Grouper TIA-1 functions as a crucial antiviral molecule against nervous necrosis virus infection

T-cell intracellular antigen (TIA)-1 is a prion-related RNA-binding protein involved in splicing and translational repression, and regulates translation in response to stress conditions by isolating target mRNAs in stress granules (SGs). However, little is known about the potential roles of fish TIA-1 and how it works in viral infection. In this study, the TIA-1 (EcTIA-1) homolog from orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) was cloned and characterized. The open reading frame (ORF) sequence of EcTIA-1 encoded a 388 amino acid protein with predicted molecular mass of 42.73 kDa. EcTIA-1 contains three conserved domains of RNA recognition motif (RRM) that may interact with RNA via its second and third RRMs. Overexpression of EcTIA-1 inhibited red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV) replication and positively regulated interferon immune response, which was increased by knockdown of EcTIA-1. RGNNV induced formation of SGs in cells with EcTIA-1 overexpression. These results provide a novel insight into understanding the roles of fish TIA-1 in response to RNA viruses.