A molluscan calreticulin ortholog from Haliotis discus discus: Molecular characterization and transcriptional evidence for its role in host immunity.

Calreticulin (CALR), a Ca(2+) binding chaperone of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mainly involved in Ca(2+) storage and signaling. In this study, we report the molecular characterization and immune responses of CALR homolog from disk abalone (AbCALR). The full length AbCALR cDNA (1837 bp) had an ORF of 1224 bp.

Identification and molecular characterization of peroxiredoxin 6 from Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) revealing its potent antioxidant properties and putative immune relevancy.

Peroxiredoxins (Prdx) are thiol specific antioxidant enzymes that play a pivotal role in cellular oxidative stress by reducing toxic peroxide compounds into nontoxic products. In this study, we identified and characterized a peroxiredoxin 6 counterpart from Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) (AjPrdx6) at molecular, transcriptional and protein level. The identified full-length coding sequence of AjPrdx6 (669 bp) coded for a polypeptide of 223 aa residues (24.

Molecular characterization and transcriptional analysis of non-mammalian type Toll like receptor (TLR21) from rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus).

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a large family of pattern recognition receptors, which are involved in triggering host immune responses against various pathogens by detecting their evolutionarily conserved pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). TLR21 is a non-mammalian type TLR, which recognizes unmethylated CpG DNA, and is considered as a functional homolog of mammalian TLR9. In this study, we attempted to identify and characterize a novel TLR21 counterpart from rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus) designated as RbTLR21, at molecular level.

Genomic characterization and transcriptional evidence for the involvement of complement component 7 in immune response of rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus).

The complement component 7 (C7) is the central mediator of pathogenic attack at the membrane surface and its binding to the C5b-7 complex triggers cytolytic signaling. In this study, C7 of rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus) was identified (Rb-C7) and characterized at the genomic level. The Rb-C7 gene contains 18 exons and 17 introns and is composed of a 2490 bp complete open reading frame (ORF).

Diurnal expression patterns of neurohypophysial hormone genes in the brain of the threespot wrasse Halichoeres trimaculatus.

The aim of this study was to determine the involvement of neurohypophysial hormones in the diurnal patterns of the threespot wrasse Halichoeres trimaculatus, which is common in coral reefs and exhibits daily behavioral periodicity. Prohormone cDNAs of the neurohypophysial peptides, arginine vasotocin (AVT) and isotocin (IT), were cloned by 3'- and 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The distribution and expression patterns of pro-AVT and -IT mRNAs in the brain were determined using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time quantitative PCR, respectively.

Isolation and characterization of DMRT1 and its putative regulatory region in the protogynous wrasse, Halichoeres tenuispinis.

A full-length cDNA of doublesex and mab-3-related transcription factor 1 gene (DMRT1) from wrasse testis was isolated by cDNA library screening. Wrasse DMRT1 was 3116 bp in size and contained the DM domain, with a zinc finger DNA-binding motif, and the male-specific motif. Northern blot analysis identified a 3.

Petalonia improves glucose homeostasis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

The anti-diabetic potential of Petalonia binghamiae extract (PBE) was evaluated in vivo. Dietary administration of PBE to streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice significantly lowered blood glucose levels and improved glucose tolerance. The mode of action by which PBE attenuated diabetes was investigated in vitro using 3T3-L1 cells.

Expression of the melatonin receptor Mel(1c) in neural tissues of the reef fish Siganus guttatus.

The golden rabbitfish, Siganus guttatus, is a reef fish exhibiting a restricted lunar-related rhythm in behavior and reproduction. Here, to understand the circadian rhythm of this lunar-synchronized spawner, a melatonin receptor subtype-Mel(1c)-was cloned. The full-length Mel(1c) melatonin receptor cDNA comprised 1747 bp with a single open reading frame (1062 bp) that encodes a 353-amino acid protein, which included 7 presumed transmembrane domains.

Molecular cloning of cytochrome P450 aromatases in the protogynous wrasse, Halichoeres tenuispinis.

P450 aromatase (P450arom, CYP19), a CYP19 gene product, is a member of the cytochrome P450 superfamily that catalyzes the formation of aromatic C(18) estrogen from C(19) androgen. To begin to understand the molecular mechanisms of P450 aromatase action in the protogynous wrasse, we isolated two cDNAs: one encoding CYP19a from ovary and the other encoding CYP19b from brain. The full-length cDNA of wrasse CYP19a, isolated from ovary cDNA library, is 2020 bp long and encodes 519 amino acids.