Recombinant SpTransformer proteins bind to specific sites on sea urchin phagocytes and modulate <i>SpTransformer</i> gene expression and immune responsiveness.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The California purple sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, relies exclusively on an innate immune system to survive in its pathogen rich marine environment. Central to this defense is the SpTransformer (SpTrf) gene family that is unique to the euechinoid group of echinoderms. These genes were initially identified based on their striking upregulation in response to immune challenge. The SpTrf gene family encodes structurally similar proteins with a wide range of sequence diversity within and among individual sea urchins. A recombinant (r)SpTrf protein interacts specifically with a variety of non-self targets. Other rSpTrf proteins cross-linked to inert beads show distinct functions for cell binding and augmenting phagocytosis . However, whethe

SUBMITTER: Crow RS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11810900 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature