# Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the STAT Family in Reeve’s Turtle (Mauremys reevesii)

## TL;DR

This study identifies and analyzes the STAT gene family in Reeve’s Turtle, finding that Stat5b is involved in immune responses.

## Contribution

The study reports the genome-wide identification and immune-related expression analysis of the STAT family in a reptile species.

## Key findings

- Eight putative Stat genes were identified in the genome of Mauremys reevesii.
- Stat5b showed the most significant upregulation in spleen tissues after LPS administration.
- Immunofluorescence confirmed Stat5b expression in spleen tissue cells.

## Abstract

The Stat (signal transducer and activator of transcription) gene family plays a vital role in regulating immunity and the processes of cellular proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis across diverse organisms. Although the functions of Stat genes in immunity have been extensively documented in many mammals, limited data are available for reptiles. We used phylogenetic analysis to identify eight putative members of the Stat family (Stat1-1, Stat1-2, Stat2, Stat3, Stat4, Stat5b, Stat6-1, and Stat6-2) within the genome of M.
reevesii, a freshwater turtle found in East Asia. Sequence analysis showed that the Stat genes contain four conserved structural domains protein interaction domain, coiled-coil domain, DNA-binding domain, and Src homology domain 2. In addition, Stat1, Stat2, and Stat6 contain TAZ2bind, Apolipo_F, and TALPID3 structural domains. The mRNA levels of Stat genes were upregulated in spleen tissues at 4, 8, 12, and 16 h after administration of lipopolysaccharide, a potent activator of the immune system. Stat5b expression at 12-h LPS post-injection exhibited the most substantial difference from the control. The expression of Stat5b in spleen tissue cellular was verified by immunofluorescence. These results suggest that Stat5b plays a role in the immune response of M.
reevesii and may prove to be as a positive marker of an immune response in future studies.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10528-024-10820-7.