Hagfish intestinal antimicrobial peptides are ancient cathelicidins.
Three potent broad-spectrum antimicrobial peptides (HFIAP-1, -2, and -3) isolated from intestinal tissues of Myxine glutinosa (Atlantic hagfish) are identified as ancient members of the cathelicidin family of antimicrobial peptides, hitherto known only from mammals. In situ hybridization reveals that HFIAPs are produced in nests of myeloid cells within the loose connective tissue of the gut wall, a tissue reminiscent of both gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) and vertebrate spleen. We suggest that this tissue organization provides local defense of the hagfish gastrointestinal tract via innate immunity and possibly served as the architectural plan upon which the adaptive immune system evolved.
Uzzell
Thomas
T
Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA. uzzell@discovery.acnatsci.org
Stolzenberg
Ethan D
ED
Shinnar
Ann E
AE
Zasloff
Michael
M
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D001483:Base Sequence; D019295:Computational Biology; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects; D006196:Hagfishes / Q000235:genetics*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D007422:Intestines / Q000737:chemistry; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D013997:Time Factors; D054804:Cathelicidins
D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D054804:Cathelicidins