DAO 145:89-100 (2021) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/dao03602
Family I84 protease inhibitors likely constitute a Mollusca-specific protein family functioning in host defense
Jiali Lu1,2, Sheng Liu2,3, Ziyan Ruan2, Jing Ye1,2, Qianjiang Wu2, Sufang Wang2, Zhihua Lin2,3, Qinggang Xue2,3,*
ABSTRACT: Protease inhibitors are proteins or small polypeptides functioning in numerous biological processes in all organisms. The I84 family of protease inhibitors in the MEROPS database represents a novel protease inhibitor family that has been reported in 2 bivalves, Crassostrea virginica and Sinonovacula constricta, and is believed to play a role in host defense. In the present study, 7 new members of Family I84 were identified in 2 bivalves, Meretrix meretrix and Mytilus galloprovincialis, and 1 gastropod, Haliotis discus hannai, at the mRNA level via cDNA cloning. The expression patterns of the newly identified genes varied in response to salinity stresses and pathogen-associated molecular pattern stimulations, suggesting their involvement in the host defense of related species. Additionally, analyses of sequence data in public databases did not reveal any Family I84 protease inhibitor molecules in non-molluscan animals. The results indicated that Family I84 protease inhibitors are likely mollusk specific, constituting a unique host defense mechanism in molluscan species.
KEY WORDS: Mollusks · Protease inhibitors · Family I84 · Protein family · Host defense
| Full text in pdf format | Cite this article as: Lu J, Liu S, Ruan Z, Ye J and others (2021) Family I84 protease inhibitors likely constitute a Mollusca-specific protein family functioning in host defense. Dis Aquat Org 145:89-100. https://doi.org/10.3354/dao03602
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