Gene cloning and characterization of ferritin H and M subunits from large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea)

Ferritin, an iron-binding protein, plays a role in host immune response to invading stimulus. Two ferritin subunit cDNAs, lycfh and lycfm, were identified from large yellow croaker, Pseudosciaena crocea. Analysis of the lycfh and lycfm 5'-UTR showed that both had a putative iron responsive element (IRE). Amino acid sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis indicated that LycfH and LycfM had high identity to H and M type subunit of vertebrate ferritins respectively, while both of them showed the low identity to L type subunit. In all eight tissues examined, lycfh and lycfm expressions were detectable on transcriptional level. Real-time PCR assay indicated that the transcriptional levels of lycfh and lycfm were significantly increased in liver, spleen and kidney of the fish stimulated by attenuated live Vibrio anguillarum strain. Furthermore, ferritin subunit H and M were probably two candidates of immune molecules involved in acute phase response in large yellow croaker because their transcriptional levels were quickly increased and reached the peak levels at 12 h in liver after challenged with bacteria.