Molecular cloning of prophenoloxidase and the effects of dietary β-glucan and rutin on immune response in hemocytes of the fleshy shrimp, Fenneropenaeus chinensis

To investigate the effects of dietary β-glucan (0.5 or 1 g kg−1 diet: 0.5-BG, 1-BG) and rutin (0.5 or 1 g kg−1 diet: 0.5-RT, 1-RT) after 10 days in the absence of pathogen challenge on the immune response of Fenneropenaeus chinensis, we determined total hemocyte count (THC) and the expression of four immune-related genes in hemocytes: those for prophenoloxidase (proPO), peroxinectin (PX), lipopolysaccharide and/or β-glucan binding protein (LGBP), and c-type lectin (CL). As a prerequisite for subsequent experiments, cDNA encoding proPO of the fleshy shrimp, Fenneropenaeus chinensis (f-proPO) was obtained from hemocytes; it had a full length of 3023bp, with an open reading frame (ORF) of 2061bp, a 105-bp 5′-untranslated region, and a 906-bp 3′-untranslated region containing the poly A signal. The THCs of shrimp fed β-glucan of 1 g kg−1 diet, and rutin of 1 g kg−1 diet were significantly higher than that of the control (P < 0.05). The expression of proPO mRNA was slightly downregulated and that of LGBP mRNA was upregulated (except in 1-RT). PX and CL mRNA remained constitutively expressed in all groups. Our results reveal that β-glucan and rutin dietary supplements have minimal effect on immune response in the absence of pathogen challenge.

► Prophenoloxidase in hemocytes of Fenneropenaus chinensis has a full-length cDNA sequence of 3023 bp.
► β-glucan and rutin were tested in a feeding trial to determine their potential as immunostimulants.
► Total hemocyte count (THC) was significantly increased in shrimp fed test diets.
► Changes in the expression of immune-related genes was minimal in the absence of pathogen challenge.