The molecular cloning and characteristics of a fibrinogen-related protein (TfFREP1) gene from roughskin sculpin (Trachidermus fasciatus)

Fibrinogen-related proteins are a family of glycoproteins containing fibrinogen-like domains. Many members of these proteins play important roles in innate immune responses. We isolated a fibrinogen-related protein gene (TfFREP1) from roughskin sculpin (Trachidermus fasciatus). The TfFREP1 encoded a protein of 264 amino acids, including 231 amino acids with fibrinogen-like domains. Both quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis showed that TfFREP1 was mainly expressed in skin and gill tissues of T. fasciatus. The expression level of TfFREP1 was upregulated at both mRNA and protein levels after stimulation of lipopolysaccharide. These results suggest that TfFREP1 may be involved in T. fasciatus immune reaction.