title: Expression profile analysis of two cathepsin S in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) mucosal tissues following bacterial challenge.
abstract: Cathepsin S belongs to the papain family of cysteine protease, and is considered to play key roles in immune responses after bacterial challenge. However, despite the recognized importance of Cathepsin S in immunity, no studies have systematically characterized Cathepsin S in catfish. In this regard, here, we characterized the Cathepsin S gene family in channel catfish, and investigated their expression patterns following two different Gram-negative bacterial challenge. In the present study, two Cathepsin S genes (ctss and ctssa) were captured in channel catfish. In comparison to other species, the catfish Cathepsin S genes are highly conserved in their structural features. Phylogenetic analysis indicated the strongest phylogenetic relationship with zebrafish, which is consistent with their evolutional relationships. Tissue distribution analysis revealed that Cathepsin S genes were ubiquitously expressed in catfish tissues. Following bacterial infection, the Cathepsin S genes were significantly up-regulated at most time-points in mucosal surfaces, with an acute response post Edwardsiella ictaluri infection. Obviously, the expression profiles were quite distinct between two Cathepsin S genes, across the tissues and between pathogens, suggesting that Cathepsin S genes may exert disparate roles in mucosal immune responses. Our findings here, provide early insight into the immune functions of Cathepsin S in catfish; however, further studies are needed to determine the mechanisms of Cathepsin S for antigen presentation during inflammatory processes and innate host defense.
authors.affiliation: Marine Science and Engineering College, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoyu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA.
authors.forename: Zhi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.affiliation: Marine Science and Engineering College, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China.
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Biotechnology and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Heilongjiang Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Harbin, 150070, China.
authors.forename: Baofeng
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA.
authors.forename: Honggang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Peatman
authors.affiliation: Marine Science and Engineering College, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China. Electronic address: leoochao@163.com.
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002403:Cathepsins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D020610:Edwardsiella ictaluri; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D029941:Fish Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D045826:Flavobacteriaceae Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary; D005417:Flavobacterium; D007059:Ictaluridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal / Q000235:genetics; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000276:immunology*; D010802:Phylogeny
chemical_list: D029941:Fish Proteins; D002403:Cathepsins; C028217:cathepsin S
keywords: Catfish; Cathepsin; Infection; Mucosal immunity