Antibacterial activity and mechanism of a type-I ubiquitin from the clam Ruditapes philippinarum

Abstract

In the present study, a ubiquitin (designated as RpUbi) was identified and characterized from clam Ruditapes philippinarum. Phylogenetic analysis strongly suggested that RpUbi was a member of the ubiquitin family. In non-stimulated clams, RpUbi transcripts were constitutively expressed in all examined tissues, especially in the gills and hemocytes. After Vibrio anguillarum challenge, expression of RpUbi mRNA in hemocytes was significantly up-regulated. Recombinant RpUbi (rRpUbi) showed high antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Notably, membrane integrity and electrochemical assay indicated that rRpUbi could invade the inner layer. Moreover, DNA migration could be inhibited by rRpUbi in a concentration-dependent manner. In general, our results suggested that RpUbi played an important role in host defense against invading bacteria, perhaps through a DNA-binding process.