The induction of nitric oxide response of carp macrophages by transferrin is influenced by the allelic diversity of the molecule

Differences in growth of Trypanoplasma borreli in carp serum is dependent on transferrin genotype

Kinetoplastid parasites require transferrin (Tf), being the main source of iron, for growth and multiplication. This group of parasites developed a unique receptor-mediated system for acquiring host Tf which bears no structural homology with the host transferrin receptor. Trypanoplasma borreli, a blood parasite of common carp, probably uses a similar mechanism to sequester iron from host transferrin. In this study, we demonstrate a critical role of Tf for parasite growth. For in vitro studies we isolated and purified Tf from carp homozygous for the D or G allele of Tf. We obtained Tf-depleted serum using specific antibodies to carp Tf and studied gene expression in vivo during T. borreli infection with Real Time-quantitative PCR. We demonstrate that T. borreli cannot survive in medium supplemented with Tf-depleted serum while reconstitution with Tf restores normal growth. The critical role of Tf for parasite survival was shown in incomplete medium (medium without serum): addition of purified Tf significantly increased parasite survival. We also demonstrate that Tf polymorphism has a significant impact on T. borreli multiplication. Cultured parasites die more quickly in an environment containing D-typed Tf, as compared to medium with G-typed Tf. Gene expression during T. borreli infection in carp did not show an acute phase response. We could, however, observe an increased transcription of Tf in the head kidney, which may be associated with an immunological function of the Tf protein.

The many faces of transferrin: Does genotype modulate immune response?

In this study, the expression of pro-inflammatory and iron metabolism genes were analysed under Trypanoplasma borreli (T. borreli) challenge in common carp. Three transferrin (Tf) genotypic groups: two homozygous - DD, GG, and heterozygous DG were intraperitoneally infected with a dose of 2.16 × 10⁵/100 μL parasites. Organ and blood samples were collected at weekly intervals. During the infection period, mortality and parasitaemia were assessed along with measurements of blood iron concentrations and antibody levels. Expression of Tf, Fer, IRP1 and 2, TfR 1a and 1b, Hep, TNF α1 and α2, and IL-1 β was measured in the peak of parasitaemia and the week preceding the peak. Study revealed, that changes in iron blood level induced by parasite were not correlated with the activities of iron homeostasis genes. Neither iron content nor the specific antibody response correlated with survival. We demonstrate that challenged carp, display three distinct, Tf genotype dependent activity patterns of iron homeostasis genes expression. The expected, "classical" way of up-regulation represented homozygous DD individuals. In contrast, GG individuals demonstrated downward trend, while gene expressions of heterozygous DG carp could be defined as an intermediate. We speculate, whether this phenomenon is related to the transferrin molecule itself or to Tf-genotypes being markers of other factors, that influence the iron homeostasis genes activities. We discussed the role of alarmins in triggering the immune response. Distinct genes activating patterns of homozygous genotypes DD and GG had no consequences in terms of mortality rates caused by T.borreli. The highest mortality was observed in the heterozygous group DG. In conclusion, this study suggest that transferrin variant, but not iron blood concentration, has a significant impact on carp immune response to blood parasite infection. This research sheds a new light on the inflammation process and interaction between a host and invaders.

Transferrin Identification in Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) Reproductive System

Transferrins are a superfamily of iron-binding proteins and are recognized as multifunctional proteins. In the present study, transcriptomic and proteomic methods were used to identify transferrins in the reproductive organs and sperm of out-of-spawning and spermiating sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) males. The results showed that seven transferrin transcripts were identified in the transcriptome of sterlet, and these transcripts were qualified as two different transferrin genes, serotransferrin and melanotransferrin, with several isoforms present for serotransferrin. The relative abundance of serotransferrin isoforms was higher in the kidneys and Wolffian ducts in the spermiating males compared to out-of-spawning males. In addition, transferrin was immunodetected in sterlet seminal plasma, but not in sterlet spermatozoa extract. Mass spectrometry identification of transferrin in seminal plasma but not in spermatozoa corroborates immunodetection. The identification of transferrin in the reproductive organs and seminal plasma of sterlet in this study provides the potential function of transferrin during sturgeon male reproduction.

Seminal plasma transferrin effects on cryopreserved common carp Cyprinus carpio sperm and comparison with bovine serum albumin and antifreeze proteins

In the current study, there was evaluation of the cryopreservation effectiveness of common carp Cyprinus carpio sperm when cryopreservation medium was supplemented with proteins. Semen was diluted with Kurokura's extender composing 180 mM NaCl, 2.68 mM KCl, 1.36 mM CaCl₂, 2.38 mM NaHCO₃, and 10% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). Cryopreservation medium was supplemented with purified seminal plasma transferrin (Tf), bovine serum albumin (BSA) or antifreeze protein (AFP) Types I and III. Concentration of proteins evaluated was 0.1 μg/ml, 1 μg/ml, and 10 μg/ml. Motility and curvilinear velocity of spermatozoa was evaluated by the Computer Assisted Semen Analyzer (CASA). The percent of motile cells and spermatozoa curvilinear velocity of frozen-thawed sperm with supplementation of Tf and AFP III at all concentrations were greater compared to samples with no added proteins. The protective effect of BSA and AFP I was less and dose-dependent. Thus, it is concluded that incorporation of Tf in the extender before freezing improves crypreservation of common carp spermatozoa whereas supplementation with AFP III in greater concentrations was more effective.

The function of Eriocheir sinensis transferrin and iron in Spiroplasma eriocheiris infection

Transferrin, a member of the iron binding superfamily protein, plays an extremely important role in the transport of iron in the biological process of cells. The result of preliminary proteomic study on E. sinensis hemocytes infected Spiroplasma eriocheiris showed the expression of transferrin (EsTF) and ferrin (EsFe) significantly changed. In addition, other reports have confirmed that transferrin, ferritin and iron are involved in the immune response of hosts. In order to validate the immune function of EsTF, the whole length of EsTF was successfully amplified by the gene cloning and RACE technique. The results showed that the full-length cDNA of the EsTF gene was 2748 bp, including a 2193 bp open reading frame which encodes 730 amino acids. The result of bioinformatics analysis showed EsTF contains two highly conserved TR_FER domains. Evolutionary analysis showed that EsTF has a close genetic relationship with other TFs of invertebrates. In addition, EsTF mRNA was highly transcripted in nerve and intestine tissues, followed by hemocytes. The expression of EsTF, EsFe1 and EsFe2 increased after exogenous supplemental of iron under the concentration of 100 nmol/L in water. After exogenous supplement of iron and injection with S. eriocheiris, these three gene transcription of mRNA levels were higher than that of PBS group, while lower than the S. eriocheiris group and the iron group. Besides, the copy number of S. eriocheiris in the experimental group was significantly reduced, and the death rate decreased. As can be seen, iron made transferrin and ferritin return to normal levels during the infection of S. eriocheiris and help the host maintain normal immunity levels to resist S. eriocheiris. These results further demonstrated that EsTF, EsFe1, EsFe2 and iron play a role in the immune defense mechanism of the crabs to resist S. eriocheiris infection.

Molecular, structural, and functional comparison of N lobe and C lobe of the transferrin from rock bream, Oplegnathus fasciatus, with respect to its immune response

The iron-withholding strategy of innate immunity is an effective antimicrobial defense mechanism that combats microbial infection by depriving microorganisms of Fe³⁺, which is important for their growth and propagation. Transferrins (Tfs) are a group of iron-binding proteins that exert their antimicrobial function through Fe³⁺ sequestration. The current study describes both structural and functional characteristics of a transferrin ortholog from rock bream Oplegnathus fasciatus (RbTf). The RbTf cDNA possesses an open reading frame (ORF) of 2079 bp encoding 693 amino acids. It has a molecular mass of approximately 74 kDa and an isoelectric point of 5.4. In silico analysis revealed that RbTf has two conserved domains: N-terminal domain and C-terminal domain. Pairwise homology analysis and phylogenetic analysis revealed that RbTf shared the highest identity (82.6%) with Dicentrarchus labrax Tf. According to the genomic analysis, RbTf possesses 17 exons and 16 introns, similar to the other orthologs. Here, we cloned the N terminal and C terminal domains of RbTf to evaluate their distinct functional features. Results obtained through the CAS (chrome azurol S) assay confirmed the iron-binding ability of the RbTf, and it was further determined that the iron-binding ability of rRbTfN was higher than that of rRbTfC. The antimicrobial functions of the rRbTfN and the rRbTfC were confirmed via the iron-dependent bacterial growth inhibition assay. Tissue distribution profiling revealed a ubiquitous expression with intense expression in the liver. Temporal assessment revealed that RbTf increased after stimulation of LPS, Edwardsiella tarda, and Streptococcus iniae post injection (p.i.). These findings demonstrated that RbTf is an important antimicrobial protein that can combat bacterial pathogens.

Contributions of transferrin to acute inflammation in the goldfish, C. auratus

Transferrin is an evolutionary conserved protein that in addition to having a critical role in iron transport also has been shown to have a crucial role in host defence, by depriving iron from invading pathogens. Recently cleaved transferrin products was shown to activate macrophages in vitro. We now use an in vivo model of self-resolving peritonitis in goldfish, coupled with gene expression and protein analysis to evaluate the contributions of cleaved transferrin to acute inflammation. We show, for the first time, that cleaved transferrin products are produced in vivo early during an acute inflammatory response. These cleaved transferrin fragments were produced during pathogen-induced, but not sterile, inflammation. Both macrophages and neutrophils were able to contribute to transferrin cleavage. However, only macrophages contributed to this innate process through inducible expression of transferrin. The appearance of transferrin cleavage products in vivo correlated with the influx of leukocytes but did not necessarily correlate the induction of robust respiratory burst and nitric oxide responses. Overall, this study adds to a growing body of work highlighting the role of transferrin as an immune regulator during acute inflammation. Given the significant conservation of this and related molecules, these findings have potentially broad implications for host defences and inflammation control across evolution.

Acute phase proteins as promising biomarkers: Perspectives and limitations for human and veterinary medicine

Acute phase proteins (APPs) are highly conserved plasma proteins that are increasingly secreted by the liver in response to a variety of injuries, independently of their location and cause. APPs favor the systemic regulation of defense, coagulation, proteolysis, and tissue repair. Various APPs have been applied as general diagnostic parameters for a long time. Through proteomic techniques, more and more APPs have been discovered to be differentially altered. Since they are not consistently explainable by a stereotypic hepatic expression of sets of APPs, most of these results have unfortunately been neglected or attributed to the nonspecificity of the acute phase reaction. Moreover, it appears that various extrahepatic tissues are also able to express APPs. These extrahepatic APPs show focally specific roles in tissue homeostasis and repair and are released primarily into interstitial and distal fluids. Since these focal proteins might leak into the circulatory system, mixtures of hepatic and extrahepatic APP species can be expected in blood. Hence, a selective alteration of parts of APPs might be expected. There are several hints on multiple molecular forms and fragments of tissue-derived APPs. These differences offer the chance for multiple selective determinations. Thus, specific proteoforms might indeed serve as tissue-specific disease indicators.

Molecular insights into a molluscan transferrin homolog identified from disk abalone (Haliotis discus discus) evidencing its detectable role in host antibacterial defense

The basic function of transferrin is to bind iron (III) ions in the medium and to deliver them to the locations where they are required for metabolic processes. It also takes part in the host immune defense mainly via its ability to bind to iron (III) ions. Hence, transferrin is also identified as an important acute-phase protein in host immunity. Abalones are major shellfish aquaculture crops that are susceptible to a range of marine microbial infections. Since transferrin is known to be a major player in innate immunity, in the present study we sought to identify, and molecularly and functionally characterize a transferrin-like gene from disk abalone (Haliotis discus discus) named as AbTrf. AbTrf consisted of a 2187-bp open reading frame (ORF) which encodes a 728 amino acid (aa) protein. The putative amino acid sequence of AbTrf harbored N- and C-terminal transferrin-like domains, active sites for iron binding, and conserved cysteine residues. A constitutive tissue specific AbTrf expression pattern was detected by qPCR in abalones where mantle and muscle showed high AbTrf expression levels. Three immune challenge experiments were conducted using Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Listeria monocytogenes and LPS as stimuli and, subsequently, AbTrf mRNA expression levels were quantified in gill and hemocytes in a time-course manner. The mRNA expression was greatly induced in both tissues in response to both challenges. Evidencing the functional property of transferrins, recombinant AbTrf N-terminal domain (AbTrf-N) showed dose-dependent iron (III) binding activity detected by chrome azurol S (CAS) assay system. Moreover, recombinant AbTrf-N could significantly inhibit the growth of iron-dependent bacterium, Escherichia coli in a dose-dependent manner. However, AbTrf-N was unable to show any detectable bacteriostatic activity against iron-independent bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) even at its highest concentration. Collectively, our results suggest that AbTrf might play a significant role in the host innate immunity, possibly by withholding iron from pathogens.

The Megalobrama amblycephala transferrin and transferrin receptor genes: molecular cloning, characterization and expression during early development and after Aeromonas hydrophila infection

Both transferrin (TF) and transferrin receptor (TFR) play vital roles in iron homeostasis, which is essential for cellular growth and survival. Besides, TF and TFR are also reported to be involved in immune response against bacterial infection. In the present study, we cloned and characterized the Tf and TfR genes in Megalobrama amblycephala. The M. amblycephala Tf gene contained 17 exons and 16 introns, encoding 651 amino acids, while the M. amblycephala TfR gene contained 18 exons and 17 introns, encoding 768 amino acids. In healthy fish, Tf mRNA was most abundant in the liver, and TfR was highly expressed in the blood and brain. During early development, the expression of Tf increased from 12 hpf (hour post fertilization) to 26 hpf, followed by a diminution at 32 hpf, then increased significantly to the peak level at 2 dph (day post hatching). The expression pattern of TfR was similar to that of Tf, fluctuating from 0 hpf to 32 hpf and dramatically increasing to the peak at 2 dph. Additionally, both Tf and TfR genes responded to Aeromonas hydrophila infection, by increasing their expression in the liver, spleen and kidney at both mRNA and protein levels, indicating that they were involved in M. amblycephala immune response. Immunohistochemical analysis and Prussian blue staining verified the internalization of TF-receptor system with bound-iron in the liver of M. amblycephala.

Antimicrobial responses of teleost phagocytes and innate immune evasion strategies of intracellular bacteria

During infection, macrophage lineage cells eliminate infiltrating pathogens through a battery of antimicrobial responses, where the efficacy of these innate immune responses is pivotal to immunological outcomes. Not surprisingly, many intracellular pathogens have evolved mechanisms to overcome macrophage defenses, using these immune cells as residences and dissemination strategies. With pathogenic infections causing increasing detriments to both aquacultural and wild fish populations, it is imperative to garner greater understanding of fish phagocyte antimicrobial responses and the mechanisms by which aquatic pathogens are able to overcome these teleost macrophage barriers. Insights into the regulation of macrophage immunity of bony fish species will lend to the development of more effective aquacultural prophylaxis as well as broadening our understanding of the evolution of these immune processes. Accordingly, this review focuses on recent advances in the understanding of teleost macrophage antimicrobial responses and the strategies by which intracellular fish pathogens are able to avoid being killed by phagocytes, with a focus on Mycobacterium marinum.

cDNA cloning and expression characterization of serum transferrin gene from oriental weatherfish Misgurnus anguillicaudatus

In this study, the cDNA coding serum transferrin (stf) of Misgurnus anguillicaudatus (mastf) was cloned. mastf cDNA is composed of 2326 bp with a 2007 bp open reading frame encoding 668 amino acids. The deduced Mastf protein consists of a signal peptide, two lobes (N and C-lobes) and signature motifs of transferrin (Tf) family. The results of tissue distribution indicated that mastf mRNA was predominantly expressed in the liver. The results indicate that the mastf expression increased significantly in liver, blood, spleen and head kidney after the challenge with Aeromonas sobria, acting as a positive acute protein, suggesting that mastf is related to the immune response. The cloning and expression analysis of mastf further demonstrates the evolutionary conservation of Stf and immune function in vertebrates.

Immunity against selected piscine flagellates

This discussion is on immune response to Amyloodinium ocellatum, Cryptobia salmositica, Trypanoplasma borreli and Trypanosoma carassii. Piscidin and histone-like proteins enhance innate resistance to Amyloodinium. Fish that are naturally resistant to Cryptobia and Trypanoplasma can be bred. Cryptobia resistance in charr is controlled by a dominant Mendelian locus and protection is via the Alternative Pathway of Complement Activation. Studies on Cryptobia-tolerant charr may lead to production of transgenic Cryptobia-tolerant salmon. Innate response to T. borreli is associated with NO in macrophages. Transferrin regulates resistance and carp have been bred for transferrin genotypes. Recovered fish are protected from homologous challenge, and complement fixing antibodies are crucial in protection. Studies on antigens in T. carassii may lead to a vaccine. There are two vaccines against cryptobiosis; a single dose of the attenuated vaccine protects salmonids. On challenge fish inoculated with the metalloprotease-DNA vaccine do not have the disease and they recover faster.

A short history of research on immunity to infectious diseases in fish

This review describes the history of research on immunity to infectious diseases of fish in the period between 1965 and today. Special attention is paid to those studies, which are dealing with the interaction between immune system and invading pathogens in bony fish. Moreover, additional biographic information will be provided of people involved. In the 1960s and 1970s the focus of most studies was on humoral (Ig, B-cell) responses. Thorough studies on specific cellular (T-cell) responses and innate immunity (lectins, lysozyme, interferon, phagocytic cells) became available later. In the period between 1980 and today an overwhelming amount of data on regulation (e.g. cell cooperation, cytokines) and cell surface receptors (e.g. T-cell receptor; MHC) was published. It became also clear, that innate responses were often interacting with the acquired immune responses. Fish turned out to be vertebrates like all others with a sophisticated immune system showing specificity and memory. These basic data on the immune system could be applied in vaccination or in selection of disease resistant fish. Successful vaccines against bacterial diseases became available in the 1970s and 1980s. Effective anti-viral vaccines appeared from the 1980s onwards. There is no doubt, that Fish Immunology has become a flourishing science by the end of the 20th century and has contributed to our understanding of fish diseases as well as the success of aquaculture.

Dietary choline modulates immune responses, and gene expressions of TOR and eIF4E-binding protein2 in immune organs of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian)

The present work evaluates the effects of various levels of dietary choline on immune parameters, immune-related gene expression and protection against Aeromonas hydrophila (AH) in juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian). Fish were fed with six different experimental diets containing graded levels of choline at 165 (choline-deficient control), 310, 607, 896, 1167 and 1820 mg kg(-1) diet for 65 days. At the end of the feeding trail, Fish were challenged with AH and mortalities were recorded over 17 days. Dietary choline significantly enhanced spleen and head kidney weights, spleen index, red blood cell and white blood cell counts, and intestinal Lactobacillus counts of juvenile Jian carp; whereas, intestinal Escherichia coli and A. hydrophila counts decreased. Moreover, the post-challenge survival rate, leucocyte phagocytic capacity, serum lysozyme and acid phosphatase activities, hemagglutination titer, complement 3 and 4 contents, immunoglobulin M content, and anti-AH antibody titer were significantly enhanced by choline and the lowest in choline-deficient group, while serum total iron-binding capacity was the highest in choline-deficient group. The relative gene expressions of interleukin 10 in spleen and head kidney, target of rapamycin (TOR) in spleen and eIF4E-binding protein2 (4E-BP2) in head kidney significantly increased with increasing of dietary choline up to a certain point. However, the relative gene expressions of interleukin 1β, tumor necrosis factor α and transforming growth factor β2 in spleen and head kidney, TOR in head kidney and 4E-BP2 in spleen significantly decreased. In conclusion, dietary choline improved disease resistance, enhanced the immune function, and regulated immune-related gene expression of juvenile Jian carp.

Sperm and seminal fluid proteomes of the field cricket Teleogryllus oceanicus: identification of novel proteins transferred to females at mating

Reproductive proteins are amongst the most evolutionarily divergent proteins known, and research on genetically well-characterized species suggests that postcopulatory sexual selection might be important in their evolution; however, we lack the taxonomic breadth of information on reproductive proteins that is required to determine the general importance of sexual selection for their evolution. We used transcriptome sequencing and proteomics to characterize the sperm and seminal fluid proteins of a cricket, Teleogryllus oceanicus, that has been widely used in the study of postcopulatory sexual selection. We identified 57 proteins from the sperm of these crickets. Many of these had predicted function in glycolysis and metabolism, or were structural, and had sequence similarity to sperm proteins found across taxa ranging from flies to humans. We identified 21 seminal fluid proteins, some of which resemble those found to be involved in postmating changes to female reproduction in other species. Some 27% of sperm proteins and 48% of seminal fluid proteins were of unknown function. The characterization of seminal fluid proteins in this species will allow us to explore their adaptive significance, and to contribute comparative data that will facilitate a general appreciation of the evolution of reproductive proteins within and among animal taxa.

Transferrin gene expression in response to LPS challenge and heavy metal exposure in roughskin sculpin (Trachidermus fasciatus)

Transferrin plays an important role in immune response of vertebrates. In the present study, a transferrin cDNA with a partial 5' UTR of 7 bp and a complete 3' UTR of 345 bp was obtained from the liver of roughskin sculpin, Trachidermus fasciatus, which encodes a deduced 681 amino acid protein containing an N-terminal signal peptide and two conserved lobes. In the N-terminal lobe, the anion-binding residue Arg was substituted with Lys, which represents a common feature in fish and implies a selective preference in the transferrin evolutionary process. In contrast to mammalian transferrin, the roughskin sculpin transferrin did not contain potential N-glycosylation sites, similar to those obtained in cyprinid fish, but not in salmonid fish. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that the transferrin transcripts were abundant in the liver, but also significant in the brain, with a lesser expression in the other nine tissues. The temporal expression profiles were detected during the LPS challenge and heavy metal exposure experiment. Transferrin mRNA expression decreased in the liver in both experiments. Nevertheless, in the main immune organs (skin, blood, and spleen), transferrin mRNA expression was up-regulated significantly. These results suggest that transferrin is involved in the innate immune response of roughskin sculpin.

Antimicrobial mechanisms of fish leukocytes

Early activation and coordination of innate defenses are critical for effective responses against infiltrating pathogens. Rapid engagement of immune cells provides a critical first line of defense soon after pathogen infiltration. Activation leads to a well-orchestrated set of events that sees the induction and regulation of intracellular and extracellular antimicrobial defenses. An array of regulatory mediators, highly toxic soluble molecules, degradative enzymes and antimicrobial peptides provides maximal protection against a wide range of pathogens while limiting endogenous damage to host tissues. In this review we highlight recent advances in our understanding of innate cellular antimicrobial responses of teleost fish and discuss their implications to cell survival, immunomodulation and death. The evolutionary conservation of these responses is a testament to their effectiveness against pathogen infiltration and their commitment to effective maintenance of host homeostasis. Importantly, recent developments in teleost fish systems have identified novel host defense strategies that may be unique to this lower vertebrate group or may point to previously unknown innate mechanisms that also play a significant role in higher vertebrate host immunity.

Heterogeneity of macrophage activation in fish

In this review, we focus on four different activation states of fish macrophages. In vitro, stimulation with microbial ligands induces the development of innate activated macrophages whereas classically activated macrophages can be induced by stimulation with LPS in combination with (recombinant) IFNγ. Both types of macrophages show elevated phagocytic activity, expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes and radical production. Alternatively activated macrophages require the cytokines IL-4/IL-13 for induction of, among others, arginase activity. Until in vitro studies identify the effects of putative IL-4 and IL-13 homologues on fish macrophages, arginase enzyme activity remains the most reliable marker for the presence of alternatively activated macrophages in fish. The best evidence for the existence of regulatory macrophages, associated with the presence of IL-10, comes from in vivo studies, for example during parasitic infections of carp. Altogether, differentially activated macrophages in fish largely resemble the phenotypes of mammalian macrophages. However, the presence of fish-specific ligand recognition by TLRs and of duplicated genes coding for proteins with particular activities, poses additional challenges for the characterization of phenotype-specific gene signatures and cell surface markers.

Characterization of the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) transferrin gene: genomic structure, constitutive expression and SNP variation

Transferrin (Tf) is a multi-function protein with a central role in iron metabolism, and it is this function that is associated with a role in the innate immune system response. The clear link between Tf and immune defense mechanism lead to propose Tf as a candidate gene for disease resistance. In this study, genomic and cDNA sequences of Tf gene in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) (SaTf gene), were identified and characterized. SaTf gene structure consists of a coding region of 2076 nucleotides divided into 17 exons and a no-coding region that includes 16 introns and spans 5495 nucleotides. The deduced Tf protein for gilthead seabream is composed of 691 amino acids and consists of an initial peptide and two lobes (N- and C-lobes). This gene structure is similar to that of previously described Tf genes in other fish species. RT-PCR analyses carried out in different tissues and two developmental stages showed tissue-and stage-specific Tf expression in gilthead seabream. Finally, by sequencing the transferrin genomic sequences of 20 unrelated seabreams, 31 SNPs were identified. These data allowed the estimation of the frequency of nucleotide substitution in the SaTf gene as 1SNP per 253 bp. SNPs were detected in different regions of the genomic sequence but they were mainly localized in non-coding regions, specifically, SNP frequency in non-coding regions was fifteen-fold higher than within coding regions.

Carp transferrin can protect spermatozoa against toxic effects of cadmium ions

Cadmium is a widespread heavy metal that enters the aquatic environment and affects many processes involved in fish reproduction such as sperm motility. Fish seminal plasma proteins can protect spermatozoa against toxic effects of heavy metals. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the ability of a major carp seminal plasma protein-transferrin (TF) to bind cadmium ions and to neutralize the toxic effect of cadmium on carp sperm motility. To obtain a high quantity of carp seminal plasma TF necessary for the experiment, immunoaffinity chromatography as a one-step isolation procedure was established. The titration of TF with cadmium ions spectrophotometrically at 247nm revealed that TF binds cadmium ions at only one spectrophotometrically-sensitive binding site, which suggests that TF is capable of neutralizing the cadmium toxic effect. Indeed, the addition of carp TF to carp semen incubated with 50ppm cadmium for 48h led to about a four-times higher percentage of sperm motility (30.3±1.1%) in comparison to samples incubated with only 50ppm cadmium (8.2±5.2%). Similarly, higher values of other parameters of sperm movement measured by a computer-assisted sperm motility analysis system (VSL, VCL and ALH) were observed at the presence of transferrin. In conclusion, our study provides the first evidence that transferrin from carp seminal plasma can protect sperm motility from cadmium toxicity.

Isolation and characterization of transferrin from common carp (Cyprinus carpio L) seminal plasma

Transferrin (Tf) in fish is recognized as a component of non-specific humoral defense mechanisms against bacteria. It is a major protein of common carp seminal plasma but its structure and localization in carp testis is unknown. In this study we developed a simple and efficient three-step purification procedure consisting of affinity chromatography (Con A-Sepharose), hydrophobic interaction chromatography (Phenyl Sepharose) and gel filtration (Superdex 200). The molecular mass of Tf has been determined to be 73.6 kDa and isoelectric point 5.1. The peculiar characteristics of carp transferrin were the lack of carbohydrate component and binding of iron ions by only one functional iron-binding site. Western blot analysis revealed a strong similarity of carp seminal plasma Tf to carp blood Tf and Tf from seminal plasma of other cyprinids but a lower similarity to salmonid and percid fishes. Tf was localized to the blood vessels of the carp testis which strongly suggest that most Tf of carp seminal plasma originates from blood. In conclusion, seminal plasma Tf has a unique structure and is similar or identical to blood Tf.