| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2432612 | Fish & Shellfish Immunology | 2011 | 9 Pages |
In the present study, a 71.43 kDa heat shock protein cDNA was cloned from Asiatic hard clam Meretrix meretrix. The cDNA was 2292 bp, containing an open reading frame (ORF) of 1959 bp, which encodes a protein of 652 amino acids with a theoretical molecular weight of 71.43 kDa and an isoelectric point of 5.32. Based on the amino acid sequence analysis and phylogenetic analysis, this hsp70 cDNA is a member of cytoplasmic hsc70 (constitutive genes) subfamily in the hsp70 family, and is designated as MmeHsc71. Quantitative RT-PCR was carried out to compare the spatial and temporal expression patterns of MmeHsc71 in the mRNA level between control clams and Vibrio parahaemolyticus-infected clams. Spatially, MmeHsc71 mRNA was found in all tested tissues, including foot, hepatopancreas, mantle and gill. MmeHsc71 mRNA expression level in hepatopancreas and gill displayed a significant increase in vibrio-challenged clams at 24 h post-infection compared to control clams (P < 0.05). Temporally, there was a significant increase of MmeHsc71 mRNA level in hepathopancreas of vibrio-challenged clams compared to control clams at 6, 12, and 24 h post-challenge, respectively. The result of quantitative immunofluorescence also indicated that there was obvious increase of MmeHsc71 in hepatopancreas of vibrio-challenged clams compared to control clams in protein level at 24 h post-infection. The results suggested that MmeHsc71 may play an important role in mediating the immune responses of M. meretrix to bacterial challenge.
Research highlights► A 71.43 kDa heat shock protein was cloned from clam Meretrix meretrix. ► The heat shock protein obtained is a member of hsc70 subfamily and was designated as MmeHsc71. ► Quantitative immunofluorescence and RT-PCR examination were used to detect the expression changes of MmeHsc71 in response to vibrio-challenge. ► The elevated mRNA and protein levels of MmeHsc71 after vibrio-challenge suggested the immune-related function of MmeHsc71 in M. meretrix.
