Characterization of toxicity and structure of PirAB vc ‐like proteins that are structurally almost identical to shrimp AHPND‐causing PirAB toxin

PirAB is a binary toxic protein that causes acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) in shrimp. Their closest homologs, PirAvc -like and PirBvc -like proteins, are encoded by two adjacent genes on a non-pVH plasmid from a Vibrio campbellii strain. Herein, PirABvc -like protein caused neither abnormalities nor death in shrimp postlarvae (Litopenaeus vannamei); furthermore, typical AHPND clinical signs were not observed. PirAvc -like protein corresponds to Cry toxin domain III (ligand-binding domain) and likely binds to N-acetylgalactosamine. The C-terminal and N-terminal of PirBvc -like resemble Cry toxin domain II (receptor-binding domain) and domain I (pore-forming domain), respectively. PirAvc -like and PirBvc -like proteins are structurally similar to PirA and PirB, respectively. Subtle structural differences between PirAvc -like protein and PirA appear to be involved in ligand-binding and binary protein complex formation. The difference in virulence of PirABvc -like and PirAB may result from the specific binding of the protein complex to distinct host receptors. These results shed light on the potential functions and host receptors of PirABvc -like proteins and their relationship with PirAB.