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Abstract The Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) signalling pathway plays a significant role in immune responses to pathogens. In invertebrates, three core components (Domeless, Hopscotch and STAT92E) of the JAK/STAT pathway were first identified in Drosophila melanogaster. In the present study, we report the cloning and characterisation of DOME, JAK and STAT from Eriocheir sinensis. Es DOME, Es JAK and Es STAT are 1299, 1110 and 794 amino acid proteins encoded by 4200, 3333 and 2385 bp open reading frames, respectively. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that all three share specific domains with corresponding functions. Quantitative real-time PCR showed that all three components were highly expressed in various tissues including the gill, hepatopancreas and hemocytes. Moreover, Es DOME, Es JAK and Es STAT were upregulated significantly in hemocytes after bacterial challenge. In addition, the JAK/STAT signalling pathway positively regulates antimicrobial peptide expression during the antibacterial immune response. Thus, the JAK/STAT pathway plays a critical role in bacterial immune responses in E. sinensis. Highlights • DOME, JAK and STAT from Eriocheir sinensis were cloned and characterised. • All three JAK/STAT pathway components have conserved domains and functions. • All three proteins are highly expressed in gill, hepatopancreas and hemocytes. • All three proteins are upregulated by bacterial challenge. • The JAK/STAT pathway stimulates antimicrobial peptide expression in E. sinensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]