Six Hours after Infection, the Metabolic Changes Induced by WSSV Neutralize the Host's Oxidative Stress Defenses

I. Tung Chen, Der Yen Lee, Yun Tzu Huang, Guang Hsiung Kou, Han Ching Wang, Geen Dong Chang, Chu Fang Lo

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54 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Levels of intracellular ROS (reactive oxygen species) were significantly increased in hemocytes collected from WSSV-infected shrimp within the first 30-120 min after infection. Measurement of the NADPH/NADP+ and GSH/GSSG ratios revealed that after a significant imbalance toward the oxidized forms at 2 hpi, redox equilibrium was subsequently restored. Meanwhile, high levels of lactic acid production, elevated NADH/NAD + ratios, and metabolic changes in the glycolysis pathway show that the Warburg effect was triggered by the virus. The timing of these changes suggests that WSSV uses this metabolic shift into aerobic glycolysis to counteract the high levels of ROS produced in response to viral infection. We further show that if the Warburg effect is inhibited by chemical inhibition of the PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway, or if the pentose phosphate pathway is chemically inhibited, then in both cases, the production of intracellular ROS is sustained. We conclude that WSSV uses the PI3K-Akt-mTOR-regulated Warburg effect to restore host redox balance and to counter the ROS produced by the host in response to WSSV infection. We also found that pyruvate kinase activity was inhibited by WSSV. This inhibition is likely to increase the availability of the raw materials essential for WSSV gene expression and replication.

Original languageEnglish
Article number27732
JournalScientific reports
Volume6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016 Jun 9

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General

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