Upregulated transcription of phenoloxidase genes in the pharynx and endostyle of Ciona intestinalis in response to LPS

J Invertebr Pathol. 2015 Mar:126:6-11. doi: 10.1016/j.jip.2015.01.009. Epub 2015 Feb 4.

Abstract

We investigated the role of phenoloxidases (POs) in ascidians inflammatory reaction, a components of a copper-containing protein family involved in invertebrate immune system. In Ciona intestinalis two phenoloxidases (CinPO-1, CinPO-2) have been sequenced. In the present study, real time PCR analysis showed that both CinPO-1 and CinPO-2 genes were modulated by LPS inoculation suggesting that they are inducible and highly expressed in the inflamed pharynx. In situ hybridization disclosed CinPO-1 and CinPO-2 transcripts in pharynx hemocytes (granulocytes) and, mainly, in unilocular refractile granulocytes (URG) which mainly populated the inflamed tunic matrix. Interestingly, the genes are also upregulated by LPS in the endostyle (zones 7, 8 and 9) that is considered homolog to the vertebrate thyroid.

Keywords: Ascidian; Ciona intestinalis; Hemocyte; Inflammation; LPS; Phenoloxidase.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ciona intestinalis / drug effects
  • Ciona intestinalis / enzymology*
  • Ciona intestinalis / immunology
  • Hemocytes / drug effects
  • Hemocytes / enzymology
  • Hemocytes / immunology
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology*
  • Monophenol Monooxygenase / genetics
  • Monophenol Monooxygenase / metabolism*
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects

Substances

  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Monophenol Monooxygenase