14-3-3 α and 14-3-3 ζ contribute to immune responses in planarian Dugesia japonica

• Published in: Gene 2017-06, Vol.615, p.25-34
• Main Authors: Lu, Qingqing, Wu, Suge, Zhen, Hui, Deng, Hongkuan, Song, Qian, Ma, Kaifu, Cao, Zhonghong, Pang, Qiuxiang, Zhao, Bosheng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 14-3-3 Proteins - genetics; 14-3-3 Proteins - immunology; Animals; Dj14-3-3 α and ζ; Dugesia japonica; Expression patterns; Gene Expression Regulation; Helminth Proteins - genetics; Helminth Proteins - immunology; Immunity; Pathogen-Associated Molecular Pattern Molecules - pharmacology; Pharynx - physiology; Planarians - genetics; Planarians - immunology; Planarians - physiology; Regeneration - genetics; RNA Interference
• ISSN: 0378-1119; 1879-0038
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2017.03.017

14-3-3 proteins are a family of highly conserved acidic proteins that regulate cellular processes. They act as a kind of important signaling molecules taking part in many crucial decisions throughout the development process. We have isolated and characterized two members of the 14-3-3 family, namely, Dj14-3-3 α and Dj14-3-3 ζ in the planarian Dugesia japonica. The Dj14-3-3 α and ζ genes encode polypeptides of 260 and 255 amino acids respectively. We have proved that the Dj14-3-3 α and ζ genes were especially expressed in the pharynx in adult and regenerating planarians by in situ hybridization and they were not involved in regeneration process. Besides, Dj14-3-3 α and ζ genes can compensate each other in planarians by RNA interference. The Dj14-3-3 α and ζ were significantly up-regulated expression when planarians were stimulated with the pathogen-associated molecular patterns including lipopolysaccharide (LPS), peptidoglycan (PGN), β-Glu and Poly (I:C), indicating that the Dj14-3-3 α and ζ may be involved in the immune responses. •Both 14-3-3 α and 14-3-3 ζ (Dj14-3-3 α and Dj14-3-3 ζ) genes were isolated and characterized from planarian Dugesia japonica.•Dj14-3-3 α and Dj14-3-3 ζ are predominantly expressed in the pharynx of intact and regenerating planarians.•Loss function of Dj14-3-3 α and ζ by RNA interference during planarian regeneration did not affect the pharynx regeneration.•Dj14-3-3 α and ζ may participate in the immune response upon pathogen invasion.