Effects of PmDOME and PmSTAT knockdown on white spot syndrome virus infection in Penaeus monodon

Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway plays an important role in antiviral immunity. This research reports the full-length DOME receptor gene in Penaeus monodon (PmDOME) and examines the effects of PmDOME and PmSTAT silencing on immune-related gene expressions in shrimp hemocytes during white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection. PmDOME and PmSTAT were up-regulated in shrimp hemocytes upon WSSV infection. Suppression of PmDOME and PmSTAT showed significant impacts on the expression levels of ProPO2 (melanization), Vago5 (interferon-like protein) and several antimicrobial peptides, including ALFPm3, Penaeidin3, CrustinPm1 and CrustinPm7. Silencing of PmDOME and PmSTAT reduced WSSV copy numbers and delayed the cumulative mortality caused by WSSV. We postulated that suppression of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway may activate the proPO, IFN-like antiviral cytokine and AMP production, resulting in a delay of WSSV-related mortality.