Cloning, mapping and genomic organization of a fish C-type lectin gene from homozygous clones of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Utilizing a splenic cDNA library and rapid amplification of cDNA 5' ends (5'-RACE), a C-type lectin gene was cloned from a homozygous cloned rainbow trout. The 1176 bp cDNA contains a 714 bp open reading frame from which a 238-amino-acid (aa) (27 kDa) protein was deduced. It was confirmed that this protein belongs to the C-type animal lectins, and is a type II membrane receptor. The predicted protein from this sequence contains a 48 aa cytoplasmic domain, a 20 aa transmembrane domain (TM), a 46 aa stalk region and a 124 aa carbohydrate-recognition domain (CRD). The stalk region contains a leucine-zipper, and an N-glycosylation site was also found in the CRD. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis of the CRD indicate that the protein has similarity with human dendritic cell immunoreceptor (DCIR), gp120 binding C-type lectin (gp120BCL) and mammalian hepatic lectins. The N-terminus (aa 4-183) has similarity with NKG2, a group of C-type lectin receptors important in human natural killer cell function. The genomic DNA (gDNA) containing this gene was amplified and sequenced. The 4569 bp gDNA contains five exons and four introns. The first three exons encode the cytoplasmic domain, the TM and stalk region, respectively. Unlike the other type II C-type lectin receptors in which the CRD was encoded by three exons, the CRD of this lectin was encoded by two exons. A transposon Tc1-like fragment was found in intron III. Intron IV is composed of a simple repeat. Tissue-specific expression of the gene was studied by RT-PCR, and it was mainly expressed in spleen and peripheral blood leukocyte (PBL). Using AluI to digest the fragment containing exon I, intron I and exon II, an RFLP was produced between the sequences of this gene in two cloned fish, OSU 142 and Arlee (AR). Seventy-one doubled haploids (DH) of OSU X AR were screened, and the gene was mapped to linkage group XIV on the published map (Young et al., Genetics 148 (1998) 839).     

Cloning novel immune-type inhibitory receptors from the rainbow trout, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus mykiss</Emphasis>

Novel immune-type receptor ( NITR) genes that encode two extracellular immunoglobulin domains and cytoplasmic immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motifs (ITIMs) have been described previously in three lineages of bony fish. In the current study, four ITIM-containing NITR cDNAs are identified in the rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss), and their expression patterns and genomic complexity are characterized. The ITIM-containing NITR2 gene maps 1.3 cM from an ITIM-containing C-type lectin receptor ( TCL-2) on linkage group XXI. A comprehensive, phylogenetic analysis of NITRs from rainbow trout and three other major lineages of bony fish defines conserved families of NITRs and suggests an ancient lineage of distinct groups of genes. Several probable scenarios that explain the origins of variant forms of NITRs are described.     

Immulectin, an inducible C-type lectin from an insect, Manduca sexta, stimulates activation of plasma prophenol oxidase.

Immulectin, a C-type lectin from the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, was cloned from a larval fat body cDNA library. The immulectin cDNA encodes a 309 residue polypeptide. Immulectin synthesis was induced by injection of killed gram-positive or gram-negative bacteria or yeast. After injection of bacteria, immulectin mRNA appeared in fat body and immulectin protein was detected in hemolymph. Immulectin contains two carbohydrate recognition domains. The carboxyl-terminal carbohydrate recognition domain is most similar (36% identity) to a lipopolysaccharide-binding protein from the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana. It also shares 26-35% identity to carbohydrate recognition domains of various mammalian C-type lectins. Two immulectin isoforms were identified in the hemolymph of bacteria-injected larvae. Recombinant immulectin agglutinated gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and yeast. Addition of recombinant immulectin to M. sexta plasma stimulated activation of phenol oxidase. A combination of immulectin with lipopolysaccharide from E. coli activated phenol oxidase more rapidly and to a higher level than immulectin alone, whereas lipopolysaccharide by itself had little effect on phenol oxidase activation. Immulectin synthesized in response to bacterial or fungal infection may help to trigger protective responses in M. sexta in a manner similar to mannose-binding protein, a C-type lectin that functions in the mammalian innate immune system.     

Human surfactant protein D: SP-D contains a C-type lectin carbohydrate recognition domain

Lung surfactant protein D (SP-D) shows calcium-dependent binding to specific saccharides, and is similar in domain structure to certain members of the calcium-dependent (C-type) lectin family. Using a degenerate oligomeric probe corresponding to a conserved peptide sequence derived from the amino-terminus of the putative carbohydrate binding domain of rat and bovine SP-D, we screened a human lung cDNA library and isolated a 1.4-kb cDNA for the human protein. The relationship of the cDNA to SP-D was established by several techniques including amino-terminal microsequencing of SP-D-derived peptides, and immunoprecipitation of translation products of transcribed mRNA with monospecific antibodies to SP-D. In addition, antibodies to a synthetic peptide derived from a predicted unique epitope within the carbohydrate recognition domain of SP-D specifically reacted with SP-D. DNA sequencing demonstrated a noncollagenous carboxy-terminal domain that is highly homologous with the carboxy-terminal globular domain of previously described C-type lectins. This domain contains all of the so-called "invariant residues," including four conserved cysteine residues, and shows high homology with the mannose-binding subfamily of C-type lectins. Sequencing also demonstrated an amino-terminal collagenous domain that contains an uninterrupted sequence of 59 Gly-X-Y triplets and that also contains the only identified consensus for asparagine-linked oligosaccharides. The studies demonstrate that SP-D is a member of the C-type lectin family, and confirm predicted structural similarities to conglutinin, SP-D, and the serum mannose binding proteins.     

A unique primary structure, cDNA cloning and function of a galactose-specific lectin from ascidian plasma.

The complete amino acid sequence of a galactose-specific lectin from the plasma of the ascidian Halocynthia roretzi has been determined by sequential Edman degradation analysis of peptide fragments derived by proteolytic fragmentation and chemical cleavage of the reductive S-pyridylethylated lectin. Peptide fragments were separated by reverse-phase HPLC. The N-terminal and C-terminal amino acid sequences were determined by Edman degradation and enzymatic digestion. The H. roretzi plasma lectin is a single-chain protein consisting of 327 amino acids and four disulfide bonds, one of which was found to be cross-linked intramolecularly. A comparison of the amino acid sequence of the H. roretzi plasma lectin with the sequences of other proteins reveals that the H. roretzi lectin has a structure consisting of a twice-repeated sequence, a fibrinogen-related sequence and a C-type lectin-homologous sequence. The above amino acid sequence was verified by cDNA cloning of this lectin. Three cDNA clones that have single ORFs encoding the lectin precursor were isolated from an H. roretzi hepatopancreas cDNA library. The deduced amino acid sequences in the three cDNA clones contain the same sequence of the mature lectin molecule and the same putative signal sequence. In addition, it was demonstrated that this lectin can enhance phagocytosis by H. roretzi hemocytes. Thus, the plasma lectin is constructed into an oligomer structure via intermolecular disulfide bonds and plays a role in the biological defense of H. roretzi as a defense molecule.     

Primary structure and characteristics of a lectin from skin mucus of the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica

Two types of lactose-binding lectins, AJL-1 and AJL-2, were purified from the skin mucus extract of the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica by lactose affinity chromatography and subsequent gel filtration. The molecular masses of AJL-1 and AJL-2 were 16,091 and 31,743 Da, respectively. Intact AJL-1 was comprised of two identical 16-kDa subunits having blocked N termini and no disulfide bonds. AJL-2 was a homodimer with disulfide bonds. Based on the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the AJL-2 monomer, the nucleotide sequence of cDNA encoding this lectin was determined by 3'- and 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The deduced amino acid sequence showed approximately 30% homology with C-type lectins, which bind to carbohydrates in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. In addition, AJL-2 exhibited highly conserved consensus amino acid residues of the C-type carbohydrate recognition domain, although this lectin showed Ca(2+)-independent activity. Gene expression of AJL-2 was detected only in the skin by Northern blot analysis, and this lectin localization was demonstrated in the club cells by immunohistochemistry. These results indicate that AJL-2 is secreted on the body surface and function as a component of skin mucus. AJL-2 agglutinated Escherichia coli and suppressed its growth, suggesting that this lectin is involved in host defense.     

Cloning, tissue distribution and nutritional regulation of a Delta6-desaturase-like enzyme in rainbow trout

This report describes the cloning, nutritional regulation and tissue distribution of a desaturase-like enzyme in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The open reading frame of the trout desaturase-like cDNA encodes a 454-amino acid peptide that contains two membrane-spanning domains, three histidine-rich regions and a cytochrome b5 domain, which all align perfectly with the same domains located in other recently identified vertebrate Delta5- and Delta6-desaturases. Nutritional regulation of trout desaturase-like gene expression, as well as the tissue expression profile, are also similar to those observed in other vertebrate Delta5- and Delta6-desaturases. Finally, the sequence alignments between the predicted protein sequence of rainbow trout desaturase-like and other Delta6- and Delta5-desaturases revealed a high percentage identity with Delta6-desaturases (64-66% identity with vertebrate Delta6-desaturases). These results demonstrate for the first time the presence and nutritional modulation of a Delta6-desaturase-like cDNA in rainbow trout.     

Molecular structure and properties of lectin from tomato fruit

A cDNA encoding tomato fruit lectin was cloned from an unripe cherry-tomato fruit cDNA library. The isolated lectin cDNA contained an open reading frame encoding 365 amino acids, including peptides that were sequenced. The deduced sequence consisted of three distinct domains: (i) an N-terminal short extensin-like domain; (ii) a Cys-rich carbohydrate binding domain composed of four almost identical chitin-binding domains; (iii) an internal extensin-like domain of 101 residues containing 15 SerPro(4) motifs inserted between the first and second chitin-binding domains. The molecular weight of the lectin was 65,633 and that of the deglycosylated lectin was 32,948, as determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). This correlated with the estimated molecular weight of the deduced sequence. Recombinant tomato lectin expressed in Pichia pastoris possessed chitin-binding but not hemagglutinating activity. These findings confirmed that the cDNA encoded tomato lectin.     

Identification and bioactivities of IFN-gamma in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss: the first Th1-type cytokine characterized functionally in fish

IFN-gamma is one of the key cytokines in defining Th1 immune responses. In this study, an IFN-gamma homologue has been identified in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, and its biological activities have been characterized. The trout IFN-gamma cDNA is 1034 bp in length and translates into a 180-aa protein. The first intron of the trout IFN-gamma gene contains highly polymorphic GACA minisatellites and 44-bp DNA repeats, giving rise to at least six alleles. IFN-gamma is structurally conserved among vertebrates, and a signature motif has been identified. A nuclear localization sequence known to be crucial for IFN-gamma biological activities is also present in the C-terminal region of the trout IFN-gamma. The IFN-gamma expression was induced in head kidney leukocytes by stimulation with PHA or poly(I:C) and in kidney and spleen of fish injected with poly(I:C). rIFN-gamma produced in Escherichia coli significantly stimulated gene expression of IFN-gamma-inducible protein 10 (gammaIP-10), MHC class II beta-chain, and STAT1, and enhanced respiratory burst activity in macrophages. Deletion of 29-aa residues from the C terminus containing the nuclear localization sequence motif resulted in loss of activity with respect to induction of gammaIP-10 in RTS-11 cells. Moreover, IFN-gamma-induced gammaIP-10 expression was completely abolished by the protein kinase C inhibitor staurosporine, and partially reduced by U0126, a specific inhibitor for ERKs. Taken together, the present study has demonstrated for the first time a functional IFN-gamma homologue in a fish species, strongly suggesting a conserved Th1 immune response is most likely present in lower vertebrates.     

Molecular cloning of a mouse scavenger receptor with C-type lectin (SRCL)(1), a novel member of the scavenger receptor family.

The cDNA clone encoding a mouse scavenger receptor with C-type lectin (SRCL), a novel member of the scavenger receptor family, has been isolated from a mouse embryonic cDNA library. The predicted cDNA sequence contains a 2226 bp open reading frame encoding a coiled-coil, collagen-like, C-type lectin/carbohydrate recognition domain with an overall sequence identity of 92% to human SRCL. In contrast to human, mouse SRCL mRNA was expressed ubiquitously in various adult tissues including the liver and spleen, in which human SRCL mRNA was under detection limits. Mouse SRCL mRNA was expressed in the macrophage cell line J774A.1 cells at a high level and in the embryo as early as E9.     

Molecular Structure and Properties of Lectin from Tomato Fruit

A cDNA encoding tomato fruit lectin was cloned from an unripe cherry-tomato fruit cDNA library. The isolated lectin cDNA contained an open reading frame encoding 365 amino acids, including peptides that were sequenced. The deduced sequence consisted of three distinct domains: (i) an N-terminal short extensin-like domain; (ii) a Cys-rich carbohydrate binding domain composed of four almost identical chitin-binding domains; (iii) an internal extensin-like domain of 101 residues containing 15 SerPro₄ motifs inserted between the first and second chitin-binding domains. The molecular weight of the lectin was 65,633 and that of the deglycosylated lectin was 32,948, as determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). This correlated with the estimated molecular weight of the deduced sequence. Recombinant tomato lectin expressed in Pichia pastoris possessed chitin-binding but not hemagglutinating activity. These findings confirmed that the cDNA encoded tomato lectin.     

Molecular cloning and functional characterization of a human scavenger receptor with C-type lectin (SRCL), a novel member of a scavenger receptor family

Using a human placenta cDNA library, we cloned a novel member belonging to the scavenger receptor family. Complementary DNA of this clone encodes a type II transmembranous glycoprotein containing a collagen-like domain, which are typical structural characteristics of scavenger receptor class A. This protein also contains a C-type lectin/carbohydrate recognition domain (C-type CRD) located at the C-terminus. We designated this as Scavenger Receptor with C-type Lectin (SRCL) type I. We also isolated human SRCL type II, which lacks the C-type CRD. Northern blot analysis revealed that hSRCL type I and type II mRNAs are abundantly expressed in adult human tissues. When hSRCL type I and type II were expressed in CHO-K1 cells, they were localized in the plasma membrane forming clusters on the surface. Ligand-binding studies of CHO-K1 cells expressing hSRCL type I and type II demonstrated their specific binding capacity in Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. These results indicate that hSRCL is a novel bacteria-binding receptor containing a C-type CRD and this receptor may play an important role in host defense.     

Glycan Dependence of Galectin-3 Self-Association Properties

Human Galectin-3 is found in the nucleus, the cytoplasm and at the cell surface. This lectin is constituted of two domains: an unfolded N-terminal domain and a C-terminal Carbohydrate Recognition Domain (CRD). There are still uncertainties about the relationship between the quaternary structure of Galectin-3 and its carbohydrate binding properties. Two types of self-association have been described for this lectin: a C-type self-association and a N-type self-association. Herein, we have analyzed Galectin-3 oligomerization by Dynamic Light Scattering using both the recombinant CRD and the full length lectin. Our results proved that LNnT induces N-type self-association of full length Galectin-3. Moreover, from Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Surface Plasmon Resonance experiments, we observed no significant specificity or affinity variations for carbohydrates related to the presence of the N-terminal domain of Galectin-3. NMR mapping clearly established that the N-terminal domain interacts with the CRD. We propose that LNnT induces a release of the N-terminal domain resulting in the glycan-dependent self-association of Galectin-3 through N-terminal domain interactions.     

The cartilage-derived, C-type lectin (CLECSF1): structure of the gene and chromosomal location.

Cartilage is a tissue that is primarily extracellular matrix, the bulk of which consists of proteoglycan aggregates constrained within a collagen framework. Candidate components that organize the extracellular assembly of the matrix consist of collagens, proteoglycans and multimeric glycoproteins. We describe the human gene structure of a potential organizing factor, a cartilage-derived member of the C-type lectin superfamily (CLECSF1; C-type lectin superfamily) related to the serum protein, tetranectin. We show by Northern analysis that this protein is restricted to cartilage and locate the gene on chromosome 16q23. We have characterized 10.9 kb of sequence upstream of the first exon. Similarly to human tetranectin, there are three exons. The residues that are conserved between CLECSF1 and tetranectin suggest that the cartilage-derived protein forms a trimeric structure similar to that of tetranectin, with three N-terminal alpha-helical domains aggregating through hydrophobic faces. The globular, C-terminal domain that has been shown to bind carbohydrate in some members of the family and plasminogen in tetranectin, is likely to have a similar overall structure to that of tetranectin.     

Cloning, characterization, and structural analysis of a C-type lectin from Bothrops insularis (BiL) venom

Lectins are carbohydrate-binding molecules that mediate a variety of biological processes. In this work, we identify and characterize a lectin from Bothrops insularis venom, with respect to its biochemical properties and theoretical structure. Initially, from a venom gland cDNA library, we cloned and sequenced a cDNA encoding a protein with high identity to snake venom lectins. A lectin molecule was purified to homogeneity from the venom by affinity column and gel filtration. This protein named BiL displayed hemagglutinating activity that was inhibited by galactose, lactose, and EDTA. Mass spectrometry analysis and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that BiL is a disulfide-linked dimeric protein consisting of monomers with 16,206 m/z. The amino acid sequence, deduced from its cDNA sequence, was confirmed by Edman sequencing and by peptide mass fingerprint analysis. BiL shows similarity to other C-type lectin family members. Modeling studies provide insights into BiL dimeric structure and its structural determinants for carbohydrate and calcium binding.     

The vitronectin gene in rainbow trout: cloning, expression and phylogenetic analysis

Vitronectin is a major cell adhesion glycoprotein that is found in plasma and the extracellular matrix. Vitronectin consists of an N-terminal somatomedin B domain and two hemopexin-like domains and controls functions including cell adhesion, migration, haemostasis and immune defence. In order to study the molecular evolution of the complement lytic pathway regulation, we have cloned and characterized the vitronectin gene from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The deduced amino acid sequence of trout vitronectin exhibits 45%, 46%, 47% and 63% identity with human, chicken, Xenopus and zebrafish orthologs, respectively. The domain architecture of the trout vitronectin, consisting of a somatomedin B domain and two hemopexin-like domains, resembles that of mammalian vitronectins. Analysis of partial genomic clones shows that trout vitronectin gene exhibits the same exon-intron organization profile as the human ortholog gene. The trout vitronectin gene is probably present as a single copy in the trout genome, showing a differential expression pattern among tissues investigated.