MACROPHAGE MIGRATION INHIBITORY FACTOR family, Cytokine Homologue Genes, in Kuruma Shrimp Marsupenaeus japonicus

MIF, Cytokine, kuruma shrimp

Cytokines are known as signaling protein molecules for intercellular communication. In vertebrates, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) was discovered as a factor which controls the marmot macrophage migration in the culture supernatants of the marmot lymphocyte. Regarding MIF relating signaling in mammals, MIF is known to activate the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (ERK1)/ERK2 signaling, up-regulate Toll-like receptor 4 expression, suppress p53 activity or inhibit JUN-activation domain-binding protein 1(JAB1) activity. Via these signaling, MIF involves in various physiological or pathological responses such as innate and adaptive immune response and inflammatory response. In this study, we report the characterization of genes of MIF family such as MIF and D-dopachrome tautomerase (DDT; MIF-2) from kuruma shrimp, Marsupenaeus japonicus. The full-length cDNA sequence of the MjMIF and MjDDT genes were 894 bp and 559bp. The in silico analyses such as domain, homology and phylogenetic analyses were performed. In prediction of 3D structure, MIF family formed trimer. In in vivo experiment, gene expression analysis was performed. The gene expression of MjDDT increased at 6 hours after injection of heat-killed Vibrio penaeicida cells. These data suggested that MjDDT of MIF family may be important in innate immunity in kuruma shrimp.

This study was supported, in part, by research grants from Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Research Council.