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Updated: Jul 4, 2026
Embryo Microinjection and Electroporation in the Chordate Ciona intestinalis
Published on: October 16, 2016
A novel tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member (CsTL) from Ciona savignyi: molecular identification and
Xiaoming Zhang1, Wei Luan, Songjun Jin
1Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao 266071, PR China.
Abstract:
A novel invertebrate TNF ligand was identified and characterized in Ciona savignyi. The CsTL cDNA consisted of 995 nucleotides and encoded 281 amino acids. A conserved TNF family signature and several motifs of TNF ligand superfamily were identified in deduced amino acid sequence of CsTL. Phylogenetic analysis grouped CsTL, CiTNF (predicted TNF ligand superfamily homolog in Ciona intestinalis) and urchin TL1A with their own cluster apart from mammalian TNFalpha, LTA, TNFSF15 and fish TNFalpha proteins. Expression studies demonstrated that CsTL mRNA is present in all tested tissues from unchallenged ascidians and its expression was significantly upregulated in hemocytes following LPS injection. The recombinant CsTL protein expressed using a baculovirus expression system showed potential cytotoxic activity in L929 cells. Present results indicated that TNF ligand superfamily molecules are present in marine invertebrates.
