Expression and functional characterization of interferon regulatory factors 4, 8, and 9 in large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea).

Interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-4, 8, and 9 are essential in host defense against pathogens. Here, the full-length coding sequence (CDS), protein structure, and immune response of IRF4/8/9 (lc IRF4/8/9) were characterized in large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea). The open reading frame of lcIRF4, lcIRF8 and lcIRF9 encoded putative proteins of 463,422 and 406 amino acids, respectively.