Characterization of a C-type lectin (PcLec2) as an upstream detector in the prophenoloxidase activating system of red swamp crayfish.
C-type lectins are abundantly found in crustaceans. They function in the immune system by recognizing, opsonizing, or agglutinating. Some of them also feature anti-microbial activity. In this study, we identify a hepatopancreas-specific C-type lectin (PcLec2) that responds significantly to immune challenges in red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). Recombinant PcLec2 shows no agglutinating or anti-microbial activity. It can bind to lipopolysaccharides and bacterial cells in the absence of calcium, and its binding to Gram-negative bacteria is stronger than that to Gram-positive ones. Moreover, the protein can stimulate the activation of prophenoloxidase both in vitro and in vivo. We conclude that this C-type lectin may be an upstream detector of the prophenoloxidase activating system in crayfish.
The Key Laboratory of Plant Cell Engineering and Germplasm Innovation of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, China.
Xian-Wei
XW
Wang
Hong-Wei
HW
Zhang
Xiang
X
Li
Xiao-Fan
XF
Zhao
Jin-Xing
JX
Wang
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D003400:Astacoidea / Q000378:metabolism*; D001483:Base Sequence; D015415:Biomarkers; D004156:Catechol Oxidase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004792:Enzyme Precursors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data
D015415:Biomarkers; D004792:Enzyme Precursors; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; C038451:pro-phenoloxidase; D004156:Catechol Oxidase