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Liao G, Wang S, Wang Z, Zhang C, Li Z, Yang H, Zhou A, Xie S, Fan L, Wang M, Zou J, Zeng F. Characterization, Expression, and Functional Analysis of the Northern Snakehead (Channa argus) Hepcidin. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2023:10.1007/s12602-023-10195-y. [PMID: 38048025 DOI: 10.1007/s12602-023-10195-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Hepcidin, an antimicrobial peptide (AMP), is a well-conserved molecule present in various species such as fish, amphibians, birds, reptiles, and mammals. It exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and holds a significant role in the innate immune system of host organisms. The northern snakehead (Channa argus) has become a valuable freshwater fish in China and Asia. In this investigation, the cDNA encoding the hepcidin gene of northern snakehead was cloned and named caHep. The amino acid sequences and protein structure of caHep are similar to those of hepcidins from other fish. The eukaryotic expression product of the caHep gene showed broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. Scanning electron microscope analysis indicated that the caHep peptide inhibited bacterial growth by damaging their cell membranes. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection induced significant expression of caHep, implying the involvement of caHep in the innate immune response of northern snakeheads. This investigation showed that the caHep peptide is potentially a robust antibacterial drug against bacterial diseases in aquaculture animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guowei Liao
- University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Shulan Wang
- University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Zimo Wang
- University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Chaonan Zhang
- University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Zicong Li
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Huirong Yang
- University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Zhongshan Innovation Center of South China Agricultural University, Zhongshan, 528400, China
| | - Aiguo Zhou
- University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Shaolin Xie
- University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Lanfen Fan
- University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Meifang Wang
- University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Jixing Zou
- University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
| | - Fang Zeng
- University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
- Zhongshan Innovation Center of South China Agricultural University, Zhongshan, 528400, China.
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Wang P, Lin Z, Lin S, Dai Y, Zheng B, Zhang Y, Hu J. Molecular cloning of the hepcidin gene from crescent sweetlips (Plectorhinchus cinctus) and characterization of its encoded antimicrobial peptide. Mol Immunol 2023; 164:124-133. [PMID: 38000115 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2023.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Hepcidin has been identified as an important antimicrobial peptide exerting important innate immunomodulatory activities in many fish species. In the present study, reverse transcription PCR coupled with the rapid amplification of cDNA ends was used to obtain the full-length cDNA of the crescent sweetlips hepcidin gene, which is 829 bp in length and includes an 273 bp ORF encoding a peptide with 90 amino acid residues. Sequence alignment showed a typical RXKR motif and eight conserved cysteine residues in the deduced amino acid sequences. Four disulfide bonds were predicted to form between these eight cysteines, which may stabilize the hairpin structure in hepcidin molecule. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis showed that the deduced amino acid sequences of crescent sweetlips hepcidin had high sequence homology to hepcidins from fish species of Eupercaria. In addition, the crescent sweetlips hepcidin peptide demonstrated a strong antimicrobial activity in vitro against several types of pathogenic bacteria in fish. In conclusion, the obtained results suggested that crescent sweetlips hepcidin possessed the typical structure similar to other fish hepcidins and had strong antibacterial activity, which showed great potential in the prevention of fish diseases in aquaculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peixin Wang
- Engineering Research Centre of Fujian-Taiwan Special Marine Food Processing and Nutrition, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, China; College of Food Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Zhongjing Lin
- Engineering Research Centre of Fujian-Taiwan Special Marine Food Processing and Nutrition, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, China; College of Food Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Shaoling Lin
- Engineering Research Centre of Fujian-Taiwan Special Marine Food Processing and Nutrition, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, China; College of Food Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Yujie Dai
- College of Food Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Baodong Zheng
- Engineering Research Centre of Fujian-Taiwan Special Marine Food Processing and Nutrition, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, China; College of Food Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Engineering Research Centre of Fujian-Taiwan Special Marine Food Processing and Nutrition, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, China; College of Food Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
| | - Jiamiao Hu
- College of Food Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Department of Cardiovascular Sciences and Diabetes Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom.
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Lenin KLD, Antony SP. In silico molecular and functional characterization of a dual function antimicrobial peptide, hepcidin (GIFT-Hep), isolated from genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT, Oreochromis niloticus). J Genet Eng Biotechnol 2023; 21:130. [PMID: 37987875 PMCID: PMC10663414 DOI: 10.1186/s43141-023-00579-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), innate immune response molecules in organisms, are also known for their dual functionality, exemplified by hepcidin-an immunomodulator and iron regulator. Identifying and studying various AMPs from fish species can provide valuable insights into the immune profiles of aquaculturally significant fish, which can be made use of in its culture. RESULTS Hepcidin, a dual-function antimicrobial peptide, was isolated from the gill tissue of Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT-Hep). GIFT-Hep consists of a 90 amino acid pre-propeptide with a 24-mer signal, a 40-mer propeptide, and a 26-mer mature peptide region. The mature peptide had a molecular weight of 3015.61 Da, a theoretical pI of 8.78, a net charge of +4.25, and a protein-binding potential of 2.06 kcal/mol. Four disulfide bonds were formed by eight cysteine residues in the mature region. The presence of positively charged arginine residues renders the peptide 50% hydrophobic. Molecular analysis of GIFT-Hep revealed the presence of a furin propeptide convertase motif, RX(K/R)R, which facilitates trimming of the peptide to yield the mature GIFT-Hep. The hypothetical iron regulatory sequence, QSHLSL, was also identified in the mature peptide. In silico predictions about the characteristics of GIFT-Hep, such as charge, hydrophobicity, high surface accessibility, transmembrane helical regions, hydrophobic faces, hot spots, and cell-penetrating properties, suggest that the peptide functions as an iron regulatory antimicrobial agent. CONCLUSIONS This study reports a hepcidin antimicrobial peptide with both HAMP1 and HAMP2 properties isolated from genetically improved farmed tilapia, and further evaluation of the properties will prove the feasibility of GIFT-Hep being used as a therapeutant in aquaculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- K L Dhanya Lenin
- Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi, Kerala, 682016, India
| | - Swapna P Antony
- Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi, Kerala, 682016, India.
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Jin Z, Shen M, Wang L, Wang C, Gao M, Yu G, Chang Z, Zhang X. Antibacterial and immunoregulatory activity of an antimicrobial peptide hepcidin in loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus). Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 242:124833. [PMID: 37207751 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are members of humoral immunity and particpate in resisting microbial invasion. In this study, an AMP gene hepcidin was obtained from the oriental loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus and named Ma-Hep. This Ma-Hep encodes a peptide of 90 amino acids, with a predicted active peptide segment (Ma-sHep) of 25 amino acids at C terminus. Stimulation by a bacterial pathogen Aeromonas hydrophila resulted in significant up-regulation of Ma-Hep transcripts in loach midgut, head kidney, and gill. Ma-Hep and Ma-sHep proteins were expressed in Pichia pastoris and their antibacterial activity was examined. Results showed that Ma-sHep possessed stronger antibacterial activity against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, compared to Ma-Hep. Scanning electron microscopy showed that Ma-sHep might kill bacteria by destroying bacterial cell membranes. Moreover, we found that Ma-sHep had an inhibitory effect on blood cell apoptosis induced by A. hydrophila and facilitated the bacterial phagocytosis and clearance in loach. Histopathological analysis indicated Ma-sHep could protect liver and gut of loach from bacterial infection. Ma-sHep has high thermal stability and PH stability, which is conducive to further feed addition. Feed supplemented with Ma-sHep expressing yeast improved the intestinal flora of loach by increasing the dominant bacteria and decreasing the harmful bacteria. Feed supplemented with Ma-sHep expressing yeast also regulated the expression of inflammatory related factors in various tissues of loach and reduced the mortality of loach upon bacterial infection. These findings show that the antibacterial peptide Ma-sHep is involved in the antibacterial defense of loach and can be used as a candidate for new antimicrobial agents in aquaculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyu Jin
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China
| | - Manli Shen
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China
| | - Liuen Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China
| | - Cui Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China
| | - Miaomiao Gao
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China
| | - Guoying Yu
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China; State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan center for outstanding overseas scientists of pulmonary fibrosis, College of Life Science, Institute of Biomedical Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China
| | - Zhongjie Chang
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China; State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan center for outstanding overseas scientists of pulmonary fibrosis, College of Life Science, Institute of Biomedical Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China.
| | - Xiaowen Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China; State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan center for outstanding overseas scientists of pulmonary fibrosis, College of Life Science, Institute of Biomedical Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, China; Henan International Joint Laboratory of Agricultural Microbial Ecology and Technology, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China; The Observation and Research Field Station of Taihang Mountain Forest Ecosystems of Henan Province, Xinxiang 453007, Henan, China.
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Lu X, Han YC, Shepherd BS, Xiang Y, Deng DF, Vinyard BT. Molecular Analysis and Sex-specific Response of the Hepcidin Gene in Yellow Perch (Perca Flavescens) Following Lipopolysaccharide Challenge. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2023; 15:215-225. [PMID: 36562953 DOI: 10.1007/s12602-022-10024-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Hepcidin antimicrobial peptide (hamp) is active in teleosts against invading pathogens and plays important roles in the stress and immune responses of finfish. The response of hamp gene was studied in yellow perch (yp) (Perca flavescens) challenged with lipopolysaccharides to understand if this immunity response is sex-specifically different. The cloned hamp gene consists of an open-reading frame of 273 bp and encodes a deduced protein of 90 amino acids (a.a.), which includes a signal peptide of 24 a.a., a pro-domain of 40 a.a. and a mature peptide of 26 a.a. Yp hamp involves 8 cysteine residues with 4 disulfide bonds, and a protein with an internal alpha helix flanked with C- and N-terminal random coils was modeling predicted. RT-qPCR was used to analyze the relative abundances (RAs) of hamp mRNA in the livers of juvenile female and male yellow perch challenged with lipopolysaccharide. The expression levels of hamp were significantly elevated by 3 h (RA = 7.3) and then peaked by 6 h (RA = 29.4) post-treatment in females but the peak was delayed to 12 h (RA = 65.4) post-treatment in males. The peak mRNA level of challenged males was shown 7.6-fold higher than females. The post-treatment responses in both genders decreased to their lowest levels by 24 h and 48 h. Overall, female perch had an earlier but less-sensitive response to the lipopolysaccharide challenge than male.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Lu
- School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, 53204, USA
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Biodiversity Conservation and Utilization of Ministry of Agriculture, Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan, 430223, Hubei, China
| | - Yueh-Chiang Han
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education-Oak Ridge Associated Universities-US Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service-School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, 53204, USA.
| | - Brian S Shepherd
- US Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service-School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, 53204, USA
| | - Ying Xiang
- School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, 53204, USA
- School of Basic Medical Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Dong-Fang Deng
- School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, 53204, USA
| | - Bryan T Vinyard
- US Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service/Northeast Area Statistics Group, Beltsville, MD, USA
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Zhu QY, Chen RY, Yu J, Ding GH, Seah RWX, Chen J. Antimicrobial peptide hepcidin contributes to restoration of the intestinal flora after Aeromonas hydrophila infection in Acrossocheilus fasciatus. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2023; 263:109486. [PMID: 36216305 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2022.109486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Hepcidin is a cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptide that serves an important role in the immunity system of fishes. It exhibits antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antitumor activities. However, the exact role of fish hepcidin in the regulation of the intestinal flora still remains a mystery. In our study, we sequenced and characterized hepcidin from the liver of Acrossocheilus fasciatus. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that A. fasciatus hepcidin and Gobiocypris rarus hepcidin were the most closely related, and both belonged to the fish HAMP1 cluster. Studies conducted on in vivo tissue distribution showed that the expression of hepcidin was highest in healthy A. fasciatus liver. Aeromonas hydrophila infection was confirmed by the increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes and bacterial loads in A. fasciatus tissues. After A. hydrophila infection, hepcidin expression significantly increased in the liver, spleen, and head kidney. In vitro antibacterial assays showed that hepcidin exhibits strong broad spectrum antibacterial activity. Furthermore, we examined the regulatory effect of hepcidin on the intestinal flora and found that A. fasciatus hepcidin restored the reduced diversity and compositional changes in intestinal flora caused by A. hydrophila infection. Our results suggest that hepcidin could regulate the intestinal flora in fishes; however, the underlying mechanisms need to be explored in greater detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qun-Yin Zhu
- College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui 323000, China
| | - Ru-Yi Chen
- College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui 323000, China
| | - Jing Yu
- College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui 323000, China
| | - Guo-Hua Ding
- College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui 323000, China
| | - Rachel Wan Xin Seah
- Department of Biological Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117558, Singapore
| | - Jie Chen
- College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui 323000, China.
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Liu M, Hu R, Li W, Yang W, Xu Q, Chen L. Identification of Antibacterial Activity of Hepcidin From Antarctic Notothenioid Fish. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:834477. [PMID: 35495646 PMCID: PMC9039748 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.834477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepcidin is a small peptide composed of signal peptide, propeptide, and the bioactive mature peptide from N terminal to C terminal. Mature hepcidin is an antibacterial peptide and iron regulator with eight highly conserved cysteines forming four intramolecular disulfide bonds, giving it a β sheet hairpin-like structure. Hepcidin homologs are found in a variety of vertebrates, especially fish, and their diversity may be associated with different habitats and different levels of pathogens. Dissostichus mawsoni, an Antarctic notothenioid fish that lives in the coldest water unlike most places of the world, with at least two hepcidin variants with eight cysteines. We confirmed the formation process of activated mature hepcidins from D. mawsoni in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line, obtained recombinant hepcidin protein from prokaryotes, and characterized its binding ability and antibacterial activity against varying bacteria. The expression of hepcidin in CHO cell line showed that the prepropeptide of Dmhep_8cysV1 and Dmhep_8cysV2 cleavage into smaller mature peptide. The antibacterial assay and flow cytometry showed that Dmhep_8cysV1, Dmhep_8cysV2, and Drhep bound to different bacteria and killed them with different minimum inhibitory concentration. These data suggest that hepcidin plays an important role in the innate immunity of D. mawsoni and is of great value in improving resistance to pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingli Liu
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruiqin Hu
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenhao Li
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenyi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qianghua Xu
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liangbiao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
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Liu E, Huang T, Gu W, Wang G, Dong F, Ma H, Zhang L, He X, Yao Z, Jiao W, Li C, Wang B, Xu G. Molecular characterization and antibacterial immunity functional analysis of the antimicrobial peptide hepcidin from Coregonus ussuriensis berg. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 122:78-86. [PMID: 35051564 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2022.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides are immune system molecules existing in different organisms including mollusks, crustaceans and vertebrates. Hepcidins are a group of cysteine rich antimicrobial peptides, which plays an important role in fish response to a variety of pathogens. In this study, we cloned and identified Hepcidin from the Coregonus ussuriensis Berg, and its functions in vivo and in vitro was investigated. Our results showed that, CuHepc contains a 267 bp coding sequence (CDS) region that encodes 88 putative amino acids with a molecular weight of 9.77 kD. Hepcidin transcripts were most abundant in the liver of healthy C. ussuriensis Berg. The synthesized Hepcidin peptide exhibited a wide range of antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in vitro, and the results of in vivo bacterial attack assays showed that the CuHepc gene was differentially up-regulated in the six tissues investigated after infection with Aeromonas hydrophila. To analyze the changes in protein levels in C. ussuriensis, we generated Hepc polyclonal antibodies in rabbits and verified that the protein expression was increased after bacterial infection with Western blot assay. MIC assay results showed a geometric mean value of 5.513 μM for CuHepc peptide. In the in vivo experiment, immune-related genes IL-10, NF-κB, TLR3 were up-regulated post-infection CuHepc peptide in liver and intestine. Finally, CuHepc peptide reduced the tissues microbial load compared to infection with Aeromonas hydrophila. The above results indicate that Hepc plays a role in the immune response of C. ussuriensis to exogenous disturbances, indicate that CuHepc might act a candidate for modulation of the innate immune system in C. ussuriensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enhui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Biotechnology and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Heilongjiang River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Harbin, PR China
| | - Tianqing Huang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Biotechnology and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Heilongjiang River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Harbin, PR China
| | - Wei Gu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Biotechnology and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Heilongjiang River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Harbin, PR China
| | - Gaochao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Biotechnology and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Heilongjiang River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Harbin, PR China
| | - Fulin Dong
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Biotechnology and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Heilongjiang River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Harbin, PR China
| | - Haibing Ma
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Biotechnology and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Heilongjiang River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Harbin, PR China
| | - Lanlan Zhang
- Heilongjiang Fisheries Technology Extension Center, Harbin, PR China
| | - Xianchen He
- Heilongjiang Aquatic Animal Resource Conservation Center, Harbin, PR China
| | - Zuochun Yao
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Biotechnology and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Heilongjiang River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Harbin, PR China
| | - Wenlong Jiao
- Gansu Fisheries Research Institute, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Chunyu Li
- Xinjiang Tianyun Organic Agriculture Limited Liability Company, Yili, PR China
| | - Bingqian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Biotechnology and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Heilongjiang River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Harbin, PR China.
| | - Gefeng Xu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Biotechnology and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Heilongjiang River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Harbin, PR China.
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Veedu AM, Prahaladhan AP, Vadakkeveettil AV, Krishnakumar A, Surendran N, Philip R. An Antimicrobial peptide hepcidin, St-hep from tuberculated flathead, Sorsogona tuberculata (Cuvier, 1829): Molecular and functional characterization. Biologia (Bratisl) 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11756-021-00867-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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10
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Chen J, Jiang W, Xu YW, Chen RY, Xu Q. Sequence analysis of hepcidin in barbel steed (Hemibarbus labeo): QSHLS motif confers hepcidin iron-regulatory activity but limits its antibacterial activity. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 114:103845. [PMID: 32888968 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Fish hepcidin genes are generally classified into two groups: hamp1-and hamp2-type isoforms. Hamp1-type hepcidin exhibits iron regulatory and antimicrobial activity, while hamp2-type shows a unique role in the immune response against various pathogens. An iron-regulatory motif exists at the N-terminus of hamp1-type hepcidin; however, the functional effect of this motif in fish is not well understood. Here, cDNA of the barbel steed (Hemibarbus labeo) hepcidin gene was cloned and sequenced. The predicted amino acid sequence comprised a signal peptide, a prodomain, and a mature peptide. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that barbel steed hepcidin belongs to the fish HAMP1 cluster and is closely related to Chinese rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus) hepcidin. Barbel steed hepcidin is constitutively expressed in healthy fish tissues, predominantly in the liver. Following iron dextran treatment or Aeromonas hydrophila infection, expression of barbel steed hepcidin increased significantly in tested tissues. In vivo administration of intact hepcidin mature peptide (hep25) significantly and dose-dependently reduced ferroportin 1 expression, while truncated hepcidin mature peptide (hep20) lacking a QSHLS motif had no such effect. In vitro treatment of barbel steed monocytes/macrophages with hep25, but not hep20, increased the labile iron pool levels. Hep25 and hep20 conferred antibacterial activity only against A. hydrophila and Vibrio vulnificus, with greater activity of the latter at low concentrations. Neither hep25 nor hep20 impaired the cell membrane integrity of A. hydrophila, but could hydrolyze its genomic DNA; lack of a QSHLS motif enables hep20 to have a better hydrolytic effect. In summary, we identified an iron-regulatory motif in a fish species and demonstrated that this motif confers hamp1-type hepcidin iron-regulatory activity, but attenuates its antibacterial activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Chen
- College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui 323000, China.
| | - Wei Jiang
- College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui 323000, China
| | - Ya-Wen Xu
- College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui 323000, China
| | - Ru-Yi Chen
- College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui 323000, China
| | - Qian Xu
- College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui 323000, China
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Phan-Aram P, Mahasri G, Kayansamruaj P, Amparyup P, Srisapoome P. Immune Regulation, but Not Antibacterial Activity, Is a Crucial Function of Hepcidins in Resistance against Pathogenic Bacteria in Nile Tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus Linn.). Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10081132. [PMID: 32751990 PMCID: PMC7464455 DOI: 10.3390/biom10081132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, the functions of a recombinant propeptide (rProOn-Hep1) and the synthetic FITC-labelled mature peptides sMatOn-Hep1 and sMatOn-Hep2 were analyzed. Moreover, sMatOn-Hep1 and sMatOn-Hep2 were mildly detected in the lymphocytes of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and strongly detected in head kidney macrophages. The in vitro binding and antibacterial activities of these peptides were slightly effective against several pathogenic bacteria. Immune regulation by sMatOn-Hep1 was also analyzed, and only sMatOn-Hep1 significantly enhanced the phagocytic index in vitro (p < 0.05). Interestingly, intraperitoneal injection of sMatOn-Hep1 (10 or 100 µg) significantly elevated the phagocytic activity, phagocytic index, and lysozyme activity and clearly decreased the iron ion levels in the livers of the treated fish (p < 0.05). Additionally, sMatOn-Hep1 enhanced the expression levels of CC and CXC chemokines, transferrin and both On-Hep genes in the liver, spleen and head kidney, for 1–96 h after injection, but did not properly protect the experimental fish from S. agalactiae infection after 7 days of treatment. However, the injection of S. agalactiae and On-Heps indicated that 100 μg of sMatOn-Hep1 was very effective, while 100 μg of rProOn-Hep1 and sMatOn-Hep2 demonstrated moderate protection. Therefore, On-Hep is a crucial iron-regulating molecule and a key immune regulator of disease resistance in Nile tilapia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pagaporn Phan-Aram
- Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Health Management, Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University, 50 Paholayothin Rd, Ladyao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; (P.P.-A.); (P.K.)
| | - Gunanti Mahasri
- Department of Fish Health Management and Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine, Universitas Airlangga, Campus C Mulyorejo, Surabaya 60115, Indonesia;
| | - Pattanapon Kayansamruaj
- Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Health Management, Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University, 50 Paholayothin Rd, Ladyao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; (P.P.-A.); (P.K.)
| | - Piti Amparyup
- Marine Biotechnology Research Team, Integrative Aquaculture Biotechnology Research Group, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand;
| | - Prapansak Srisapoome
- Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Health Management, Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University, 50 Paholayothin Rd, Ladyao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; (P.P.-A.); (P.K.)
- Correspondence:
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Hepcidin-Expressing Fish Eggs as A Novel Food Supplement to Modulate Immunity against Pathogenic Infection in Zebrafish (Danio rerio). SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12104057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hepcidin antimicrobial peptides are difficult to produce in prokaryotic expression systems due to their complex structure and antimicrobial activity. Although synthetic hepcidin provides an alternative to solve this issue, its high cost limits its practical application in various industries. The present study used zebrafish eggs as bioreactors to produce convict cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) hepcidin (AN-hepc) using the oocyte-specific zona pellucida (zp3) promoter. The expression plasmid pT2-ZP3-AN-hepc-ZP3-EGFP, using EGFP as a reporter of AN-hepc expression, was designed to establish the transgenic line Tg(ZP3:AN-hepc:ZP3:EGFP) for the expression of AN-hepc. The AN-hepc peptide was produced successfully in fertilized eggs, as evidenced by RT-PCR and Western blotting. The AN-hepc-expressing eggs exhibited antimicrobial activity against a variety of aquatic pathogens and antibiotic-resistant pathogens, suggesting that the AN-hepc expressed in fish eggs was bioactive. The immunomodulatory effects of AN-hepc-expressing fertilized eggs on zebrafish innate immunity were evaluated by determining the expression of indicator genes after feeding with AN-hepc-expressing fertilized eggs for two months. Zebrafish supplementation with AN-hepc-expressing fertilized eggs significantly increased the expression of innate immunity-related genes, including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-15, TNF-α, NF-κb, complement C3b, lysozyme and TLR-4a. The zebrafish administered AN-hepc-expressing eggs exhibited higher cumulative survival than fish supplemented with wild-type and control eggs after infection with Aeromonas hydrophila and Streptococcus iniae. In conclusion, the present results showed that supplementation with AN-hepc-expressing fish eggs enhanced zebrafish innate immunity against pathogenic infections, suggesting that fertilized eggs containing AN-hepc have the potential to be developed as a food supplement for improving health status in aquaculture.
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Shen Y, Zhao Z, Zhao J, Chen X, Cao M, Wu M. Expression and Functional Analysis of Hepcidin from Mandarin Fish ( Siniperca chuatsi). Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20225602. [PMID: 31717495 PMCID: PMC6887715 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20225602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepcidin is a liver-derived peptide hormone that is related to iron balance and immunity in humans. However, its function in Siniperca chuatsi has not been well elucidated. In this study, we analyzed the expression and function of the S. chuatsi hepcidin (Sc-hep) gene. Sc-hep was specifically expressed in the liver and appeared to be one of the most highly expressed genes in the liver. After spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV) infection and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and polyinosinic—polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) stimulation, the expression of Sc-hep in the liver increased by approximately 110, 6500, and 225 times, respectively. After ferrous sulfate (FS) injection, the expression of Sc-hep in the liver increased approximately 520-fold. We found that miR-19c-5p could inhibit Sc-hep expression. Five CpG dinucleotides distributed in the promoter region showed no differential methylation between the liver and the stomach, both presenting high methylation rates. After FS or LPS injection, the expression of three iron balance-related genes (FPN1, TFR1, and FTN) and five immune-related cytokine genes (IL-1β, IL8, TNF-α, TLR22, and SOCS3) significantly changed. These results indicate that Sc-hep participates in the regulation of iron balance and plays an important role in the immune system. Sc-hep increased approximately 52-fold when mandarin fish were domesticated with artificial diets. Sc-hep might be used as a real-time biomarker of mandarin fish liver because its expression markedly varies under different physiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yawei Shen
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; (Y.S.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Ziwei Zhao
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; (Y.S.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Jinliang Zhao
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture, Shanghai 201306, China
- Correspondence: (J.Z.); (X.C.)
| | - Xiaowu Chen
- Shanghai Collaborative Innovation for Aquatic Animal Genetics and Breeding, Shanghai 201306, China
- Correspondence: (J.Z.); (X.C.)
| | - Ming Cao
- Guangdong Provincial Fishery Germplasm Conservation Center, Guangzhou 511400, China;
| | - Minglin Wu
- Fisheries Research Institute, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei 230000, China;
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