Not AvailableWhite spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is one of the major pathogens in shrimp aquaculture. Four proteins of WSSV are predicted to encode a RING H2 domain, which in presence of ubiquitin conjugating enzyme (E2) in shrimps can function as viral E3 ligase and modulate the host ubiquitin proteasome pathway. Modulation of host ubiquitin proteasome pathway by viral proteins is implicated in viral pathogenesis. In the present study, expression profile of Penaeus monodon Ubiquitin conjugating enzyme (PmUbc) was studied at protein level in WSSV challenged shrimp. A time point analysis of the expression of PmUbc was carried out at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h post WSSV challenge in P. monodon. Recombinant PmUbc (rPmUbc) was produced in prokaryotic expression vector, BL21 (DE3) pLys S. The PmUbc expression pattern was studied by ELISA with rPmUbc antibodies raised in rabbit. A significant increase in PmUbc expression at 24 h post infection (hpi) was observed followed by a decline till 72 hpi. Since the up-regulation and a tremendous decline of PmUbc protein expression was observed at 24 and in 72 hpi respectively in ELISA, it can be speculated that these proteins might interact with host ubiquitination pathway for viral pathogenesis. Many findings have shown that viral infection can up-regulate expression of ubiquitin and that the ubiquitin system plays a key role in the course of viral infection. The present study reveals the expression patterns of PmUbc at protein level in WSSV infected P. monodon. However, further studies are to be carried out to unfold the molecular mechanism of interaction between host and virus to devise efficient control strategies for this major culprit in shrimp culture industry
