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Updated: Feb 27, 2026
A Converging Strategy for the Generation of a Virtually Sequenced cDNA Library from Unreferenced Pacific Oysters
Published on: June 13, 2019
The RNA-seq analysis suggests a potential multi-component complement system in oyster Crassostrea gigas
Lingling Wang1, Huan Zhang2, Leilei Wang2
1Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology & Disease Control, Dalian, 116023, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266071, China.
The oyster Crassostrea gigas possesses a complement system, a key part of its immune response. Researchers identified numerous complement-related genes and found key components like CgC3 are upregulated after bacterial stimulation, suggesting a functional system.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Marine Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- The complement system is crucial for innate and adaptive immunity in vertebrates.
- Understanding invertebrate immune systems, like that of oysters (Crassostrea gigas), is vital for aquaculture and disease resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize complement system components in the oyster Crassostrea gigas.
- To investigate the expression patterns of complement-related genes following immune stimulation.
Main Methods:
- Genome-wide screening of Crassostrea gigas for complement-related domains.
- Transcriptome analysis of oyster haemocytes post-lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation.
- Confirmation of CgC3 protein presence and processing in oyster plasma.
Main Results:
- Identified 792 gene models with complement-related domains in Crassostrea gigas.
- Observed differential expression of C1q, C-type lectin, and fibrinogen-related proteins upon LPS stimulation.
- Found upregulation of serine protease, MACPF, and C3 receptor-like proteins, with significant increase in CgC3 mRNA and protein.
Conclusions:
- Crassostrea gigas possesses a multi-component complement system with functional similarities to vertebrate systems.
- Specific pattern recognition receptors and serine proteases likely activate CgC3.
- C3-like receptors mediate pathogen phagocytosis, indicating a role for complement in oyster innate immunity.
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