Molecular characterization and expression analysis of a peroxiredoxin 1 cDNA from Korean rose bitterling (Rhodeus uyekii)

Peroxiredoxins (Prxs), also known as natural killer cell enhancing factors in fish, role as antioxidant proteins and participate in a variety of biological processes, including H2O2-mediated cell signaling, molecular chaperoning, and mitochondrial function. In this study, we isolated and characterized a Prx 1 cDNA from the Korean rose bitterling Rhodeus uyekii, and designated it RuPrx 1. The RuPrx 1 cDNA encodes a 197-amino-acid polypeptide that belongs to the class of typical 2-Cys Prxs that contain peroxidatic and resolving cysteines. The deduced RuPrx 1 protein shows strong homology (77.38–92.89 %) with Prx 1 proteins from other species, including fish, amphibians, and mammals, and it is most closely related to rainbow smelt Prx 1. RuPrx 1 mRNA was ubiquitously detected in all tested tissues and its expression was comparatively high in the brain, intestine, kidney, liver, ovary, stomach, and testis. Expression of RuPrx 1 mRNA in liver peaked 3 h post-infection with Aeromonas hydrophila and decreased 24 h post-infection while the expression in intestine decreased 24 h post-infection. These results suggest that RuPrx 1 is conserved through evolution and may play roles similar to its mammalian counterparts.