Thymosin-β12 characteristics and function in Urechis unicinctus

Area of Science:

• Marine invertebrate immunology
• Molecular biology
• Innate immunity

Background:

• The beta-thymosin (β-thymosin) family are multifunctional polypeptides involved in various cellular processes.
• The specific roles of Tβ12 in marine invertebrates, particularly in antibacterial immunity, remain largely unexplored.
• Urechis unicinctus, a marine invertebrate, serves as a model for investigating Tβ12 function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To clone and characterize the Tβ12 gene from Urechis unicinctus.
• To investigate the tissue distribution of Tβ12 mRNA.
• To determine the role of Tβ12 in the innate immune response to bacterial challenge.

Main Methods:

• Gene cloning and sequencing to obtain the Tβ12 open reading frame (ORF).
• Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) for tissue distribution analysis.
• Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection to stimulate immune response and subsequent Tβ12 expression analysis.

Main Results:

• The Tβ12 gene was successfully cloned from U. unicinctus, encoding 41 amino acids.
• Tβ12 exhibited wide tissue expression, with highest levels in the body wall and coelomic fluid.
• Tβ12 expression significantly increased in various tissues following LPS challenge, indicating its involvement in immune response.
• Recombinant U. unicinctus Tβ12 demonstrated inhibitory effects against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.

Conclusions:

• Urechis unicinctus Tβ12 is crucial for innate antibacterial immunity in marine invertebrates.
• Tβ12 functions as a key component of the innate immune system in U. unicinctus, with distinct roles in different tissues.
• This research enhances the understanding of Tβ12's function in marine invertebrate defense mechanisms.