White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is one of the most important pathogens that endanger the global shrimp aquaculture. Studies have confirmed that in the early stage of infection, VP28, the main envelope protein of WSSV...White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is one of the most important pathogens that endanger the global shrimp aquaculture. Studies have confirmed that in the early stage of infection, VP28, the main envelope protein of WSSV, is used as a viral adhesion protein to bind PcRab7 of Penaeus chinensis, helping virus enter the host cells, resulting in shrimp infection. Hence, inhibition of envelope protein VP28 would be a novel way to deal with the infection. Peptide 2E6 was confirmed to have a high specificity and blocked virus infection. However, the mechanism by which it combines with VP28 is not clear. Clarifying the binding mechanism between peptides and VP28 is of great significance for further optimization and screening of antiviral peptides. In this research, the MD simulation and binding free energy analysis were implemented to validate and capture intermolecular interactions aims to clarify the blocking mechanism.展开更多
White spot syndrome virus(WSSV) is an important viral pathogen that infects farmed penaeid shrimp, and the threat of Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection to shrimp farming has become increasingly severe. Viral and bacter...White spot syndrome virus(WSSV) is an important viral pathogen that infects farmed penaeid shrimp, and the threat of Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection to shrimp farming has become increasingly severe. Viral and bacterial cross or superimposed infections may induce higher shrimp mortality. We used a feeding method to infect L itopenaeus vannamei with WSSV and then injected a low dose of V. parahaemolyticus(WSSV+Vp), or we fi rst infected L. vannamei with a low-dose injection of V. parahaemolyticus and then fed the shrimp WSSV to achieve viral infection(Vp+WSSV). The effect of V. parahaemolyticus and WSSV co-infection on survival of L. vannamei was evaluated by comparing cumulative mortality rates between experimental and control groups. We also spread L. vannamei hemolymph on thiosulfate citrate bile salt sucrose agar plates to determine the number of V ibrio, and the WSSV copy number in L. vannamei gills was determined using an absolute quantitative polymerase chain reaction(PCR) method. L v My D88 and Lvakt gene expression levels were detected in gills of L. vannamei by real-time PCR to determine the cause of the different mortality rates. Our results show that(1) the cumulative mortality rate of L. vannamei in the WSSV+Vp group reached 100% on day 10 after WSSV infection, whereas the cumulative mortality rate of L. vannamei in the Vp+WSSV group and the WSSV-alone control group approached 100% on days 11 and 13 of infection;(2) the number of Vibrio in the L. vannamei group infected with V. parahaemolyticus alone declined gradually, whereas the other groups showed signifi cant increases in the numbers of Vibrio( P <0.05);(3) the WSSV copy numbers in the gills of the WSSV+Vp, Vp+WSSV, and the WSSV-alone groups increased from 10 5 to 10 7 /mg tissue 72, 96, and 144 h after infection, respectively. These results suggest that V. parahaemolyticus infection accelerated proliferation of WSSV in L. vannamei and vice versa. The combined accelerated proliferation of both V. parahaemolyticus and WSSV led to massive death of L. vannamei.展开更多
The peritrophic membrane plays an important role in the defense system of the arthropod gut. The digestive tract is considered one of the major tissues targeted by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in shrimp. In this...The peritrophic membrane plays an important role in the defense system of the arthropod gut. The digestive tract is considered one of the major tissues targeted by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in shrimp. In this study, the nucleotide sequence encoding peritrophin-like protein of Litopenaeus vannamei (LvPT) was amplified from a yeast two-hybrid library of L. vannamei. The epitope peptide of LvPT was predicted with the GenScript OptimumAntigenTM design tool. An anti-LvPT polyclonal antibody was produced and shown to specifically bind a band at -27 kDa, identified as LvPT. The LvPT protein was expressed and its concentration determined. LvPT dsRNA (4 pg per shrimp) was used to inhibit LvPT expression in shrimp, and a WSSV challenge experiment was then performed with reverse gavage. The pleopods, stomachs, and guts were collected from the shrimp at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h post-infection (hpi). Viral load quantification showed that the levels of WSSV were significantly lower in the pleopods, stomachs, and guts of shrimp after LvPT dsRNA interference than in those of the controls at 48 and 72 hpi. Our results imply that LvPT plays an important role during WSSV infection of the digestive tract.展开更多
A rebuilt vector pCANTAB 5 EE was obtained by inserting a 34 bp double-stranded oligonucleotide which contained a EcoRV recognition sequence into pCANTAB 5 E. White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) genome DNA was fragment...A rebuilt vector pCANTAB 5 EE was obtained by inserting a 34 bp double-stranded oligonucleotide which contained a EcoRV recognition sequence into pCANTAB 5 E. White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) genome DNA was fragmented by sonication to isolate fragments mainly in the range of 0.8 ~2.0 kb, then the fragments were blunt-ended with T4 DNA polymerase and cloned into the EcoRV site of pCANTAB 5 EE. The primary recombinant clone of the library was 3.0 × 10^5.Colony PCR of random selected recombinants showed that the size of the inserts was 0.12 ~ 1.77 kb. After the whole library recombinant phages infected Escherichia coli HB2151 cells, the extracellular and periplasmic extracts were dropped on PVDF membranes to perform dot blot, using polyclonal mouse anti-VP24 serum,anti-WSV026 serum,anti-WSV063 serum,anti-WSV069 serum,anti-WSV112 serum, anti WSV238 serum,anti-WSV303 serum and anti-VP26 serum as the primary antibody, respectively. The results showed that the display library could express the viral proteins.展开更多
Detecting white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in shrimp in high efficiency and veracity is important for disease prevention in aquaculture. Antibody-based mieroarray is a novel proteomic technology that can meet the re...Detecting white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in shrimp in high efficiency and veracity is important for disease prevention in aquaculture. Antibody-based mieroarray is a novel proteomic technology that can meet the requirements. In this study, we developed an antibody microarray for WSSV-detection in a specific and parallel way at multiple samples. First, seven slides each with different modifications were characterized by atomic force microscope, and were compared in the efficiency of immobilizing proteins. Of the seven, 3-dimensional structured agarose gel-modified slides were chosen appropriate for the microarray for having higher signal value and superior spot size. A purified rabbit anti-WSSV antibody was arrayed as the capture antibody of the microarray on the agarose gel-modified slides, and then the mieroarray slides were incubated in the tissue homogenate of sampled shrimp and the antibody-antigen complex was detected by Cy3-conjugated anti-WSSV monoclonal antibody. The results were measured by a laser chipscanner and analyzed with software. To obtain satisfied fluorescence signal intensity, optimal conditions were searched. The detection limit of the antibody microarray for WSSV is 0.62μg/mL, with a woven long shelf life for 6 months at 4℃ or 8 months at -20℃. Furthermore, concordance between antibody microarray and traditional indirect ELISA reached 100% for WSSV detection. These results suggest that the antibody microarray could be served as an effective tool for diagnostic and epidemiological studies of WSSV.展开更多
White spot syndrome virus (WSSV), a unique member within the virus family Nimaviridae, is the most notorious aquatic virus infecting shrimp and other crustaceans and has caused enormous economic losses in the shrimp f...White spot syndrome virus (WSSV), a unique member within the virus family Nimaviridae, is the most notorious aquatic virus infecting shrimp and other crustaceans and has caused enormous economic losses in the shrimp farming industry worldwide. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of WSSV morphogenesis, structural proteins, and replication is essential for developing prevention measures of this serious parasite. The viral genome is approximately 300kb and contains more than 180 open reading frames (ORF). However, most of proteins encoded by these ORF have not been characterized. Due to the importance of WSSV structural proteins in the composition of the virion structure, infection process and interaction with host cells, knowledge of structural proteins is essential to understanding WSSV entry and infection as well as for exploring effective prevention measures. This review article summarizes mainly current investigations on WSSV structural proteins including the relative quantities, localization, function and protein-protein interactions. Traditional proteomic studies of 1D or 2D gel electrophoresis separations and mass spectrometry (MS) followed by database searches have identified a total of 39 structural proteins. Shotgun proteomics and iTRAQ were initiated to identify more structural proteins. To date, it is estimated that WSSV is assembled by at least 59 structural proteins, among them 35 are defined as the envelope fraction (including tegument proteins) and 9 as nucleocapsid proteins. Furthermore, the interaction within several major structural proteins has also been investigated. This identitification and characterization of WSSV protein components should help in the understanding of the viral assembly process and elucidate the roles of several major structural proteins.展开更多
White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is one of the major shrimp pathogens causing large economic losses to shrimp farming. In an attempt to identify the envelope proteins involved in the virus infection, purified WSSV v...White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is one of the major shrimp pathogens causing large economic losses to shrimp farming. In an attempt to identify the envelope proteins involved in the virus infection, purified WSSV virions were mixed with three antisera against WSSV envelope proteins (VP39, VP124 and VP187 ), individually. And then they were injected intramuscularly into crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) to conduct in vivo neutralization assays. The results showed that for groups injected with virions only and groups injected with the mixture of virions and antiserum against VP124, the crayfish mortalities were 100% and 60% on the 8th day postinfection, individually. The virus infection could be delayed or neutralized by antibody against the envelope protein VP124. Quantitative PCR was used to further investigate the influence of three antisera described above on the virus infection. The results showed that the antiserum against VP124 could restrain the propagation of WSSV in crayfish. All of the results suggested that the viral envelope protein VP124 played a role in WSSV infection.展开更多
The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of gamma irradiation on white spot syndrome virus (WS SV). White spot syndrome virus is a pathogen of major economic importance in cultured penaeid shrimp in...The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of gamma irradiation on white spot syndrome virus (WS SV). White spot syndrome virus is a pathogen of major economic importance in cultured penaeid shrimp industries. White spot disease can cause mortalities reaching 100% within 3-10 days of gross signs appearing. During the period of culture, immunostimulant agents and vaccines may provide potential methods to protect shrimps from opportunistic and pathogenic microrganisms. In this study, firstly, WSSV was isolated from infected shrimp and then multiplied in crayfish. WSSV was purified from the infected crayfish haemolymph by sucrose gradient and confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. In vivo virus titration was performed in shrimp, Penaeus semisulcatus. The LD50 of live virus stock was calculated 1054/mL. Shrimp post-larvae (1-2 g) were treated with gamma-irradiated (different doses) WSSV (10^o to 10^-4 dilutions) for a period of 10 days. The dose/survival curve for irradiated and un-irradiated WSSV was drawn; the optimum dose range for inactivation of WSSV and unaltered antigenicity was obtained 14- 15 kGy. This preliminary information suggests that shrimp appear to benefit from treatment with gamma- irradiated WSSV especially at 14-15 KGy.展开更多
The gene encoding the VP28 envelope protein of White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) was cloned into expression vector pET-30a and transformed into the Escherichia coli strain BL21.After induction,the recombinant VP28 (rVP...The gene encoding the VP28 envelope protein of White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) was cloned into expression vector pET-30a and transformed into the Escherichia coli strain BL21.After induction,the recombinant VP28 (rVP28) protein was purified and then used to immunize Balb/c mice for monoclonal antibody (MAb) production.It was observed by immuno-electron microscopy the MAbs specific to rVP28 could recognize native VP28 target epitopes of WSSV and dot-blot analysis was used to detect natural WSSV infection.Competitive PCR showed that the viral level was approximately 104 copies/mg tissue in the dilution of gill homogenate of WSSV-infected crayfish at the detection limit of dot-blot assay.Our results suggest that dot-blot analysis with anti-rVP28 MAb could rapidly and sensitively detect WSSV at the early stages of WSSV infection.展开更多
The nucleocapsid protein VP15 of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is a basic DNA-binding protein. Three canonical bipartite nuclear localization signals (NLSs), called NLS1 (aa 11-27), NLS2 (aa 33-49) and NLS3 (44-60)...The nucleocapsid protein VP15 of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is a basic DNA-binding protein. Three canonical bipartite nuclear localization signals (NLSs), called NLS1 (aa 11-27), NLS2 (aa 33-49) and NLS3 (44-60), have been detected in this protein, using the ScanProsite computer program. To determine the nuclear localization sequence of VP15, the full-length open reading frame, or the sequence of one of the three NLSs, was fused to the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene, and transiently expressed in insect Sf9 cells. Transfection with full-length VP15 resulted in GFP fluorescence being distributed exclusively in the nucleus. NLS1 alone could also direct GFP to the nucleus, but less efficiently. Neither of the other two NLSs (NLS2 and 3) was functional when expressed alone, but exhibited similar activity to NLS1 when they were expressed as a fusion peptide. Furthermore, a mutated VP15, in which the two basic amino acids (11RR12) of NLS1 were changed to two alanines (11AA12), caused GFP to be localized only in the cytoplasm of Sf9 cells. These results demonstrated that VP15, as a nuclear localization protein, needs cooperation between its three NLSs, and that the two residues (11RR12) of NLS1 play a key role in transporting the protein to the nucleus.展开更多
文摘White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is one of the most important pathogens that endanger the global shrimp aquaculture. Studies have confirmed that in the early stage of infection, VP28, the main envelope protein of WSSV, is used as a viral adhesion protein to bind PcRab7 of Penaeus chinensis, helping virus enter the host cells, resulting in shrimp infection. Hence, inhibition of envelope protein VP28 would be a novel way to deal with the infection. Peptide 2E6 was confirmed to have a high specificity and blocked virus infection. However, the mechanism by which it combines with VP28 is not clear. Clarifying the binding mechanism between peptides and VP28 is of great significance for further optimization and screening of antiviral peptides. In this research, the MD simulation and binding free energy analysis were implemented to validate and capture intermolecular interactions aims to clarify the blocking mechanism.
基金Supported by the National Basic Research Program of China(973 Program)(No.2012CB114405)the Special Foundation Under the Construction Program for the“Taishan Scholarship”of Shandong Province of Chinathe Program for Chinese Outstanding Talents in Agricultural Scientific Research
文摘White spot syndrome virus(WSSV) is an important viral pathogen that infects farmed penaeid shrimp, and the threat of Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection to shrimp farming has become increasingly severe. Viral and bacterial cross or superimposed infections may induce higher shrimp mortality. We used a feeding method to infect L itopenaeus vannamei with WSSV and then injected a low dose of V. parahaemolyticus(WSSV+Vp), or we fi rst infected L. vannamei with a low-dose injection of V. parahaemolyticus and then fed the shrimp WSSV to achieve viral infection(Vp+WSSV). The effect of V. parahaemolyticus and WSSV co-infection on survival of L. vannamei was evaluated by comparing cumulative mortality rates between experimental and control groups. We also spread L. vannamei hemolymph on thiosulfate citrate bile salt sucrose agar plates to determine the number of V ibrio, and the WSSV copy number in L. vannamei gills was determined using an absolute quantitative polymerase chain reaction(PCR) method. L v My D88 and Lvakt gene expression levels were detected in gills of L. vannamei by real-time PCR to determine the cause of the different mortality rates. Our results show that(1) the cumulative mortality rate of L. vannamei in the WSSV+Vp group reached 100% on day 10 after WSSV infection, whereas the cumulative mortality rate of L. vannamei in the Vp+WSSV group and the WSSV-alone control group approached 100% on days 11 and 13 of infection;(2) the number of Vibrio in the L. vannamei group infected with V. parahaemolyticus alone declined gradually, whereas the other groups showed signifi cant increases in the numbers of Vibrio( P <0.05);(3) the WSSV copy numbers in the gills of the WSSV+Vp, Vp+WSSV, and the WSSV-alone groups increased from 10 5 to 10 7 /mg tissue 72, 96, and 144 h after infection, respectively. These results suggest that V. parahaemolyticus infection accelerated proliferation of WSSV in L. vannamei and vice versa. The combined accelerated proliferation of both V. parahaemolyticus and WSSV led to massive death of L. vannamei.
基金Supported by the National Basic Research Program of China(973 Program)(No.2012CB114403)the China Agriculture Research System-47(CARS-47)
文摘The peritrophic membrane plays an important role in the defense system of the arthropod gut. The digestive tract is considered one of the major tissues targeted by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in shrimp. In this study, the nucleotide sequence encoding peritrophin-like protein of Litopenaeus vannamei (LvPT) was amplified from a yeast two-hybrid library of L. vannamei. The epitope peptide of LvPT was predicted with the GenScript OptimumAntigenTM design tool. An anti-LvPT polyclonal antibody was produced and shown to specifically bind a band at -27 kDa, identified as LvPT. The LvPT protein was expressed and its concentration determined. LvPT dsRNA (4 pg per shrimp) was used to inhibit LvPT expression in shrimp, and a WSSV challenge experiment was then performed with reverse gavage. The pleopods, stomachs, and guts were collected from the shrimp at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h post-infection (hpi). Viral load quantification showed that the levels of WSSV were significantly lower in the pleopods, stomachs, and guts of shrimp after LvPT dsRNA interference than in those of the controls at 48 and 72 hpi. Our results imply that LvPT plays an important role during WSSV infection of the digestive tract.
基金This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under contract No.40276038the"863"Program of China under contract No.2003AA626020the Fujian Science Fundation under contract No.2003F001.
文摘A rebuilt vector pCANTAB 5 EE was obtained by inserting a 34 bp double-stranded oligonucleotide which contained a EcoRV recognition sequence into pCANTAB 5 E. White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) genome DNA was fragmented by sonication to isolate fragments mainly in the range of 0.8 ~2.0 kb, then the fragments were blunt-ended with T4 DNA polymerase and cloned into the EcoRV site of pCANTAB 5 EE. The primary recombinant clone of the library was 3.0 × 10^5.Colony PCR of random selected recombinants showed that the size of the inserts was 0.12 ~ 1.77 kb. After the whole library recombinant phages infected Escherichia coli HB2151 cells, the extracellular and periplasmic extracts were dropped on PVDF membranes to perform dot blot, using polyclonal mouse anti-VP24 serum,anti-WSV026 serum,anti-WSV063 serum,anti-WSV069 serum,anti-WSV112 serum, anti WSV238 serum,anti-WSV303 serum and anti-VP26 serum as the primary antibody, respectively. The results showed that the display library could express the viral proteins.
基金Supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (863 Program) (No. 2006AA100306)Special Fund for Agro-Scientific Research in the Public Interest (No. 201103034)
文摘Detecting white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in shrimp in high efficiency and veracity is important for disease prevention in aquaculture. Antibody-based mieroarray is a novel proteomic technology that can meet the requirements. In this study, we developed an antibody microarray for WSSV-detection in a specific and parallel way at multiple samples. First, seven slides each with different modifications were characterized by atomic force microscope, and were compared in the efficiency of immobilizing proteins. Of the seven, 3-dimensional structured agarose gel-modified slides were chosen appropriate for the microarray for having higher signal value and superior spot size. A purified rabbit anti-WSSV antibody was arrayed as the capture antibody of the microarray on the agarose gel-modified slides, and then the mieroarray slides were incubated in the tissue homogenate of sampled shrimp and the antibody-antigen complex was detected by Cy3-conjugated anti-WSSV monoclonal antibody. The results were measured by a laser chipscanner and analyzed with software. To obtain satisfied fluorescence signal intensity, optimal conditions were searched. The detection limit of the antibody microarray for WSSV is 0.62μg/mL, with a woven long shelf life for 6 months at 4℃ or 8 months at -20℃. Furthermore, concordance between antibody microarray and traditional indirect ELISA reached 100% for WSSV detection. These results suggest that the antibody microarray could be served as an effective tool for diagnostic and epidemiological studies of WSSV.
文摘White spot syndrome virus (WSSV), a unique member within the virus family Nimaviridae, is the most notorious aquatic virus infecting shrimp and other crustaceans and has caused enormous economic losses in the shrimp farming industry worldwide. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of WSSV morphogenesis, structural proteins, and replication is essential for developing prevention measures of this serious parasite. The viral genome is approximately 300kb and contains more than 180 open reading frames (ORF). However, most of proteins encoded by these ORF have not been characterized. Due to the importance of WSSV structural proteins in the composition of the virion structure, infection process and interaction with host cells, knowledge of structural proteins is essential to understanding WSSV entry and infection as well as for exploring effective prevention measures. This review article summarizes mainly current investigations on WSSV structural proteins including the relative quantities, localization, function and protein-protein interactions. Traditional proteomic studies of 1D or 2D gel electrophoresis separations and mass spectrometry (MS) followed by database searches have identified a total of 39 structural proteins. Shotgun proteomics and iTRAQ were initiated to identify more structural proteins. To date, it is estimated that WSSV is assembled by at least 59 structural proteins, among them 35 are defined as the envelope fraction (including tegument proteins) and 9 as nucleocapsid proteins. Furthermore, the interaction within several major structural proteins has also been investigated. This identitification and characterization of WSSV protein components should help in the understanding of the viral assembly process and elucidate the roles of several major structural proteins.
基金The"863" Program of China under contract No.2003AA626020the Fujian Science Fund of Chima under contract No.2003F001
文摘White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is one of the major shrimp pathogens causing large economic losses to shrimp farming. In an attempt to identify the envelope proteins involved in the virus infection, purified WSSV virions were mixed with three antisera against WSSV envelope proteins (VP39, VP124 and VP187 ), individually. And then they were injected intramuscularly into crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) to conduct in vivo neutralization assays. The results showed that for groups injected with virions only and groups injected with the mixture of virions and antiserum against VP124, the crayfish mortalities were 100% and 60% on the 8th day postinfection, individually. The virus infection could be delayed or neutralized by antibody against the envelope protein VP124. Quantitative PCR was used to further investigate the influence of three antisera described above on the virus infection. The results showed that the antiserum against VP124 could restrain the propagation of WSSV in crayfish. All of the results suggested that the viral envelope protein VP124 played a role in WSSV infection.
基金Supported by the Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute,Karaj,Iran(No.A87A061,2009)
文摘The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of gamma irradiation on white spot syndrome virus (WS SV). White spot syndrome virus is a pathogen of major economic importance in cultured penaeid shrimp industries. White spot disease can cause mortalities reaching 100% within 3-10 days of gross signs appearing. During the period of culture, immunostimulant agents and vaccines may provide potential methods to protect shrimps from opportunistic and pathogenic microrganisms. In this study, firstly, WSSV was isolated from infected shrimp and then multiplied in crayfish. WSSV was purified from the infected crayfish haemolymph by sucrose gradient and confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. In vivo virus titration was performed in shrimp, Penaeus semisulcatus. The LD50 of live virus stock was calculated 1054/mL. Shrimp post-larvae (1-2 g) were treated with gamma-irradiated (different doses) WSSV (10^o to 10^-4 dilutions) for a period of 10 days. The dose/survival curve for irradiated and un-irradiated WSSV was drawn; the optimum dose range for inactivation of WSSV and unaltered antigenicity was obtained 14- 15 kGy. This preliminary information suggests that shrimp appear to benefit from treatment with gamma- irradiated WSSV especially at 14-15 KGy.
基金NSFC (30901116)Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (Y3080212)The Planned Science and Technology Project of Zhejiang Province,China (2008C32034)
文摘The gene encoding the VP28 envelope protein of White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) was cloned into expression vector pET-30a and transformed into the Escherichia coli strain BL21.After induction,the recombinant VP28 (rVP28) protein was purified and then used to immunize Balb/c mice for monoclonal antibody (MAb) production.It was observed by immuno-electron microscopy the MAbs specific to rVP28 could recognize native VP28 target epitopes of WSSV and dot-blot analysis was used to detect natural WSSV infection.Competitive PCR showed that the viral level was approximately 104 copies/mg tissue in the dilution of gill homogenate of WSSV-infected crayfish at the detection limit of dot-blot assay.Our results suggest that dot-blot analysis with anti-rVP28 MAb could rapidly and sensitively detect WSSV at the early stages of WSSV infection.
基金State Key Program for Basic ResearchGrants (2006CB101801)the Chinese Academy ofSciences (KSCX2-SW-302).
文摘The nucleocapsid protein VP15 of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is a basic DNA-binding protein. Three canonical bipartite nuclear localization signals (NLSs), called NLS1 (aa 11-27), NLS2 (aa 33-49) and NLS3 (44-60), have been detected in this protein, using the ScanProsite computer program. To determine the nuclear localization sequence of VP15, the full-length open reading frame, or the sequence of one of the three NLSs, was fused to the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene, and transiently expressed in insect Sf9 cells. Transfection with full-length VP15 resulted in GFP fluorescence being distributed exclusively in the nucleus. NLS1 alone could also direct GFP to the nucleus, but less efficiently. Neither of the other two NLSs (NLS2 and 3) was functional when expressed alone, but exhibited similar activity to NLS1 when they were expressed as a fusion peptide. Furthermore, a mutated VP15, in which the two basic amino acids (11RR12) of NLS1 were changed to two alanines (11AA12), caused GFP to be localized only in the cytoplasm of Sf9 cells. These results demonstrated that VP15, as a nuclear localization protein, needs cooperation between its three NLSs, and that the two residues (11RR12) of NLS1 play a key role in transporting the protein to the nucleus.