Catfish epidermal secretions in response to threat or injury

Al-Hassan, Jassim M.; Thomson, Martha; Criddle, Keith R.; Summers, Brent; Criddle, Richard S.

doi:10.1007/bf00397158

Cited by 53 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…The club cell contents are largely proteinaceous, with comparatively little carbohydrate components. Their functions are not well defined, but some protective roles have been suggested [58,59]. Curiously, several studies also have provided evidence that preparations from fish skin secretions can stimulate the rate of wound healing in animals and the healing of diabetic foot ulcers in humans [59][60][61][62][63][64].…”

Section: Teleost Skinmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Overview of the Immunological Defenses in Fish Skin

2012

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The vertebrate immune system is comprised of numerous distinct and interdependent components. Every component has its own inherent protective value, and the final combination of them is likely to be related to an animal's immunological history and evolutionary development. Vertebrate immune system consists of both systemic and mucosal immune compartments, but it is the mucosal immune system which protects the body from the first encounter of pathogens. According to anatomical location, the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, in teleost fish is subdivided into gut-, skin-, and gill-associated lymphoid tissue and most available studies focus on gut. The purpose of this paper is to summarise the current knowledge of the immunological defences present in skin mucosa as a very important part of the fish immune system, serving as an anatomical and physiological barrier against external hazards. Interest in defence mechanism of fish arises from a need to develop health management tools to support a growing finfish aquaculture industry, while at the same time addressing questions concerning origins and evolution of immunity in vertebrates. Increased knowledge of fish mucosal immune system will facilitate the development of novel vaccination strategies in fish.

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Section: Teleost Skinmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Overview of the Immunological Defenses in Fish Skin

2012

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“…However, knowledge concerning the structure and functioning of such molecules remains limited. Purification of skin mucus lectins has been performed for many species of fish including the windowpane flounder Lophopsetta maculata (17), the Arabian Gulf catfish Arius thalassinus (18), the conger eel Conger myriaster (19,20), the dragonet Repomucenus richardsonii (21), the loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus (22), and the kingklip Genypterus capensis (23). Among these lectins, the primary structures were determined in the conger eel only for galectins referred to as congerins I and II (24,25).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Primary Structure and Characteristics of a Lectin from Skin Mucus of the Japanese Eel Anguilla japonica

Tasumi¹,

Ohira²,

Kawazoe³

et al. 2002

Journal of Biological Chemistry

161

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Two types of lactose-binding lectins, AJL-1 and AJL-2, were purified from the skin mucus extract of the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica by lactose affinity chromatography and subsequent gel filtration. The molecular masses of AJL-1 and AJL-2 were 16,091 and 31,743 Da, respectively. Intact AJL-1 was comprised of two identical 16-kDa subunits having blocked N termini and no disulfide bonds. AJL-2 was a homodimer with disulfide bonds. Based on the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the AJL-2 monomer, the nucleotide sequence of cDNA encoding this lectin was determined by 3-and 5-rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The deduced amino acid sequence showed ϳ30% homology with C-type lectins, which bind to carbohydrates in a Ca 2؉ -dependent manner. In addition, AJL-2 exhibited highly conserved consensus amino acid residues of the C-type carbohydrate recognition domain, although this lectin showed Ca 2؉ -independent activity. Gene expression of AJL-2 was detected only in the skin by Northern blot analysis, and this lectin localization was demonstrated in the club cells by immunohistochemistry. These results indicate that AJL-2 is secreted on the body surface and function as a component of skin mucus. AJL-2 agglutinated Escherichia coli and suppressed its growth, suggesting that this lectin is involved in host defense.Lectins, which are carbohydrate-binding proteins that are not antibodies and enzymes (1, 2), are found widely distributed in bacteria, plants, and animals. Based on the structure of the carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD), 1 animal lectins are classified as C-type (3), galectin (4, 5), P-type (6), or I-type (7); in addition, heparin-binding proteins (8) and pentraxin (9, 10) have been identified. Among these, C-type lectins form a diverse group of proteins including collectins (11, 12) and selectins and are characterized by their Ca 2ϩ -dependent activity. The functioning of animal lectins vary widely because they are involved in cell-cell interactions, protein trafficking, and primitive defense reactions (6, 13-16).Most known animal lectins are found to exist internally, but some are also found in the skin mucus of several animal species, especially in fish. However, knowledge concerning the structure and functioning of such molecules remains limited. Purification of skin mucus lectins has been performed for many species of fish including the windowpane flounder Lophopsetta maculata (17), the Arabian Gulf catfish Arius thalassinus (18), the conger eel Conger myriaster (19,20), the dragonet Repomucenus richardsonii (21), the loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus (22), and the kingklip Genypterus capensis (23). Among these lectins, the primary structures were determined in the conger eel only for galectins referred to as congerins I and II (24, 25). The structural sequences for skin mucus lectins in animal groups other than fish are also limited and have been reported in only two species, the land slug Incilaria fruhstorferi (26) and the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis (27). The precise biological roles of skin mu...

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“…Antimicrobial properties have also been observed in the slime cocoon of queen parrotfish (Scarus vetula) [32]. Similarly, the African catfish (Arius thalassinus) secretes a thick gel-like layer of proteinaceous material onto its skin surface from epidermal proteinaceous cells, or club cells, when thermally shocked, threatened or injured [33,34]. The threat-induced slime secretions of catfish differed greatly from its normal epidermal mucus and venom secretions in terms of composition [34], having significant biochemical and pharmacological properties in innate defense responses and in wound healing [33].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…Similarly, the African catfish (Arius thalassinus) secretes a thick gel-like layer of proteinaceous material onto its skin surface from epidermal proteinaceous cells, or club cells, when thermally shocked, threatened or injured [33,34]. The threat-induced slime secretions of catfish differed greatly from its normal epidermal mucus and venom secretions in terms of composition [34], having significant biochemical and pharmacological properties in innate defense responses and in wound healing [33]. The extruded slime of hagfish is excreted by specialised glands that produce fine treads that strengthen the integrity of the slime [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%