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Allorecognition in urochordates: Identification of a highly variable complement receptor-like protein expressed in follicle cells of Ciona
- Source :
- Developmental & Comparative Immunology. 31:360-371
- Publication Year :
- 2007
- Publisher :
- Elsevier BV, 2007.
-
Abstract
- The evolutionary origin of allorecognition in vertebrates is unknown. Urochordates, being the closest living relatives of vertebrates [Delsuc F, Brinkmann H, Chourrout D, Philippe H]. Tunicates and not cephalochordates are the closest living relatives of vertebrates. Nature 2006; 439: 965-8], have efficient mechanisms to prevent both allogeneic fusion and self fertilization. To shed light on allorecognition in urochordates and on the molecules involved in preventing self fertilization, we compared gonadal cDNAs of three genetically unrelated Ciona intestinalis individuals by suppression subtractive hybridisation (SSH). Here, we report the discovery and characterization of a highly polymorphic gene coding for a transmembrane protein with several short consensus repeat domains (SCR/CCP). The protein, termed variable complement receptor-like 1 (vCRL1), is structurally similar to vertebrate complement receptors. However, in contrast to vertebrate complement receptors, vCRL1 shows an unprecedented high degree of amino acid variations among Ciona individuals and is expressed in follicle cells as well as in hemocytes. Based on our data we propose that in the absence of MHC Ciona uses variable components of the complement system as individuality markers.
- Subjects :
- Genetic Markers
Molecular Sequence Data
Immunology
Complement receptor
Biology
Major histocompatibility complex
Evolution, Molecular
Ovarian Follicle
biology.animal
Animals
Ciona intestinalis
Amino Acid Sequence
Allorecognition
Genetics
Base Sequence
Genetic Variation
Vertebrate
biology.organism_classification
Transmembrane protein
Receptors, Complement
Complement system
Ciona
biology.protein
Female
Developmental Biology
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 0145305X
- Volume :
- 31
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Developmental & Comparative Immunology
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....f2384863dffef70ae4b0f8229712c6b9