Evolutionary conserved mechanisms pervade structure and transcriptional modulation of allograft inflammatory factor-1 from sea anemone Anemonia viridis. Issue 67 (August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cuttitta, Angela; Ragusa, Maria Antonietta; Costa, Salvatore; Bennici, Carmelo; Colombo, Paolo; Mazzola, Salvatore; Gianguzza, Fabrizio; Nicosia, Aldo
• Is Part Of: Fish & shellfish immunology. Issue 67(2017)
• Page Start: 86
• Page End: 94
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Subjects: Cnidaria -- Sea anemone -- Gene expression -- Inflammation -- Homology modelling; Fishes -- Immunology -- Periodicals; Shellfish -- Immunology -- Periodicals; Poissons -- Immunologie -- Périodiques; Crustacés -- Immunologie -- Périodiques; 571.9617
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2017.05.063
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1050-4648

Abstract

Abstract: Gene family encoding allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1) is well conserved among organisms; however, there is limited knowledge in lower organisms. In this study, the first AIF-1 homologue from cnidarians was identified and characterised in the sea anemone Anemonia viridis . The full-length cDNA of AvAIF-1 was of 913 bp with a 5′ -untranslated region (UTR) of 148 bp, a 3′-UTR of 315 and an open reading frame (ORF) of 450 bp encoding a polypeptide with149 amino acid residues and predicted molecular weight of about 17 kDa. The predicted protein possesses evolutionary conserved EF hand Ca 2+ binding motifs, post-transcriptional modification sites and a 3D structure which can be superimposed with human members of AIF-1 family. The AvAIF-1 transcript was constitutively expressed in all tested tissues of unchallenged sea anemone, suggesting that AvAIF-1 could serve as a general protective factor under normal physiological conditions. Moreover, we profiled the transcriptional activation of AvAIF-1 after challenges with different abiotic/biotic stresses showing induction by warming conditions, heavy metals exposure and immune stimulation. Thus, mechanisms associated to inflammation and immune challenges up-regulated AvAIF-1 mRNA levels. Our results suggest its involvement in the inflammatory processes and immune response of A. viridis. Highlights: AvAIF-1 is the first cnidarians homologue of this family. AvAIF-1 possess EF hand Ca 2+ binding motifs and modification sites. Evidence for the evolutionary maintenance of the 3D structure are provided. AvAIF-1 is transcriptionally regulated during immune response.