Molecular and functional characterization of MST2 in grass carp during bacterial infection

Yanan Li; Xiaolong Qiu; Zhijie Lu; Fanbin Zhan; Minxuan Yang; V Sarath Babu; Jun Li; Zhendong Qin; Li Lin

doi:10.1016/j.fsi.2021.09.026

Molecular and functional characterization of MST2 in grass carp during bacterial infection

Fish Shellfish Immunol. 2021 Dec:119:19-30. doi: 10.1016/j.fsi.2021.09.026. Epub 2021 Sep 22.

Authors

Yanan Li¹, Xiaolong Qiu¹, Zhijie Lu¹, Fanbin Zhan¹, Minxuan Yang¹, V Sarath Babu¹, Jun Li², Zhendong Qin³, Li Lin⁴

Affiliations

¹ Guangdong Provincial Water Environment and Aquatic Products Security Engineering Technology Research Center, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Diseases and Waterfowl Breeding, College of Animal Sciences and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510222, USA.
² Guangdong Provincial Water Environment and Aquatic Products Security Engineering Technology Research Center, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Diseases and Waterfowl Breeding, College of Animal Sciences and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510222, USA; School of Biological Sciences, Lake Superior State University, Sault Ste. Marie, MI, 49783, USA.
³ Guangdong Provincial Water Environment and Aquatic Products Security Engineering Technology Research Center, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Diseases and Waterfowl Breeding, College of Animal Sciences and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510222, USA. Electronic address: qinzhendongsc@163.com.
⁴ Guangdong Provincial Water Environment and Aquatic Products Security Engineering Technology Research Center, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Diseases and Waterfowl Breeding, College of Animal Sciences and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510222, USA. Electronic address: linli@zhku.edu.cn.

PMID: 34560286
DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2021.09.026

Abstract

The regulation of host redox homeostasis is critically important in the immune response to pathogens. The "mammalian sterile 20-like" kinase 2 (MST2) has been shown to play a role in apoptosis, cell proliferation, and cancer; however, few studies have examined its ability to modulate redox homeostasis during innate immunity, especially in teleost fish. In this study, we cloned the MST2 gene of Ctenopharyngodon idella (CiMST2) and analyzed its tissue distribution. CiMST2 was present in most of the studied tissues, and it was most highly expressed in brain tissue. Expression patterns analysis revealed that MST2 mRNA and protein were significantly up-regulated under bacterial infection, suggesting that it is involved in the immune response. Bacterial stimulation significantly increased the level of antioxidases. To explore the interplay between CiMST2 and antioxidant regulation, we examined the effects of CiMST2 overexpression and conducted RNA interference assays in vitro. CiMST2 overexpression significantly increased the expression levels of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and other antioxidases and vice versa, revealing that CiMST2 regulated host redox homeostasis via Nrf2-antioxidant responsive element (ARE) signaling. Overall, our findings provide a new perspective on the role of MST2 in innate immunity in teleosts as well as insights that will aid the prevention and control of disease in the grass carp farming industry.

Keywords: Antioxidant regulator; Ctenopharyngodon idella; Innate immunity; MST2.

MeSH terms

Animal Feed / analysis
Animals
Antioxidants
Bacterial Infections*
Carps* / genetics
Diet
Fish Diseases*
Fish Proteins / genetics
Immunity, Innate / genetics
NF-E2-Related Factor 2

Substances

Antioxidants
Fish Proteins
NF-E2-Related Factor 2