Evaluation of inhibitory, immunomodulatory, survival, and growth effects of host-derived Weissella confusa on Macrobrachium rosenbergii challenged with Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

Macrobrachium rosenbergii is a highly valuable prawn species in aquaculture due to its current growing demand in the market. However, various bacterial diseases caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus have been observed to induce mortality in larval, juvenile, and adult stages of M. rosenbergii.

Functional elucidation of LvToll 3 receptor from P. vannamei through RNA interference and its potential role in the shrimp antiviral response.

There is a continuing debate on whether an antiviral immunity similar to vertebrate interferon response exists in invertebrates. Recent advances in penaeid immunology identified several new members of the Toll receptor family and one of these is LvToll3 (Litopenaeus vannamei Toll3). It is hypothesized in this study that LvToll3 responds to pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) such as dsRNA, which then activates certain antiviral pathways in penaeids.

Gene silencing of VP9 gene impairs WSSV infectivity on Macrobrachium rosenbergii.

White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) remains the most widespread and devastating infectious agent that hit the shrimp aquaculture industry worldwide. To date, there are no known effective strategies yet to combat WSSV infection. Hence, functional studies on genes critical for viral infection is essential in elucidating shrimp-virus interaction.

Molecular mechanisms of the shrimp clotting system.

Shrimp, like other invertebrates, relies solely on its innate immune system, to combat invading pathogens. The invertebrate immune system has ancient origins that involve cellular and humoral responses. The clotting system of the humoral immune response is the first line of defense against pathogens and also serves to prevent blood loss during injury and wound healing.

Transglutaminase regulates immune-related genes in shrimp.

Transglutaminase (TGase) is known to be involved in blood coagulation, a conserved defence mechanism among invertebrates. Gene silencing of TGase was previously shown to render shrimp susceptible to both bacterial and viral infections suggesting that TGase is an essential component of the shrimp immune system. Here, we examine the effects of the absence of TGase on the transcriptomic profile of kuruma shrimp by microarray analysis, focussing on genes that are involved in shrimp immunity.