Identification of a Novel Solinvivirus with Nuclear Localization Associated with Mass Mortalities in Cultured Whiteleg Shrimp (Penaeus vannamei)

Roberto Cruz-Flores; Thales P D Andrade; Hung N Mai; Rod Russel R Alenton; Arun K Dhar

doi:10.3390/v14102220

Identification of a Novel Solinvivirus with Nuclear Localization Associated with Mass Mortalities in Cultured Whiteleg Shrimp (Penaeus vannamei)

Viruses. 2022 Oct 9;14(10):2220. doi: 10.3390/v14102220.

Authors

Roberto Cruz-Flores^{1

2}, Thales P D Andrade^{2

3}, Hung N Mai², Rod Russel R Alenton², Arun K Dhar²

Affiliations

¹ Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada (CICESE), Carretera Ensenada-Tijuana No. 3918, Zona Playitas, Ensenada 22860, Baja California, Mexico.
² Aquaculture Pathology Laboratory, School of Animal & Comparative Biomedical Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
³ Laboratório de Diagnóstico de Enfermidades de Crustáceos, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, Cidade Universitária Paulo VI, 1000 Tirirical, São Luis 65055-970, MA, Brazil.

Abstract

The emergence and spread of disease-causing viruses in shrimp aquaculture is not uncommon. Since 2016, unusual mortalities have been affecting the Brazilian shrimp industry and we have associated these unusual mortalities with a novel variant of infectious myonecrosis virus (IMNV). The transcriptome analysis of these diseased shrimp showed an additional divergent viral sequence that we have assigned to the family Solinviviridae. The novel virus has been tentatively termed Penaeus vannamei solinvivirus (PvSV) (GenBank accession: OP265432). The full-length genome of the PvSV is 10.44 kb (excluding the poly A tail) and codes for a polyprotein of 3326 aa. Five conserved domains coding for a helicase, RdRp, calicivirus coat protein, G-patch and tegument protein were identified. The genome organization of the PvSV is similar to other (Nylan deria fulva virus 1) solinvivirus. A unique feature of this virus that differs from other members of the Solinviviridae is the presence of putative nuclear localization signals. The tissue tropism of this virus is wide, infecting cells of the hepatopancreas, gastrointestinal tract, lymphoid organ and muscle tissue. Another unique feature is that it is the only RNA virus of penaeid shrimp that shows a nuclear localization by in situ hybridization. The PvSV has a wide distribution in Brazil and has been found in the states of Maranhão State (Perizes de Baixo), Piaui State (Mexeriqueira), Ceará State (Camocim, Jaguaruana, Aracati and Alto Santo) and Pará State where it has been detected in coinfections with IMNV. The diagnostic methods developed here (real-time RT-PCR and in situ hybridization) are effective for the detection of the pathogen and should be employed to limit its spread. Furthermore, the identification of the PvSV shows the increasing host range of the relatively new family Solinviviridae.

Keywords: Penaeus vannamei solinvivirus; PvSV; Solinviviridae; shrimp.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Nuclear Localization Signals
Penaeidae*
Poly A
Polyproteins
RNA Viruses* / genetics
RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase

Substances

Nuclear Localization Signals
RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase
Polyproteins
Poly A

Grants and funding

Funding for this research was provided by the Aquaculture Pathology Laboratory of the University of Arizona. Partial funding was also provided to Dr. Thales P. D. Andrade through a grant to the Laboratório de Diagnóstico de Crustáceos by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture Livestock and Supply (MAPA), Grant 54/2011, SIAFI 763568/2011. Partial funding was also provided to Dr. Thales P. D. Andrade by the Universidade Estadual do Maranhão z to attend a Sabbatical in Aquaculture Pathology Laboratory, University of Arizona.