Protection of Procambarus clarkii against white spot syndrome virus using recombinant subunit injection vaccine expressed in Pichia pastoris

Abstract

The potentiality of injection vaccine against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in crayfish Procambarus clarkii was investigated. WSSV envelope proteins VP19 and VP28 were expressed in yeast Pichia pastoris GS115. The purified recombinant proteins (2 μg/g of crayfish) were injected intramuscularly, and the same dose injected as a booster shot on fifth day after vaccination. The vaccinated crayfish were divided into two even groups and later challenged orally by WSSV-infected dead crayfish muscle (2 g/individual) on the third and 21st days after the booster shot. The relative percent survival (RPS) in the third-day group was the highest in VP28 (91%), followed by VP19 + VP28 (84%), and VP19 (45%). The RPS for the 21st-day group was the highest in VP28 (78%), followed by VP19 + VP28 (76%), and VP19 (17%). Development of vaccine by using recombinant proteins VP19 and VP28 expressed in yeast is feasible. © 2006 Blackwell Science Asia Pty Ltd.