White spot syndrome virus Manipulates Ubiquitin Gene Expression in Penaeus monodon

The present study reports the effect of WSSV on the expression profiles of shrimp ubiquitin gene both at protein and transcript levels at different time points after infection. A gradual decrease in ubiquitin protein levels was observed till 12 hpi (0.25 and 0.23 mu g/mg of the total protein in gills and muscle, respectively) with a sudden increase at 18 hpi (1.86 and 1.8 mu g/mg of total protein in gills and muscle, respectively). The RT-PCR results showed a gradual decrease in ubiquitin mRNA levels in gill tissue till 12 hpi while a more or less constant mRNA levels were observed in muscle tissue till 12 hpi. However, a fourfold and 16 fold induction in ubiquitin mRNA levels at 18 hpi in gill and muscle, respectively suggests its possible regulation by WSSV in the manifestation of the disease.