title: Identification and molecular characterization of dorsal and dorsal-like genes in the cyclopoid copepod Paracyclopina nana.
abstract: To date, knowledge of the immune system in aquatic invertebrates has been reported in only a few model organisms, even though all metazoans have an innate immune system. In particular, information on the copepod's immunity and the potential role of key genes in the innate immune systems is still unclear. In this study, we identified dorsal and dorsal-like genes in the cyclopoid copepod Paracyclopina nana. In silico analyses for identifying conserved domains and phylogenetic relationships supported their gene annotations. The transcriptional levels of both genes were slightly increased from the nauplius to copepodid stages, suggesting that these genes are putatively involved in copepodid development of P. nana. To examine the involvement of both genes in the innate immune response and under stressful conditions, the copepods were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), different culture densities, salinities, and temperatures. LPS significantly upregulated mRNA expressions of dorsal and dorsal-like genes, suggesting that both genes are transcriptionally sensitive in response to immune modulators. Exposure to unfavorable culture conditions also increased mRNA levels of dorsal and dorsal-like genes. These findings suggest that transcriptional regulation of the dorsal and dorsal-like genes would be associated with environmental changes in P. nana.
authors: Department of Biological Science, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 440-746, South Korea; Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 133-791, South Korea.
authors: Chang-Bum
authors: CB
authors: Jeong
authors: Department of Biological Science, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 440-746, South Korea.
authors: Min Chul
authors: MC
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 133-791, South Korea.
authors: Kyun-Woo
authors: KW
authors: Lee
authors: Pathology Team, National Fisheries Research & Development Institute, Busan 619-902, South Korea.
authors: Jung Soo
authors: JS
authors: Seo
authors: Department of Marine Resource Development, College of Life Sciences, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung 210-702, South Korea. Electronic address: hgpark@gwnu.ac.kr.
authors: Heum Gi
authors: HG
authors: Park
authors: Department of Marine Science, College of Natural Sciences, Incheon National University, Incheon 406-772, South Korea. Electronic address: jsrhee@incheon.ac.kr.
authors: Jae-Sung
authors: JS
authors: Rhee
authors: Department of Biological Science, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 440-746, South Korea. Electronic address: jslee2@skku.edu.
authors: Jae-Seong
authors: JS
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D033342:Copepoda / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D010802:Phylogeny; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D018076:DNA, Complementary; D014157:Transcription Factors
keywords: Copepod; Culture conditions; Dorsal; Lipopolysaccharide; Paracyclopina nana