Identification of TIR-Domain Containing Genes and Proteins in the Moon (Aurelia Aurita) and Comb Jellyfish (Mnemiopsis Leidyi)

The discovery of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in Drosophila and their subsequent discovery in humans has piqued the scientific community\u27s interest in their evolution. Marine invertebrates are now starting to become model organisms for the evolution of immunity and for immunological disease therapeutics. This study sought to determine the identification of a TLR receptor in the comb jellyfish and moon jellyfish by using probes and antibodies specific to the TIR (intracellular) and LRR (extracellular) domain of the canonical Drosophila TLR1 receptor. Western blots using these two antibodies as well as competitive inhibition assays were run. Southern blots using the Drosophila TIR and LRR domains as probes were also run. The results of these experiments suggest that both comb and moon jellyfish may have one or several TIR-domain containing genes. Data such as these can be applied to research developments in the field of evolutionary invertebrate immunology and may be used to assess immune function and disease resistance in these animals