Cloning and characterization of cytoplasmic dynein intermediate chain in Fenneropenaeus chinensis and its essential role in white spot syndrome virus infection

• Cytoplasmic dynein intermediate chain cDNA was cloned in Fenneropenaeus chinensis.
• The FcDYNCI mRNA expression level was up-regulated in hemocytes of WSSV-infected shrimp.
• Cytoplasmic dynein could be co-localized with WSSV virions in hemocytes.
• Silencing FcDYNCI significantly reduced WSSV genes expression in hemocytes.
• Cytoplasmic dynein was involved in WSSV infection in shrimp hemocytes.

To investigate the role of cytoplasmic dynein in white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection, the full-length cDNA of cytoplasmic dynein intermediate chain (FcDYNCI) was cloned in Fenneropenaeus chinensis, which consists of 2582 bp and encodes a polypeptide of 660 amino acids. Sequence analysis and multiple sequence alignment displayed that FcDYNCI was a member of cytoplasmic dynein 1 family. The FcDYNCI mRNA was most highly expressed in hemocytes, which was significantly up-regulated post WSSV infection. At 12 h post infection (hpi), confocal microscopic observation showed that WSSV could be co-localized with cytoplasmic dynein in hemocytes. After silencing by specific FcDYNCI dsRNA, the FcDYNCI mRNA level and the protein amount of FcDYNCI in hemocytes both exhibited a significant reduction, and the expression levels of three WSSV genes ie1, wsv477 and vp28 all exhibited the greatest decreases at 24 hpi. These results suggested that cytoplasmic dynein was involved in WSSV infection.