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Microinjection of CRISPR/Cas9 Protein into Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, Embryos for Gene Editing
Published on: January 20, 2018
Expression of tumor suppressor genes in channel catfish after bacterial infections
Weijie Mu1, Jun Yao2, Jiaren Zhang2
1The Fish Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology Laboratory, Aquatic Genomics Unit, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; Fisheries College, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, China.
Abstract:
Tumor suppressor genes are negative regulators of tumor formation. While their anti-tumor functions have been well studied, they have been found to be also involved in immune responses and innate immunity. In this study, 21 tumor suppressor genes in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) were characterized. Phylogenetic and syntenic analyses allowed annotation of all 21 catfish tumor suppressor genes. The expression profiles of the 21 catfish tumor suppressor genes were determined using the RNA-Seq datasets. After Edwardsiella ictaluri infection, expression of five of the 21 tumor suppressor genes was up-regulated at 3 days in the intestine, and four of the 21 genes were up-regulated in the liver 14 days post-infection. With Flavobacterium columnare infection, seven genes were up-regulated in the gill at 48 h post-infection. These results expanded our knowledge on the tumor suppressor genes in teleosts, setting a foundation for future studies to unravel functions of tumor suppressor genes in response to stresses, particularly after bacterial disease infections.
Insights
This study characterized 21 tumor suppressor genes in channel catfish, finding some genes respond to bacterial infections in the intestine, liver, and gills. These findings provide a foundation for understanding tumor suppressor gene roles in fish immunity.
Area of Science:
- Aquatic immunology
- Fish genetics
- Molecular biology
Background:
- Tumor suppressor genes regulate cell growth and prevent tumor formation.
- Beyond their anti-tumor roles, these genes are increasingly recognized for involvement in immune responses, including innate immunity.
- Understanding their function in non-model organisms like channel catfish is crucial for comparative immunology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize 21 tumor suppressor genes in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus).
- To investigate the expression patterns of these genes in response to bacterial infections.
- To lay the groundwork for future research on tumor suppressor gene functions in teleosts under stress.
Main Methods:
- Phylogenetic and syntenic analyses were used for gene annotation.
- RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) was employed to determine gene expression profiles.
- Gene expression was analyzed in channel catfish tissues (intestine, liver, gills) post-infection with Edwardsiella ictaluri and Flavobacterium columnare.
Main Results:
- All 21 channel catfish tumor suppressor genes were successfully annotated.
- Following Edwardsiella ictaluri infection, five genes were upregulated in the intestine (3 days) and four in the liver (14 days).
- Seven genes showed upregulation in the gills 48 hours after Flavobacterium columnare infection.
Conclusions:
- This study provides a comprehensive characterization of tumor suppressor genes in channel catfish.
- The identified gene expression changes highlight the involvement of tumor suppressor genes in the fish immune response to bacterial pathogens.
- These findings contribute to the understanding of tumor suppressor gene evolution and function in teleosts, particularly in the context of disease resistance.
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