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Molecular Characterization of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines Interleukin-1β and Interleukin-8 in Asian Elephant (Elephas
Shelesh Kumar Swami1, Anushri Vijay1, Govindasamy Nagarajan2
1a Singhania University , Jhunjhunu , Rajasthan , India.
Abstract:
Interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-8 are pro-inflammatory cytokines produced primarily by monocytes and macrophages in response to a variety of microbial and nonmicrobial agents. As yet, no molecular data have been reported for IL-1β and IL-8 of the Asian elephant. In the present study, we have cloned and sequenced the cDNA encoding IL-1β and IL-8 of the Asian elephant. The open reading frame (ORF) of Asian elephant IL-1β is 789 bp in length, encoded a propeptide of 263 amino acid polypeptide. The predicted protein revealed the presence of IL-1 family signature motif and an ICE cut site. Whereas, IL-8 contained 321 bp of open reading frame. Interestingly, the predicted protein sequence of 106 aa, contains an ELR motif immediately upstream of the CQC residues, common in all vertebrate IL-8 molecules. Identity levels of the nucleic acid and deduced amino acid sequences of Asian elephant IL-1β ranged from 68.48 (Squirrel monkey) to 98.57% (African elephant), and 57.78 (Sheep) to 98.47% (African elephant), respectively, whereas that of IL-8 ranged from 72.9% (Human) to 87.8% (African elephant), and 63.2 (human, gorilla, chimpanzee) to 74.5% (African elephant, buffalo), respectively. The phylogenetic analysis based on deduced amino acid sequenced showed that the Asian elephant IL-1β and IL-8 were most closely related to African elephant. Molecular characterization of these two cytokines, IL-1β and IL-8, in Asian elephant provides fundamental information necessary to progress the study of functional immune responses in this animal and gives the potential to use them to manipulate the immune response as recombinant proteins.
Insights
Researchers cloned and sequenced Asian elephant Interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-8 genes. This molecular data provides insights into elephant immune responses and potential therapeutic applications.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Zoology
Background:
- Pro-inflammatory cytokines Interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-8 are crucial in immune responses.
- No prior molecular data existed for Asian elephant IL-1β and IL-8.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clone and sequence the cDNA encoding IL-1β and IL-8 in the Asian elephant.
- To perform molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of these cytokines.
Main Methods:
- Cloning and sequencing of Asian elephant IL-1β and IL-8 cDNA.
- Bioinformatic analysis including open reading frame prediction, motif identification, and sequence identity comparison.
- Phylogenetic analysis based on deduced amino acid sequences.
Main Results:
- Asian elephant IL-1β cDNA ORF is 789 bp, encoding a 263 amino acid propeptide with IL-1 family signature and ICE cut site.
- Asian elephant IL-8 cDNA ORF is 321 bp, encoding a 106 amino acid protein with an ELR motif.
- Sequence identity to other species ranged significantly, with African elephant showing highest similarity.
- Phylogenetic analysis revealed Asian elephant IL-1β and IL-8 are most closely related to African elephant.
Conclusions:
- Molecular characterization of Asian elephant IL-1β and IL-8 provides foundational data for studying their immune responses.
- The identified sequences offer potential for manipulating immune responses through recombinant protein applications in Asian elephants.
