The transcription factor CSL homolog in Penaeus vannamei positively regulates the transcription of the hemocyanin small subunit gene

• Published in: Developmental and comparative immunology 2023-08, Vol.145, p.104723-104723, Article 104723
• Main Authors: Zhao, Weiling, Fang, Yunxuan, Zheng, Zhihong, Lin, Zhongyang, Zhao, Yongzhen, Chen, Xiuli, Yao, Defu, Zhang, Yueling
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Arthropod Proteins - metabolism; CSL; Gene Expression Regulation; Hemocyanin; Hemocyanins; Penaeidae; Penaeus vannamei; Transcription Factors - genetics; Transcription Factors - metabolism; Transcriptional regulation; White spot syndrome virus 1 - physiology
• ISSN: 0145-305X; 1879-0089
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2023.104723

Hemocyanin, a copper-containing respiratory protein, is abundantly present in hemolymph of arthropods and mollusks and performs a variety of immunological functions. However, the regulatory mechanisms of hemocyanin gene transcription remain largely unclear. Our previous work showed that knockdown of the transcription factor CSL, a component of the Notch signaling pathway, downregulated the expression of Penaeus vannamei hemocyanin small subunit gene (PvHMCs), indicating the involvement of CSL in regulating the PvHMCs transcription. In this study, we identified a CSL binding motif (“GAATCCCAGA”, +1675/+1684 bp) in the core promoter of PvHMCs (designated as HsP3). Dual luciferase reporter assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) demonstrated that the CSL homolog in P. vannamei (PvCSL) could directly bind and activate the HsP3 promoter. Moreover, in vivo silencing of PvCSL significantly attenuated the mRNA and protein expression of PvHMCs. Finally, in response to Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Streptococcus iniae and white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) challenge, the transcript of PvCSL and PvHMCs showed a positive correlation, suggesting that PvCSL could also modulate the expression of PvHMCs upon pathogen stimulation. Taken together, our present finding is the first to demonstrate that PvCSL is a crucial factor in transcriptional control of PvHMCs. •A CSL binding motif was identified in the core promoter of Penaeus vannamei hemocyanin small subunit gene (PvHMCs).•P. vannamei CSL (PvCSL) functioned as a transcriptional activator of PvHMCs.•Transcript of PvCSL and PvHMCs was positively correlated upon pathogen infection.