Two c-type lectins from Venerupis philippinarum: Possible roles in immune recognition and opsonization

C-Type Lectin in Chlamys farreri (CfLec-1) Mediating Immune Recognition and Opsonization

BACKGROUND C-type lectins are a superfamily of Ca(2+) dependent carbohydrate-recognition proteins that play significant diverse roles in nonself-recognition and clearance of invaders. Though they are well characterized in vertebrates, the study of the potential function and mechanism of C-type lectins in invertebrate immunity is still in its infancy. METHODOLOGY A C-type lectin (CfLec-1) from...

Molecular cloning and characterization of two isoforms of cyclophilin A gene from Venerupis philippinarum.

Cyclophilin A (CypA) is a ubiquitously distributed intracellular protein belonging to the immunophilin family, which is recognized as the cell receptor for the potent immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine A. In the present study, two isoforms of cyclophilin A gene (named as VpCypA1 and VpCypA2) were isolated and characterized from Venerupis philippinarum by RACE approaches. Both VpCypA1 and VpCyp...

The immune role of C-type lectins in molluscs

The phylum Mollusca is one of the largest and most important group in the animal kingdom. Recently, interest in molluscan immunity has increased due to their importance in worldwide aquaculture, their role in aquatic environmental science and their phylogenetic position, and a great number of immune molecules have been identified and characterized from molluscs. C-type lectins are a superfamily...

The functions of insect C-type lectins on immune system

C-type lectins and phagocytosis

To recognise and respond to pathogens, germ-line encoded pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) bind to conserved microbial structures and activate host defence systems, including microbial uptake by phagocytosis. Phagocytosis is a complex process that is instrumental in the control of extracellular pathogens, and this activity is mediated by several PRRs, including a number of C-type lectins. Wh...