Data on molecular characterization and expression of the C-reactive protein (CRP) gene from rock bream, Oplegnathus fasciatus

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a member of the pentraxin family and is an acute-phase response to plasma protein; its level in blood increases rapidly in response to trauma, inflammation, and infection. In the present study, we analysed the molecular characteristics of the Oplegnathus fasciatus CRP (RbCRP) gene sequence using multiple alignments and phylogenetic analyses of the deduced amino acids. In addition, we also examined RbCRP gene expression in rock bream infected with the pathogens Edwardsiella piscicida (E. piscicida), Streptococcus iniae (S. iniae) or red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV) and in healthy rock bream individuals. In healthy individuals, RbCRP was ubiquitously expressed in all 14 tested tissues, mainly in the trunk kidney and head kidney. Expression of RbCRP was notably upregulated in the spleen and whole kidney after RSIV infection. This study can provide basic data on the innate immune system of the rock bream to viral and microbial infections.