Identification and functional characterization of a sTRAIL gene in mussel Hyriopsis cumingii

•A Hc-sTRAIL gene is cloned for the first time from mussel, Hyriopsis cumingii.•Hc-sTRAIL is involved in the immune response of mussel.•Hc-sTRAIL can induce apoptosis in NCI-H446 cells through the caspase 3 pathway.

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL/Apo2L) plays an important role in many biological processes including immune response and cell apoptosis. Here, we identified a soluble TRAIL homolog in a mussel species, Hyriopsis cumingii (designated Hc-sTRAIL), which shows significant structural and functional similarities to mammalian sTRAIL. Real-time PCR analysis shows that mussel TRAIL is ubiquitously expressed in various tissues and involved in the immune response of mussel. Study on its apoptotic effect indicates that Hc-sTRAIL can induce significant apoptosis in NCI-H446 cells and involved the caspase 3 pathway. This study provides new insight into the physiological function of Hc-sTRAIL.