Cloning and Characterization of Adiponectin Receptors in Rana amurensis During Aeromonas hydrophila Infection

Abstract

This study describes the cloning and characterization of adiponectin receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2), as well as the analysis of their mRNA and protein expression in Rana amurensis at different time points after Aeromonas hydrophila (Ah) infection. The open reading frame (ORF) sequences of AdipoR1 (1137 bp) and AdipoR2 (1164 bp) were successfully identified. The deduced amino acid sequences of AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 exhibited a closer genetic affinity to amphibians such as Rana temporaria and Bufo gargarizans than to nonamphibian species like Mus musculus and Danio rerio. For uninfected, clinically healthy R. amurensis, the expression levels of AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 mRNA was significantly higher in the kidney, muscle, and stomach (p < 0.05). Under Ah stress, the relative expression levels of AdipoR1 mRNA in the liver, lung, muscle, and stomach peaked at 16 h postinfection; however, the AdipoR2 mRNA in the lung, muscle, and stomach reached the maximum at 72 h. Our study suggests that AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 were localized on the surface of the cell membrane; at the same time, the expression of AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 in R. amurensis varied across different time points and tissues during Ah infection. This study is the first to investigate the AdipoRs genes of R. amurensis in cold high-latitude areas of China. It highlights the importance of AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 immune function and provides valuable insights for the conservation and sustainable utilization of R. amurensis.