School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China.
BMC Mol Biol. 2010 Sep 16;11:71. doi: 10.1186/1471-2199-11-71.
Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs), small cytosolic proteins that function in the uptake and utilization of fatty acids, have been extensively studied in higher vertebrates while invertebrates have received little attention despite similar nutritional requirements during periods of reproductive activity.
Therefore, a cDNA encoding Eriocheir sinensis FABP (Es-FABP) was cloned based upon EST analysis of a hepatopancreas cDNA library. The full length cDNA was 750 bp and encoded a 131 aa polypeptide that was highly homologous to related genes reported in shrimp. The 9108 bp Es-FABP gene contained four exons that were interrupted by three introns, a genomic organization common among FABP multigene family members in vertebrates. Gene expression analysis, as determined by RT-PCR, revealed the presence of Es-FABP transcripts in hepatopancreas, hemocytes, ovary, gills, muscle, thoracic ganglia, heart, and intestine, but not stomach or eyestalk. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that Es-FABP expression in ovary, hemocytes, and hepatopancreas was dependent on the status of ovarian development, with peak expression observed in January.
Evidence provided in the present report supports a role of Es-FABP in lipid transport during the period of rapid ovarian growth in E. sinensis, and indirectly confirms the participation of the hepatopancreas, ovary, and hemocytes in lipid nutrient absorption and utilization processes.
脂肪酸结合蛋白（FABP）是一种小型胞质蛋白，在脂肪酸的摄取和利用中起作用，在高等脊椎动物中得到了广泛研究，而在无脊椎动物中，尽管在生殖活动期间有类似的营养需求，但却很少受到关注。
因此，根据对中华绒螯蟹肝胰腺 cDNA 文库的 EST 分析，克隆了编码中华绒螯蟹 FABP（Es-FABP）的 cDNA。全长 cDNA 为 750bp，编码 131 个 aa 多肽，与虾中报道的相关基因高度同源。9108bp 的 Es-FABP 基因包含四个外显子，由三个内含子打断，这是脊椎动物 FABP 多基因家族成员的常见基因组组织。通过 RT-PCR 进行的基因表达分析显示，Es-FABP 转录本存在于肝胰腺、血细胞、卵巢、鳃、肌肉、胸神经节、心脏和肠道中，但不存在于胃或眼柄中。实时定量 RT-PCR 分析显示，Es-FABP 在卵巢、血细胞和肝胰腺中的表达依赖于卵巢发育状况，1 月达到峰值。
本报告提供的证据支持 Es-FABP 在中华绒螯蟹卵巢快速生长期间在脂质转运中的作用，并间接证实了肝胰腺、卵巢和血细胞参与脂质营养吸收和利用过程。
