Organization and expression analysis of the zebrafish hepcidin gene, an antimicrobial peptide gene conserved among vertebrates

Hiroko Shike, Chisato Shimizu, Xavier Lauth, Jane C. Burns

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

137 Scopus citations

Abstract

Hepcidin is an antimicrobial peptide and iron-regulatory molecule that is conserved among vertebrates. Mutations or over-expression of the human hepcidin gene have been found in patients with hemochromatosis and refractory anemia. To further understand the function and regulation of hepcidin, animal models are needed. We sequenced cDNA, genes and upstream regions of zebrafish hepcidin and analyzed gene expression by kinetic PCR. Zebrafish hepcidin genes consist of two introns and three exons that encode a prepropeptide (91 amino acids). The amino acid sequences and gene organization were remarkably conserved between zebrafish and other species. Elevated gene expression was observed in abdominal organs, skin, and heart in fish that developed signs of infection following bacterial injection. Zebrafish may be a suitable model organism for further study of hepcidin gene regulation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)747-754
Number of pages8
JournalDevelopmental and Comparative Immunology
Volume28
Issue number7-8
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2004

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Immunology
  • Developmental Biology

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