Proteomic aspects of infection by lymphocystis disease virus in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

To reveal the key factor in self-healing from LCDV (lymphocystis disease virus)-infected Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus), serum proteins from self-healing and sick Japanese flounder were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis to screen differentially expressed proteins. Protein spots demonstrating changes greater than two-fold in the expression level were digested and further identified in capillary liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Two immunity-relevant proteins were thus identified as transferrin and the complement component C3 of Japanese flounder. These findings suggest that the two proteins may play important roles in the self-healing of lymphocystis in Japanese flounder. This is an important theoretical foundation to promote self-healing in LCDV-infected Japanese flounder by improving their innate immunity.