Flow cytometry analysis of apoptotic progression and expression analysis of four apoptosis-related genes in Penaeus vannamei in response to white spot syndrome virus infection.

Flow cytometry analysis was carried out to detect the progression of apoptosis in haemocytes of WSSV infected Penaeus vannamei at different time-points (1.5 hpi, 18 hpi and 56 hpi). Apoptosis in haemocytes was found to increase with time of infectivity from 5.06 to 69.63%. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was used for the expression analysis of four apoptosis-related genes such as Death-associated protein 1, caspase-5, translationally controlled tumor protein, and cathepsin D. The evidence of apoptosis in haemocytes of P. vannamei was established as shown by significant increase in the percentage of late apoptotic cells due to WSSV infection in shrimp. The present study gives an insight to the apoptosis rate in a WSSV infected shrimp during the course of infection and the role of apoptosis related genes. © Indian Virological Society 2021.