title: Molecular structure, distribution, and immunology function of TNFSF13B (BAFF) in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).
abstract: B cell-activating factor (BAFF)is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family and plays roles in B cell survival and maturation. In this study, the full-length cDNA of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) BAFF (tBAFF) was amplified from the spleen by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). The open reading frame of this cDNA encodes a protein of 261 amino acids containing a predicted transmembrane domain and a furin protease cleavage site, similar to mammalian, avian, and reptile BAFF. Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis revealed that tBAFF is present in various tissues and is predominantly expressed in the spleen. The predicted three-dimensional (3D) structure of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) soluble BAFF (tsBAFF) monomer was determined by (3D) structure modeling monomeranalyzed by (3D) structure mouse counterpart. Both tsBAFF and EGFP/tsBAFF were efficiently expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), as confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. After purification, the EGFP/tsBAFF fusion protein showed a fluorescence spectrum similar to that of EGFP. Laser scanning confocal microscopy showed that EGFP/tsBAFF bound to its receptor. In vitro, tsBAFF promoted the proliferation of Nile tilapia and mouse splenic B cells together with/without a priming agent (Staphylococcus aureus Cowan 1, SAC) or anti-mouse IgM. Furthermore, tsBAFF showed a similar proliferation-stimulating effect on mouse B cells compared to msBAFF. These findings indicate that tsBAFF plays an important role in the proliferation of Nile tilapia B cells and has functional cross-reactivity among Nile tilapia and mammals. Therefore, BAFF may represent a useful factor for enhancing immunological efficacy in animals.
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, Life Sciences College, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, China.
authors.forename: Hongzhen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, Life Sciences College, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, China; Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China. Electronic address: zhangjiaxin60633@163.com.
authors.forename: Jiaxin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Aging Research, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310036, China.
authors.forename: Jianfeng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Central Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southeast University, 210003, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Jinyun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, Life Sciences College, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, China. Electronic address: zhangshuangquan@njnu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Shuangquan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D023681:Cichlids / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D029941:Fish Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D005880:Gills / Q000378:metabolism; D060226:Head Kidney / Q000378:metabolism; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D013154:Spleen / Q000378:metabolism; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D029941:Fish Proteins; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D012333:RNA, Messenger
keywords: BAFF; Cell proliferation; Immune evolution; In vitro expression; Molecular structure; Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)