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Histone H2A cooperates with RIP2 to induce the expression of antibacterial genes and MHC related genes

Xiao Man Wu1, Lu Cao1, Pin Nie2

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.

Developmental and Comparative Immunology
|July 24, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Zebrafish histone H2A exhibits antibacterial properties against Edwardsiella piscicida. Its expression and function are linked to RIP2, enhancing the immune response by upregulating antibacterial and MHC genes.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Histones, components of nucleosomes, can yield antimicrobial peptides (AMPs).
  • While histone H2A-derived AMPs are known, the antimicrobial role of complete histone H2A is less understood.
  • Zebrafish histone H2A's function in innate immunity requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To functionally characterize zebrafish histone H2A.
  • To investigate its role in antibacterial immunity against Edwardsiella piscicida.
  • To elucidate the involvement of RIP2 in zebrafish histone H2A-mediated immune responses.

Main Methods:

  • Gene expression analysis in zebrafish embryos and larvae under different conditions (basal, infection, RIP2 deficiency).
  • Overexpression of zebrafish histone H2A in zebrafish larvae during Edwardsiella piscicida infection.
  • Quantitative analysis of bacterial load and survival rates.
  • Transcriptional analysis of antibacterial and MHC-related genes.

Main Results:

  • Zebrafish histone H2A expression is higher in embryos and inducible by bacterial infection.
  • RIP2 deficiency reduces zebrafish histone H2A expression.
  • Overexpression of zebrafish histone H2A inhibits Edwardsiella piscicida proliferation and enhances larval survival.
  • Zebrafish histone H2A overexpression upregulates antibacterial and MHC genes in a RIP2-dependent manner.

Conclusions:

  • Complete zebrafish histone H2A possesses in vivo antibacterial activity against Edwardsiella piscicida.
  • Zebrafish histone H2A cooperates with the adaptor protein RIP2 to regulate the transcription of antibacterial and MHC genes.
  • This study highlights a novel role for complete histone H2A in innate immunity, mediated by RIP2.
Keywords:
Antibacterial genesBacterial infectionMHC-Related genesRIP2Zebrafish histone H2A

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