Browsing by Author "Li, Jiale"
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- Domain-dependent evolution explains functional homology of protostome and deuterostome complement C3-like proteinsPublication . Peng, Maoxiao; Li, Zhi; Cardoso, João; Niu, Donghong; Liu, Xiaojun; Dong, Zhiguo; Li, Jiale; Power, DeborahComplement proteins emerged early in evolution but outside the vertebrate clade they are poorly characterized. An evolutionary model of C3 family members revealed that in contrast to vertebrates the evolutionary trajectory of C3-like genes in cnidarian, protostomes and invertebrate deuterostomes was highly divergent due to independent lineage and species-specific duplications. The deduced C3-like and vertebrate C3, C4 and C5 proteins had low sequence conservation, but extraordinarily high structural conservation and 2-chain and 3-chain protein isoforms repeatedly emerged. Functional characterization of three C3-like isoforms in a bivalve representative revealed that in common with vertebrates complement proteins they were cleaved into two subunits, b and a, and the latter regulated inflammation-related genes, chemotaxis and phagocytosis. Changes within the thioester bond cleavage sites and the a-subunit protein (ANATO domain) explained the functional differentiation of bivalve C3-like. The emergence of domain-related functions early during evolution explains the overlapping functions of bivalve C3-like and vertebrate C3, C4 and C5, despite low sequence conservation and indicates that evolutionary pressure acted to conserve protein domain organization rather than the primary sequence.
- Dopamine beta-hydroxylase and its role in regulating the growth and larval metamorphosis in Sinonovacula constrictaPublication . Li, Zhi; Niu, Donghong; Peng, Maoxiao; Xiong, Ya; Ji, Jie; Dong, Zhiguo; Li, JialeDopamine beta-hydroxylase (D beta H) plays a key role in the synthesis of catecholamines (CAs) in the neuroendocrine regulatory network. The D beta H gene was identified from the razor clam Sinonovacula constricta and referred to as ScD beta H. The ScD beta H gene is a copper type II ascorbate-dependent monooxygenase with a DOMON domain and two Cu2_monooxygen domains. ScD beta H transcript expression was abundant in liver and hemolymph. During early development, ScD beta H expression significantly increased at the umbo larval stage. Furthermore, the inhibitors and siRNA of D beta H were screened. After challenge with D beta H inhibitor, the larval metamorphosis and survival rates, and juvenile growth were obviously decreased. Under the siRNA stress, the larval metamorphosis and survival rates were also significantly decreased. Therefore, ScD beta H may play an important regulating role in larval metamorphosis and juvenile growth.
- Functional miR-142a-3p induces apoptosis and macrophage polarization by targeting tnfaip2 and glut3 in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)Publication . Tao, Lizhu; Pang, Yifan; Wang, Anqi; Li, Lisen; Shen, Yubang; Xu, Xiaoyan; Li, JialeIn the process of microbial invasion, the inflammation reaction is induced to eliminate the pathogen. However, un-controlled or un-resolved inflammation can lead to tissue damage and death of the host. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are the signaling regulators that prevent the uncontrolled progress of an inflammatory response. Our previous work strongly indicated that miR-142a-3p is related to the immune regulation in grass carp. In the present study, we found that the expression of miR-142a-3p was down-regulated after infection by Aeromonas hydrophila. tnfaip2 and glut3 were confirmed as be the target genes of miR-142a-3p, which were confirmed by expression correlation analysis, gene overexpression, and dual luciferase reporter assay. The miR-142a-3p can reduce cell viability and stimulate cell apoptosis by targeting tnfaip2 and glut3. In addition, miR-142a-3p also regulates macrophage polarization induced by A. hydrophila. Our results suggest that miR-142a-3p has multiple functions in host antibacterial immune response. Our research provides further understanding of the molecular mechanisms between miRNAs and their target genes, and provides a new insights for the development of pro-resolution strategies for the treatment of complex inflammatory diseases in fish.
- Inland alkaline brackish water aquaculture of juvenile razor clam: survival, growth, physiology and immune responsesPublication . Peng, Maoxiao; Li, Zhi; Liu, Xiaojun; Niu, Donghong; Li, JialeIn this study, we investigated rearing and breeding razor clam (Sinonovacula constricta) in inland alkaline brackish water. During 45 days of the experiment in candidate target inland area brackish water (TBW), survival, growth, enzyme activity and immune responses were analysed. The results showed that shell length and weight were significantly inhibited in the TBW group (p <0.001). Although the cumulative mortality was 81.479 ± 7.028 (p < 0.001) at 15 days, it increased slowly to 92.915 ± 2.271 (p < 0.001) at 45 days. The enzyme activities of Na+/K+-ATPase, aspartate aminotransferase and superoxide dismutase peaked at 15 days, and juvenile S. constricta (JSC) may engaged in partial anaerobic metabolism or damage to gill tissue, which may explain the high mortality rate at this time. Additionally, the phagocytic ability of haemocytes was inhibited (p < 0.001), but the metabolic activity was enhanced (p < 0.001). This implies that 15 days was the peak of TBW stress, and stress gradually decreased by days 30 and 45. TBW affected metabolism, osmotic regulation, and immune responses. There was an independent ionic interaction perhaps effect on JSC, primarily through Na+/K+ rate. Approximately 7 % of animals adapted successfully to TBW after 45 days. In summary, S. constricta has a great potential in further anti-TBW conditions selective breeding research.
- Long non-coding RNAs are involved in immune resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila in black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus)Publication . Zhang, Xueshu; Sun, Bingyan; Bai, Yulin; Canario, A.V.M.; Xu, Xiaoyan; Li, JialeA growing number of studies identified long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) to be closely associated with immune function through the regulation of immune cell differentiation and immune cell effector function. Here we tested whether lncRNAs are involved in immune function in black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) through the exposure to Aeromonas hydrophila and analysis of the spleen gene expression response using RNA-seq. A total of 9036 lncRNAs were identified with high confidence. Differential expression analysis identified a total of 3558 DElncRNAs (Differential expression lncRNA) involved in A. hydrophila infection and 4526 target genes corresponding to DElncRNAs. After screening 4526 target genes in the InnateDB database, a total of 150 immunity genes were identified. After GO (Gene Ontology) and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) enrichment analysis of the obtained immunity genes, the Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway, TLR2, TLR3, TLR5, and TLR8 were identified as particularly significant in A. hydrophyla-resistant black carp. At the same time, the Ras signaling pathway was particularly enriched in the spleen of susceptible black carp. Analysis of PPI (protein-protein interaction) networks of the obtained immune genes identified SRC (SRC Proto-Oncogene), MYD88 (Myeloid differentiation primary response 88), MAPK3 (Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3), MYC (MYC Proto-Oncogene) as main hub genes regulated by lncRNA and possibly mediating a mechanism of susceptibility to bacteria. These results establish a functional role of lncRNAs and a mechanistic base for the immune response in black carp resistant to A. hydrophila.
- RNAi-mediated knock-down of the dopamine beta-hydroxylase gene changes growth of razor clamsPublication . Li, Zhi; Peng, Maoxiao; Power, Deborah; Niu, Donghong; Dong, Zhiguo; Li, JialeDopamine beta-hydroxylase (D beta H) plays an essential role in the synthesis of catecholamines (CA) in neuroen-docrine networks. In the razor clam, Sinonovacula constricta a novel gene for D beta H (ScD beta H-alpha) was identified that belongs to the copper type II ascorbate-dependent monooxygenase family. Expression analysis revealed ScD beta H-alpha gene transcripts were abundant in the liver and expressed throughout development. Knock-down of ScD beta H-alpha in adult clams using siRNA caused a reduction in the growth rate compared to control clams. Reduced growth was associated with strong down-regulation of gene transcripts for the growth-related factors, platelet derived growth factors A (PDGF-A) (P < 0.001) 24 h after ScD beta H-alpha knock-down, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF1) (P < 0.001) and platelet derived growth factor B (PDGF-B-2)(P < 0.001) 24 h and 48 h after ScD beta H-alpha knock-down and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta 1) (P < 0.001) 48 h and 72 h after ScD beta H-alpha knock-down. Taken together the results suggest that the novel ScD beta H-alpha gene through its role in CA synthesis is involved in growth regulation in the razor clam and possibly other bivalves.
- Using GFP as a biomarker to visualize the process of bacterial infection in black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus)Publication . Zhang, Xueshu; Xu, Xiaoyan; Shen, Yubang; Li, Lisen; Wang, Rongquan; Li, JialeAs one of the most critical pathogens, Aeromonas hydrophila (AH) can cause motile aeromonad septicemia (MAS) in freshwater fish. In recent decades, a myriad of studies had been done for bacterial infect fish. However, the mechanism of bacterial infects fish especially freshwater fish was scanty. This study was conducted for investigating the invasion pathway of A. hydrophila in vivo of black carp. We have performed A. hydrophila 4332 transformed with a plasmid encoding the green fluorescent protein (pGFPuv) (AH4332GFPuv) in black carp. The AH4332GFPuv had similar growth properties and virulence as the wild-type strains under the simulated natural condition. In this study, black carp were divided into five groups: IM (challenged via immersion), IBD (increased stocking density), SAW (skin artificially wounded by scalpel), MR (mucus removed from the body surface), and C0 (control group). The number of AH4332GFPuv in gill, liver, spleen, intestine, mid kidney, head kidney, muscle, eye, brain, heart, and blood were examined after 72 h post-infection from all groups. Significantly high bacterial numbers were observed in the gills and intestine. The number of bacteria was significantly higher in IBD group than IM group. In conclusion, the gill, intestines, and injured skin are likely to be the primary infection routes.