Characterization, phylogenetic analysis and cDNA cloning of natterin-like gene from the blood of lamprey, Lampetra japonica

摘要: Abstract Lamprey as a “living fossil” of immunological origin and “rich treasure” biological pharmaceutical development has caused attention scholars. The cDNA library construction EST sequencing blood had been done previously in our lab, bioinformatics analysis provided gene fragment which is highly homologous with natterin family, named natterin-like. To elucidate the characterization phylogeny natterin-like genes early evolution, we cloned full-length from Lampetra japonica . open reading frame this sequence contained 942 bp encoded 313 amino acids, including lectin-like domain pore-forming toxin-like domain. Using reverse transcription PCR, mRNA was also detected lamprey blood, kidney, heart, liver, medullary, gonad, but absent intestine gill. Our results suggested that lampreys most other species, there might be only one gene, fused by certain sequences during evolution proteins more functions. It similar between C terminal protein Aerolysin space structure equivalent to glycoprotein binding motif function. We propose defense mechanism against specific predators historical lamprey. findings may provide insights into function well families vertebrates foundation for identification structural, functional, evolutionary analyses families.