recognition protein and trigger downstream phagocytic defense
against virus in crustacean (Wu et al., 2008). Furthermore, the
function of PjRab gene in hemocytic phagocytosis against bacteria
was elucidated. The phagocytic percentage and phagocytic index
using FITC-labeled V. parahemolyticus were significantly decreased
when the PjRab gene was silenced by sequence-specific siRNA,
suggesting that the PjRab protein was essential in hemocytic
phagocytosis. On the other hand, the over-expression of PjRab gene
led to the increase of phagocytic percentage and phagocytic index.
The findings indicated that the PjRab protein was involved in the
regulation of hemocytic phagocytosis of shrimp (Zong et al., 2008).