Characterization and expression analyses of five interferon regulatory factor transcripts (Irf4a, Irf4b, Irf7, Irf8, Irf10) in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Issue 1 (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Inkpen, Sabrina M.; Hori, Tiago S.; Gamperl, A. Kurt; Nash, Gordon W.; Rise, Matthew L.
• Is Part Of: Fish & shellfish immunology. Volume 44:Issue 1(2015:May)
• Page Start: 365
• Page End: 381
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Fishes -- Immunology -- Periodicals; Shellfish -- Immunology -- Periodicals; Poissons -- Immunologie -- Périodiques; Crustacés -- Immunologie -- Périodiques; 571.9617
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2015.02.032
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1050-4648

Abstract

<abstract xml:lang="en" abstract-type="author" id="abs0010"> <title id="sectitle0010">Abstract</title> <sec> <p id="abspara0010">The interferon regulatory factor (IRF) family of genes encodes a group of transcription factors that have important roles not only in regulating the expression of Type I interferons (IFNs) and other genes in the IFN pathway, but also in growth, development and the regulation of oncogenesis. In this study, several IRF family members (<italic>Irf4a, Irf4b, Irf7, Irf8, Irf10</italic>) in Atlantic cod (<italic>Gadus morhua</italic>) were characterized at the cDNA and putative amino acid levels, allowing for phylogenetic analysis of these proteins in teleost fish, as well as the development of gene-specific primers used in RT-PCR and quantitative PCR (QPCR) analyses. Two Atlantic cod <italic>Irf10</italic> splice variants were identified and their presence confirmed by sequencing of the <italic>Irf10</italic> genomic region. RT-PCR showed that <italic>Irf7, Irf8</italic> and both <italic>Irf10</italic> transcripts were expressed in all 15 cod tissues tested, while <italic>Irf4a</italic> and <italic>Irf4b</italic> were absent in some tissues. QPCR analysis of spleen expression expanded upon this, and upon previous work. All IRF transcripts in the study were responsive to stimulation by the viral mimic poly(I:C), and all except <italic>Irf4a</italic> were responsive to exposure to formalin-killed <italic>Aeromonas salmonicida</italic> (ASAL). These IRF genes, thus, are likely important in the cod immune response to both viral and bacterial infections. Increased temperature (10 °C to 16 °C) was also observed to modulate the antibacterial responses of all IRF transcripts, and the antiviral responses of <italic>Irf4b</italic> and <italic>Irf10-v2</italic>. This research supports earlier studies which reported that elevated temperature modulates the expression of many immune genes in Atlantic cod.</p> </sec> </abstract>