In vitro transcription of dsRNA-LjRab7-a tool for the development of interfering RNA as antiviral therapy in aquaculture of shrimp species

It is estimated that viral pathogens annually cause billion US dollar losses to the shrimp industry around the world. According to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the main health problem facing the sector is the incidence of viral etiology diseases. Currently, RNAi-based therapeutic approaches have shown promise for the control of various types of viruses. The silencing of the endogenous Rab7 gene in crustaceans prevents the replication of various types of viruses that affect shrimps. The blocking of this gene inhibits both the infection of viruses with DNA, like WSSV, and also viruses with RNA (YHV, TSV, LSNV). Given this perspective, this study aimed to synthesize dsRNA-Rab7 by in vitro transcription. In this way, it was possible to obtain a 393 bp dsRNA corresponding to the Rab7 gene (GenBank AB379643.1) of Penaeus japonicus (LjRab7). The hybridization in the double-stranded structure was corroborated by analysis with RNase A. The implications of the study are discussed in the context of its importance as a tool for the development of methods for the control of viral pathogens associated with the aquaculture sector of penaeid shrimps. © 2024, BIOFLUX SRL. All rights reserved.