Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Identification of Sleeping Beauty Transposon Insertions in Solid Tumors using Linker-mediated PCR
Published on: February 1, 2013
Identification and functional analysis of grouper (Epinephelus coioides) B-cell linker protein BLNK
Ze-Quan Mo1, Jiu-Le Wang1, Rui Han1
1Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province and Hong Kong Regions on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, Guangdong Province, PR China.
Abstract:
B-cell linker protein (BLNK) is an adaptor protein that plays a crucial role in the B cell antigen receptor (BCR) signal pathway. To investigate the function of BLNK in teleost fish, we cloned a BLNK ortholog gene from the orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides). Homology analysis showed that the grouper BLNK (EcBLNK) had a 34%-77% amino acid identity in comparison to other vertebrates and shared the highest amino acid identity with BLNK from the Asian seabass Lates calcarifer. EcBLNK comprises an N-terminal SAM domain and a C-terminal B-cell linker SH2 domain. Ten tyrosine residues were well conserved between teleost fish and mammals. Tissue distribution analysis showed that EcBLNK was expressed mainly in immune organs and expression was at the highest level in head kidney. Co-localization of EcBLNK and EcCD79a was observed in transfected HEK293T cells. Overexpression of EcBLNK did not activate nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells. The protein level of EcBLNK in grouper head kidney leukocytes was increased by stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. In groupers infected with Cryptocaryon irritans, EcBLNK was regulated in the infected sites and the systemic organ which suggests that EcBLNK was activated in the immune response to parasite infection.
Related Concept Videos
Cytoskeletal Linker Proteins - Plakins
Structural Protein Function
Collagen, the most abundant protein in mammals, is found throughout the body. In connective tissue, such as skin, ligaments, and tendons, it provides tensile strength and elasticity. In bones and teeth, it mineralizes to...
Structural Protein Function
Mechanical Protein Functions
Mechanical Protein Function
Functional Groups

