Alternatively spliced down syndrome cell adhesion molecule (Dscam) controls innate immunity in crab.

Alternatively-spliced hypervariable immunoglobulin domain-encoding molecules, called Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule (Dscam), have been widely detected as components of the arthropod immune system. Although its ability to specifically bind pathogens and enable phagocytosis of bacteria has been elucidated, the signal transduction mechanisms or effectors that activate post-Dscam-binding pathogens remain poorly characterized. Here, we reveal the alternative splicing exons of Dscam's cytoplasmic tail and its isoforms in the hemocytes of crab (), showing that the expression of Dscam was acutely induced after an immune challenge, which suggested its functioning for innate immunity.

NEDD8-conjugated Cullin4 positive regulates antimicrobial peptides expression in Eriocheir sinensis.

The ubiquitin-proteasome system is involved in numerous cellular processes, such as signal transduction, autophagy, cell cycle control, embryogenesis, and regulation of immune response. Neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated 8 (NEDD8) is a ubiquitin-like protein that activates Cullin-RING ligases and modifies substrates via neddylation. However, there is limited information on how neddylation regulates innate immunity in crustaceans.

JAK/STAT signalling regulates antimicrobial activities in Eriocheir sinensis.

The Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) signalling pathway plays a significant role in immune responses to pathogens. In invertebrates, three core components (Domeless, Hopscotch and STAT92E) of the JAK/STAT pathway were first identified in Drosophila melanogaster. In the present study, we report the cloning and characterisation of DOME, JAK and STAT from Eriocheir sinensis.