EVOLUTION, ADAPTATION AND IMMUNE FUNCTIONS OF FISH LECTINS

Abstract

Fish are equipped with a complex lectin repertoire that, like mammals, are involved almost all the immune reactions. Carbohydrate recognition and interactions mediated by lectins have been recognized involved in vertebrate innate immunity, not only for recognition of potential pathogens, but also acting in the agglutination, immobilization and other functional steps. In fish, C, F types galectins, Rhamnose-bind- ing lectin (RBL) and pentraxin have been identified in both car- tilaginous and bony fish. In addition, selectins and other genes have been found in the currently available fish genomes. On the basis of our results about F-type and RBL lectins we showed that: lectin repertoires in fish are highly diversified and include not only representatives of the lectin families; described in mammals, but also members of lectin families described for the first time in fish species like the F type lectins and RBL; RBL and FTL have been identified in the eggs and embryos but they are also present in the serum. The characterization indicates that the tissue-specific expression and localization of the diverse lectin repertoires and their molecular partners is consistent with their distinct biological roles in innate and adaptive immunity; Therefore, in order to identify trends linked to cold adaptation in antarctic fish, we try, to compare Perciformes and the Antartic fish Trematomus bernacchii F lectins properties