Abstract
In this study, the cDNA sequence encoding interleukin‐1 ( Il ‐1) receptor‐like protein of orange‐spotted grouper Epinephelus coioides was obtained. The newly identified sequence was named soluble type I Il ‐1 receptor ( sIl‐1rI ) owing to its structural composition, which had two Ig‐like domains, lack of transmembrane region and the Toll/interleukin‐1 receptor ( TIR ) domain, similar to the brown rat Rattus norvegicus soluble Il‐1rI . In addition, sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis indicated that E. coioides sequence had a closer relationship with Il‐1rI than Il‐1rII . Real‐time PCR revealed that sil‐1rI mRNA expression presented a process of decrease, restoration and increase in Cryptocaryon irritans ‐infected E. coioides . The negative correlation between Il ‐1β and sil‐1rI mRNA in C. irritans ‐infected head‐kidney implied the potential negative regulatory role of sil‐1rI in E. coioides Il ‐1 system. The leucocytes incubated with lipopolysaccharide or polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid exhibited different expression profiles of sil‐1rI . Recombinant Il ‐1β ( rIl ‐1β) protein was capable of inducing sil‐1rI mRNA under the concentration of 100 ng ml −1 , suggesting that high dosage or excess Il ‐1β would stimulate the expression of sil‐1rI to maintain the homoeostasis of E. coioides Il ‐1 system. For the first time, the role of teleost Il‐1rI in parasite infection has been identified, and soluble Il‐1r was found in fish.