Circular RNA alterations in the Bombyx mori midgut following B. mori nucleopolyhedrovirus infection

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Virology
• Entomology

Background:

• Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are crucial regulatory molecules.
• Their role in silkworm antiviral immunity remains largely unexplored.
• Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) poses a significant threat to silkworm production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate circRNA expression profiles in silkworm midguts upon BmNPV infection.
• To identify circRNAs involved in the silkworm's immune response to BmNPV.
• To elucidate the functional implications of circRNA regulation during viral infection.

Main Methods:

• High-throughput sequencing of circRNAs from normal and BmNPV-infected silkworm midguts.
• Bioinformatic analysis including differential expression analysis.
• Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses.

Main Results:

• 353 circRNAs were significantly differentially expressed (241 upregulated, 112 downregulated) post-BmNPV infection.
• Enriched pathways included immunity and metabolism.
• Analysis of miRNA targets revealed enrichment in ubiquitin, apoptosis, and endocytosis signaling pathways.

Conclusions:

• BmNPV infection significantly alters circRNA expression in silkworm midguts.
• circRNAs play a role in regulating key immune and metabolic processes during viral infection.
• These findings provide a foundation for understanding circRNA-mediated antiviral defense in silkworms.