Characterization, Expression, and Functional Analysis of the Northern Snakehead (Channa argus) Hepcidin

Guowei Liao; Shulan Wang; Zimo Wang; Chaonan Zhang; Zicong Li; Huirong Yang; Aiguo Zhou; Shaolin Xie; Lanfen Fan; Meifang Wang; Jixing Zou; Fang Zeng

doi:10.1007/s12602-023-10195-y

Characterization, Expression, and Functional Analysis of the Northern Snakehead (Channa argus) Hepcidin

Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins. 2023 Dec 4. doi: 10.1007/s12602-023-10195-y. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Guowei Liao¹, Shulan Wang¹, Zimo Wang¹, Chaonan Zhang¹, Zicong Li², Huirong Yang^{1

3}, Aiguo Zhou¹, Shaolin Xie¹, Lanfen Fan¹, Meifang Wang¹, Jixing Zou⁴, Fang Zeng^{5

6}

Affiliations

¹ University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
² Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
³ Zhongshan Innovation Center of South China Agricultural University, Zhongshan, 528400, China.
⁴ University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China. zoujixing@scau.edu.cn.
⁵ University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China. fangzeng@scau.edu.cn.
⁶ Zhongshan Innovation Center of South China Agricultural University, Zhongshan, 528400, China. fangzeng@scau.edu.cn.

PMID: 38048025
DOI: 10.1007/s12602-023-10195-y

Abstract

Hepcidin, an antimicrobial peptide (AMP), is a well-conserved molecule present in various species such as fish, amphibians, birds, reptiles, and mammals. It exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and holds a significant role in the innate immune system of host organisms. The northern snakehead (Channa argus) has become a valuable freshwater fish in China and Asia. In this investigation, the cDNA encoding the hepcidin gene of northern snakehead was cloned and named caHep. The amino acid sequences and protein structure of caHep are similar to those of hepcidins from other fish. The eukaryotic expression product of the caHep gene showed broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. Scanning electron microscope analysis indicated that the caHep peptide inhibited bacterial growth by damaging their cell membranes. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection induced significant expression of caHep, implying the involvement of caHep in the innate immune response of northern snakeheads. This investigation showed that the caHep peptide is potentially a robust antibacterial drug against bacterial diseases in aquaculture animals.

Keywords: Antibacterial activity; Antimicrobial peptide; Channa argus; Hepcidin; Molecular cloning.

Abstract

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