A mitochondrial outer membrane-localized protein encoded by White spot syndrome virus.

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is a devastating pathogen of crustaceans that causes huge losses to global shrimp farming. In this study, a mitochondrial outer membrane protein encoded by WSSV, termed as wsv152, was identified. Bioinformatics analysis showed that wsv152 shared no similarity with any known proteins. Real-time RT-PCR revealed that wsv152 was initially transcribed at 6 h post WSSV infection. Fluorescent microscopy demonstrated that the wsv152-GFP fusion protein was present in the mitochondrion. Western blot further suggested that wsv152 was specifically localized on the outer membrane of mitochondria. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a mitochondrion-localized protein encoded by WSSV.