Vitellogenin is a novel player in defense reactions

Shi, Xiaodong; Zhang, Shicui; Pang, Qiuxiang

doi:10.1016/j.fsi.2005.09.005

Cited by 124 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Knowledge about this protein could, eventually, provide unique illustrations on how insect social organization can be achieved at the level of protein structure. Moreover, insights into the molecular properties of vitellogenins are of broader general interest, as alternative functions of this family of yolk precursor proteins are now surfacing in diverse taxa: including in the immune defense against viruses and bacteria in fish (Garcia et al, 2010;Li et al, 2008;Shi et al, 2006), and in aging in Caenorhabditis elegans (Nakamura et al, 1999). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Deconstructing honeybee vitellogenin: novel 40 kDa fragment assigned to its N terminus

Havukainen

Halskau

Skjærven

et al. 2011

Journal of Experimental Biology

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SUMMARYVitellogenin, an egg-yolk protein precursor common to oviparous animals, is found abundantly in honeybee workers -a caste of helpers that do not usually lay eggs. Instead, honeybee vitellogenin (180kDa) participates in processes other than reproduction: it influences hormone signaling, food-related behavior, immunity, stress resistance and longevity. The molecular basis of these functions is largely unknown. Here, we establish and compare the molecular properties of vitellogenin from honeybee hemolymph (blood) and abdominal fat body, two compartments that are linked to vitellogenin functions. Our results reveal a novel 40kDa vitellogenin fragment in abdominal fat body tissue, the main site for vitellogenin synthesis and storage. Using MALDI-TOF combined with MS/MS mass-spectroscopy, we assign the 40kDa fragment to the N terminus of vitellogenin, whereas a previously observed 150kDa fragment corresponded to the remainder of the protein. We show that both protein units are N glycosylated and phosphorylated. Focusing on the novel 40kDa fragment, we present a homology model based on the structure of lamprey lipovitellin that includes a conserved b-barrel-like shape, with a lipophilic cavity in the interior and two insect-specific loops that have not been described before. Our data indicate that the honeybee fat body vitellogenin experiences cleavage unlike hemolymph vitellogenin, a pattern that can suggest a tissue-specific role. Our experiments advance the molecular understanding of vitellogenin, of which the multiple physiological and behavioral effects in honeybees are well established. Supplementary material available online at

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Deconstructing honeybee vitellogenin: novel 40 kDa fragment assigned to its N terminus

Havukainen

Halskau

Skjærven

et al. 2011

Journal of Experimental Biology

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“…However, this does not explain the higher Vg--like protein concentrations in males since only during the resting stages of gonadal development would ALP levels in females be similar to males (Blaise et al 1999;Matozzo et al, 2008;Porte et al 2006) which is indicative of the presence of EDCs. On the other hand, different studies have pointed out that vitellogenin is also an immune--relevant molecule with a potential role in defence reac--tions, possessing antibacterial and hemagglutinating activities (Shi et al, 2006;Tong et al, 2010;Zhang et al, 2005). This can also be an explanation to the presence of Vg in adult males and to the simi--larity of ALP levels between males and females, although suggest--ing that the organism's defence system is responsive to external agents more critical during summer.…”

Section: Biomarkers Indicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A multibiomarker approach in the clam Ruditapes decussatus to assess the impact of pollution in the Ria Formosa lagoon, South Coast of Portugal

Cravo

Pereira

Gomes

et al. 2012

Marine Environmental Research

107

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“…For example, antioxidant activity has been observed for the nematode (Caenorhabditis elegans) and the honeybee Vtg (Nakamura et al 1999;Seehuus et al 2006). Besides, Vtg purified from the amphioxus and the fish Puntis conchonius have both antibacterail and hamalutinating activities in vitro (Zhang et al 2005;Shi et al 2006). It has also been shown that male fish challenged with Escherichia coli produced abnormal Vtg levels, suggesting a functional role of these proteins in host immune defence (Shi et al 2006).…”

Section: Vitellogenin Gene Expression In Control Gammaridsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although the expression levels recorded in these organisms did not reach those observed in females (see 'Vitellogenin gene expression in control gammarids' section), these results show that WWTP effluents are able to disrupt the hormonal regulation of Vtg expression in male G. fossarum. However, as suggested by Matozzo et al (2008), the new findings involving Vtg in immune responses (Shi et al 2006;Zhang et al 2005) raise an additional question: is Vtg induction really a specific biomarker of exposure to PE chemicals or can it result from pathogenic infections? This is all the more warranted when the studied environments display a high bacterial bioburden.…”

Section: Vitellogenin Gene Expression In Control Gammaridsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vitellogenin-like gene expression in freshwater amphipod Gammarus fossarum (Koch, 1835): functional characterization in females and potential for use as an endocrine disruption biomarker in males

Xuereb¹,

Bezin

Chaumot³

et al. 2011

Ecotoxicology

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The induction of vitellogenin (Vtg) synthesis is widely accepted as a biomarker of estrogenic exposure in male and juvenile fish. Vtg synthesis has emerged as an interesting endpoint to assess endocrine disruptor (ED) effects in crustaceans. However, studies reporting induction of Vtg in male crustaceans are lacking. This study investigated the expression of the Vtg gene in a freshwater amphipod, Gammarus fossarum, using calibrated real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT PCR). First, we described the basal pattern of expression in healthy male and female organisms at different reproductive moult stages, in order to validate the function of this gene. Females expressed from 200 to 700 times more Vtg transcripts than males, depending on the female reproductive stage. Females displayed significant elevation of Vtg mRNA levels at the end of the inter-moult phase and at the beginning of the pre-moult phase. Second, male gammarids were exposed to the estrogenic compound nonylphenol (NP) (0.05, 0.5, 5 and 50 μg L(-1)) and to the anti-androgen cyproterone (1, 10, 100 and 1000 μg L(-1)) for 2, 4, 8 and 16 days. Both chemicals altered the pattern of interindividual variability of Vtg gene expression in males with strong induction in some individuals. Finally, the impact of urban wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) on male Vtg gene expression was assessed in organisms transplanted in the field during in situ bioassay campaigns in three different watersheds. Induction of the Vtg mRNA level was observed in males transplanted downstream from WWTP effluent discharge in two of the three study sites.

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Vitellogenin is a novel player in defense reactions

Cited by 124 publications

References 14 publications

Deconstructing honeybee vitellogenin: novel 40 kDa fragment assigned to its N terminus

Deconstructing honeybee vitellogenin: novel 40 kDa fragment assigned to its N terminus

A multibiomarker approach in the clam Ruditapes decussatus to assess the impact of pollution in the Ria Formosa lagoon, South Coast of Portugal

Vitellogenin-like gene expression in freshwater amphipod Gammarus fossarum (Koch, 1835): functional characterization in females and potential for use as an endocrine disruption biomarker in males

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