Antibacterial and antiproteinase activities of a double whey acidic protein domain-containing protein from Penaeus vannamei Boone, 1931 (Decapoda, Penaeidae)

Abstract

Abstract Double whey acidic protein domain-containing proteins (DWDs) or secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI)-like proteins, have been identified in many species of Crustacea. The PvDWD1 from Penaeus vannamei was the first SLPI-like protein identified in a crustacean. Herein, we report that the expression of PvDWD1 was up-regulated at 6 h after acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND)-causing Vibrio parahaemolyticus (VPAHPND) challenge. Similarly, after a different stress other than bacterial infection, the chronic non-lethal heat shock (NLHS) induction, the expression of the PvDWD1 gene was increased at 6 and 24 h after chronic NLHS treatment. The recombinant PvDWD1 (rPvDWD1) protein was over-expressed and tested for its deleterious activity against the bacteria. The rPvDWD1 protein exhibited growth inhibitory activity against Bacillus megaterium and VPAHPND. Moreover, the rPvDWD1 protein possessed an antiproteinase activity against the secreted proteinases from Bacillus subtilis and VPAHPND. The PvDWD1 perhaps functions in shrimp immunity through antimicrobial and antiproteinase properties.