Identification of a novel C-type lectin gene in Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus

A novel C-type lectin of Japanese flounder (JFCTL) was identified among Japanese flounder liver EST. Of 2083 of Japanese flounder liver ESTs in the GenBank database, 48 were identical to JFCTL, suggesting that JFCTL is abundantly produced in liver. JFCTL cDNA contains an open reading frame of 642 bp encoding 214 amino acids. A C-type lectin domain was conserved in the deduced amino acid sequence. The protein showed homology to transmembrane-type C-type lectin receptors rather than the soluble C-type lectin so far reported, but it was predicted to be a secreted protein. Transcription of JFCTL was restricted to the liver. Although the mRNA was not induced after the treatment of fish with formalin-killed Edwardsiella tarda, expression was higher at 20 °C than at 10 °C.