Molecular cloning and expression of a Toll receptor in the giant tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon.
Invertebrates rely completely for their protection against pathogens on the innate immune system. This non-self-recognition is activated by microbial cell wall components with unique conserved molecular patterns. Pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) are recognised by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Toll and its mammalian homologs Toll-like receptors are cell-surface receptors acting as PRRs and involved in the signalling pathway implicated in their immune response. Here we describe a novel partial Toll receptor gene cloned from a gill library of the giant tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon, using primers based on the highly conserved Toll/IL-1R (TIR) domain. The deduced amino acid sequence of the P. monodon Toll (PmToll) shows 59% similarity to a Toll-related protein of Apis mellifera. Analysis of the LRRs of shrimp Toll contained no obvious PAMP-binding insertions. Phylogenetic analysis with the insect Toll family shows clustering with Toll1 and Toll5 gene products, and it is less related to Toll3 and Toll4. Furthermore, RT-qPCR shows that PmToll is constitutively expressed in gut, gill and hepatopancreas. Challenge with white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) shows equal levels of expression in these organs. A role in the defence mechanism is discussed. In conclusion, shrimp possess at least one Toll receptor that might be involved in immune defence.
Arts
Joop A J
JA
Cell Biology and Immunology Group, Wageningen University, Marijkeweg 40, 6709 PG Wageningen, The Netherlands. joop.arts@wur.nl
Cornelissen
Ferry H J
FH
Cijsouw
Tony
T
Hermsen
Trudi
T
Savelkoul
Huub F J
HF
Stet
René J M
RJ
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000737:chemistry; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D033561:Penaeidae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology; D010802:Phylogeny; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D046848:White spot syndrome virus 1 / Q000502:physiology
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors