Characterization of CaPKR-like Expression in Tissues from Crucian and Grass Carp

Double-stranded RNA activated protein kinase (PKR) is an important antiviral protein induced by interferon (IFN). PKR was discovered as the enzyme responsible for inhibition of protein synthesis. CaPKR-like is the first fish PKR-like gene isolated from crucian carp. In the present study, the expression of CaPKR-like in the tissues of crucian and grass carp were analyzed by Western blots. In both species, CaPKR-like had a very low level of constitutive expression in un-stimulated tissues, but was up-regulated in all tissues tested in animals stimulated with Poly I:C for seven days. The expression analysis revealed the same characterization of CaPKR-like as mammalian PKR genes.