An LDLa domain-containing C-type lectin is involved in the innate immunity of Eriocheir sinensis

C-type lectins (CTLs) have crucial functions in recognizing and eliminating pathogens in innate immunity. This study identified a novel low-density lipoprotein receptor class A (LDLa) domain-containing CTL, designated as EsCTLDcp, from the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis. The EsCTLDcp cDNA is 1258 bp long, with a 975 bp open reading frame that encodes a 324-amino acid protein. EsCTLDcp contains a signal peptide, an LDLa, and a single C-type lectin-like domain. EsCTLDcp was only expressed in the hepatopancreas of normal crabs, and its expression was regulated following crab challenge with pathogen-associated molecular patterns and with bacteria. The recombinant EsCTLDcp agglutinates Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Aeromonas hydrophila) in the presence of calcium. rEsCTLDcp also binds to various bacteria including S. aureus, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Vibrio natriegens, V. parahaemolyticus, and A. hydrophila. The rEsCTLDcp protein helped the crabs clear the virulent Gram-negative bacterium V. parahaemolyticus in vivo, as well as interacted with VP24, an envelope protein of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). These data suggest that EsCTLDcp functions as a pattern-recognition receptor involved in the innate immunity of E. sinensis.