title: The expression of an immune-related phenoloxidase gene is modulated in Ciona intestinalis ovary, test cells, embryos and larva.
abstract: Two distinct Ciona intestinalis phenoloxidases (CinPO1, 2) had previously been cloned and sequenced. The CinPO2 is involved in innate immunity and is expressed by inflammatory hemocytes that populate the tunic and pharynx vessels as a response to LPS inoculation. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry assays on histological section, showed that the expression of this gene and the produced protein are shared with oogenesis, embryogenesis and larval morphogenesis. Intriguingly, upregulation of gene transcription was found in the test cell layer that envelopes the ovary follicle, ovulated egg, and gastrula, as well as it was modulated in the zygotic nucleus of outer balstomers of 32-cell embryo, neurula presumptive epidermis tissue and larval mesenchyme. The anti-CinPO2 antibodies, specific for adult inflammatory cells, recognize epitopes in the cytoplasm of ovarian oocytes, ovulated eggs, development stages and larval mesenchyme. The overall findings disclose the precocious activation of the CinPO2 immunity-related gene, and show a developmentally programmed expression of this phenoloxidase. Furthermore, these findings support the multifunctional roles of immunity-related genes and allows us to explore new perspectives on ascidian development and immunity.
authors: Marine Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Biological Chemical Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi, Palermo, Italy.
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Parrinello
authors: Maria A
authors: MA
authors: Sanfratello
authors: Aiti
authors: A
authors: Vizzini
authors: Matteo
authors: M
authors: Cammarata
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002938:Ciona intestinalis / Q000196:embryology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007814:Larva / Q000201:enzymology; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D010053:Ovary / Q000201:enzymology; D020539:Sequence Analysis, Protein; D015053:Zygote / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase