title: Upregulated transcription of phenoloxidase genes in the pharynx and endostyle of Ciona intestinalis in response to LPS.
abstract: We investigated the role of phenoloxidases (POs) in ascidians inflammatory reaction, a components of a copper-containing protein family involved in invertebrate immune system. In Ciona intestinalis two phenoloxidases (CinPO-1, CinPO-2) have been sequenced. In the present study, real time PCR analysis showed that both CinPO-1 and CinPO-2 genes were modulated by LPS inoculation suggesting that they are inducible and highly expressed in the inflamed pharynx. In situ hybridization disclosed CinPO-1 and CinPO-2 transcripts in pharynx hemocytes (granulocytes) and, mainly, in unilocular refractile granulocytes (URG) which mainly populated the inflamed tunic matrix. Interestingly, the genes are also upregulated by LPS in the endostyle (zones 7, 8 and 9) that is considered homolog to the vertebrate thyroid.
authors: Marine Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Biological Chemical Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, Palermo, Italy.
authors: Aiti
authors: A
authors: Vizzini
authors: Marine Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Biological Chemical Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, Palermo, Italy.
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Parrinello
authors: Marine Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Biological Chemical Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, Palermo, Italy.
authors: Maria Antonietta
authors: MA
authors: Sanfratello
authors: Marine Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Biological Chemical Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, Palermo, Italy.
authors: Maria Rosa
authors: MR
authors: Trapani
authors: Marine Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Biological Chemical Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, Palermo, Italy.
authors: Valentina
authors: V
authors: Mangano
authors: Marine Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Biological Chemical Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, Palermo, Italy.
authors: Nicolò
authors: N
authors: Parrinello
authors: Marine Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Biological Chemical Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, Palermo, Italy. Electronic address: matteo.cammarata@unipa.it.
authors: Matteo
authors: M
authors: Cammarata
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002938:Ciona intestinalis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000276:immunology; D006434:Hemocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase
keywords: Ascidian; Ciona intestinalis; Hemocyte; Inflammation; LPS; Phenoloxidase