Ferritin has an important immune function in the ark shell Scapharca broughtonii

Area of Science:

• Marine Biology
• Immunology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Ferritin is a crucial iron storage protein with known immune functions in invertebrates.
• Specific details regarding ferritin in the ark shell Scapharca broughtonii are limited.
• Understanding SbFer is vital for insights into invertebrate immune mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To clone and characterize the full-length ferritin gene (SbFer) from Scapharca broughtonii.
• To investigate the expression patterns of SbFer in different tissues and its response to bacterial challenge.
• To evaluate the antibacterial activity of recombinant SbFer.

Main Methods:

• Rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) for gene cloning.
• Quantitative real-time PCR for gene expression analysis.
• Recombinant protein expression and antibacterial assays.

Main Results:

• The SbFer gene was successfully cloned, revealing characteristic ferritin features including an iron-response element (IRE).
• SbFer mRNA was expressed in all examined ark shell tissues, with highest levels in hemocytes.
• SbFer expression was significantly upregulated following Vibrio anguillarum challenge, and recombinant SbFer demonstrated antibacterial activity.

Conclusions:

• Ferritin in Scapharca broughtonii (SbFer) is actively involved in immune defense against microbial infections.
• SbFer functions as both a constitutive and inducible acute-phase protein.
• These findings highlight ferritin's multifaceted role in invertebrate immunity.