title: Molecular cloning, expression and characterization of Pekin duck interferon-λ.
abstract: Interferons (IFNs) are the first line of defense against viral infections in vertebrates. Type III interferon (IFN-λ) is recognized for its key role in innate immunity of tissues of epithelial origin. Here we describe the identification of the Pekin duck IFN-λ ortholog (duIFN-λ). The predicted duIFN-λ protein has an amino acid identity of 63%, 38%, 37% and 33% with chicken IFN-λ and human IFN-λ3, IFN-λ2 and IFN-λ1, respectively. The duck genome contains a single IFN-λ gene that is comprised of five exons and four introns. Recombinant duIFN-λ up-regulated OASL and Mx-1 mRNA in primary duck hepatocytes. Our observations suggest evolutionary conservation of genomic organization and structural features implicated in receptor binding and antiviral activity. The identification and expression of duIFN-λ will facilitate further study of the role of type III IFN in antiviral defense and inflammatory responses of the Pekin duck, a non-mammalian vertebrate and pathogen host with relevance for human and animal health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada; Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Qingxia
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada; Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Karl P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Karina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Arnesen
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada; Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada; Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: D Lorne
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Tyrrell
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada; Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada. Electronic address: klaus.gutfreund@ualberta.ca.
authors.forename: Klaus S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Gutfreund
mesh_terms: D015088:2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000235:genetics; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004372:Ducks / Q000235:genetics*; D005091:Exons; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000502:physiology; D007372:Interferons / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D007378:Interleukins / Q000235:genetics; D007438:Introns; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D064547:Myxovirus Resistance Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D010802:Phylogeny; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D000095022:Interferon Lambda
chemical_list: D015088:2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase; D007372:Interferons; D007378:Interleukins; D064547:Myxovirus Resistance Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C000624353:interferon-lambda, human; D000095022:Interferon Lambda
keywords: Genomic organization; Interferon stimulated genes; Interferon-λ; Pekin duck