A murrel interferon regulatory factor-1: molecular characterization, gene expression and cell protection activity

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Immunology
• Aquaculture

Background:

• Interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) are crucial in innate and adaptive immunity.
• Understanding fish IRFs is vital for aquaculture health and disease management.
• The striped murrel (Channa striatus) is an important food fish susceptible to infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and characterize the interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) from striped murrel (Channa striatus).
• To investigate the expression patterns and immune-related functions of Murrel IRF-1.
• To explore the potential of Murrel IRF-1 as a therapeutic agent against microbial infections in fish.

Main Methods:

• cDNA library construction and internal sequencing for Murrel IRF-1 identification.
• Homologous and phylogenetic analyses to compare Murrel IRF-1 with other fish IRFs.
• Secondary and tertiary structure prediction (I-Tasser, PyMol).
• Gene expression analysis in response to pathogenic microbes and viral RNA analog (poly I:C).
• Cell protection assays to evaluate immune regulatory functions.

Main Results:

• The first murrel IRF-1 (Murrel IRF-1) was identified, possessing characteristic IRF domains (DNA binding, nuclear localization, transactivation).
• Phylogenetic analysis showed Murrel IRF-1 clustering with other fish IRF-1s.
• Murrel IRF-1 gene expression was highest in spleen and induced by Aphanomyces invadans, Aeromonas hydrophila, and poly I:C.
• Cell protection assays indicated Murrel IRF-1 regulates early defense responses in C. striatus.

Conclusions:

• Murrel IRF-1 plays a significant role in the immune defense of striped murrel against microbial pathogens.
• Murrel IRF-1 is a promising candidate for developing therapeutic strategies to combat infections in aquaculture.
• Further research into the proteomic-level interferon signaling in murrels is warranted.