Identification of a novel RIG-I isoform and its truncating variant in Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica.

Abstract

Retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I) is a cytoplasmic viral RNA sensor that triggers the production of type I interferons (IFNs) and proinflammatory cytokines during viral infection. RIG-I gene has been identified previously in Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica. In the present study, we have characterized a novel isoform of RIG-I (designated as AjRIG-Ib) and its truncated variant (AjRIG-Ibv). The AjRIG-Ib encodes 940 amino acids (aa) consisting of two N-terminal caspase activation and recruitment domains (CARDs), a DEX(D/H) box RNA helicase domain, and a C-terminal regulatory domain (CTD). The AjRIG-Ibv encodes a protein of 843 aa, that shares similar structural organization with AjRIG-Ib, but lacking CTD. The gene expression analyses showed that AjRIG-Ib and AjRIG-Ibv were detectable in all tissues/organs examined, and AjRIG-Ib was the predominant form. The mRNA level of AjRIG-Ibv was upregulated rapidly at 8 h after the Poly I:C injection, and the significant increase of AjRIG-Ib was observed at 16 and 24 h post-injection (hpi). Laser confocal microscopy showed that AjRIG-Ib and AjRIG-Ibv were both located in cytoplasm. In addition, the overexpression of AjRIG-Ib or AjRIG-Ibv led to the increased activity of IFN promoter in transient transfection assay. Taken together, our results indicated that AjRIG-Ib and AjRIG-Ibv may play cooperative or somewhat complementary roles in coordinating the antiviral response in fish.

• Authors: B Huang, Z X Wang, C Zhang, S W Zhai, Y S Han, W S Huang, P Nie
• Journal: Fish & shellfish immunology (Fish Shellfish Immunol) Vol. 94 Pg. 373-380 (Nov 2019) ISSN: 1095-9947 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 31533080 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Fish Proteins
• Protein Isoforms
• Poly I-C

Topics

• Amino Acid Sequence
• Anguilla (genetics, immunology)
• Animals
• Fish Diseases (immunology)
• Fish Proteins (chemistry, genetics, immunology)
• Gene Expression Profiling (veterinary)
• Gene Expression Regulation (immunology)
• Immunity, Innate (genetics)
• Phylogeny
• Poly I-C (pharmacology)
• Protein Isoforms (chemistry, genetics, metabolism)
• Sequence Alignment (veterinary)