Crassostrea gigas oysters as a shrimp farm bioindicator of white spot syndrome virus

This study explored whether Crassostrea gigas oysters can be used as a bioindicator of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in shrimp farm water canals. Bioassays showed that C. gigas can accumulate WSSV in their gills and digestive glands but do not become infected, either by exposure to seawater containing WSSV or by cohabitation with infected shrimp. The use of a WSSV nested PCR to screen oysters placed in water canals at the entry of a shrimp farm allowed WSSV to be detected 16 d prior to the disease occurring. The finding that C. gigas can concentrate small amounts of WSSV present in seawater without being harmed makes it an ideal sentinel species at shrimp farms.Este estudio exploró si las ostras de Crassostrea gigas pueden usarse como un bioindicador del virus del virus de la mancha blanca (WSSV) en los canales de agua de la granja de camarón. Los bioensayos demostraron que C. gigas puede acumular WSSV en sus glándulas digestivas pero no infectarse, ya sea por exposición al agua de mar que contiene WSSV o por cohabitación con camarones infectados. El uso de una PCR anidada WSSV para detectar ostras colocadas en canales de agua a la entrada de una granja de camarones permitió que se detectara WSSV 16 d antes de que ocurriera la enfermedad. El hallazgo de que C. gigas puede concentrar pequeñas cantidades de WSSV presente en el agua de mar sin ser dañado, lo convierte en una especie centinela ideal en las granjas camaroneras

Crassostrea gigas oysters as a shrimp farm bioindicator of white spot syndrome virus

ABSTRACT: This study explored whether Crassostrea gigas oysters can be used as a bioindicator of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in shrimp farm water canals. Bioassays showed that C. gigas can accumulate WSSV in their gills and digestive glands but do not become infected, either by exposure to seawater containing WSSV or by cohabitation with infected shrimp. The use of a WSSV nested PCR to screen oysters placed in water canals at the entry of a shrimp farm allowed WSSV to be detected 16 d prior to the disease occurring. The finding that C. gigas can concentrate small amounts of WSSV present in seawater without being harmed makes it an ideal sentinel species at shrimp farms

Adhesion G protein-coupled receptors: opportunities for drug discovery

The seminal discovery of the novel activation mechanism of Adhesion GPCRs (aGPCRs)1,2, together with their strong and growing links to disease from human genetics and pre-clinical research, has prompted a rapid reconsideration of this unique family of receptors for classical drug discovery. However, while acknowledged as a sub-family of GPCRs by the IUPHAR3, these receptors are anything but classical with their complex gene structures, large multi-domain N-termini, autocatalytic cleavage and tethered ligands. Initially thought to have a purely structural role, the increasing functional complexity of this GPCR sub-family and the many, potentially unique mechanisms of modulation challenges the way we have perceived this protein class until now. Significantly, if 50% of non-sensory GPCRs are unexploited as drug targets4, this figure reaches 100% for aGPCRs so the potential to develop novel therapies could be substantial5. Here, we discuss the unique opportunities and challenges brought by aGPCRs in the context of drug discovery programs naturally starting with target identification then extending to target validation, assay building and safety considerations