Fish viperin exerts a conserved antiviral function through RLR-triggered IFN signaling pathway.

•Crucian carp viperin is induced at mRNA and protein levels by fish IFNs, IFN stimuli and signaling molecules.•Crucian carp viperin promoter is activated by two types of fish IFNs, IFN stimuli and all kinds of signaling molecules.•Intracellular poly(I:C) upregulates crucian carp viperin through RLR-triggered IFN signaling pathway.•Crucian carp viperin is able to inhibit GCRV replication in cultured fish cells.