Evaluation on the transcription level of some genes related to the shrimp innate immune responses to the VP28 antigen of white spot syndrome virus

Abstract

Shrimp is a crustacean species that just has an innate immune system against invading pathogens mainly using enzymes of the phagocytosis system. The phagocytosis process of shrimp is mainly performed by some components of G protein family including Ras-like GTPase (Rho) and Ran binding protein (Ran). In this study, the authors use RT-PCR technique to amplify a specific Rho and Ran genes, those are genetically related to the phagocytic mechanism of shrimp. Initial results show that shrimp fed with food contained VP28-antigen spores (CotBVP28, a product of the Key Laboratory of Enzyme and Protein Technology, VNU University of Science) indicates an increase in Rho mRNA expression level over time at 7, 14 and 28 days around 1.7, 2.7 and 3 folds, respectively. This is consistent with the protection efficiency against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) which is over 75%. Whereas, there is no change in Ran mRNA expression level at the same experiment condition. This result is promising a potential of using Rho as a molecular marker for assessing the impacts of probiotics on the shrimp immune system by RT-PCR method.