Identification of DNA G–quadruplex Forming Sequence in Shrimp White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV)

Abstract

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is considered one of the most infectious and lethal viruses that affect shrimp. Bioinformatic studies revealed several G-quadruplex forming sequences at the open reading frame region. Moreover, the sequences are widely conserved through all deposited WSSV sequences. Introductory structural studies on two sequences, namely WSSV131 and WSSV172, are proposed to form a quadruplex. While WSSV172 forms a mixture of quadruplex topologies, WSSV131 is suggested to form a parallel topology, as indicated by the NMR spectra and circular dichroism (CD) ellipticity pattern. CD spectra also suggested that the major parallel species of the WSSV131 sequence are found to be stable above 60 °C. Ultimately, these results may open a new strategy for WSSV treatment by targeting the quadruplex confirmation with a quadruplex binding ligand.