The cDNA sequence of the transferrin gene in tongue sole ( Cynoglosus semilaevis ) and its transcriptional changes under acute hypoxic stress

摘要

Abstract In this study, the cDNA sequence of the transferrin (Tf) gene in tongue sole ( Cynoglossus semilaevis ) (Cs Tf ) was identified and characterised. The full length of Cs Tf cDNA was 2281 bp encoding 677 amino acids (aa). The mature CsTf protein was found to be made up of 656 aa and it consisted of two lobes (N- and C-lobes). Two- and three- dimensional (2-D and 3-D) structure analysis showed that Cs Tf possesses a similar structure (multi-α helix/β-sheet) to human Tf . Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis showed that Cs Tf was mainly expressed in the liver, and moderately expressed in the heart, spleen and kidney. Moreover, Cs Tf was up-regulated in different tissues under acute hypoxia [dissolved oxygen (DO)=0.8 mg/L]. Our results suggest that Cs Tf plays a role in fisH’s adaptation to hypoxic stress.