Unusual tissue distribution of carcinin, an antibacterial crustin, in the crab, Carcinus maenas, reveals its multi-functionality
Date
11/2017Keywords
Metadata
Show full item recordAltmetrics Handle Statistics
Altmetrics DOI Statistics
Abstract
Crustins are whey acidic four-disulphide core (WFDSC) domain-containing proteins in decapods that are widely regarded as antimicrobial agents that contribute to host defence. Whilst there have been many analyses of crustin gene expression in tissues, few studies have been made of the distribution of the natural proteins. Here we report an immunostaining investigation of carcinin, a native crustin from Carcinus maenas, in the body organs. The results show that the protein is largely confined to the haemocytes with only a weak signal detected in the heart, hepatopancreas and midgut caecum where it is restricted to the outer surfaces. Importantly, carcinin was seen to be deposited by the haemocytes on these surfaces. Higher levels of staining were detected in the gonads with carcinin particularly abundant in the capsule of ovary as well as some oocytes. Conspicuous staining was further evident in the cuticle of the eyestalk peduncles. Ablation of the eyestalks resulted in a reduction of carcinin in the maturing ovary with the mature eggs rarely displaying a strong signal for the protein. Interestingly, the degree of carcinin also strongly increased in the healing peduncle, indicating that the protein may be associated with wounding, cell damage and/or tissue regeneration.
Citation
Suleiman , S , Smith , V J & Dyrynda , E A 2017 , ' Unusual tissue distribution of carcinin, an antibacterial crustin, in the crab, Carcinus maenas , reveals its multi-functionality ' , Developmental and Comparative Immunology , vol. 76 , pp. 274-284 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dci.2017.06.010
Publication
Developmental and Comparative Immunology
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
0145-305XType
Journal article
Rights
© 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This work has been made available online in accordance with the publisher’s policies. This is the author created, accepted version manuscript following peer review and may differ slightly from the final published version. The final published version of this work is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dci.2017.06.010
Description
Funding was provided by a scholarship to SS by the Syrian Ministry of Higher Education, administered by the British Council. The Alumni Fund of Heriot-Watt University and the British Council also provided additional financial support to SS.Collections
Items in the St Andrews Research Repository are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.