Transglutaminase activity in the hematopoietic tissue of a crustacean, Pacifastacus leniusculus, importance in hemocyte homeostasis
2008

The Role of Transglutaminase in Crayfish Hematopoiesis

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Lin Xionghui, Söderhäll Kenneth, Söderhäll Irene

Primary Institution: Uppsala University

Hypothesis

Transglutaminase is important for maintaining the undifferentiated state of hematopoietic tissue cells in crayfish.

Conclusion

Transglutaminase is crucial for keeping hematopoietic cells undifferentiated, and its inhibition leads to cell differentiation and migration.

Supporting Evidence

  • Transglutaminase is one of the most abundant proteins in the hematopoietic tissue of crayfish.
  • RNA interference of transglutaminase led to changes in cell morphology and increased spreading of cells.
  • Astakine treatment resulted in loss of transglutaminase activity and similar morphological changes as seen with RNA interference.

Takeaway

Transglutaminase helps keep certain blood cells in crayfish from changing into other types of cells, and when it's not there, the cells start to change and move away.

Methodology

The study involved isolating hematopoietic tissue cells from crayfish and examining transglutaminase activity and expression through various assays.

Participant Demographics

Freshwater crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2172-9-58

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