Publication Abstract

seabream, named SauMx1, SauMx2 and SauMx3. The aim of the present study

was to analyze the differential induction of the three SauMx genes after the Lymphocystis

Disease Virus (LCDV) infection in SAF-1 cells. This iridovirus is the causative

agent of lymphocystis disease, the main viral pathology affecting cultured gilthead

seabream. In addition, the antiviral activity in SAF-1 cells treated with poly I:C was also

evaluated. SAF-1 cells were inoculated with LCDV at 0.1 MOI, and harvested at different

times post-inoculation (p.i.). Differential SauMx transcription was subsequently

quantified by RT-qPCR. In parallel, poly I:C treated and untreated cells were inoculated

with LCDV at the same MOI, and the levels of viral major capsid protein (MCP)

RNA were quantified. The three Mx genes were induced by the viral infection in all the

analysed samples, reaching values up to 5-fold higher than those observed after

induction with poly I:C. SauMx1 and SauMx2 transcripts were the most abundant.

The expression of viral MCP in untreated SAF-1 cells showed the highest values at 2

and 6 days p.i. At those time points, the expression in poly I:C stimulated cells was

significantly lower. These results indicate that LCDV infection induces Mx expression

in the