Identification of a LPS-induced TNF-α factor (LITAF) from mollusk Solen grandis and its expression pattern towards PAMPs stimulation

Lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-α factor (LITAF) is one of the most important transcription factors mediating TNF-α transcription. In the present study, a LITAF gene (designated as SgLITAF) was identified from razor clams Solen grandis. The full-length cDNA of SgLITAF was of 1476bp, encoding a polypeptide of 130 amino acids showed high similarity to other known LITAFs. SgLITAF encoded a LITAF domain and the Zn²⁺-binding motifs in the domain were well conserved. The mRNA transcripts of SgLITAF were detected in all tested tissues of healthy razor clams, including mantle, gill, gonad, hemocytes, muscle and hepatopancreas, and with the highest expression level in hepatopancreas. The expression level of SgLITAF in hemocytes was significantly up-regulated (P<0.01) after razor clams were stimulated by LPS or β-1, 3-glucan, but no obvious fluctuation of SgLITAF mRNA expression was observed after PGN stimulation. All the results indicated that there might be a LITAF-regulated TNF-α signaling pathway existing in S. grandis, which involved in the immune response not only against gram-negative bacteria but also towards fungi.