Antiviral genes in fish and their potential use in aquaculture: Emphasis on Japanese flounder, <i>Paralichthys olivaceus</i>

Abstract

Viral diseases pose serious threat in aquaculture systems because they affect fish throughout their life stages. The identification and functional characterization of interferons, interferon-inducible genes and transcriptional factors in some species of fish showed the potential use of these antiviral genes for biotechnological applications to combat viral infections. This paper summarizes the studies conducted on an interferon-inducible gene, the Myxovirus resistance (Mx) protein and a transcriptional factor, the interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) in a flatfish, Paralichthys olivaceus. These genes possessed antiviral activity and mediate immune response during virus infections. Hence these genes and other putative antiviral genes in other species of fish, particularly warm-water aquaculture species should be characterized of their antiviral functions.