title: Gene structure, molecular characterization and transcriptional expression of two p38 isoforms (MAPK11 and MAPK14) from rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus).
abstract: The p38 kinases are one of the four subgroups of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) superfamily which are involved in the innate immunity. The p38 subfamily that includes four members namely p38α (MAPK14), p38β (MAPK11), p38γ (MAPK12) and p38δ (MAPK13), regulates the activation of several transcription factors. In this study, a p38β (OfMAPK11) homolog and a p38α (OfMAPK14) homolog of Oplegnathus fasciatus were identified at genomic level. Results clearly showed that both MAPK11 and MAPK14 are well-conserved at both genomic structural- and amino acid (aa)-levels. Genomic sequences of OfMAPK11 (∼ 15.6 kb) and OfMAPK14 (∼ 13.4 kb) had 12 exons. A comparison of exon-intron structural arrangement of these genes from different vertebrate lineages indicated that all the exon lengths are highly conserved, except their terminal exons. Full-length cDNAs of OfMAPK11 (3957 bp) and OfMAPK14 (2504 bp) encoded corresponding proteins of 361 aa and 360 aa, respectively. Both OfMAPK proteins harbored a Ser/Thr protein kinases catalytic domain (S_TKc domain) which includes an activation loop with a dual phosphorylation site (TGY motif) and several specific-binding sites for ATP and substrates. Molecular modeling of the activation loop and substrate binding sites of rock bream MAPKs revealed the conservation of crucial residues and their orientation in 3D space. Transcripts of OfMAPKs were ubiquitously detected in eleven tissues examined, however at different levels. The modulation of OfMAPKs' transcription upon pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs: flagellin, lipopolysaccharide and poly I:C) and pathogens (Edwardsiella tarda, Streptococcus iniae and rock bream iridovirus) was investigated. Among the seven examined tissues, the flagellin-challenge upregulated the mRNA level of both OfMAPKs in the head kidney. Meanwhile, modulation of OfMAPK mRNA expression in the liver upon other immune-challenges varied in a time-dependent manner. Collectively, these results suggest that OfMAPKs are true members of p38 subfamily, which might be induced by different immune stimuli.
authors.affiliation: Department of Marine Life Sciences, School of Marine Biomedical Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju Self-Governing Province 690-756, Republic of Korea; Fish Vaccine Research Center, Jeju National University, Jeju Self-Governing Province 690-756, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Navaneethaiyer
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Umasuthan
authors.affiliation: Department of Marine Life Sciences, School of Marine Biomedical Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju Self-Governing Province 690-756, Republic of Korea; Fish Vaccine Research Center, Jeju National University, Jeju Self-Governing Province 690-756, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: S D N K
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Bathige
authors.affiliation: Genetics & Breeding Research Center, National Fisheries Research & Development Institute, Geoje 656-842, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Koo
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Noh
authors.affiliation: Department of Marine Life Sciences, School of Marine Biomedical Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju Self-Governing Province 690-756, Republic of Korea; Fish Vaccine Research Center, Jeju National University, Jeju Self-Governing Province 690-756, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: jehee@jejunu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Jehee
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D004266:DNA Virus Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary / Q000821:virology; D020609:Edwardsiella tarda / Q000502:physiology; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D029941:Fish Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005408:Flagellin / Q000494:pharmacology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007497:Iridoviridae / Q000502:physiology; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D048290:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 11 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D048308:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 14 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010473:Perciformes / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010802:Phylogeny; D011070:Poly I-C / Q000494:pharmacology; D016415:Sequence Alignment / Q000662:veterinary; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D029941:Fish Proteins; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D005408:Flagellin; D048290:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 11; D048308:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 14; D011070:Poly I-C
keywords: Flagellin (FLA); Genomic arrangement; Immune responses; Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK); p38α (MAPK14) and p38β (MAPK11)