Immune gene discovery by expressed sequence tags generated from hemocytes of the bacteria-challenged oyster, Crassostrea gigas.
An expressed sequence tag program was undertaken to isolate genes involved in defense mechanisms of the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas. Putative function could be assigned to 54% of the 1142 sequenced cDNAs. We built a public database where all EST information are accessible through numerous search profiles (http://www.ifremer.fr/GigasBase). Based on sequence similarities we identified 20 genes that may be implicated in immune function. We investigated the expression of four of these genes during bacterial challenge of oysters. Three of them were induced in response to challenge lending support to their involvement in oyster immunity. Moreover, four other genes were highly homologous to components of the NF-kappa B signaling pathway which is involved in innate immune response in Drosophila and mammals. Altogether, our results open a new way to investigate the immune response in mollusks.
Gueguen
Yannick
Y
Défense et Résistance chez les Invertébrés Marins, UMR5098 IFREMER-CNRS-UMII, Université de Montpellier II, 2 place Eugène Bataillon, CC80, France.
Cadoret
Jean Paul
JP
Flament
Didier
D
Barreau-Roumiguière
Catherine
C
Girardot
Anne Laure
AL
Garnier
Julien
J
Hoareau
Alixe
A
Bachère
Evelyne
E
Escoubas
Jean Michel
JM
D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000276:immunology; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000166:cytology; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000235:genetics; D002455:Cell Division / Q000235:genetics; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000235:genetics; D020224:Expressed Sequence Tags; D005293:Ferritins / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000276:immunology; D006434:Hemocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000235:genetics*; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000235:genetics; D010125:Ostreidae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases / Q000235:genetics
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases; D005293:Ferritins; D008668:Metallothionein; D010450:Endopeptidases