Molecular characterization and expression of CD96 in red seabream (Pagrus major)

CD96 is a membrane-bound receptor discovered in humans in 1992 that is mainly present in natural killer cells and T cells derived from haematopoietic cells and performs immune functions. Based on the sequence of CD96 obtained from red seabream (Pagrus major), phylogenetic analysis with other species, infections of normal fish, Streptococcus iniae and red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV), and expression analysis was conducted using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Phylogenetic analysis showed the highest homology with Sparus aurata, and multiple sequence analysis confirmed the conservation of major domains between different fish species. Normal fish high expression results were confirmed in the head kidney, and spleen, which are the haematopoietic organs of the fish. High expression levels were confirmed in the gills, liver, spleen, and kidney on day three after RSIV infection. After S. iniae infection, high expression was confirmed in the gills and liver on day one, and high expression was confirmed in the spleen from 12 hours. These results show that PmCD96 functions as an immune gene in P. major and is considered a basic research case for CD96 in fish’s hematopoietic organ immune system.