Molecular characterization and mRNA expression of catalase from pearl oyster Pinctada fucata

Catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) is an important antioxidant enzyme that protects aerobic organisms against oxidative damage by degrading hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen. In the present study, a catalase cDNA of peal oyster Pincatada fucata (designated as PoCAT) is cloned and characterized by expressed sequence tag (EST) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) methods. PoCAT is 2428 bp long and consists of a 5′-UTR of 140 bp, an unusually long 3′-UTR of 749 bp, and an open reading frame (ORF) of 1539 bp. The ORF of PoCAT encodes a polypeptide of 512 amino acids with molecular weight of 58.1 kDa and the theoretical isoelectric point of 8.4. PoCAT shares 62.3–82.2% identity and 73.0–92.0% similarity to other catalase amino acid sequences. Sequence alignment indicates that PoCAT contains the proximal heme-ligand signature sequence (R 351LFSYSDT 358), the proximal active site signature (F 61NRERIPERVVHAKGGGA 78), and the three catalytic amino acid residues (His 72, Asn 145, and Tyr 355). PoCAT has two potential glycosylation sites (N 436YS 438 and N 478FS 480) and a peroxisome targeting signal (ASL). PoCAT mRNA was ubiquitously expressed in all detected tissues, and the expression level of PoCAT mRNA was higher in intestine and mantle. The expression profile analysis showed that the expression level of PoCAT mRNA in intestine was significantly up-regulated at 2, 4 and 12 h after Vibrio alginolyticus stimulation. These results demonstrated that PoCAT is a typical member of catalase family and might be involved in innate immune responses of pearl oyster. ► The full length PoCAT cDNA sequence has been reported. ► The phylogenetic tree was constructed based on catalases in this study. ► The PoCAT mRNA was expressed in all tested tissues, with highest level in intestine. ►The expression level of PoCAT mRNA in intestine after Vibrio alginolyticus stimulation has been reported. ► PoCAT might play an important role in innate immune responses of pearl oyster Pinctada fucata.