Characterization of a Novel Galactose-Binding Lectin Homologue from Tenebrio molitor

An expressed sequence tag (EST) analysis provideus portions of expressed genes. We have constructed cDNA library and determined randomly sequences from cDNA library clones of T. molitor injected with acholeplasma lysate. We identified the homologous to a galectin gene. As the result of cloning and characterization of novel, we found that the protein has an open reading frame (ORF) of 495 bp, with 164 amino acid residues and molecular weight of 18.5 kDa. To characterize the role of novel Tm-galectin in immune system, we quantified the mRNA level of galectin at different times after treatment with immune elicitors. The galectin mRNA was up-regulated about 7-folds within 18 hrs. This suggests that Tm-galectin is a novel member of animal lectins, and has a role in the process of pathogen recognition. Our study would be helpful for the study on immune defense system and signaling cascade.

• JiEun Jeong
• Dong Hyun Kim
• Bharat Bhusan Patnaik
• Se Won Kang
• HeeJu Hwang
• Yong Hun Jo
• Dae-Hyun Seog
• YeonSooHan
• Yong Seok Lee

• EST
• Innate immunity
• Tenebrio molitor
• Galectin.

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