A novel C-type lectin is involved in the innate immunity of Macrobrachium nipponense

•A C-type lectin, MnCTLDcp1, was identified from Macrobrachium nipponense.•The expression profiles of MnCTLDcp1 in various tissues were investigated.•The MnCTLDcp1 transcripts were studied after challenge with Aeromonas hydrophila and Staphylococcus aureus.•Analysis of the microbe agglutinating specificity of MnCTLDcp1.•Analysis of the bacteria binding specificity of MnCTLDcp1.

C-type lectins (CTLs) play important roles in invertebrate innate immunity by recognizing and eliminating pathogens. In the present study, a low-density lipoprotein receptor class A (LDLa) domain-containing CTL was identified from the oriental river prawn Macrobrachium nipponense, designated as MnCTLDcp1. The full-length cDNA of MnCTLDcp1 was composed of 1462 bp, with a 999-bp ORF encoding a 332-aa protein. An LDLa and a single C-type lectin-like domain (CTLD) were found. The mRNA transcripts of MnCTLDcp1 was expressed the highest in heart. After the prawns were challenged by Aeromonas hydrophila and Staphylococcus aureus, the expression level of MnCTLDcp1 in heart and hemocytes were all significantly up-regulated. Sugar binding assay revealed that the MnCTLDcp1 could bind to the glycoconjugates of bacteria surface, such as LPS, PGN and they can compete with bacterial as competitors. The recombinant MnCTLDcp1 agglutinates Gram-positive (S. aureus and Bacillus subtilis) and Gram-negative bacteria (A. hydrophila, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) in the presence of calcium and also could bind to these bacteria. These results clearly suggested that MnCTLDcp1 functions as a pattern-recognition receptor involved in the innate immunity of M. nipponense.