Molecular cloning and phylogenetic analysis of beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) and grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) interleukin 2

Interleukin 2 (IL-2) is a lymphokine produced by activated T helper lymphocytes which exerts immunoregulatory effects on a variety of immune cells, including T cells, activated B cells, natural killer cells, and lymphokine-activated killer cells. In this study, we cloned and determined the entire beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) and grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) IL-2-encoding cDNA sequences, and analysed their genetic relationships with those from several mammalian species obtained from the Genbank Database. The encoding nucleic acid sequences of beluga whale and grey seal IL-2 were 465 and 468 bp in length, respectively. The identity levels of IL-2 nucleic and deduced amino acid sequences from the beluga whale and grey seal with those from the other mammalian species, ranged from 59.9% to 89.5%, and 52.9% to 77.3%, and from 61.1% to 93.2%, and 58.7% to 88.4%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on both nucleic and amino acid sequences showed that the beluga whale IL-2 was closely related to that of the ruminant species, which includes the bovine, while the grey seal IL-2 was closely related to that of the canine.     

Molecular cloning and phylogenetic analysis of inflammatory cytokines of the ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

The present study determined the cDNA and deduced amino acid sequences of ferret (Mustela putorius furo) inflammatory cytokines, interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. The homologies of the nucleotide sequences of IFN-gamma, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha of the ferret to those from other mammalian species ranged from 64.3-92.9%, 73.0-83.9, 58.1-84.8%, 58.1-89.7% and 79.0-95.0%, respectively. As distinctive amino acid residues constituting various motifs and ligand-binding sites and cysteine residues were highly conserved in ferret inflammatory cytokine proteins, ferret cytokines may have fundamentally similar functions to those of other mammals. Phylogenetic analyses based on the deduced amino acid sequences revealed that all ferret inflammatory cytokines were more closely related to those of the Carnivora order, specifically dog and cat, than to other species.     

Molecular cloning and phylogenetic analysis of inflammatory cytokines of Camelidae (llama and camel)

We cloned, sequenced and analyzed the cDNAs encoding Camelidae inflammatory cytokines, including llama (lama glama) interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and camel (Camelus bactrianus) IL-6 and TNF-alpha. The similarity levels of the deduced amino acid sequences of IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha from llama (camel) to those from other mammalian species, ranged from 60.7% to 87.7%, 52.8% to 75.3%, 41.4% to 98.6%, and 72.9% to 99.6%, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses based on nucleic acid sequences showed that llama IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha were more closely related to those of camel, pig, cattle, sheep and horse than to those of human, dog, cat, mouse and rat.     

Molecular characterization and functional expression of equine interleukin-1 type I and type II receptor cDNAs

cDNA generated from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated equine peripheral blood mononuclear cells was used to amplify and clone type I and type II equine interleukin-1 receptors (IL-1RI and IL-1RII) using primers derived from semi-conserved regions between human and mouse IL-1RI and IL-1RII sequences, respectively. 5' and 3' terminal sequences of equine IL-1RI and IL-1RII were amplified by 5' and 3' rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The deduced amino acid sequence of equine IL-1RI demonstrated 77, 64 and 63% similarity with human, mouse and rat sequences, respectively. The predicted amino acid sequence of equine IL-1RII demonstrated 70, 60 and 58% similarity with human, mouse and rat sequences, respectively. Recombinant equine soluble IL-1RI and IL-1RII produced in insect cells bound recombinant equine IL-1alpha and IL-1beta. Furthermore, both receptors suppressed the growth inhibitory activities of equine IL-1alpha and IL-1beta toward A375 cells in a dose-dependent manner, indicating that the present equine IL-1RI and IL-1RII cDNA encodes biologically active proteins.     

Molecular characterization and leukocyte distribution of a teleost beta1 integrin molecule

The beta1 integrin, in combination with the alpha subunit, is responsible for migration of leukocytes into areas of inflammation. Although identified in mammalian species; the beta1 or CD29 molecule has yet to be identified in fish. The present investigation has identified a full-length channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, cDNA beta1 molecule composed of 2786 bases and a deduced amino acid sequence of 797 amino acids. The catfish molecule has an amino acid identity ranging from 71.87 to 74.12% with bovine, feline, human, and Xenopus. The channel catfish molecule retains several characteristics of mammalian beta1 molecules, such as four cysteine-rich repeat regions, and eight potential N-linked glycosylation sites. Based on Western blotting the channel catfish beta1 molecule has a molecular mass of approximately 130kDa, essentially the same as that for mammalian species. These results confirm the existence and expression of a beta1 gene in channel catfish, a species phylogenetically distant from mammals.     

Cloning and sequence analysis of llama cytokines related to cell-mediated immunity

In order to characterize the T helper 1 (Th1) cytokines of llama, we have cloned several llama cytokine genes and compared them to those of other mammalian species. The cDNAs encoding for interleukin (IL)-2, interferon (IFN)gamma, IL-12p35 and IL-12p40 were amplified using specific primers designed from reported sequences of bovine cytokine genes. The cDNAs for llama IL-2, IFN-gamma, IL-12 p35 and IL-12p40 were found to be 465, 501, 669 or 993 bp in length, with open reading frames encoding 154, 166, 222 or 330 amino acids, respectively. Homology analyses of nucleotide and deduced amino sequences of llama IL-2, IFN-gamma, IL-12p35 and IL-12p40 and phylogenetic analysis based on their nucleotide sequences indicated the close relationship in these cytokine genes between llama and eutherian mammalian order Artiodactyla, which includes pig and cattle.     

Gene expressions of canine angiopoietin-1 and -2 in normal tissues and spontaneous tumours

The angiopoietin (Ang) family of proteins are central to the regulation of angiogenesis. The purposes of this study were to determine cDNA sequences of canine Ang-1 and Ang-2 and investigate their expressions in normal tissues and spontaneous tumours. The cDNA sequences of canine Ang-1 and Ang-2 were 1,494 and 1,488 bp, and the deduced amino acid sequences were 497 and 495 residues, respectively. The cDNA sequences of canine Ang-1 and Ang-2 showed high homology with those of the other mammalian species. Canine Ang-1 and Ang-2 mRNA were detectable in all 22 normal tissues and spontaneous tumours. Higher mRNA expression level of canine Ang-2 was demonstrated in mammary simple carcinomas, haemangiosarcoma and hepatocellular carcinoma in comparison with normal tissues.     

Molecular cloning and physiological effects of brushtail possum interleukin-1beta

Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) was isolated from LPS-stimulated brushtail possum alveolar macrophages using PCR primers based on conserved regions of mammalian IL-1beta. The complete cDNA was cloned by 5' and 3' rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The predicted protein of 269 amino acids shared 4346% identity with several mammalian IL-1beta proteins. Constructs were made to express the mature IL-1beta in Escherichia coli and two recombinant IL-1beta proteins, rpIL-1beta1 and rpIL-1beta2, which differed in length by four amino acids at the N-terminus, were produced. Both proteins induced a weak proliferative response in a possum thymocyte assay. Possums injected intravenously with 100 microg of rpIL-1beta1 or rpIL-1beta2 showed profound changes in body temperature and numbers of circulating leukocytes. A sharp decrease in temperature occurred within 2 h of administration followed by an elevation of temperature peaking at 24 h. The smaller rpIL-1beta1 protein had a greater effect on temperature than rpIL-1beta2. Both rpIL-1beta proteins caused a marked decrease in number of neutrophils and lymphocytes at 2-6 h after injection. At 24 h after injection, neutrophil and lymphocyte numbers were elevated 6.0-fold and 2.6-fold, respectively in the possums injected with rpIL-1beta1 and 3.9-fold and 1.5-fold, respectively in the possums injected with rpIL-1beta2. Fibrinogen levels were elevated at 24 and 72 h after injection with both proteins. In comparison, neither recombinant bovine IL-1beta (rbIL-1beta) nor PBS had significant effects on body temperature or blood haematology. The studies have shown that the two recombinant forms of IL-1beta were biologically active in possums and that the IL-1beta with four fewer amino acids at the N-terminus was the more active.     

Molecular characterization of cDNA encoding porcine IP-10 and induction of porcine endothelial IP-10 in response to human TNF-alpha

Donor-derived chemokines may play an important role in xenograft rejection, as well as allograft rejection. We have cloned the cDNA encoding porcine IP-10 (interferon-gamma-inducible protein 10), and evaluated its induction in miniature porcine endothelial cells in response to various human cytokines. The cloned sequence is 764 nucleotides long, and the open reading frame consists of 312 nucleotides. The deduced protein sequence includes a predicted mature protein of approximately 83 residues. The comparison of porcine IP-10, and its human, mouse, rat, goat, and sheep counterparts exhibited high similarity among different mammalian species. The sequences of important regulatory elements such as the interferon-stimulated response element (ISRE), and two NF-kappaB binding elements are conserved in the proximal promoter region of porcine IP-10, like other mammalian IP-10s. Human TNF-alpha induced the expression of IP-10 mRNA in porcine endothelial cells, while both human IFN-gamma and human IL-1beta failed. Together, the data of this study suggest that porcine IP-10 may interact with human leukocytes across the species barrier.     

Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of cDNAs encoding for Boophilus microplus, Haemaphysalis longicornis and Rhipicephalus appendiculatus actins

The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the actins from ticks, Boophilus microplus, Haemaphysalis longicornis and Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, have been determined. Nucleotide sequence analysis showed open reading frames of 1128-nucleotide-long encoding proteins of 376 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 41.82 kDa each. Comparison between the nucleic acid and deduced amino acid sequences as well as structural and phylogenetic analyses of these genes confirmed the high similarity among actins from ticks in comparison to other species.     

Expressed gene sequences of the equine cytokines interleukin-17 and interleukin-23

This report describes the initial cloning and characterization of the equine interleukin-17 (IL-17) expressed gene sequence from mRNA obtained from equine intestinal tissue and interleukin-23 (IL-23) expressed gene sequence from mRNA obtained from equine peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Equine IL-17 has 462 nucleotides in the translated region, determined by homology with known human and mouse sequences, and shares 84% and 75% identity, respectively. For the deduced amino acid sequences, the identity with human and mouse is 76% and 70%. Equine IL-23 has 579 nucleotides in the translated region. Homology with known human and mouse sequences was determined to be 89% and 77%. Deduced amino acid identities are 89% with the human sequence and 70% with the mouse sequence. The gene sequences were identified as part of the U.S. Veterinary Immune Reagent Network with a goal of developing reagents in order to aid veterinary researchers in the investigation of diseases in livestock species.     

广西巴马小型猪IL-4和IL-10基因的克隆和序列分析

为研究猪白细胞介素4（IL-4）和白细胞介素10（IL-10）在机体免疫应答中的作用,从ConA刺激的巴马小型猪的外周血淋巴细胞提取总RNA,用RT-PCR方法扩增出IL-4和IL-10基因,将其分别克隆到PMD18-T 载体上,进行序列分析.结果表明,克隆的IL-4和IL-10基因的核苷酸和氨基酸序列与GenBank上登录的其它猪种的IL-4和IL-10基因的核苷酸和氨基酸序列同源性分别为98.8%～100%、97.0%～99.3%和99.2%、97.7%.     

水貂 β-干扰素基因的克隆、测序与遗传进化分析

根据Genβank发表的序列,应用DNAstart分析软件设计并合成一对引物用于扩增水貂β干扰素（IFN—β）基因,从病死水貂的脾脏中提取总RNA,RT—PCR扩增水貂β干扰素基因,获得了约561bp片段,将其克隆到pEasy—T1载体中,进行序列分析,证实该基因是水貂β干扰素基因。将测序结果与GenBank发表的雪貂（EF581890．1）的IFN—β基因序列进行比较,核苷酸序列同源性为100．0％,氨基酸同源性为100．0％。同时将核苷酸序列、氨基酸序列与其他几种犬科动物进行遗传进化分析,其同源性分别在83．0％～100．0％之间和69．4％～100．0％之间。     

Cloning and sequence analysis of the complementary DNA for feline preproparathyroid hormone

OBJECTIVES: To clone and sequence the cDNA for feline preproparathyroid hormone (preproPTH) and to compare that sequence with other known parathyroid hormone (PTH) sequences. SAMPLE POPULATION: Parathyroid glands from 1 healthy cat. PROCEDURES: A cDNA library was constructed in lambda phage from feline parathyroid gland mRNA and screened with a radiolabeled canine PTH probe. Positive clones were sequenced, and nucleic acid and deduced amino acid sequences were analyzed and compared with known preproPTH and PTH sequences. RESULTS: Screening of approximately 2 X 10(5) recombinant plaques revealed 3 that hybridized with the canine PTH probe; 2 clones comprised the complete sequence for feline preproPTH. Feline preproPTH cDNA consisted of a 63-base pair (bp) 5'-untranslated region (UTR), a 348-bp coding region, and a 326-bp 3'-UTR. The coding region encoded a 115-amino acid peptide. Mature feline PTH consisted of 84 amino acids. Amino acid sequence analysis revealed that feline PTH was > 83% identical to canine, bovine, swine, equine, human, and macaque PTH and 69, 71, and 44% identical to mouse, rat, and chicken PTH, respectively. Within the region responsible for hormonal activity (amino acids 1 to 34), feline PTH was > 79% identical to other mammalian PTH sequences and 64% identical to the chicken sequence. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The amino acid sequence of PTH is conserved among mammalian species. Knowledge of the cDNA sequence for feline PTH may be useful to investigate disturbances of calcium metabolism and alterations in PTH expression in cats.     

Molecular and functional characterization of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) neutrophil collagenase

Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) neutrophils, like mammalian neutrophils, contain a variety of enzymes and lytic peptides that participate in pathogen destruction. We have identified and characterized from a channel catfish anterior kidney cDNA library a 1.6 kb cDNA that encodes for channel catfish neutrophil collagenase. The deduced amino acid sequence has a predicted molecular mass of 53 kDa. The putative catfish collagenase has nucleotide and amino acid homology of 51.4% and 45.1%, respectively, with human neutrophil collagenase and 50.4% and 47.1%, respectively, with mouse neutrophil collagenase. Certain regions of the molecule, including the cysteine switch and the putative zinc binding sites, were identical to those in the human and mouse genes. Polyclonal antiserum, prepared to the fusion protein, recognizes proteins from channel catfish neutrophil supernatants with molecular masses of approximately 63, 53 and 28 kDa. Supernatants from phorbol dibutyrate stimulated neutrophils were capable of degrading type I collagen. In addition, the polyclonal antiserum prevented the collagenase activity of the supernatants from stimulated catfish neutrophils; whereas, preimmune serum had no effect on collagenase activity of supernatants. Supernatants from unstimulated cells or the fusion protein did not possess the ability of degrading type I collagen. These results indicate that channel catfish neutrophil collagenases share molecular and functional features with mammalian neutrophil collagenase.     

Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of interferon-gamma and interleukin-6 from Tibetan macaque (Macaca thibetana)

The cloning and sequence analysis of Tibetan macaque IFN-(gamma) and the IL-6 cDNAs are described. The Tibetan macaque IFN-gamma and IL-6 cDNAs were found to be 498 and 639 bp in length, with open reading frames encoding 165 and 212 amino acids, respectively. Homology analyses indicated that the identity levels of nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of IFN-gamma among primates ranged from 93.4 to 99.2%, and 87.3 to 99.4%, respectively, and that of IL-6 ranged from 92.6 to 99.8%, and 85.4 to 99.5%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on amino acid sequences showed that the Tibetan macaque is most closely related to Old World monkeys, as compared to Hominoidea and New World monkeys. These findings provide insights into the evolution of primate IFN-gamma and IL-6 and additional valuable information regarding amino acid residues essential for their biological activity.     

Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of interleukin (IL)-1beta-encoding genes of five avian species and structural and functional homology among these IL-1beta proteins

Interleukin (IL)-1beta-encoding regions of chicken, duck, goose, turkey and pigeon were cloned and sequenced. Each IL-1beta-encoding region of chicken, duck, goose and turkey is 804 nucleotides long and encodes IL-1beta protein that is 268 amino acids. Pigeon IL-1beta-encoding region is 810 nucleotides long and encodes IL-1beta protein that is 270 amino acids. Two one-nucleotide and one four-nucleotide insertions of pigeon IL-1beta-encoding region sequence were found, resulting in two amino acid insertions in pigeon IL-1beta. Pairwise sequence analysis showed that the sequence identities of IL-1beta-encoding genes ranged from 77% to 99%, which were also found for IL-1beta protein sequence identities, with an average level of both sequence identities of 89%. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that IL-1beta-encoding regions and the encoded proteins of chicken, duck, goose and turkey clustered together and evolved into a distinct phylogenetic lineage from that of pigeon which evolved into a second lineage. The results from the binding reaction of antiserum against each recombinant IL-1beta (r IL-1beta) protein to homologous or heterologous rIL-1beta, the enhancement levels of K60 mRNA expression in rIL-1beta-treated DF-1 cells or the reduction levels of K60 mRNA expression in DF-1 cells treated with rIL-1beta that was preincubated with homologous or heterologous antiserum showed that all five rIL-1beta were functional active and shared significantly structural and functional homology.