Molecular characterization and mRNA expression analysis of galectin 3 from big belly seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis)

Abstract

In innate immune system, the response to invading pathogens is initiated by pattern recognition receptor (PRRs) that bind pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and arise various immune response. Lectins are well-knows PRRs that recognize the carbohydrate molecules on surface of pathogens. Galectins, known as S-type lectin, have a carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD), specificity for β-galactosides and Ca2+- independent activity. In this study, we described the molecular cloning and characterization of a cDNA sequence of galectin 3 from big belly seahorse, Hippocampus abdominalis. The HaGal3 cDNA includes an open reading frame (ORF) of 1068 bp with 5’ untranslated region (UTR) of 83 bp and a 3’ UTR of 214 bp. The ORF encoded a putative protein of 356 amino acids with a theoretical isoelectric point of 8.49 and predicted molecular mass of 38.6 kDa. The deduced protein includes a carbohydrate-recognition domain and a galactoside-type carbohydrate-binding motif H-NPR/W-E-R. HaGal3 showed high identity (70.6%) and similarities (77.0%) with Maylandia zebra and was clustered into teleost clade in phylogenetic analysis. Results from the qPCR indicated that HaGal3 mRNA was transcribed universally in all the tissues examined. The mRNA expression in response immune challenge revealed that they were inducible under infection. These results suggested that HaGal3 might be involved in the innate immune response of big ognize the carbohydrate molecules on surface of pathogens. Galectins, known as S-type lectin, have a carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD), specificity for β-galactosides and Ca2+- independent activity. In this study, we described the molecular cloning and characterization of a cDNA sequence of galectin 3 from big belly seahorse, Hippocampus abdominalis. The HaGal3 cDNA includes an open reading frame (ORF) of 1068 bp with 5’ untranslated region (UTR) of 83 bp and a 3’ UTR of 214 bp. The ORF encoded a putative protein of 356 amino acids with a theoretical isoelectric point of 8.49 and predicted molecular mass of 38.6 kDa. The deduced protein includes a carbohydrate-recognition domain and a galactoside-type carbohydrate-binding motif H-NPR/W-E-R. HaGal3 showed high identity (70.6%) and similarities (77.0%) with Maylandia zebra and was clustered into teleost clade in phylogenetic analysis. Results from the qPCR indicated that HaGal3 mRNA was transcribed universally in all the tissues examined. The mRNA expression in response immune challenge revealed that they were inducible under infection. These results suggested that HaGal3 might be involved in the innate immune response of big