Molecular Characterization and Expression Pattern of Na+-K+-2Cl- Cotransporter 2 (NKCC2) in the Intestine of Starry Flounder Platichthys stellatus after Bacterial Challenge

We identified the Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransporter 2 (NKCC2) cDNA isoform from starry flounder, Platichthys stellate. The NKCC2 cDNA encoded a polypeptide of 1,043 amino acids representing 12 putative transmembrane domains based on the bioinformatic topology prediction. In addition, starry flounder NKCC2 possessed highly conserved residues within transmembrane domain 4, known as an essential site for its function. End-point reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that the NKCC2 transcript was moderately expressed only in the anterior and posterior intestines and the rectum. The NKCC2 mRNA level in the rectum, but not in other segments, was significantly induced 3 days post Streptococcus parauberis challenge, indicating that excess salt may be transported into the rectum. Taken together, our data indicate that an S. parauberis infection could tip the intestinal fluid balance in favor of fluid accumulation, indicating that bacterial pathogens can interfere with intestinal osmotic balance and normal mucosal immune homeostasis.