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Characterization of crustin antimicrobial proteins from Japanese spiny lobster Panulirus japonicus

Duangjai Pisuttharachai1, Fernand F Fagutao, Motoshige Yasuike

  • 1Laboratory of Genome Science, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Konan 4-5-7, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8477, Japan.

Developmental and Comparative Immunology
|May 26, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Researchers identified four crustin antimicrobial proteins (PJC1-4) in Japanese spiny lobsters. These proteins are evolutionarily closer to shrimp crustins and show varied tissue distribution, suggesting diverse immune roles.

Area of Science:

  • Marine Biology
  • Immunology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Crustins are antimicrobial proteins crucial for invertebrate immunity.
  • The Japanese spiny lobster (Panulirus japonicus) possesses a complex immune system.
  • Understanding crustin diversity is key to deciphering crustacean innate immunity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize novel crustin antimicrobial proteins from Panulirus japonicus.
  • To investigate the evolutionary relationships of these proteins with other crustins.
  • To determine the tissue-specific expression patterns of the identified crustins.

Main Methods:

  • Construction and screening of a phyllosoma cDNA library from Panulirus japonicus.
  • Deduction of amino acid sequences and analysis of conserved domains (WAP domain).
  • Phylogenetic and sequence alignment analyses.
  • Transcript detection using RT-PCR in various lobster tissues.

Main Results:

  • Four crustin proteins (PJC1-4) were identified, with lengths ranging from 124 to 150 amino acids.
  • All identified proteins feature a glycine-rich N-terminus and 12 conserved cysteine residues within a C-terminal WAP domain.
  • Phylogenetic analysis indicates PJC1-4 are more closely related to shrimp crustins than other lobster crustins.
  • Transcripts for PJC1, PJC3, and PJC4 were found in multiple tissues (heart, nerves, intestine, hemocytes, gills, hepatopancreas), while PJC2 transcripts were exclusively detected in nerves.

Conclusions:

  • The identified crustins (PJC1-4) represent novel antimicrobial proteins in Panulirus japonicus.
  • Their evolutionary placement suggests a closer link to shrimp crustin lineages.
  • The differential tissue expression implies specialized roles in the lobster's immune defense mechanisms.

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