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Identification and Characterization of a Novel Quadruple-Domain Galectin from the Hong Kong Oyster Crassostrea hongkongensis

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Abstract

Galectins, i.e. β-galactoside-binding animal lectins, play essential roles in the innate immunity systems of vertebrates and invertebrates. In the present study, a full-length cDNA coding for a galectin from the Hong Kong oyster Crassostrea hongkongensis (designated ChGal) was cloned and characterized. The complete cDNA of ChGal included an open reading frame (ORF) of 1668 bp, as well as 5′- and 3′-untranslated regions (UTRs) of 75 bp and 302 bp, respectively. The ORF coded for a putative protein of 555 amino acids with an estimated molecular mass of 63.4 kDa and a theoretical isoelectric point of 5.0. Sequence analysis revealed that ChGal contains four carbohydrate recognition domains (CRDs), each containing the conserved carbohydrate-binding motifs H-NPR and WG-ER. Phylogenetic analysis produced an unrooted tree with four clades: single CRDs, C-terminal CRDs with tandem-repeat galectin clade, N-terminal CRDs with tandem-repeat galectin clade, and quadruple-CRD clusters. ChGal clustered in the quadruple-domain galectins, which are divided into four subgroups on the basis of the position of each individual CRD. Recombinant ChGal exhibited strong agglutinating activity against Escherichia coli, Vibrio alginolyticus, and Bacillus thuringiensis. ChGal mRNA was constitutively expressed in all tissues tested, with the highest level detected in the digestive gland. The expression of ChGal significantly increased in haemocytes in response to V. alginolyticus challenge. These results suggest that ChGal play an important role in the innate immune responses of the Hong Kong oyster.

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Funding

This work was supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (U201215); Science and Technology Promotion Funding from Guangdong Marine Fisheries Bureau (A201301B08), and Industry Research and Development Project from the Qingyuan Science and Technology Bureau (2013A005).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Qingyuan Polytechnic, Qingcheng District, 511515, Qingyuan, PR China

    Changhua Xian, Jinhui Chen, Yuehong Luo, Yuanning Lu, Qingle Chen & Xueping Deng

  2. Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 510301, Guangzhou, PR China

    Ziniu Yu

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  1. Changhua Xian
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  2. Jinhui Chen
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  3. Yuehong Luo
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Correspondence to Jinhui Chen.

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Changhua Xian, Chen, J., Luo, Y. et al. Identification and Characterization of a Novel Quadruple-Domain Galectin from the Hong Kong Oyster Crassostrea hongkongensis. Russ J Mar Biol 45, 320–329 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1063074019040114

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1063074019040114

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