MOLECULAR CLONING AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SOCS-2 FROM MANILA CLAM Ruditapes philippinarum

Abstract

Cytokines affect vast array of biological process and act as hormones of the immune system. Most cytokines can bind to specific cell surface receptors which event initiates a cascade of downstream signals for regulating gene expression. It is mediated by transcription factors such as AP-1 and NF-kB. Innate immune responses are functioning to defend against invading pathogens and lead to activate pro-inflammatory reactions. However, excessive inflammatory responses are harmful to host cells. Therefore, process of immune function has to be tightly controlled in order to maintain homeostasis during immune defense responses. In this study, we report the first bivalve SOCS-2 gene from marine mollusk of Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum. We investigated the transcriptional regulation of RpSOCS-2 after challenge with LPS and poly I:C to give evidence of SOCS-2 role in regulation of immune system in clam.Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) family members are key regulators of immunological homeostasis. In this study, we have discovered the SOCS-2 member from Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum and further analyzed its immune responses against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and polyinosinic: polycytidylic acid (poly I:C). Amino acid sequence of RpSOCS-2 consists of cytokine inducible SRC homology 2 (SH2) and SOCS box domains similar to vertebrate SOCS counterparts. Tissue specific expression results showed that RpSOCS-2 was cis mediated by transcription factors such as AP-1 and NF-kB. Innate immune responses are functioning to defend against invading pathogens and lead to activate pro-inflammatory reactions. However, excessive inflammatory responses are harmful to host cells. Therefore, process of immune function has to be tightly controlled in order to maintain homeostasis during immune defense responses. In this study, we report the first bivalve SOCS-2 gene from marine mollusk of Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum. We investigated the transcriptional regulation of RpSOCS-2 after challenge with LPS and poly I:C to give evidence of SOCS-2 role in regulation of immune system in clam.Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) family members are key regulators of immunological homeostasis. In this study, we have discovered the SOCS-2 member from Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum and further analyzed its immune responses against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and polyinosinic: polycytidylic acid (poly I:C). Amino acid sequence of RpSOCS-2 consists of cytokine inducible SRC homology 2 (SH2) and SOCS box domains similar to vertebrate SOCS counterparts. Tissue specific expression results showed that RpSOCS-2 was c