Author(s)

Xiaofeng Ji, Yuan Zheng, Jun Sheng^*

Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, China.

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is one of the most important pathogens that endanger the global shrimp aquaculture. Studies have confirmed that in the early stage of infection, VP28, the main envelope protein of WSSV, is used as a viral adhesion protein to bind PcRab7 of Penaeus chinensis, helping virus enter the host cells, resulting in shrimp infection. Hence, inhibition of envelope protein VP28 would be a novel way to deal with the infection. Peptide 2E6 was confirmed to have a high specificity and blocked virus infection. However, the mechanism by which it combines with VP28 is not clear. Clarifying the binding mechanism between peptides and VP28 is of great significance for further optimization and screening of antiviral peptides. In this research, the MD simulation and binding free energy analysis were implemented to validate and capture intermolecular interactions aims to clarify the blocking mechanism.

White Spot Syndrome Virus, VP28

Ji, X. , Zheng, Y. and Sheng, J. (2023) Interaction between a Peptide and White Spot Syndrome Virus VP28 Envelope Protein. Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology, 14, 545-550. doi: 10.4236/abb.2023.1412038.