A galectin from Eriocheir sinensis functions as pattern recognition receptor enhancing microbe agglutination and haemocytes encapsulation.
Galectins are a family of β-galactoside binding lectins that function as pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) in innate immune system of both vertebrates and invertebrates. The cDNA of Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis galectin (designated as EsGal) was cloned via rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) technique based on expressed sequence tags (ESTs) analysis. The full-length cDNA of EsGal was 999 bp. Its open reading frame encoded a polypeptide of 218 amino acids containing a GLECT/Gal-bind_lectin domain and a proline/glycine rich low complexity region. The deduced amino acid sequence and domain organization of EsGal were highly similar to those of crustacean galectins. The mRNA transcripts of EsGal were found to be constitutively expressed in a wide range of tissues and mainly in hepatopancreas, gill and haemocytes. The mRNA expression level of EsGal increased rapidly and significantly after crabs were stimulated by different microbes. The recombinant EsGal (rEsGal) could bind various pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), including lipopolysaccharide (LPS), peptidoglycan (PGN) and glucan (GLU), and exhibited strong activity to agglutinate Escherichia coli, Vibrio anguillarum, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus and Pichia pastoris, and such agglutinating activity could be inhibited by both d-galactose and α-lactose. The in vitro encapsulation assay revealed that rEsGal could enhance the encapsulation of haemocytes towards agarose beads. These results collectively suggested that EsGal played crucial roles in the immune recognition and elimination of pathogens and contributed to the innate immune response against various microbes in crabs.
Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Nanhai Rd., Qingdao 266071, Shandong, China.
Mengqiang
M
Wang
Key Laboratory of Mariculture & Stock Enhancement in North China's Sea, Ministry of Agriculture, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China.
Lingling
L
Wang
Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Nanhai Rd., Qingdao 266071, Shandong, China.
Mengmeng
M
Huang
Key Laboratory of Mariculture & Stock Enhancement in North China's Sea, Ministry of Agriculture, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China.
Qilin
Q
Yi
Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Nanhai Rd., Qingdao 266071, Shandong, China.
Ying
Y
Guo
Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Nanhai Rd., Qingdao 266071, Shandong, China.
Yunchao
Y
Gai
Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Nanhai Rd., Qingdao 266071, Shandong, China.
Hao
H
Wang
Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Nanhai Rd., Qingdao 266071, Shandong, China. Electronic address: zhanghuan@qdio.ac.cn.
Huan
H
Zhang
Key Laboratory of Mariculture & Stock Enhancement in North China's Sea, Ministry of Agriculture, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China. Electronic address: lshsong@ms.qdio.ac.cn.
Linsheng
L
Song
D000371:Agglutination; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D060829:Arthropod Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D001483:Base Sequence; D003386:Brachyura / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D037161:Galectins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D006434:Hemocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D009928:Organ Specificity; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051192:Receptors, Pattern Recognition / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016415:Sequence Alignment
D060829:Arthropod Proteins; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D037161:Galectins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051192:Receptors, Pattern Recognition
Eriocheir sinensis; Galectin; Haemocytes encapsulation; Innate immunity; Microbes agglutination; PAMPs binding activity; Pattern recognition receptor