Discovery and pharmacological characterization of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline derivatives as RORγ inverse agonists against prostate cancer.

The retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γ (RORγ) is regarded as an attractive therapeutic target for the treatment of prostate cancer. Herein, we report the identification, optimization, and evaluation of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline derivatives as novel RORγ inverse agonists, starting from high throughput screening using a thermal stability shift assay (TSA). The representative compounds 13e (designated as XY039) and 14a (designated as XY077) effectively inhibited the RORγ transcriptional activity and exhibited excellent selectivity against other nuclear receptor subtypes. The structural basis for their inhibitory potency was elucidated through the crystallographic study of RORγ LBD complex with 13e. Both 13e and 14a demonstrated reasonable antiproliferative activity, potently inhibited colony formation and the expression of AR, AR regulated genes, and other oncogene in AR positive prostate cancer cell lines. Moreover, 13e and 14a effectively suppressed tumor growth in a 22Rv1 xenograft tumor model in mice. This work provides new and valuable lead compounds for further development of drugs against prostate cancer.

KAT8 is upregulated and recruited to the promoter of Atg8 by FOXO to induce H4 acetylation for autophagy under 20-hydroxyecdysone regulation.

Selective gene expression in cells in physiological or pathological conditions is important for the growth and development of organisms. Acetylation of histone H4 at K16 (H4K16ac) catalyzed by histone acetyltransferase 8 (KAT8) is known to promote gene transcription; however, the regulation of KAT8 transcription and the mechanism by which KAT8 acetylates H4K16ac to promote specific gene expression are unclear. Using the lepidopteran insect Helicoverpa armigera as a model, we reveal that the transcription factor FOXO promotes KAT8 expression and recruits KAT8 to the promoter region of autophagy-related gene 8 (Atg8) to increase H4 acetylation at that location, enabling Atg8 transcription under the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) regulation. H4K16ac levels are increased in the midgut during metamorphosis, which is consistent with the expression profiles of KAT8 and ATG8. Knockdown of Kat8 using RNA interference results in delayed pupation and repression of midgut autophagy and decreases H4K16ac levels. Overexpression of KAT8-GFP promotes autophagy and increases H4K16ac levels. FOXO, KAT8, and H4K16ac colocalized at the FOXO-binding region to promote Atg8 transcription under 20E regulation. Acetylated FOXO at K180 and K183 catalyzed by KAT8 promotes gene transcription for autophagy. 20E via FOXO promotes Kat8 transcription. Knockdown or overexpression of FOXO appeared to give similar results as knockdown or overexpression of KAT8. Therefore, FOXO upregulates KAT8 expression and recruits KAT8 to the promoter region of Atg8, where the KAT8 induces H4 acetylation to promote Atg8 transcription for autophagy under 20E regulation. This study reveals the mechanism that KAT8 promotes transcription of a specific gene.

White spot syndrome virus directly activates mTORC1 signaling to facilitate its replication via polymeric immunoglobulin receptor-mediated infection in shrimp.

Previous studies have shown that the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling pathway has antiviral functions or is beneficial for viral replication, however, the detail mechanisms by which mTORC1 enhances viral infection remain unclear. Here, we found that proliferation of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) was decreased after knockdown of mTor (mechanistic target of rapamycin) or injection inhibitor of mTORC1, rapamycin, in Marsupenaeus japonicus, which suggests that mTORC1 is utilized by WSSV for its replication in shrimp. Mechanistically, WSSV infects shrimp by binding to its receptor, polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR), and induces the interaction of its intracellular domain with Calmodulin. Calmodulin then promotes the activation of protein kinase B (AKT) by interaction with the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of AKT. Activated AKT phosphorylates mTOR and results in the activation of the mTORC1 signaling pathway to promote its downstream effectors, ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6Ks), for viral protein translation. Moreover, mTORC1 also phosphorylates eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (4EBP1), which will result in the separation of 4EBP1 from eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) for the translation of viral proteins in shrimp. Our data revealed a novel pathway for WSSV proliferation in shrimp and indicated that mTORC1 may represent a potential clinical target for WSSV control in shrimp aquaculture.

Subunit P60 of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase promotes cell proliferation or apoptosis depending on its phosphorylation status.

The regulatory subunits (P60 in insects, P85 in mammals) determine the activation of the catalytic subunits P110 in phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3Ks) in the insulin pathway for cell proliferation and body growth. However, the regulatory subunits also promote apoptosis via an unclear regulatory mechanism. Using Helicoverpa armigera, an agricultural pest, we showed that H. armigera P60 (HaP60) was phosphorylated under insulin-like peptides (ILPs) regulation at larval growth stages and played roles in the insulin/ insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling (IIS) to determine HaP110 phosphorylation and cell membrane translocation; whereas, HaP60 was dephosphorylated and its expression increased under steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) regulation during metamorphosis. Protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 6 (HaPTPN6, also named tyrosine-protein phosphatase corkscrew-like isoform X1 in the genome) was upregulated by 20E to dephosphorylate HaP60 and HaP110. 20E blocked HaP60 and HaP110 translocation to the cell membrane and reduced their interaction. The phosphorylated HaP60 mediated a cascade of protein phosphorylation and forkhead box protein O (HaFOXO) cytosol localization in the IIS to promote cell proliferation. However, 20E, via G protein-coupled-receptor-, ecdysone receptor-, and HaFOXO signaling axis, upregulated HaP60 expression, and the non-phosphorylated HaP60 interacted with phosphatase and tensin homolog (HaPTEN) to induce apoptosis. RNA interference-mediated knockdown of HaP60 and HaP110 in larvae repressed larval growth and apoptosis. Thus, HaP60 plays dual functions to promote cell proliferation and apoptosis by changing its phosphorylation status under ILPs and 20E regulation, respectively.

The steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone counteracts insulin signaling via insulin receptor dephosphorylation.

The insulin receptor (INSR) binds insulin to promote body growth and maintain normal blood glucose levels. While it is known that steroid hormones such as estrogen and 20-hydroxyecdysone counteract insulin function, the molecular mechanisms responsible for this attenuation remain unclear. In the present study, using the agricultural pest lepidopteran Helicoverpa armigera as a model, we proposed that the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) induces dephosphorylation of INSR to counteract insulin function. We observed high expression and phosphorylation of INSR during larval feeding stages that decreased during metamorphosis. Insulin upregulated INSR expression and phosphorylation, whereas 20E repressed INSR expression and induced INSR dephosphorylation in vivo. Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B, encoded by Ptpn1) dephosphorylated INSR in vivo. PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10) was critical for 20E-induced INSR dephosphorylation by maintaining the transcription factor Forkhead box O (FoxO) in the nucleus, where FoxO promoted Ptpn1 expression and repressed Insr expression. Knockdown of Ptpn1 using RNA interference maintained INSR phosphorylation, increased 20E production, and accelerated pupation. RNA interference of Insr in larvae repressed larval growth, decreased 20E production, delayed pupation, and accumulated hemolymph glucose levels. Taken together, these results suggest that a high 20E titer counteracts the insulin pathway by dephosphorylating INSR to stop larval growth and accumulate glucose in the hemolymph.

G protein-coupled receptors function as cell membrane receptors for the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are cell membrane receptors for various ligands. Recent studies have suggested that GPCRs transmit animal steroid hormone signals. Certain GPCRs have been shown to bind steroid hormones, for example, G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) binds estrogen in humans, and Drosophila dopamine/ecdysteroid receptor (DopEcR) binds the molting hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) in insects. This review summarizes the research progress on GPCRs as animal steroid hormone cell membrane receptors, including the nuclear and cell membrane receptors of steroid hormones in mammals and insects, the 20E signaling cascade via GPCRs, termination of 20E signaling, and the relationship between genomic action and the nongenomic action of 20E. Studies indicate that 20E induces a signal via GPCRs to regulate rapid cellular responses, including rapid Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum and influx from the extracellular medium, as well as rapid protein phosphorylation and subcellular translocation. 20E via the GPCR/Ca2+/PKC/signaling axis and the GPCR/cAMP/PKA-signaling axis regulates gene transcription by adjusting transcription complex formation and DNA binding activity. GPCRs can bind 20E in the cell membrane and after being isolated, suggesting GPCRs as cell membrane receptors of 20E. This review deepens our understanding of GPCRs as steroid hormone cell membrane receptors and the GPCR-mediated signaling pathway of 20E (20E-GPCR pathway), which will promote further study of steroid hormone signaling via GPCRs, and presents GPCRs as targets to explore new pharmaceutical materials to treat steroid hormone-related diseases or control pest insects. Video abstract.

The polymeric immunoglobulin receptor-like protein from Marsupenaeus japonicus is a receptor for white spot syndrome virus infection.

Viral entry into the host cell is the first step towards successful infection. Viral entry starts with virion attachment, and binding to receptors. Receptor binding viruses either directly release their genome into the cell, or enter cells through endocytosis. For DNA viruses and a few RNA viruses, the endocytosed viruses will transport from cytoplasm into the nucleus followed by gene expression. Receptors on the cell membrane play a crucial role in viral infection. Although several attachment factors, or candidate receptors, for the infection of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) were identified in shrimp, the authentic entry receptors for WSSV infection and the intracellular signaling triggering by interaction of WSSV with receptors remain unclear. In the present study, a receptor for WSSV infection in kuruma shrimp, Marsupenaeus japonicus, was identified. It is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) with a transmembrane region, and is similar to the vertebrate polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR); therefore, it was designated as a pIgR-like protein (MjpIgR for short). MjpIgR was detected in all tissues tested, and its expression was significantly induced by WSSV infection at the mRNA and protein levels. Knockdown of MjpIgR, and blocking MjpIgR with its antibody inhibited WSSV infection in shrimp and overexpression of MjpIgR facilitated the invasion of WSSV. Further analyses indicated that MjpIgR could independently render non-permissive cells susceptible to WSSV infection. The extracellular domain of MjpIgR interacts with envelope protein VP24 of WSSV and the intracellular domain interacts with calmodulin (MjCaM). MjpIgR was oligomerized and internalized following WSSV infection and the internalization was associated with endocytosis of WSSV. The viral internalization facilitating ability of MjpIgR could be blocked using chlorpromazine, an inhibitor of clathrin dependent endocytosis. Knockdown of Mjclathrin and its adaptor protein AP-2 also inhibited WSSV internalization. All the results indicated that MjpIgR-mediated WSSV endocytosis was clathrin dependent. The results suggested that MjpIgR is a WSSV receptor, and that WSSV enters shrimp cells via the pIgR-CaM-Clathrin endocytosis pathway.

RPS27, a sORF-Encoded Polypeptide, Functions Antivirally by Activating the NF-κB Pathway and Interacting With Viral Envelope Proteins in Shrimp.

A small open reading frame (smORF) or short open reading frame (sORF) encodes a polypeptide of <100 amino acids in eukaryotes (50 amino acids in prokaryotes). Studies have shown that several sORF-encoded peptides (SEPs) have important physiological functions in different organisms. Many ribosomal proteins belonging to SEPs play important roles in several cellular processes, such as DNA damage repair and apoptosis. Several studies have implicated SEPs in response to infection and innate immunity, but the mechanisms have been unclear for most of them. In this study, we identified a sORF-encoded ribosomal protein S27 (RPS27) in Marsupenaeus japonicus. The expression of MjRPS27 was significantly upregulated in shrimp infected with white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). After knockdown of MjRPS27 by RNA interference, WSSV replication increased significantly. Conversely, after MjRPS27 overexpression, WSSV replication decreased in shrimp and the survival rate of the shrimp increased significantly. These results suggested that MjRPS27 inhibited viral replication. Further study showed that, after MjRPS27 knockdown, the mRNA expression level of MjDorsal, MjRelish, and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) decreased, and the nuclear translocation of MjDorsal and MjRelish into the nucleus also decreased. These findings indicated that MjRPS27 might activate the NF-κB pathway and regulate the expression of AMPs in shrimp after WSSV challenge, thereby inhibiting viral replication. We also found that MjRPS27 interacted with WSSV's envelope proteins, including VP19, VP24, and VP28, suggesting that MjRPS27 may inhibit WSSV proliferation by preventing virion assembly in shrimp. This study was the first to elucidate the function of the ribosomal protein MjRPS27 in the antiviral immunity of shrimp.

The Steroid Hormone 20-Hydroxyecdysone Enhances Gene Transcription through the cAMP Response Element-binding Protein (CREB) Signaling Pathway.

Animal steroid hormones regulate gene transcription through genomic pathways by binding to nuclear receptors. These steroid hormones also rapidly increase intracellular calcium and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels and activate the protein kinase C (PKC) and protein kinase A (PKA) nongenomic pathways. However, the function and mechanism of the nongenomic pathways of the steroid hormones are unclear, and the relationship between the PKC and PKA pathways is also unclear. We propose that the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) activates the PKA pathway to enhance 20E-induced gene transcription in the lepidopteran insect Helicoverpa armigera The expression of the catalytic subunit 1 of PKA (PKAC1) increased during metamorphosis, and PKAC1 knockdown blocked pupation and repressed 20E-responsive gene expression. 20E regulated PKAC1 phosphorylation at threonine 200 and nuclear translocation through an ecdysone-responsive G-protein-coupled receptor 2. PKAC1 induced cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation at serine 143, which bound to the cAMP response element on DNA to enhance 20E-responsive gene transcription. Through ecdysone-responsive G-protein-coupled receptor 2, 20E increased cAMP levels, which induced CREB PKA phosphorylation and 20E-responsive gene expression. This study demonstrates that the PKA/CREB pathway tightly and critically regulates 20E-induced gene transcription as well as its relationship with the 20E-induced PKC pathway.

Characterization of a type-I crustin with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity from red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii.

Crustins are a family of antimicrobial peptides mainly identified in crustaceans and characterized by a whey acidic protein (WAP) domain and an additional glycine-, cysteine-, or proline-rich region. In this study, we identified and characterized PcCru, a new crustin isolated from red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii. The open reading frame of PcCru was 333 base pairs long and encoded a 110-residue polypeptide, which contained a signal peptide, a cysteine-rich region, and a WAP domain. The architecture and phylogenetic analysis suggested that PcCru was a new member of the type-I crustin family. PcCru was highly expressed in hemocytes and was significantly induced by viral and bacterial stimulations at both the translational and transcriptional levels. The titer of PcCru in circulating plasma was also increased considerably by bacterial challenge. Recombinant PcCru from both prokaryotic and eukaryotic expression systems were generated, and the proteins exhibited broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Furthermore, PcCru protected crayfish from infection by pathogenic bacteria Aeromonas hydrophila in vivo. This study provided new information emphasizing the important role of the crustin family in the crustacean antibacterial immune response.

A new subfamily of penaeidin with an additional serine-rich region from kuruma shrimp (Marsupenaeus japonicus) contributes to antimicrobial and phagocytic activities.

Penaeidins are an important family of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in penaeid shrimp. To date, five groups of penaeidins have been identified in penaeid shrimp. All are composed of a proline-rich N-terminus and a C-terminus containing six cysteine residues engaged in three disulfide bridges. In this study, a new type of penaeidin from Marsupenaeus japonicus was identified. The full-length penaeidin contains a unique serine-rich region and a penaeidin domain, which consists of a proline-rich region and a cysteine-rich region. Here, we classify all penaeidins into two subfamilies. All reported penaeidins are in subfamily I, and the new penaeidin identified in M. japonicus is designated as Penaeidin subfamily II (MjPen-II). MjPen-II was expressed in hemocytes, heart, hepatopancreas, gills, stomach and intestine, and was upregulated after bacterial challenge. A liquid bacteriostatic assay showed that MjPen-II had antibacterial activity to some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. MjPen-II could bind to bacteria by binding to polysaccharides on the surface of bacteria, thus promoting bacterial agglutination. The serine-rich region enhanced the agglutination activity of MjPen-II. The proline-rich domain had a stronger bacterial-binding activity and polysaccharide-binding activity than the cysteine-rich domain. MjPen-II was also found to be involved in the phagocytosis of bacteria and efficiently improved the phagocytosis rate. Therefore, MjPen-II eliminates bacteria through direct bacterial inhibition as well as by promoting phagocytosis in shrimp.

20-Hydroxyecdysone activates Forkhead box O to promote proteolysis during Helicoverpa armigera molting.

Insulin inhibits transcription factor Forkhead box O (FoxO) activity, and the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) activates FoxO; however, the mechanism is unclear. We hypothesized that 20E upregulates phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate 3-phosphatase (PTEN) expression to activate FoxO, thereby promoting proteolysis during molting in the lepidopteran insect Helicoverpa armigera. FoxO expression is increased during molting and metamorphosis. The knockdown of FoxO in fifth instar larvae results in larval molting failure. 20E inhibits FoxO phosphorylation, resulting in FoxO nuclear translocation. Insulin, via Akt, induces FoxO phosphorylation and cytoplasmic localization. 20E represses insulin-induced Akt phosphorylation and FoxO phosphorylation. 20E, via ecdysone receptor B1 (EcRB1) and the ultraspiracle protein (USP1), upregulates PTEN expression, which represses Akt phosphorylation, thereby repressing FoxO phosphorylation. The non-phosphorylated FoxO enters the nucleus and attaches to a FoxO-binding element in the upstream region of the Broad isoform 7 (BrZ7) gene to regulate BrZ7 transcription under 20E induction. 20E upregulates FoxO expression via EcRB1 and USP1. FoxO regulation of BrZ7 expression regulates Carboxypeptidase A expression for final proteolysis during insect molting. Hence, 20E activates FoxO via upregulating PTEN expression to counteract insulin activity and promote proteolysis.

Akirin interacts with Bap60 and 14-3-3 proteins to regulate the expression of antimicrobial peptides in the kuruma shrimp (Marsupenaeus japonicus).

Akirin is a recently discovered nuclear factor that plays important roles in innate immune responses. Akirin is a positive regulator of the NF-κB factor of the Drosophila immune deficiency (IMD) pathway, which shares extensive similarities with the mammalian tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) signaling pathway. However, some studies found that the NF-κB transcriptional targets were also strongly repressed in akirin2 knockout mice following TLR, IL-1ß and TNFα treatment. Therefore, the function of Akirin in the immune response requires further clarification. In this study, an Akirin homolog in the kuruma shrimp (Marsupenaeus japonicus) was identified. It was mainly expressed in hemocytes, heart and intestines. The expression of Akirin was upregulated by challenge with the Gram-negative bacterium Vibrio anguillarum, but was not significantly influenced by challenge with the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. Knockdown of Akirin suppressed the expression of several IMD-Relish target effectors (antimicrobial peptides, AMPs). The limited regulating spectrum of Akirin might be associated with Bap60, a component of the Brahma (SWI/SNF) ATP-dependent chromatin-remodeling complex. In addition, Akirin also interacts with 14-3-3, which inhibited the expression of Akirin-target AMPs. The results suggested that Akirin is involved in the IMD-Relish pathway by interacting with Relish. The interaction of Akirin with Bap60 positively regulated the Akirin-Relish function, and its interaction with 14-3-3 negatively regulated the Akirin-Relish function.

Four crustins involved in antibacterial responses in Marsupenaeus japonicus.

Crustins are a family of cationic, cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptides with a whey acidic protein (WAP) domain in the C-terminal. They have diverse functions in antimicrobial immune responses. Four groups of crustins (crustins I, II, III, and IV) have been identified in crustaceans, but type I crustins have not been reported in penaeid shrimp until now. In this study, we identified four crustins in kuruma shrimp Marsupenaeus japonicus, and named them MjCrus I-2, 3, 4 and 5. These four crustins belong to type I crustins, which contain a signal peptide, cysteine-rich region at the N-terminus, and WAP domain at the C-terminus. Tissue distribution demonstrated that MjCrus I-2, 3 and 5 had high expression levels in hemocytes, gills and stomach. whereas MjCrus I-4 was distributed in all tissues detected. MjCrus I-2 to 5 showed different expression patterns in different tissues after Gram-positive bacterial (Staphylococcus aureus), Gram-negative bacterial (Vibrio anguillarum), and white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) challenge. The expression of MjCrus I-2 to 5 was upregulated by bacterial or WSSV challenge. The three crustins were recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli, and the purified proteins showed few antimicrobial activities. Three MjCrus Is could bind to different bacteria. MjCrus I-2 and 3 showed different inhibitory abilities to secreted bacterial proteases. MjCrus I-4 could not inhibit bacterial proteases. After knockdown of MjCrus I-3, the bacterial scavenging ability to V. anguillarum was impaired. These results suggested that type I crustins played an important role in the innate immunity of shrimp.

A novel crustin from Marsupenaeus japonicus promotes hemocyte phagocytosis.

Crustins are cationic cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that contain multiple domains (glycine-rich, cysteine-rich, or proline-rich) at the N-terminus and whey acidic protein (WAP) domains at the C-terminus. Crustins have multiple functions, including protease inhibition and antimicrobial activity. Other functions of crustins need to be clarified. In this study, a novel crustin with a cysteine-rich region, and a single WAP domain, belonging to type I crustins, was identified in Marsupenaeus japonicus and designated as MjCru I-1. MjCru I-1 was expressed in various tissues. The expression of MjCru I-1 was upregulated in the hemocytes of shrimp challenged with bacteria. MjCru I-1 could bind to bacteria by binding to the cell wall molecules of the bacteria, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), peptidoglycan (PGN), and lipoteichoic acid (LTA). The synthesized WAP domain of MjCru I-1 but not synthesized Cys-rich domain has antibacterial and agglutinative activities. Scanning electron microscope assay showed that the bacterial cells treated with sMjCru I-1 appeared to be disrupted and cracked compared with those of the control samples. The knockdown of MjCru I-1 could reduce bacterial clearance and injection of MjCru I-1 could significantly increase the survival rate of shrimp infected with Vibrio anguillarum and Staphylococcus aureus compared with those of the control samples. Further study discovered that MjCru I-1 could increase the hemocyte phagocytosis against V. anguillarum and S. aureus. These results suggest that MjCru I-1 has dual functions, bactericidal and phagocytosis promoting activities, in the antibacterial immunity of shrimp.

A shrimp C-type lectin inhibits proliferation of the hemolymph microbiota by maintaining the expression of antimicrobial peptides.

Some aquatic invertebrates such as shrimp contain low albeit stable numbers of bacteria in the circulating hemolymph. The proliferation of this hemolymph microbiota in such a nutrient-rich environment is tightly controlled in healthy animals, but the mechanisms responsible had remained elusive. In the present study, we report a C-type lectin (MjHeCL) from the kuruma shrimp (Marsupenaeus japonicus) that participates in restraining the hemolymph microbiota. Although the expression of MjHeCL did not seem to be modulated by bacterial challenge, the down-regulation of its expression by RNA interference led to proliferation of the hemolymph microbiota, ultimately resulting in shrimp death. This phenotype was rescued by the injection of recombinant MjHeCL, which restored the healthy status of the knockdown shrimp. A mechanistic analysis revealed that MjHeCL inhibited bacterial proliferation by modulating the expression of antimicrobial peptides. The key function of MjHeCL in the shrimp immune homeostasis might be related to its broader recognition spectrum of the hemolymph microbiota components than other lectins. Our study demonstrates the role of MjHeCL in maintaining the healthy status of shrimp and provides new insight into the biological significance of C-type lectins, a diversified and abundant lectin family in invertebrate species.

Two novel C-type lectins with a low-density lipoprotein receptor class A domain have antiviral function in the shrimp Marsupenaeus japonicus.

C-type lectins (CTLs) are pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) that play important roles in immune response. In this study, two new CTLs containing a low-density lipoprotein receptor class A domain (LDLR) and a carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) were identified in Marsupenaeus japonicus and designated as LdlrLec1 and LdlrLec2. The two CTLs expressed in all the tested tissues of shrimp, however, LdlrLec1 was mainly expressed in hemocytes, heart, gill and intestines, whereas LdlrLec2 was expressed in hepatopancreas and heart. The expression patterns of both LdlrLec1 and LdlrLec2 mRNA were obviously upregulated upon white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) challenge. Injection of recombinant LdlrLec1 or LdlrLec2 into shrimp inhibited WSSV replication, whereas knocking down the expression of LdlrLec1 and LdlrLec2 by RNA interference increased WSSV replication in vivo. The infection rates of WSSV incubated with LdlrLecs were reduced significantly compared with the control group. The LdlrLec proteins could interact with VP28, a major envelope protein of WSSV, which is necessary for the attachment and penetration of WSSV into shrimp cells. These results indicate that LdlrLec1 and LdlrLec2 may function in antiviral response by binding to WSSV and inhibiting their pervasion and replication in shrimp.

Prohibitin Interacts with envelope proteins of white spot syndrome virus and prevents infection in the red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii.

Prohibitins (PHBs) are ubiquitously expressed conserved proteins in eukaryotes that are associated with apoptosis, cancer formation, aging, stress responses, cell proliferation, and immune regulation. However, the function of PHBs in crustacean immunity remains largely unknown. In the present study, we identified a PHB in Procambarus clarkii red swamp crayfish, which was designated PcPHB1. PcPHB1 was widely distributed in several tissues, and its expression was significantly upregulated by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) challenge at the mRNA level and the protein level. These observations prompted us to investigate the role of PcPHB1 in the crayfish antiviral response. Recombinant PcPHB1 (rPcPHB1) significantly reduced the amount of WSSV in crayfish and the mortality of WSSV-infected crayfish. The quantity of WSSV in PcPHB1 knockdown crayfish was increased compared with that in the controls. The effects of RNA silencing were rescued by rPcPHB1 reinjection. We further confirmed the interaction of PcPHB1 with the WSSV envelope proteins VP28, VP26, and VP24 using pulldown and far-Western overlay assays. Finally, we observed that the colloidal gold-labeled PcPHB1 was located on the outer surface of the WSSV, which suggests that PcPHB1 specifically binds to the envelope proteins of WSSV. VP28, VP26, and VP24 are structural envelope proteins and are essential for attachment and entry into crayfish cells. Therefore, PcPHB1 exerts its anti-WSSV effect by binding to VP28, VP26, and VP24, preventing viral infection. This study is the first report on the antiviral function of PHB in the innate immune system of crustaceans.

Involvement of Fenneropenaeus chinensis Cathepsin C in antiviral immunity.

Cathepsin C (Cath C) is a lysosomal cysteine protease that belongs to the papain superfamily. Cath C is capable of activating many chymotrypsin-like serine proteases and is reported to be a central coordinator for the activation of many serine proteinases in immune and inflammatory cells. In this study, Cath C cDNA was cloned from Fenneropenaeus chinensis (Fc). The complete cDNA of Fc-Cath C in Chinese white shrimp was found to be 1445-base pairs (bp) long. It contained an open reading frame (ORF) 1356-bp long and encoded a 451-amino acid residue protein, including a 17-amino acid residue signal peptide. Real-time PCR analysis results indicated that Fc-Cath C was present in all the tissues detected and exhibited high level of transcription in the hepatopancreas. In hemocytes, hepatopancreas, gills and intestine, Fc-Cath C was upregulated after stimulation by the Vibrio anguillarum and the white spot syndrome viruses (WSSVs). Replication of the WSSV increased after the injection of Fc-Cath C antiserum or knockdown Cath C by RNA interference. These results implied that Cath C might play a crucial role in the antiviral immune response of shrimp.

The apoptosis inhibitor survivin prevents insect midgut from cell death during postembryonic development.

The programmed cell death (PCD) is important in maintaining the cell number homoeostasis of tissues and organs in metazoan. This process is regulated by the inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs). The function and mechanism of IAPs have been well studied in animal embryonic development and human cancers. However, the roles and hormonal regulation of IAPs in the postembryonic development are not well understood. We report that an IAP survivin (Ha-survivin) played roles in the postembryonic development of the midgut in a lepidopteran insect Helicoverpa armigera. Ha-survivin was transcribed not only in the embryo, but also in the haemocytes, fat body and midgut during larval molting or pupal adulting. The transcription of Ha-survivin was upregulated by the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). Ha-survivin was located in the embryonic cells around the periplasm of the eggs during embryonic development. It was also located in the epithelium cells of the midgut in the fifth molting larvae and later pupae. Knockdown of Ha-survivin by RNAi in the epidermal cell line caused cell apoptosis. These results indicated that Ha-survivin played roles not only in the embryonic development, but also in the postembryonic tissue development by preventing cell death.