leucine. Similar results were obtained with the natural peptide substrate glucagon. The shrimp proteinase is further distinguished by its potent collagenolytic activity, resulting in a cleavage pattern reminiscent of bacterial collagenase. To distinguish such unique structural and enzymatic properties, we propose the trivial name "crustapain" for the shrimp proteinase, indicating that it is a papain-like cysteine proteinase from a crustacean species.     

华北大黑鳃金龟中肠丝氨酸蛋白酶cDNA克隆、 序列分析及表达

丝氨酸蛋白酶是昆虫体内一类重要的消化酶, 为了了解该类酶的分子特性及功能, 本研究利用粉纹夜蛾Trichoplusia ni围食膜蛋白多克隆抗体筛选华北大黑鳃金龟Holotrichia oblita中肠cDNA表达文库, 首次得到编码华北大黑鳃金龟丝氨酸蛋白酶cDNA序列, 命名为HoSP1（GenBank登录号为FJ573146）。序列分析表明, 该基因长902 bp, 开放阅读框（ORF）长783 bp, 编码260个氨基酸, 推测分子量和pI值分别为26.7 kDa和4.19, 不含有N-糖基化位点, 但在Thr₁₅₇处有一个O-糖基化位点, 含有6个保守的半胱氨酸残基, 组成3对二硫键, 对于维持蛋白质的三级结构起着重要的作用。通过与几种丝氨酸蛋白酶的比对发现, 该酶具有组氨酸（His）、 天冬氨酸（Asp）、 丝氨酸（Ser）催化中心, 与褐新西兰肋翅鳃金龟Costelytra zealandica的14种丝氨酸蛋白酶有明显的相似性, 其中与CzSP3的序列一致性最高, 为52.47%。把该基因与pET21b载体重组后, 进行体外表达, 以BTEE为底物, 测得该酶的活力为0.0378 μmol/mg·min。HoSP1基因的克隆及体外表达为进一步研究该酶在华北大黑鳃金龟体内的表达及功能提供了依据。     

Molecular cloning and characterisation of cDNAs complementary to mRNAs from wounded potato (Solanum tuberosum) tuber tissue

Five cDNA clones complementary to mRNAs representing different abundances and responses to wounding have been isolated from a library of Sau 3A fragments in the bacteriophage M13 mp8. These were characterised by hybrid-release translation and hybridisation to RNA blots. The levels of RNA complementary to two of the clones show a marked increase during the 24h after wounding, one shows a small increase and two show no appreciable changes except that caused by a general increase in the total amount of polyadenylated RNA per microgram of total RNA which increases 2.5-fold during the same period. The would-induced RNAs are not induced in diluted suspension-culture cells, but RNA complementary to each clone is present in varying levels in stems, leaves and roots of intact potato plants.Abbreviations cDNA complementary DNA - poly(A) polyadenosine - poly(A)⁺ RNA polyadenylated RNA - poly(U) polyuridine     

Molecular cloning,expression and antioxidant activity of a peroxiredoxin 2 homologue from Lampetra japonica

Peroxiredoxin (Prx) is a cellular antioxidant protein family that plays important roles in oxidative stress and immune cytotoxicity. In this study, we cloned a homologue of the Prx2 from the buccal gland of Lampetra japonica (L. japonica). L. japonica Prx2 (Lj-Prx2) contained two highly conserved motifs and shared more than 70% identity with the homologs from other vertebrate species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Lj-Prx2 is closely related to other available teleost Prx2. The real-time PCR results demonstrated that the Prx2 gene was widely expressed in adult lamprey. In addition, the expression of Prx2 gene was particularly up-regulated in red blood cells (RBCs) after the experimental animals were challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vivo. Lj-Prx2 gene was subcloned into the pET23b vector and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The recombinant L. japonica Prx2 (rLj-Prx2) was purified by using His Bind affinity chromatography. Polyclonal antibody to rLj-Prx2 was generated in New Zealand Rabbit. Western blot analysis showed that the Lj-Prx2 is present in the buccal gland secretion, suggesting the secretory feature of it. The function assays revealed that rLj-Prx2 has the capability to reduce the H₂O₂ when dithiothreitol (DTT) is used as a reducing equivalent and to protect DNA from oxidative damage. These findings suggested that Lj-Prx2 probably plays an essential role in antioxidant defense in RBCs to keep lamprey alive.     

Two ferritin subunits from disk abalone (Haliotis discus discus): cloning, characterization and expression analysis

Ferritin plays a key role in cellular iron metabolism, which includes iron storage and detoxification. From disk abalone, Haliotis discus discus, the cDNA that encodes the two ferritin subunits abalone ferritin subunit 1 (Abf1) and abalone ferritin subunit 2 (Abf2) were cloned. The complete cDNA coding sequences for Abf1 and Abf2 contained 621 and 549 bp, encoding for 207 and 183 amino acid residues, respectively. The H. discus discus Abf2 subunit contained a highly conserved motif for the ferroxidase center, which consists of seven residues of a typical vertebrate heavy-chain ferritin with a typical stem-loop structure. Abf2 mRNA contains a 27 bp iron-responsive element (IRE) in the 5'UTR position. This IRE exhibited 96% similarity with pearl and Pacific oyster and 67% similarity with human H type IREs. However, the Abf1 subunit had neither ferroxidase center residues nor the IRE motif sequence; instead, it contained iron-binding region signature 2 (IBRS) residues. Recombinant Abf1 and Abf2 proteins were purified and the respective sizes were about 24 and 21 kDa. Abf1 and Abf2 exhibited iron-chelating activity 44.2% and 22.0%, respectively, at protein concentration of 6 microg/ml. Analysis of tissue-specific expression by RT-PCR revealed that Abf1 and Abf2 ferritin mRNAs were expressed in various abalone tissues, such as gill, mantle, gonad, foot and digestive tract in a wide distribution profile, but Abf2 expression was more prominent than Abf1.     

Salt-dependent effects of juvenile hormone and related compounds in larvae of the brine shrimp,Artemia

• 1.1. Molting in state III larvae of the brine shrimp. Anemia, is interrupted, or even accelerated, when populations are exposed to various concentrations of juvenile hormone, methyl farnesoate, or methoprene in artificial sea-water.
• 2.2. The effects are believed to be salt-dependent, because exposure to these compounds in sea-water that is isotonic to larval hemolymph had no effect. This suggests that the juvenoids may target the ion transporting epithelia.

     

A whole genome screening and RNA interference identify a juvenile hormone esterase-like gene of the diamondback moth,Plutella xylostella

Juvenile hormone (JH) plays a crucial role in preventing precocious metamorphosis and stimulating reproduction. Thus, its hemolymph titer should be under a tight control. As a negative controller, juvenile hormone esterase (JHE) performs a rapid breakdown of residual JH in the hemolymph during last instar to induce a larval-to-pupal metamorphosis. A whole genome of the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella, has been annotated and proposed 11 JHE candidates. Sequence analysis using conserved motifs commonly found in other JHEs proposed a putative JHE (Px004817). Px004817 (64.61 kDa, pI = 5.28) exhibited a characteristic JHE expression pattern by showing high peak at the early last instar, at which JHE enzyme activity was also at a maximal level. RNA interference of Px004817 reduced JHE activity and interrupted pupal development with a significant increase of larval period. This study identifies Px004817 as a JHE-like gene of P. xylostella.     

The ribophorin I from Penaeus monodon shrimp: cDNA cloning, expression and phylogenetic analysis

Ribophorin I, a 67 kDa subunit of the oligosaccharyl transferase complex, is involved in facilitating N-linked glycosylation of polypeptides. We have isolated a full length Penaeus monodon cDNA encoding an insect/mammalian ribophorin I homologue by screening a lymphoid cDNA library and by performing rapid amplification of cDNA ends polymerase chain reaction of lymphoid RNA. The cDNA clone of shrimp ribophorin I (PmRibI) consists of 2263 nucleotides encoding 601 amino acid residues. Primary structure analysis of PmRibI indicated that it is a type I transmembrane protein, comprising a cleavable signal sequence of 23 residues at the amino terminus, preceding 434 residues of the luminal domain, 17 residues of the transmembrane domain, and 150 residues of the cytoplasmic domain at the carboxy terminus. The protein has a calculated molecular mass of 67.98 kDa with a pI of 6.05. This putative PmRibI cDNA clone was also expressed as PmRibI-6His in Sf9 cells. The recombinant PmRibI has an apparent molecular weight of 70 kDa, similar to the MW calculated from the deduced cDNA sequence. The inferred protein sequence of PmRibI has 52% identity with that of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, 49% identity with that of Danio rerio, and 47% identity with mammalian ribophorin I. Phylogenetic analysis showed that PmRibI is most closely related to the echinoderm ribophorin I. The expression of the ribophorin I gene is tissue specific, with its mRNA highly abundant in hemocytes, gill, lymphoid organ and hepatopancreas.     

斜纹夜蛾羧酸酯酶基因的克隆、序列分析及表达水平

为了明确斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura对溴氰菊酯产生抗性的分子机理, 本研究利用RT-PCR技术和RACE方法获得了1个斜纹夜蛾羧酸酯酶基因的全长cDNA序列, 命名为Slest2。序列分析表明, 该cDNA全长1 796 bp（GenBank 登录号: DQ445461）, 5′和3′UTR区分别长63和119 bp,开放阅读框编码一个由537个氨基酸残基组成的羧酸酯酶蛋白。通过对氨基酸同源性分析表明, 该羧酸酯酶与其他物种的酯酶均具有很高的氨基酸相似性,并具有多个在不同酯酶蛋白家族中均保守的区域。采用实时定量PCR技术比较了Slest2在斜纹夜蛾抗、感品系中的表达水平。当以cDNA为模板检测mRNA转录水平时发现, Slest2在抗性品系中的转录水平是敏感品系的46.85倍; 以基因组DNA为模板检测Slest2基因的拷贝数时发现, Slest2在抗、感性品系中的拷贝数无显著差异（前者为后者的1.16倍）。这些结果表明, 抗性与敏感品系具有相似的Slest2基因拷贝数, 但它们在抗性品系中的转录水平显著升高。由此推测Slest2基因的转录水平升高与斜纹夜蛾对溴氰菊酯的抗药性密切相关。     

Molecular cloning and expression in vitro of a carboxylesterase gene from the Glanville fritillary butterfly (Melitaea cinxia)

Carboxylesterase (EC 3.1.1.1) is a member of the carboxyl/cholinesterase (CCE) superfamily, which is widely distributed in animals, plants and microorganisms. This enzyme has been known to be associated with insecticide resistance and detoxification. Although CCEs have been extensively studied in insects, including lepidopterans, the research on butterflies, a major subgroup in Lepidoptera, is still poor. In the present study, we cloned a CCE gene (McCCE1) from the Glanville fritillary butterfly (Melitaea cinxia, Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae). The full-length cDNA encoding McCCE1 was 1786 bp, containing a 1641 bp open reading frame encoding 546 amino acids, a 38 bp 5′-untranslated region (5′-UTR), and a 107 bp 3′-UTR with a poly(A) tail. The functionally conserved amino acids in McCCE1 shared the 55% identity with the cytoplasmic esterase CCE017a in Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), which has been associated with detoxification. Assays in vitro showed that the recombinant McCCE1 could hydrolyze α- and β-naphthyl acetate. Thus, the present study adds to the body of knowledge concerning the detoxification of pesticides by lepidopterans.