Cell entry of BmCPV can be promoted by tyrosine-protein kinase Src64B-like protein

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Molecular Biology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Bombyx mori cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (BmCPV) is a non-enveloped dsRNA virus infecting the silkworm midgut.
• BmCPV utilizes clathrin-dependent endocytosis and β1 integrin for cell entry.
• The precise cellular mechanisms governing BmCPV entry remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential involvement of tyrosine-protein kinase Src64B-like in the cell entry process of BmCPV.
• To elucidate the role of Src64B-like in facilitating BmCPV infection in Bombyx mori.

Main Methods:

• Cloning and expression of the Src64B-like gene in E. coli.
• Generation of anti-Src64B-like polyclonal antibody.
• RNA interference (RNAi) to silence Src64B-like gene expression.
• In vitro and in vivo BmCPV infection assays.
• Immunofluorescence assays to assess protein localization.

Main Results:

• Silencing Src64B-like gene expression reduced BmCPV infection by 59.48% in vitro and 92.22% in vivo.
• Conversely, increased Src64B-like expression enhanced BmCPV infection.
• Immunofluorescence data indicated no direct co-localization between Src64B-like and BmCPV during infection.

Conclusions:

• Src64B-like protein plays a significant role in the cell entry mechanism of BmCPV.
• Src64B-like facilitates BmCPV infection independently of direct physical interaction with the virus.