Ribosomal protein L17 functions as an antimicrobial protein in amphioxus.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), characterized by their cationic nature and amphiphilic properties, play a pivotal role in inhibiting the biological activity of microbes. Currently, only a fraction of the antimicrobial potential within the ribosomal protein family has been explored, despite its extensive membership and resemblance to AMPs. Herein we demonstrated that amphioxus RPL17 (BjRPL17) exhibited not only upregulated expression upon bacterial stimulation but also possessed bactericidal capabilities against both Gram-negative and -positive bacteria through combined action mechanisms including interaction with cell surface molecules LPS, LTA, and PGN, disruption of cell membrane integrity, promotion of membrane depolarization, and induction of intracellular ROS production.

Amphioxus adenosine-to-inosine tRNA-editing enzyme that can perform C-to-U and A-to-I deamination of DNA.

Adenosine-to-inosine tRNA-editing enzyme has been identified for more than two decades, but the study on its DNA editing activity is rather scarce. We show that amphioxus (Branchiostoma japonicum) ADAT2 (BjADAT2) contains the active site 'HxE-PCxxC' and the key residues for target-base-binding, and amphioxus ADAT3 (BjADAT3) harbors both the N-terminal positively charged region and the C-terminal pseudo-catalytic domain important for recognition of substrates. The sequencing of BjADAT2-transformed Escherichia coli genome suggests that BjADAT2 has the potential to target E.

Posture Monitoring of Basketball Training Based on Intelligent Wearable Device.

The relevant content of China's sport work clearly pointed out that it is necessary to improve the physical and mental health of the citizens. Combining the current development hotspots of mobile smart terminals and smart wearable devices, smart wearable devices are analyzed from the function and development history in order to find an effective combination of smart wearable devices and sports work. This article describes the youth as the main body receiving grassroots physical education of nonsports special students and basketball enthusiasts.

Identification of amphioxus protein disulfide isomerase as both an enzyme and an immunocompotent factor.

Previous studies have shown that protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), a member of the thioredoxin (TRX) superfamily, are broadly associated with immune responses in a variety of animals. However, it remains largely unknown about the direct roles of PDIs during a bacterial infection. In this study, we identified the presence of a single pdi gene in the amphioxus Branchiostoma japonicum, Bjpdi.

Hepatic cecum: a key integrator of immunity in amphioxus.

The vertebrate liver is regarded as an organ essential to the regulation of immunity and inflammation as well as being central to the metabolism of nutrients. Here, we discuss the functions that the hepatic cecum of amphioxus plays in the regulation of immunity and inflammation, and the molecular basis of this. It is apparent that the hepatic cecum performs important roles in the immunity of amphioxus including immune surveillance, clearance of pathogens and acute phase response.

Preserved antibacterial activity of ribosomal protein S15 during evolution.

Conventional role of ribosomal proteins is ribosome assembly and protein translation, but some ribosomal proteins also show antimicrobial peptide (AMP) activity, though their mode of action remains ill-defined. Here we demonstrated for the first time that amphioxus RPS15, BjRPS15, was a previously uncharacterized AMP, which was not only capable of identifying Gram-negative and -positive bacteria via interaction with LPS and LTA but also capable of killing the bacteria. We also showed that both the sequence and 3D structure of RPS15 and its prokaryotic homologs were highly conserved, suggesting its antibacterial activity is universal across widely separated taxa.

Identification and functional characterization of ribosomal protein S23 as a new member of antimicrobial protein.

Previous studies show that some ribosomal proteins possess antimicrobial peptide (AMP) activity. However, information as such remains rather fragmentary and rather limited. We showed here for the first time that amphioxus RPS23, BjRPS23, was a previously uncharacterized AMP.

Identification of β tubulin IVb as a pattern recognition receptor with opsonic activity.

Previous studies have shown that tubulins play important role in immune responses of both plants and animals, but no experiments have been performed to study the mode of action of tubulins in immune defense. In addition, there is little convincing experimental evidence of functional commitment for specific tubulin isotypes in animals. In the present, we showed that expression of β-tubulin IVb gene was affected by both LPS and LTA, hinting its involvement in anti-infectious response.

Characterization of a novel protein identified by proteomics analysis as a modulator of inflammatory networks in amphioxus.

Inflammatory response is an innate host defense mechanism, and its regulation is essential for the host to get rid of harm by the excessive reactions. We first utilized proteomics approach to identify amphioxus humoral fluid proteins in response to LPS-induced inflammation. A total of 26 differentially expressed proteins, mainly involved in energy metabolism and cytoskeleton rearrangement processes, were identified between LPS-treated and control animals.

Lectin-like and bacterial-agglutinating activities of heat shock proteins Hsp5 and Hsp90α from amphioxus Branchiostoma japonicum.

Previous studies have shown that heat shock proteins (Hsps) are broadly associated in immune responses in a variety of animals. However, it remains largely unknown about the direct roles of Hsps during a bacterial infection. In this study, we have cloned and characterized the cDNAs of two Hsp genes in the amphioxus Branchiostoma japonicum, termed Bjhsp5 and Bjhsp90α, the first ones in this evolutionarily important animal.

Subtle Difference Generates Big Dissimilarity: Comparison of Enzymatic Activity in KL1 and KL2 Domains of Lancelet Klotho.

Klotho, a putative aging suppressor, shares sequence similarity with members of the glycosidase family 1. It has been identified in several vertebrate species, but only mouse Klotho has so far been proven to exhibit β-glucuronidase activity. Thus, the argument that Klotho from animals other than mouse has glycosidase activity remains open.

NEFLb impairs early nervous system development via regulation of neuron apoptosis in zebrafish.

Neurofilament light chain (NEFL), a subunit of neurofilament, has been shown to play an important role in pathogenic neurodegenerative disease and in radial axonal growth. However, information remains largely lacking regarding the function of NEFL in early development to date. In this study, we demonstrated the presence of two nefl genes, nefla and neflb, in zebrafish, generated by fish-specific third round genome duplication.

Identification and functional characterization of amphioxus Miple, ancestral type of vertebrate midkine/pleiotrophin homologues.

Midkine (MK) and pleiotrophin (PTN) are the only two members of heparin-binding growth factor family. MK/PTN homologues found from Drosophila to humans are shown to have antibacterial activities and their antibacterial domains are conserved during evolution. However, little is known about MK/PTN homologue in the basal chordate amphioxus, and overall, information regarding MK/PTN homologues is rather limited in invertebrates.

Identification and functional characterization of a novel member of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP)-like family in amphioxus.

Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) is a group of important endocytic receptors contributing to binding ligands and maintaining internal environment. In this study, we identified a soluble LRP-like molecule in the amphioxus B. japonicum, BjLRP, with an uncharacterized domain structure combination of LY-EGF-CRD-EGF-CRD.

Identification and characterization of properdin in amphioxus: Implications for a functional alternative complement pathway in the basal chordate.

A complement system operating via the alternative pathway similar to that of vertebrates has been demonstrated in the primitive chordate amphioxus. However, the factor P (fP), a positive regulator of the alternative pathway, remains elusive in amphioxus to date. In this study, we identified and characterized a properdin gene in the amphioxus B.

A new LDLa domain-containing C-type lectin with bacterial agglutinating and binding activity in amphioxus.

Over 1200 C-type lectin gene models have been identified in amphioxus, but only a few of them have been functionally characterized. In this study, we identified a C-type lectin, BjCTL, with domain structure of LDLa-CTLD-EGF_Lam, the first such data in chordates. It was expressed mainly in the notochord and ovary in a tissue-dependent fashion.