Functional Characterization of a c-type Lysozyme from Indian Shrimp Fenneropenaeus indicus

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Immunology
• Marine Biology

Background:

• Lysozymes are crucial enzymes in innate immunity.
• Understanding shrimp lysozyme function is vital for aquaculture.
• The Fenneropenaeus indicus lysozyme's specific role in immunity requires characterization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To clone and characterize the lysozyme gene from Fenneropenaeus indicus.
• To evaluate the antimicrobial properties of the recombinant F. indicus lysozyme.
• To investigate the role of lysozyme in shrimp immune response to viral infections.

Main Methods:

• Gene cloning and expression in Escherichia coli.
• Sequence analysis and comparison with other lysozymes.
• Turbidimetric assays for antimicrobial activity.
• Analysis of lysozyme gene and protein distribution in infected shrimp tissues.

Main Results:

• The F. indicus lysozyme cDNA is 477 base pairs, encoding 159 amino acids with high identity to other penaeid species.
• Recombinant F. indicus lysozyme demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against Salmonella typhimurium, Pichia pastoris, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
• Lysozyme levels in shrimp tissues correlated with viral load during white spot syndrome virus infection.

Conclusions:

• Fenneropenaeus indicus lysozyme possesses broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties.
• The lysozyme is integral to the shrimp's innate immune defense mechanisms.
• This research highlights the potential of lysozyme in shrimp disease management.