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The expression of an immune‐related phenoloxidase gene is modulated in Ciona intestinalis ovary, test cells, embryos and larva
Author(s) -
Parrinello Daniela,
Sanfratello Maria A.,
Vizzini Aiti,
Cammarata Matteo
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of experimental zoology part b: molecular and developmental evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.823
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1552-5015
pISSN - 1552-5007
DOI - 10.1002/jez.b.22613
Subject(s) - biology , ciona intestinalis , microbiology and biotechnology , mesenchyme , innate immune system , ovary , morphogenesis , gene expression , immune system , embryo , immunology , gene , genetics
Two distinct Ciona intestinalis phenoloxidases ( Cin PO1, 2) had previously been cloned and sequenced. The Cin PO2 is involved in innate immunity and is expressed by inflammatory hemocytes that populate the tunic and pharynx vessels as a response to LPS inoculation. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry assays on histological section, showed that the expression of this gene and the produced protein are shared with oogenesis, embryogenesis and larval morphogenesis. Intriguingly, upregulation of gene transcription was found in the test cell layer that envelopes the ovary follicle, ovulated egg, and gastrula, as well as it was modulated in the zygotic nucleus of outer balstomers of 32‐cell embryo, neurula presumptive epidermis tissue and larval mesenchyme. The anti‐ Cin PO2 antibodies, specific for adult inflammatory cells, recognize epitopes in the cytoplasm of ovarian oocytes, ovulated eggs, development stages and larval mesenchyme. The overall findings disclose the precocious activation of the Cin PO2 immunity‐related gene, and show a developmentally programmed expression of this phenoloxidase. Furthermore, these findings support the multifunctional roles of immunity‐related genes and allows us to explore new perspectives on ascidian development and immunity. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 324B: 141–151, 2015 . © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.