Molecular cloning of sea perch (Lateolabrax japonicus ) TLR1 and analysis of its expression pattern after stimulation with various bacteria

Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) play an indispensable role in fish immunity, being involved in pathogen recognition and the triggering of immune reactions. Here, a member of the TLR family, TLR1, from Lateolabrax japonicus was characterized and its expression pattern and intracellular localization were analysed. The full‐length LjTLR1 cDNA (2,755 bp) was found to encode a polypeptide of 827 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence contained three main structural domains: an extracellular leucine‐rich repeat domain, a transmembrane domain and a Toll/IL‐1 receptor domain. Tissue distribution analysis indicated that LjTLR1 was expressed in all of the examined tissues to varying degrees, with the highest levels being measured in the head kidney. In order to assess the antibacterial functions of LjTLR1 during infection, the pathogenic bacteria Vibrio harveyi and Streptococcus agalactiae were used. LjTLR1 was significantly upregulated in the three immune organs (the head kidney, spleen and liver) following bacterial stimulation, and its expression was detected 6 hr after initial exposure. In mRNA in situ hybridization experiments, positive signals were more numerous in the treatment group than the control group, verifying the expression patterns observed. Assessment of the intracellular localization of LjTLR1 revealed it to be present in the cytoplasm. These results indicate the potential role of LjTLR1 in immune responses to bacterial infection. This study enriches our knowledge of L. japonicus immune genes and provides a theoretical basis for further research concerning the antibacterial functions of fish TLRs during infection.