title: Identification and molecular characterization of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) gene in the intertidal copepod Tigriopus japonicus.
abstract: In copepods, no information has been reported on the structure or molecular characterization of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) gene. In the intertidal copepod Tigriopus japonicus, we identified a NOS gene that is involved in immune responses of vertebrates and invertebrates. In silico analyses revealed that nitric oxide (NO) synthase domains, such as the oxygenase and reductase domains, are highly conserved in the T. japonicus NOS gene. The T. japonicus NOS gene was highly transcribed in the nauplii stages, implying that it plays a role in protecting the host during the early developmental stages. To examine the involvement of the T. japonicus NOS gene in the innate immune response, the copepods were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and two Vibrio sp. After exposure to different concentrations of LPS and Vibrio sp., T. japonicus NOS transcription was significantly increased over time in a dose-dependent manner, and the NO/nitrite concentration increased as well. Taken together, our findings suggest that T. japonicus NOS transcription is induced in response to an immune challenge as part of the conserved innate immunity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Science, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea; Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, South Korea.
authors.forename: Chang-Bum
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Science, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hye-Min
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Pathology Team, National Fisheries Research & Development Institute, Busan 46083, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jung Soo
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.affiliation: Department of Marine Resource Development, College of Life Sciences, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung 25457, South Korea.
authors.forename: Heum Gi
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Marine Science, College of Natural Sciences, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, South Korea. Electronic address: jsrhee@inu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Jae-Sung
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Rhee
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Science, College of Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea. Electronic address: jslee2@skku.edu.
authors.forename: Jae-Seong
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D033342:Copepoda / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000235:genetics*; D009573:Nitrites / Q000378:metabolism; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000235:genetics; D010105:Oxygenases / Q000235:genetics; D010802:Phylogeny; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA / Q000662:veterinary; D014733:Vibrio / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D009573:Nitrites; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D010105:Oxygenases; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase
keywords: Copepod; Lipopolysaccharide; NOS; Nitric oxide synthase; Tigriopus japonicus; Vibrio sp.