Use of suppressive subtractive hybridization to identify differentially expressed genes in ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis) associated with Listonella anguillarum infection

Suppressive subtractive hybridization (SSH) was employed to identify differentially expressed genes in ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis) associated with Listonella anguillarum infection. 800 random clones were selected from forward and reverse subtractive libraries and 787 were successfully sequenced. After assembling, 105 contigs and 414 singletons were finally obtained, some of which were immune-related genes. A real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis of the expression patterns of 28 transcripts showed that the false-positive rate was approximately 7.1%. Furthermore, Wap65-2 was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, purified and used for antiserum preparation. Western blot analysis revealed that serum Wap65-2 of ayu significantly increased after bacterial infection, suggesting that it was a positive acute-phase protein (APP).

► We construct ayu liver reciprocal SSH libraries associated with bacterial challenge. ► RT-qPCR analysis confirms the accuracy of the SSH records. ► Wap65-2 is classified as a positive acute-phase protein in fish.