VP37 of white spot syndrome virus interact with shrimp cells.

AIMS

To investigate VP37 [WSV 254 of White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) genome] interacting with shrimp cells and protecting shrimp against WSSV infection.

METHODS AND RESULTS

VP37 was expressed in Escherichia coli and was confirmed by Western blotting. Virus overlay protein binding assay (VOPBA) technique was used to analyse the rVP37 interaction with shrimp and the results showed that rVP37 interacted with shrimp cell membrane. Binding assay of recombinant VP37 with shrimp cell membrane by ELISA confirmed that purified rVP37 had a high-binding activity with shrimp cell membrane. Binding of rVP37 to shrimp cell membrane was a dose-dependent. Competition ELISA result showed that the envelope protein VP37 could compete with WSSV to bind to shrimp cells. In vivo inhibition experiment showed that rVP37 provided 40% protection. Inhibition of virus infection by rVP37 in primary cell culture revealed that rVP37 counterparted virus infection within the experiment period.

CONCLUSIONS

VP37 has been successfully expressed in E. coli. VP37 interacted with shrimp cells.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The results suggest that rVP37 has a potential application in prevention of virus infection.