Viral resistance of recombinant Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus Mx-transfected fish cell

Myxovirus resistance or Mx is one of the early mediators of the immune system during viral infection. Studies indicate that Mx inhibits the replication of enveloped negative stranded RNA viruses.1) Mortalities due to viral infection have considerably brought serious economic losses to the aquaculture industry. The use of vaccines2) or the generation of disease-resistant transgenic animals3) have been tried to curb viral infections. However, before venturing into such plan, small-scale studies need to be undertaken to assess the mode of action of a particular gene of interest. In vitro studies provide useful baseline information regarding the biological activities of a candidate gene. In line with this, the anti-viral spectrum of the recombinant Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus Mx (JFMx) against some of the economically important fish viruses using DNA transfection experiment was determined. More specifically, its ability of inhibit viral replication as measured by the TCID50 was assessed.