Journal of invertebrate pathology最新文献

{"title":"Dysregulation of hepatopancreatic microRNAs in Penaeus vannamei in response to Ecytonucleospora hepatopenaei (EHP) infection: Implications for innate immunity and metabolic function","authors":"Li-Guo Yang ,&nbsp;Lei Feng ,&nbsp;Li-Yan Ma ,&nbsp;Xue-Feng Song ,&nbsp;Jia-Yuan Xu ,&nbsp;Bian-Bian Zhang ,&nbsp;Wen-Hong Fang ,&nbsp;Xin-Cang Li","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108479","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108479","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known to modulate various immune responses and metabolic processes by targeting and silencing specific genes in invertebrates. However, the specific roles of miRNAs in the context of microsporidial infection in the shrimp <em>Penaeus vannamei</em> have not been well-defined. This study aimed to elucidate the functions of miRNAs in shrimp during the invasion by the microsporidian pathogen <em>Ecytonucleospora hepatopenaei</em> (EHP). To achieve this, we collected shrimp that had confirmed EHP infections and conducted a comprehensive transcriptional analysis. High-throughput sequencing data yielded 15,964,804 clean reads from the hepatopancreas of healthy shrimp and 14,301,330 clean reads from EHP-infected counterparts. From these samples, a total of 59 distinct miRNAs were identified. Notably, the expression levels of 31 miRNAs, with 16 being down-regulated and 15 up-regulated, were significantly altered in the hepatopancreas of EHP-infected shrimp when compared to the controls. The differentially expressed miRNAs were subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and target gene prediction to determine their biological relevance. The findings indicated that the miRNAs with altered expression are predominantly associated with immune response pathways and metabolic alterations, including those involved in the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway (Ko04620); the Toll and Imd signaling pathways (Ko04624); protein digestion and absorption (Ko04974); and the regulation of aldosterone synthesis and secretion (Ko04925). Collectively, our study advances our understanding of miRNAs’ roles within the innate immune system of shrimp and identifies potential novel targets for the management and prevention of EHP infections.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108479"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145401093","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antiviral activity of curcumin against Israeli acute paralysis virus in Apis mellifera: Screening and mechanistic study","authors":"Shangning Yang ,&nbsp;Zhichu Huang ,&nbsp;Ruike Wei ,&nbsp;Dandan Liu ,&nbsp;Xiaoling Su ,&nbsp;Huoqing Zheng","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108483","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108483","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV), widespread in honeybee (<em>Apis mellifera</em>) colonies, causes paralysis, tremors, and eventual mortality, while strongly associated with colony collapse disorder (CCD). Currently, there are no widely approved antiviral therapies for IAPV infection; however, several natural compounds have shown promising antiviral efficacy. In this study, we evaluated the effects of eight natural compounds (myrcene, citral, menthol, chlorogenic acid, resveratrol, curcumin, quercetin, and tea polyphenols) on IAPV-infected honeybees. Bees were artificially or naturally infected with IAPV and subsequently fed sucrose solution supplemented with these compounds. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that curcumin was the most effective compound in reducing viral load. After seven days of treatment with 10 µM curcumin, IAPV levels decreased by 46.2 % in artificially infected bees and 84.0 % in naturally infected bees. Transcriptomic analysis showed that curcumin upregulated genes involved in nutritional metabolism (e.g., <em>Vg</em>) and the RNA interference (RNAi) pathways (e.g., <em>dicer</em>, <em>hsp90</em>), which play a critical role in antiviral defense. Interestingly, it downregulated antimicrobial peptide genes (<em>hymenoptaecin</em>, <em>abaecin</em>, <em>defensin 1</em>). These findings demonstrated that curcumin mediated a strategic immune reconfiguration in honeybees, concentrating more resources on the RNAi pathway, while reducing energetically costly antimicrobial peptide synthesis. This optimized antiviral defense, combined with improved <em>vitellogenin</em> expression, suggests a metabolic efficiency adaptation that preferentially directs resources toward more effective IAPV countermeasures. Our results suggest that curcumin is a dual-action therapeutic candidate that simultaneously strengthens crucial antiviral defenses and maintains host vitality, offering significant promise for sustainable honeybee health management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108483"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145401113","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Morrittospora corbiculae n. gen. n. sp., a microsporidian parasite infecting the invasive Asian clam Corbicula fluminea from the River Thames, London","authors":"Rachel Foster ,&nbsp;Kelly S. Bateman ,&nbsp;Paul F. Clark ,&nbsp;Matthew J. Green ,&nbsp;Chantelle Hooper ,&nbsp;Stuart H. Ross ,&nbsp;Paul Stebbing ,&nbsp;Georgia M. Ward ,&nbsp;David Bass","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108478","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108478","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microsporidia are highly diverse parasites of a broad range of eukaryotic hosts in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Freshwater diversity of microsporidia and their associations with bivalves is understudied, particularly in invasive non-native hosts. In this study we use molecular methods complemented by histopathology and transmission electron microscopy to screen native and invasive bivalve species from the River Thames for the presence of microsporidia. We reveal a novel microsporidian parasite infecting the invasive Asian clam <em>Corbicula fluminea</em> at a high prevalence, described in this manuscript as <em>Morrittospora corbiculae</em> n. gen. n. sp. Histopathology showed this parasite infects epithelial cells of <em>C. fluminea</em> digestive gland. Molecular and histopathology investigation also demonstrated potential spillover of infection to other co-habiting bivalve species in the River Thames. We place the newly described microsporidian lineage in a phylogenetic context and discuss the potential implications of microsporidian parasites in the spread of invasive non-native species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108478"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145390384","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Honey as an eDNA Reservoir: Detecting Spiroplasma apis and Spiroplasma melliferum in Australian honey bee populations","authors":"Gopika Bhasi ,&nbsp;Gemma Zerna ,&nbsp;Travis Beddoe","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108482","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108482","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Spiroplasma apis</em> and <em>Spiroplasma melliferum</em> are often overlooked pathogens that harm honey bee health. This study used environmental DNA (eDNA) from honey to identify these pathogens. We amplified DNA from 135 honey samples across Australia using <em>Spiroplasma</em>–specific PCR primers. The results revealed a high prevalence of <em>S. melliferum</em> (70%) across Australia, in contrast to <em>S. apis</em>, which was detected in 13% of samples. The findings indicate that S. melliferum is widespread in Australia, potentially threatening honey bee health. We present the first phylogenetic analysis of Australian <em>Spiroplasma apis</em> and <em>Spiroplasma melliferum</em> isolates, with <em>Spiroplasma apis</em> showing high similarity with reference strains from the USA, Belgium, and Taiwan, whereas <em>Spiroplasma melliferum</em> displays broader genetic diversity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108482"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145390434","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gill microbiome and tissue microstructural damages of the Pacific oyster Magallana gigas following the infection with boring sponge Pione vastifica","authors":"A.L. Brioukhanov ,&nbsp;E.S. Chelebieva ,&nbsp;E.S. Kladchenko ,&nbsp;M.S. Podolskaya ,&nbsp;T.V. Gavruseva ,&nbsp;A.Yu. Andreyeva","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108477","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108477","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Clionid boring sponges are pests that may colonize the shells of bivalve mollusks, including Pacific oysters (<em>Magallana gigas</em>). Infection with the boring sponge <em>Pione vastifica</em> can be associated with fitness of oysters by reducing their growth rate and survival. Microbial communities play an important role in the host’s ability to adapt and survive under disease, and they are extremely sensitive to invasions by pathogens and parasites. In this study, we compared the diversity of gill microbiomes in a group of Pacific oysters that were parasitized by the boring sponge (<em>P. vastifica</em>), and a control group of healthy oysters without signs of sponge presence on shells. In addition, we evaluated histopathological lesions in gills of sponge-infected oysters. The microstructure of gills was significantly damaged in oysters with the boring sponge settled on shells and showed numerous histological lesions including inflammation, necrosis and abnormalities of filaments. Abundant hemocyte infiltration indicated active immune response in respiratory tissue of infected oysters. Histopathological changes in gills were accompanied with the transition of the microbial community to disbalance state. The taxonomic diversity of symbiotic microorganisms in the infected oysters was significantly lower than in the healthy mollusks. The drastic changes at both higher and lower levels of taxonomic ranks of microorganisms were observed. These findings indicate that infection by boring sponges is associated with the substantial changes in gill microbiome and provide new insights into the effects of boring sponges on symbiotic bacterial communities within the Pacific oysters they inhabit.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108477"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145345629","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Seasonal dynamics of Polydora infestation in eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) from a tidally restricted New England estuary","authors":"Ava Sheedy,&nbsp;Andrew A. Davinack","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108472","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108472","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Shell-boring polychaetes of the genus <em>Polydora</em> pose a significant threat to oyster aquaculture worldwide, yet little is known about their seasonal dynamics in tidally restricted estuaries. This study investigates the prevalence, intensity, and environmental covariates of <em>Polydora websteri</em> infestation in wild eastern oysters (<em>Crassostrea virginica</em>) over a 12-month period in the Herring River estuary (Cape Cod, Massachusetts), a system slated for tidal restoration. Oysters were collected monthly, and worms identified morphologically and by COI barcoding. Infestations were observed year-round, with prevalence and intensity lowest in late summer and peaking in fall-winter. Gravid females were only observed from April through August, indicating a seasonal reproductive window. The seasonal peak in visible infestation and pathology in colder months is therefore consistent with a lag between summer recruitment and subsequent shell damage. Using a Gaussian generalized linear model as a descriptive correlational tool, we observed a negative association between temperature and monthly mean intensity at this site and year; salinity and pH showed no detectable association. These associations are interpreted within the seasonal/lag context rather than as casual drivers. Overall, this work provides baseline data on seasonal <em>Polydora</em> dynamics in the Herring River estuary that will be essential for future, post-restoration assessments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108472"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145318280","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Vacuolar iron transporter (like) proteins are indispensable for the production and vitality of insecticidal microsclerotia in Metarhizium rileyi","authors":"Yunlong Lin ,&nbsp;Xuee Liu ,&nbsp;Yijing Xue ,&nbsp;Xiran Sun ,&nbsp;Liqin Fan ,&nbsp;Xi Gao ,&nbsp;Zhongkang Wang ,&nbsp;Kedong Xu ,&nbsp;Guoxing Wu ,&nbsp;Yuanxue Yi","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108473","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108473","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microsclerotia (MS) are highly sturdy and stable dormant structures produced by most filamentous fungi in response to various adversities. Owing to the robust regeneration, MS are also considered an ideal succedaneum to insecticidal conidia for entomopathogenic fungi application. Iron plays a regulatory role in the formation of MS, as reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated under conditions of iron overload are critically involved in driving this process. To explore the regulatory role of iron in the formation and virulence of MS in <em>Metarhizium rileyi</em>, functional analyses were conducted on two homologs of vacuolar iron transporter-like coding genes, designated <em>MrCcc1</em> and <em>MrCcc2</em>, through expression analysis, gene knockout, phenotypic characterization, and toxicity assessment. Here we show that the expression of <em>MrCcc1</em> and <em>MrCcc2</em> is induced by iron, and that gene disruption of <em>MrCcc1</em>, but not <em>MrCcc2</em>, leads to reduced tolerance to multiple metal salts. <em>MrCcc2</em> likely serves as a compensatory component, fulfilling the role typically performed by <em>MrCcc1</em>. Most importantly, all the deletion variants exhibited not only a significant reduction in MS production yield but also a decrease in viability, leading to impaired germination, growth, conidia production upon rehydration, and even conidial insecticidal activity against <em>Spodoptera litura</em> larvae. Our findings suggest that the vacuolar iron transporters MrCcc1 and MrCcc2 in <em>M. rileyi</em> function as positive regulators of fungal growth and reproduction, as well as of MS yield and activity. These findings highlight the importance of normal iron metabolism, as well as the critical role of iron-induced ROS in the formation of MS-based insecticides, and provide molecular targets for the engineered development of highly virulent strains.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108473"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145313069","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antiviral potential and mode of action of Metarhizium pinghaense 15R-derived polysaccharide against baculovirus","authors":"Jiwon Jang ,&nbsp;Gui Hwan Han ,&nbsp;Seong Hun Im ,&nbsp;Jeong Won Kim ,&nbsp;Soo Dong Woo ,&nbsp;Tae Young Shin","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108474","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108474","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polysaccharides have been reported to function as antiviral agents against various viruses. In this study, a polysaccharide extracted from <em>Metarhizium pinghaense</em> 15R demonstrated inhibitory effects against <em>Bombyx mori</em> nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV). When Bm5 cells were co-inoculated with the <em>M. pinghaense</em> 15R −derived polysaccharide and eGFP-cloned BmNPV budded virus (BV), eGFP expression was significantly reduced compared to the virus-only control group. Additionally, the polysaccharide-treated group showed greater cell viability and proliferation than the ribavirin-treated group. Further investigation into the antiviral mechanism revealed that the polysaccharide inhibited both viral attachment and secondary infection of BmNPV. This antiviral activity is likely due to its high sulfate content (18 %), which is widely associated with enhanced viral inhibition. A silkworm larva bioassay demonstrated that when the occlusion body (OB) and polysaccharide were combined and administered via feeding, survival rates on Day 7 were significantly higher than those observed in the OB-only treatment group. Similarly, when the polysaccharide was injected along with BV, a significant increase in survival was observed on Day 8 when compared to the BV-only treatment group. Furthermore, the co-injection of polysaccharide and BV resulted in the upregulation of immune-related genes associated with antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), such as gloverin 2, lebocin, hemolin, defensin, and beta-glucan recognition protein (βGRP), in <em>B. mori</em> within 48 h. These findings suggest that the polysaccharide enhances the immune response in <em>B. mori</em> and has potential as a natural antiviral agent for insect viruses.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108474"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145308303","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Argentine Metarhizium spp. isolates: Molecular identification, blastospores production, and its pathogenicity against Blattella germanica adults","authors":"Francisco Lozano ,&nbsp;Romina Guadalupe Manfrino ,&nbsp;Andreas Leclerque ,&nbsp;Christina Schuster ,&nbsp;Federico Rivas-Franco ,&nbsp;Alejandra Concepción Gutierrez","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108471","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108471","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Blattella germanica</em> is the most prevalent synanthropic pest and negatively impacts human health, as do the synthetic chemical insecticides used to control them. In contrast, <em>Metarhizium</em> spp. is a well known fungus that can infect insects and other arthropods, causing death to their hosts. When cultivated in liquid medium it produces blastospores. This propagule has the potential to be used as a biological control agent for cockroaches. The aim of this study was to identify eleven native <em>Metarhizium</em> strains from Argentina through molecular taxonomy, evaluate blastospores and biomass production in submerged fermentation, and assess the pathogenicity of the blastospores against adult <em>B. germanica</em> cockroaches. For the molecular identification of the strains, diagnostic PCR amplification was performed using previously developed primers for region markers EF1A, RPB1, RPB2, 5TEF, MzIGS3, and rIGS-ID800. In order to elucidate blastospores production, a conidia suspension was inoculated into Adamek liquid medium. Samples were taken at 48 h, 72 h, and 96 h to quantify blastospore production, and at 96 h blastospores were harvested, dry biomass was weighted and the pH of the liquid medium was assessed. The strains showed blastospores production at 96 h or earlier, except for two strains, and statistically significant maximum blastospores production was reached at 48 h for most strains. A blastospore suspension of 1E + 07 blastospore/mL was applied by spray to <em>B. germanica</em> adults, and mortality was assessed every two days for 20 days after application. Dead cockroaches were placed in a humid chamber and periodically observed for <em>Metarhizium</em> growth. Blastospores significantly reduced the survivorship of <em>B. germanica</em> adults. Species-discriminating diagnostic PCR and phylogenetic reconstruction was successful in assigning ten of the strains to different species within the <em>Metarhizium</em> PARB clade: four strains to <em>Metarhizium brunneum</em> and three strains each to <em>Metarhizium hybridum</em> and <em>Metarhizium robertsii</em>. One strain had previously been shown to belong to the distantly related species <em>Metarhizium argentinense</em>.</div><div>This study, therefore, constitutes the first description of <em>M. hybridum</em> from Argentina and provides the first report of direct contact application of fungal blastospores as a pathogenic approach against cockroaches, reducing <em>B. germanica</em> adult survivorship.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108471"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145308336","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identification, localization, and bioinformatics analysis of the novel EhSWP12 in Ecytonucleospora hepatopenaei","authors":"Xiaohui Cao ,&nbsp;Yi Qiao ,&nbsp;Tingyue Liu ,&nbsp;Huiwen Jiang ,&nbsp;Jie Cheng ,&nbsp;Ge Jiang ,&nbsp;Xianping Fan ,&nbsp;Hui Shen","doi":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108470","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jip.2025.108470","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Ecytonucleospora hepatopenaei</em> (EHP) is an obligate intracellular microsporidian that causes severe disease in <em>Litopenaeus vannamei</em> but whose infection mechanism remains elusive. Because the spore wall is a critical interface between the parasite and its environment, characterizing the functionally unstudied protein SWP12 is essential for elucidating host − microsporidian interactions. In this study, we cloned the full-length open reading frame (ORF) of EHP SWP12, designated EhSWP12, which is 735 bp in length and encodes a 244-amino-acid polypeptide. Bioinformatic analyses revealed that EhSWP12 contains no signal peptide or transmembrane domain but possesses an AH/BAR domain, with a predicted isoelectric point (pI) of 9.05 and a molecular mass (Mw) of 28.7 kDa. The EhSWP12 gene was subsequently expressed in <em>Escherichia coli</em>, and indirect immunofluorescence assays (IFA) demonstrated that the protein localizes to the mature spore wall. Further subcellular localization studies identified its presence in both the exospore and endospore layers. Our findings indicate that EhSWP12 is a membrane-associated protein, suggesting that it plays a pivotal role in the EHP life cycle. These results enhance our understanding of EHP biology and provide a theoretical and technical foundation for the future investigation of its proliferation and infection mechanisms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16296,"journal":{"name":"Journal of invertebrate pathology","volume":"214 ","pages":"Article 108470"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145308244","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}