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Identification and characterization of two novel C‐type lectins from the larvae of housefly, Musca domestica L.
Author(s) -
Zhou Jing,
Fang Nai Nai,
Zheng Ya,
Liu Kai Yu,
Mao Bin,
Kong Li Na,
Chen Ya,
Ai Hui
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
archives of insect biochemistry and physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.576
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1520-6327
pISSN - 0739-4462
DOI - 10.1002/arch.21467
Subject(s) - biology , cecropin , housefly , microbiology and biotechnology , antimicrobial peptides , innate immune system , escherichia coli , defensin , immune system , spodoptera , nucleic acid , infectivity , virology , antimicrobial , virus , gene , biochemistry , immunology , musca , larva , botany , recombinant dna
Lectins and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are widely distributed in various insects and play crucial roles in primary host defense against pathogenic microorganisms. Two AMPs (cecropin and attacin) have been identified and characterized in the larvae of housefly. In this study, two novel C‐type lectins (CTLs) were obtained from Musca domestica , while their agglutinating and antiviral properties were evaluated. Real‐time PCR analysis showed that the mRNA levels of four immune genes ( MdCTL1 , MdCTL2 , Cecropin , and Attacin ) from M. domestica were significantly upregulated after injection with killed Gram‐negative Escherichia coli . Moreover, purified MdCTL1‐2 proteins can agglutinate E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus in the presence of calcium ions, suggesting their immune function is Ca 2+ dependent. Sequence analysis indicated that typical WND and QPD motifs were found in the Ca 2+ ‐binding site 2 of carbohydrate recognition domain from MdCTL1‐2, which was consistent with their agglutinating activities. Subsequently, antiviral experiments indicated that MdCTL1‐2 proteins could significantly reduce the infection rate of Spodoptera frugiperda 9 cells by the baculovirus Autographa californica multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus, indicating they might play important roles in insect innate immunity against microbial pathogens. In addition, MdCTL1‐2 proteins could effectively inhibit the replication of influenza H 1 N 1 virus, which was similar to the effect of ribavirin. These results suggested that two novel CTLs could be considered a promising drug candidate for the treatment of influenza. Moreover, it is believed that the discovery of the CTLs with antiviral effects in M. domestica will improve our understanding of the molecular mechanism of insect immune response against viruses.