An invertebrate-specific miRNA targeted the ancient cholinergic neuroendocrine system of oyster

作者：Chen, Hao; Zhou, Zhi; Wang, Lingling^*; Wang, Hao; Liu, Rui; Zhang, Huan; Song, Linsheng

来源：Open Biology, 2016, 6(8): 160059.

DOI：10.1098/rsob.160059

• miRNA
• miR-2 family
• choline transporter-like
• protein
• acetylcholine
• cholinergic system
• immunomodulation

Acetylcholine (ACh) is the main neurotransmitter in the cholinergic neuroendocrine system and plays an indispensable role in modulating diverse immune responses. As important transporters in choline uptake, choline transporter-like proteins (CTLs) can control ACh synthesis and release indirectly in multiple organisms. In this study, cgi-miR-2d, an invertebrate- specific miRNA in oyster Crassostrea gigas, is proved to repress the synthesis/release of ACh by targeting CgCTL1 and choline uptake in haemocytes during the early stage of pathogen infection. In short, an opposite expression pattern between CgCTL1 and cgi-miR-2d is observed during Vibrio splendidus infection, accompanied by changes in haemolymph ACh. In addition, the expression level of CgCTL1 is found to be significantly repressed after cgi-miR-2d overexpression in vivo, while both haemocyte choline and haemolymph ACh are also decreased simultaneously, similar to the finding in CgCTL1 knock-down assay. As a result, the expression of two tumour necrosis factor-like proteins and the bacteriostatic activity of oyster haemocytes are found to be altered significantly by either gain-offunction cgi-miR-2d or knock-down of CgCTL1. To our knowledge, this is the first miRNA identified in invertebrates that can target the ancient cholinergic system and augment immune response during infection.

• 出版日期2016-8
• 单位中国科学院大学; 中国科学院海洋研究所; 大连海洋大学