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Published on: January 20, 2018
The NCK and ABI adaptor genes in catfish and their involvement in ESC disease response
Tao Zhou1, Ning Li1, Shikai Liu1
1The Fish Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology Laboratory, Aquatic Genomics Unit, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
Abstract:
Adaptor proteins non-catalytic region of tyrosine kinase (NCK) and Abelson interactor (ABI) are crucial for disease response. NCK1 was identified to be a candidate gene for enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC) disease resistance, and was speculated to play similar roles during ESC and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) pathogenicity. ABI1 was reported as a positional candidate gene for bacterial cold water disease (BCWD) resistance in rainbow trout. In this study, three NCK genes and six ABI genes were identified in the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) genome and blue catfish (I. furcatus) transcriptome, and annotated by domain structures, phylogenetic and syntenic analyses. Their expression patterns were examined in the intestine and liver of catfish after challenge with Edwardsiella ictaluri. In the intestine, NCK1, ABI2a, ABI2b, ABI3a were differentially expressed after E. ictaluri infection. In the liver, NCK2a, NCK2b, ABI1b, ABI2a, ABI2b were significantly upregulated in ESC susceptible fish. In general, the NCK and ABI genes, with exception of ABI3a gene and NCK1 gene, were expressed at higher levels in susceptible fish after infection than in control fish, but were expressed at lower levels in resistant fish than in the control fish. Taken together, these results support the notion that NCK and ABI genes are involved in disease processes facilitating pathogenesis of the E. ictaluri bacteria.
Insights
Adaptor proteins NCK and ABI are crucial for fish disease resistance. Their differential expression in catfish after Edwardsiella ictaluri infection suggests a role in disease susceptibility and resistance.
Area of Science:
- Aquatic animal health
- Molecular biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Adaptor proteins, including non-catalytic region of tyrosine kinase (NCK) and Abelson interactor (ABI), are vital for cellular processes and disease responses.
- NCK1 and ABI1 have been previously implicated in fish disease resistance, specifically enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC) and bacterial cold water disease (BCWD), respectively.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize NCK and ABI gene families in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and blue catfish (I. furcatus).
- To investigate the expression patterns of these genes in catfish following challenge with Edwardsiella ictaluri, the causative agent of ESC.
- To elucidate the role of NCK and ABI genes in catfish disease resistance and susceptibility.
Main Methods:
- Genome and transcriptome sequencing to identify NCK and ABI genes.
- Bioinformatic analyses including domain structure, phylogenetic, and syntenic analyses for gene annotation.
- Quantitative gene expression analysis (e.g., RT-qPCR) in catfish intestine and liver tissues post-infection with Edwardsiella ictaluri.
Main Results:
- Multiple NCK (3) and ABI (6) genes were identified and annotated in catfish.
- Differential expression of NCK1, ABI2a, ABI2b, and ABI3a was observed in the intestine after E. ictaluri infection.
- NCK2a, NCK2b, ABI1b, ABI2a, and ABI2b were significantly upregulated in the liver of susceptible fish.
- Generally, NCK and ABI genes showed higher expression in susceptible fish and lower expression in resistant fish compared to controls post-infection.
Conclusions:
- The identified NCK and ABI genes are expressed in catfish tissues relevant to disease (intestine and liver).
- Expression patterns of NCK and ABI genes correlate with disease susceptibility and resistance in catfish challenged with E. ictaluri.
- These findings support the involvement of NCK and ABI gene families in the pathogenesis of Edwardsiella ictaluri infections in catfish.
