title: Thymus cDNA library survey uncovers novel features of immune molecules in Chinese giant salamander Andrias davidianus.
abstract: A ranavirus-induced thymus cDNA library was constructed from Chinese giant salamander, the largest extant amphibian species. Among the 137 putative immune-related genes derived from this library, these molecules received particular focus: immunoglobulin heavy chains (IgM, IgD, and IgY), IFN-inducible protein 6 (IFI6), and T cell receptor beta chain (TCRβ). Several unusual features were uncovered: IgD displays a structure pattern distinct from those described for other amphibians by having only four constant domains plus a hinge region. A unique IgY form (IgY(ΔFc)), previously undescribed in amphibians, is present in serum. Alternative splicing is observed to generate IgH diversification. IFI6 is newly-identified in amphibians, which occurs in two forms divergent in subcelluar distribution and antiviral activity. TCRβ immunoscope profile follows the typical vertebrate pattern, implying a polyclonal T cell repertoire. Collectively, the pioneering survey of ranavirus-induced thymus cDNA library from Chinese giant salamander reveals immune components and characteristics in this primitive amphibian.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China.
authors.forename: Rong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China.
authors.forename: Zhong-Yuan
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China.
authors.forename: Jiang-Di
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China.
authors.forename: Xiang-Yong
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China.
authors.forename: Jian-Fang
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Gui
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China. Electronic address: zhangqy@ihb.ac.cn.
authors.forename: Qi-Ya
authors.initials: QY
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D029845:Amphibian Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018925:Chemokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015723:Gene Library; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D058977:Molecular Sequence Annotation; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D021381:Protein Transport; D012326:RNA Splicing; D017995:Ranavirus / Q000276:immunology; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology*; D059467:Transcriptome; D014562:Caudata / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D029845:Amphibian Proteins; D018925:Chemokines; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta
keywords: Chinese giant salamander Andrias davidianus; Immune gene; Immunoglobulin; Ranavirus-induced; Thymus cDNA library