title: Characterization of the circulating serum amyloid A in bottlenose dolphins.
abstract: Several isoforms of serum amyloid A (SAA) have been identified so far and because the plasma concentration of it increases dramatically, it is used as an indicator of inflammation in animals. In many terrestrial mammals, the circulating isoforms are SAA1 and SAA2, which are synthesized in the liver. Extra-hepatically synthesized SAA3, however, is a predominantly local SAA isoform with a characteristic N-terminal TFLK motif and a highly alkaline isoelectric point (pI). The aim of this study was to characterize the circulating SAA isoforms in bottlenose dolphins (dSAA) by determining the deduced amino acid sequence isolated from liver and the pI of plasma from healthy dolphins and those with inflammation. The deduced amino acid sequences of dSAA showed characteristics of SAA3 with an N-terminal TFLK motif, a predicted alkaline pI and were phylogenetically clustered with the SAA3 group rather than the SAA1 and SAA2 groups. Various tissues contained dSAA mRNA with the highest levels being detected in the liver. Isoelectric focusing and western blot analysis showed that one highly alkaline SAA was markedly detected in plasma obtained from dolphins affected by inflammation. These results suggest that, unlike other mammals, the circulating SAA in dolphins exhibits SAA3 properties, as is the case in pigs.
authors: Nihon University Veterinary Research Center, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors: Takao
authors: T
authors: Segawa
authors: Toru
authors: T
authors: Otsuka
authors: Takuya
authors: T
authors: Itou
authors: Miwa
authors: M
authors: Suzuki
authors: Nana
authors: N
authors: Karatani
authors: Takeo
authors: T
authors: Sakai
mesh_terms: D020816:Amino Acid Motifs; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D050681:Bottle-Nosed Dolphin / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D007526:Isoelectric Point; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D000685:Serum Amyloid A Protein / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D018076:DNA, Complementary; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000685:Serum Amyloid A Protein