Zebrafish NLRC5 has a monopartite NLS, and localizes in the entire cell including the nucleus. Zebrafish NLRC5 was detected at the early stages of development with higher expression in embryo than in larvae. Zebrafish NLRC5 was induced by both bacterial and viral infection. Zebrafish NLRC5 is involved in IFN-independent antiviral response. Zebrafish NLRC5 functions as a transcriptional regulator of MHC class II genes.