Development of in situ hybridization and RT-PCR assay for the detection of a nodavirus (PvNV) that causes muscle necrosis in Penaeus vannamei

A nodavirus (tentatively named PvNV, Penaeus vannamei nodavirus) that causes muscle necrosis in P. vannamei was found in Belize in 2004. From 2004 to 2006, shrimp samples collected from Belize exhibited clinical signs, white, opaque lesions in the tails and histopathology similar to those of shrimps infected by infectious myonecrosis virus (IMNV). Histological examination revealed multifocal necrosis and hemocytic fibrosis in the skeletal muscle. In addition, basophilic, cytoplasmic inclusions were found in striated muscle, lymphoid organ and connective tissues. However, IMNV was not detected in these shrimps by either RT-PCR or in situ hybridization, suggesting that these lesions may be caused by another RNA virus. Thus, a cDNA library was constructed from total RNA extracted from hemolymph collected from infected shrimp. One clone (designated PvNV-4) with a 928 bp insert was sequenced and found to be similar (69% similarity when comparing the translated amino acid sequences) to the capsid protein gene of MrNV (Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus). The insert of PvNV-4 was labeled with digoxigenin-11-deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) and hybridized to tissue sections of P. vannamei with muscle necrosis collected in Belize and from laboratory bioassays. The samples were positive for PvNV infection. Positively reacting tissues included skeletal muscle, connective tissues, the lymphoid organ, and hemocytes in the heart and gills. In addition, we experimentally infected both P. vannamei and P. monodon with PvNV prepared from Belize samples. A nested RT-PCR assay developed from the PvNV-4 cloned sequence showed that both species are susceptible to PvNV infection.     

Characterization of Argonaute2 gene from black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) and its responses to immune challenges

Argonaute2 binds to a short guide RNA (microRNA or short interfering RNA) and guides RNAs direct RISC to complementary mRNAs that are targets for RISC-mediated gene silencing. Here we identified and characterized Argonaute2 from black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon (designated as PmAgo2). The full-length cDNA of PmAgo2 contained a 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of 106 bp, an open reading frame (ORF) of 2616 bp and a 3′ UTR of 123 bp. The predicted PmAgo2 protein is 99.4 KDa with the theoretical isoelectric point of 9.54. PmAgo2 shared the highest similarity of amino acid with Marsupenaeus japonicus Argonaute2 and Litopenaeus vannamei Argonaute2, at 69.0% and 68.5%, respectively. Phylogenic analysis showed PmAgo2 clustered with shrimp Argonaute2, and closed to the group of insects. Real-time quantitative PCR showed that PmAgo2 was widely expressed in almost all examined tissues except eyestalk, with high expression in lymph and haemocyte. mRNA expression also revealed that PmAgo2 was significantly up-regulated by Staphylococcus aureus and White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) in hepatopancreas. Furthermore, our study also confirmed that dsRNA and ssRNA homologous poly (I:C) and R848 activated the expression of PmAgo2. The result indicated that PmAgo2 responded to both bacterial infection and viral infection, especially, it may induce an ssRNA-mediated RNAi with other core members of siRNA pathway in black tiger shrimp.     

Ultrastructure of the replication site in Taura syndrome virus (TSV)-infected cells

Taura syndrome virus (TSV) is a member of the family Dicistroviridae that infects Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (also called Penaeus vannamei), and its replication strategy is largely unknown. To identify the viral replication site within infected shrimp cells, the viral RNA was located in correlation with virus-induced membrane rearrangement. Ultrastructural changes in the infected cells, analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), included the induction and proliferation of intracellular vesicle-like membranes, while the intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies and pyknotic nuclei indicative of TSV infection were frequently seen. TSV plus-strand RNA, localized by electron microscopic in situ hybridization (EM-ISH) using TSV-specific cDNA probes, was found to be associated with the membranous structures. Moreover, TSV particles were observed in infected cells by TEM, and following EM-ISH, they were also seen in close association with the proliferating membranes. Taken together, our results suggest that the membranous vesicle-like structures carry the TSV RNA replication complex and that they are the site of nascent viral RNA synthesis. Further investigations on cellular origins and biochemical compositions of these membranous structures will elucidate the morphogenesis and propagation strategy of TSV.     

日本对虾(Marsupenaeys japonicus)HsP70基因cDNA的克隆与序列分析

根据中国明对虾(Fenneropenaeuschinensis)Hsp70的cDNA序列及日本对虾(Marsupenaeusjaponicus)Hsp70cDNA序列片段设计引物,用RT-PCR方法,从经热休克处理的日本对虾鳃总RNA中克隆到长1992bp的Hsp70cDNA序列,包括长1959bp的完整编码序列(CDS)。根据编码序列推导出相应的652个氨基酸,与其他真核生物Hsp70家族成员进行同源性比较,发现与凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeusvannamei)、斑节对虾(PinaeusmonodonFabricius)、中国明对虾(Penaeuschinesis)的相似度分别为99.5%、99.4%、99.4%,与日本沼虾(Macrobrachiumnipponense)和罗氏沼虾(M.rosenbergii)的相似度分别为93.7%和92.9%,与虹鳟(Oncorhynchusmykiss)、原鸡(Callusgallus)、家鼠(Musmusculus)和人(Homosapiens)的相似度为89.2%、85.4%、88.3%和88.3%,表现出较高的保守性。分析表明所得到的日本对虾Hsp70是一种Dnak亚家族类型的细胞质Hsp70,拥有完整的N端ATP酶结构域(约45kDa)、底物肽结合结构域(18kDa)及C端结构域(10kDa)。以上结果说明我们所得到的序列是一条包含完整CDS的Hsp70基因序列。     

A new type of Kazal proteinase inhibitor related to shrimp Penaeus (Litopenaeus) vannamei immunity

A clone encoding a four-Kazal domain-containing protein was isolated from the hemostats of a Penaeus vannamei cDNA library. The full-length cDNA sequence is 975 bp in length and encodes a 24.4 kDa protein (228 residues). Four Kazal domains, each 43-46 residues in length, were detected in the deduced primary structure. The first, third and fourth domains have the CPLREELPVC, CPAVYDPVC and CPLYVDPVC motifs, respectively, suggesting that they are able to inhibit chymotrypsin and elastase. The mRNA levels of the Kazal protein were modified after the injection of Vibrio alginolyticus, indicating the probable role of this protein in the immune response. All these characteristics are similar to previously reported shrimp Kazal, however, based on both domain architecture and expression profile following Vibrio stimulation, this protein represents a new type of Kazal inhibitor associated with shrimp immunity.     

Characterization of a rediscovered haplosporidian parasite from cultured Penaeus vannamei

Mortalities of Penaeus vannamei, cultured in ponds in Belize, Central America, began during the last part of the grow-out cycle during the cold weather months from September 2004 through February 2005. Tissue squashes of infected hepatopancreata and histological examination of infected shrimp revealed that the mortalities might have been caused by an endoparasite. To confirm the diagnosis, DNA was extracted from ethanol preserved hepatopancreata and the small-subunit rRNA gene was sequenced. The 1838 bp sequence was novel and phylogenetic analysis placed the P. vannamei parasite within the phylum Haplosporidia as a sister taxon to a clade that includes Bonamia and Minchinia species. In situ hybridization was performed using anti-sense DNA probes that were designed to hybridize specifically with the parasite's nucleic acid. This organism presents similar characteristics to those of a haplosporidian that infected cultured P. vannamei imported from Nicaragua into Cuba, as described by Dyková et al. (1988; Fish Dis 11:15-22).     

Quantitative role of shrimp fecal bacteria in organic matter fluxes in a recirculating shrimp aquaculture system

Microorganisms play integral roles in the cycling of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) for fish and shellfish production. We quantified the pathways of shrimp fecal bacterial activities and their role in C- and N-flux partitioning relevant to culturing Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus (Litopenaeus) vannamei, in RAS. Freshly produced feces from P. vannamei contained 0.6-7 × 10(10) bacteria g(-1) dry wt belonging to Bacteroidetes (7%), Alphaproteobacteria (4%), and, within the Gammaproteobacteria, almost exclusively to the genus Vibrio (61%). Because of partial disintegration of the feces (up to 27% within 12 h), the experimental seawater became inoculated with fecal bacteria. Bacteria grew rapidly in the feces and in the seawater, and exhibited high levels of aminopeptidase, chitinase, chitobiase, alkaline phosphatase, α- and β-glucosidase, and lipase activities. Moreover, fecal bacteria enriched the protein content of the feces within 12 h, potentially enriching the feces for the coprophagous shrimp. The bacterial turnover time was much faster in feces (1-10 h) than in mature RAS water (350 h). Thus, shrimp fecal bacteria not only inoculate RAS water but also contribute to bacterial abundance and productivity, and regulate system processes important for shrimp health.