Role of chymotrypsin-like serine proteinase in white spot syndrome virus infection in Fenneropenaeus chinensis

► 6 genes were screened from dying Chinese shrimp infected by WSSV. ► Chymotrypsin-like serine proteinase showed significantly up-regulation. ► Knockdown of CH-SPase delayed cumulative mortalities of shrimp infected by WSSV. ► Knockdown of CH-SPase reduced the copy number of WSSV in shrimp infected by WSSV.