Selenoprotein M (SELM)

Selenoprotein M (SelM), is a selenocysteine containing protein with redox activity involved in the antioxidant response. SelM expression in gills is induced transiently during viral infection by the White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV). SelM expression was detected in healthy shrimp L. vannamei in gills, muscle, hepatopancreas and pleopods, with more abundance in the hepatopancreas and gills. SelM transcripts were silenced by intramuscular injection with double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs). In gills and hepatopancreas, all shrimp injected with long dsRNAs had lower SelM transcripts levels compared with controls. Peroxidase activity decreased upon silencing of SelM in gills, but no significant effect was detected in hepatopancreas. In contrast, total cell hydrogen peroxide concentration did not change in gills and hepatopancreas of silenced shrimp.