Identification and molecular characterization ofCathepsin L gene and its expression analysis during early ontogenetic development of kuruma shrimpMarsupenaeus japonicus

摘要

Cathepsin L gene is a member of the cysteine proteinase gene group. In this studyCathepsin L gene was isolated from Kuruma shrimpMarsupenaeus japonicus (Mj-Cathepsin L) and the full-length DNA sequence was 1963 bp. Mj-Cathepsin L protein showed high homologies with otherCathepsin L proteins documented in vertebrates, mollusks and other crustaceans. Expression analysis ofMj-Cathepsin L gene in different tissues revealed that it was predominant in hepatopancreas. During early ontogenetic development stagesMj-Cathepsin L showed a development-regulated expression, and theMj-Cathepsin L showed a molting stage-regulated expression during the five molting stages, inferring its role in the ontogenic development ofM. japonicus. Two kinds of forms ofMj-Cathepsin L protein: pro-Cathepsin L andCathepsin L were measured in hepatopancreas, stomach and intestine by Western Blotting.