Identification and functional characterization of zebrafish ELAVL1b as a new member of antimicrobial protein

Previous studies have shown that ELAVL1 play multiple roles and may be associated with immune response. However, it remains largely unknown about the direct roles of ELAVL1 during a bacterial infection. After reporting the zebrafish ELAVL1a is a maternal immune factor that can protect zebrafish embryos from bacterial infection, here we studied the immune function of zebrafish ELAVL1b. In this study, we showed that zebrafish elavl1b was markedly up-regulated by LTA and LPS treatment, suggesting it may be involved in anti-infectious responses. We also showed that zebrafish recombinant ELAVL1b (rELAVL1b) could bind to both the Gram-positive and negative bacteria M. luteus and S. aureus, E. coli and A. hydrophila as well as their signature molecules LTA and LPS, hinting it may act as a pattern recognition receptor, capable of identifying pathogens. In addition, rELAVL1b could directly kill the Gram-positive and negative bacteria tested via inducing membrane depolarization and intracellular ROS production. Collectively, our results indicate that zebrafish ELAVL1b plays an immune-relevant role as a newly-characterized antimicrobial protein. This work also provides further information to understand the biological roles of ELAVL family and the innate immunity in vertebrates.