Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026
Microinjection of CRISPR/Cas9 Protein into Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, Embryos for Gene Editing
Published on: January 20, 2018
Identification and characterization of matrix metalloproteinase-13 sequence structure and expression during
Yanliang Jiang1, Jason W Abernathy, Eric Peatman
1The Fish Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures, Program of Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Aquatic Genomics Unit, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
Abstract:
Matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13), referred to as collagenase-3, is a proteolytic enzyme that plays a key role in degradation and remodelling of host extracellular matrix proteins. The objective of this study was to characterize the MMP-13 gene in channel catfish, and to determine its pattern of expression in various healthy tissues and during embryogenesis. Since MMP-13 has been shown to have importance in tissue remodelling and some pathological processes, we further studied its involvement in the defense responses of catfish after bacterial infection. The channel catfish MMP-13 cDNA contains an open reading frame of 1416bp encoding 471 amino acids. Using RT-PCR analysis, MMP-13 was widely expressed in various health tissues. Using quantitative real-time PCR analysis, expression of MMP-13 gene was up-regulated by bacterial infection. During normal embryological development, MMP-13 expression was slightly increased in the first day post-fertilization and sharply up-regulated from 1-day post-fertilization through hatching.
Insights
Matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) gene expression in channel catfish is widespread in healthy tissues and increases during embryogenesis. Bacterial infection significantly up-regulates MMP-13, indicating its role in catfish immune response.
Area of Science:
- Aquatic biology
- Molecular biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13), or collagenase-3, is crucial for extracellular matrix remodeling.
- MMP-13's role in tissue repair and pathology necessitates understanding its function in fish models.
Purpose of the Study:
- Characterize the channel catfish MMP-13 gene.
- Determine MMP-13 expression patterns in healthy tissues and during embryogenesis.
- Investigate MMP-13's role in catfish immune response to bacterial infection.
Main Methods:
- cDNA sequencing to analyze the MMP-13 gene structure.
- RT-PCR to assess MMP-13 expression in various healthy tissues.
- Quantitative real-time PCR to analyze MMP-13 gene expression changes during embryogenesis and after bacterial challenge.
Main Results:
- The channel catfish MMP-13 cDNA sequence was determined (1416 bp, encoding 471 amino acids).
- MMP-13 exhibited broad expression across healthy catfish tissues.
- MMP-13 expression was significantly upregulated during catfish embryogenesis and following bacterial infection.
Conclusions:
- The channel catfish MMP-13 gene is characterized and widely expressed.
- MMP-13 plays a role in catfish development and innate immunity.
- Further research into MMP-13's function in fish health and disease is warranted.
