A novel p38 MAPK gene in the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Ajp38) is associated with the immune response to pathogenic challenge. Issue 81 (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhan, Yaoyao; Wang, Yi; Li, Kaiquan; Song, Jian; Chang, Yaqing
• Is Part Of: Fish & shellfish immunology. Issue 81(2018)
• Page Start: 250
• Page End: 259
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: Apostichopus japonicus -- p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase -- Expression analysis -- Vibrio splendidus infection; Fishes -- Immunology -- Periodicals; Shellfish -- Immunology -- Periodicals; Poissons -- Immunologie -- Périodiques; Crustacés -- Immunologie -- Périodiques; 571.9617
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2018.07.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1050-4648

Abstract

Abstract: The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), an important component of the MAPK signal cascade, is activated by extracellular stimuli, such as environmental stress and pathogenic infection. To clarify the function of p38 MAPKs in echinoderms, we used transcriptome database mining and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) to identify a novel p38 MAPK gene in the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (here designated Ajp38 ). The full-length cDNA of Ajp38 was 2231 bp, including an open reading frame encoding 356 amino acid residues. Our sequence analysis indicated that the predicted Ajp38 protein contained the dual phosphorylation site Thr-Gly-Tyr (TGY) and was similar to the p38 homolog in sea urchins. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that Ajp38 was ubiquitously expressed in all examined tissues of healthy adult A. japonicus, with the highest level of expression identified in the coelomocytes. Ajp3 8 mRNA expression was significantly upregulated in the coelomocytes 4, 12, and 72 h post in vivo infection with Vibrio splendidus . Our results provide more information about the characteristics and immune functions of the p38 homolog in sea cucumbers. Highlights: Full-length cDNA of Ajp38 in Apostichopus japonicus was cloned and characterized. Ajp38 was expressed in all examined tissues of adult A. japonicus. Ajp38 expression in coelomocytes was altered after in vivo pathogen challenge.