Expression of Ciona intestinalis variable region-containing chitin-binding proteins during development of the gastrointestinal tract and their role in host-microbe interactions.
Variable region-containing chitin-binding proteins (VCBPs) are secreted, immune-type molecules that have been described in both amphioxus, a cephalochordate, and sea squirt, Ciona intestinalis, a urochordate. In adult Ciona, VCBP-A, -B and -C are expressed in hemocytes and the cells of the gastrointestinal tract. VCBP-C binds bacteria in the stomach lumen and functions as an opsonin in vitro. In the present paper the expression of VCBPs has been characterized during development using in situ hybridization, immunohistochemical staining and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) technologies. The expression of VCBP-A and -C is detected first in discrete areas of larva endoderm and becomes progressively localized during differentiation in the stomach and intestine, marking the development of gut tracts. In "small adults" (1-2 cm juveniles) expression of VCBP-C persists and VCBP-A gradually diminishes, ultimately replaced by expression of VCBP-B. The expression of VCBP-A and -C in stage 7-8 juveniles, at which point animals have already started feeding, is influenced significantly by challenge with either Gram-positive or -negative bacteria. A potential role for VCBPs in gut-microbiota interactions and homeostasis is indicated.
Department of Animal Physiology and Evolution, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Napoli, Italy.
Assunta
A
Liberti
Department of Animal Physiology and Evolution, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Napoli, Italy.
Daniela
D
Melillo
Department of Animal Physiology and Evolution, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Napoli, Italy.
Ivana
I
Zucchetti
Department of Animal Physiology and Evolution, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Napoli, Italy.
Lenina
L
Natale
Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida College of Medicine, St Petersburg, Florida, United States of America.
Larry J
LJ
Dishaw
Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida College of Medicine, St Petersburg, Florida, United States of America.
Gary W
GW
Litman
Department of Animal Physiology and Evolution, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Napoli, Italy.
Rosaria
R
De Santis
Department of Animal Physiology and Evolution, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Napoli, Italy.
Maria Rosaria
MR
Pinto
D000818:Animals; D001409:Bacillus cereus / Q000502:physiology; D002686:Chitin / Q000378:metabolism*; D002938:Ciona intestinalis / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000502:physiology; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006706:Homeostasis; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D064307:Microbiota; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013270:Stomach / Q000382:microbiology
D011506:Proteins; D002686:Chitin