Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancing Gene Silencing Research in Silkworms with dsRNA Delivery Through Feeding Chitosan Nanoparticles
05:36

Author Spotlight: Advancing Gene Silencing Research in Silkworms with dsRNA Delivery Through Feeding Chitosan Nanoparticles

Published on: October 4, 2024

2.6K

Distinct Functions of Bombyx mori Peptidoglycan Recognition Protein 2 in Immune Responses to Bacteria and Viruses

Liang Jiang1,2, Weiqiang Liu1, Huizhen Guo1,2

  • 1Biological Science Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.

Frontiers in Immunology
|April 30, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Peptidoglycan recognition protein 2 (PGRP2) in silkworms has distinct roles. One form aids bacterial defense, while the other aids viral replication by inhibiting apoptosis.

Area of Science:

  • Insect immunity
  • Molecular biology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) are key in insect innate immunity against bacteria.
  • The role of PGRPs in viral infections remains largely unexplored.
  • Two PGRP forms, BmPGRP2-1 and BmPGRP2-2, were identified in Bombyx mori.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the distinct functions of BmPGRP2-1 and BmPGRP2-2 in Bombyx mori.
  • To elucidate the role of BmPGRP2 in viral infection and host defense mechanisms.
  • To understand the interaction between BmPGRP2, PTEN, and PI3K/Akt signaling in viral evasion.

Main Methods:

  • Cloning of BmPGRP2-1 and BmPGRP2-2 from Bombyx mori.
  • Diaminopimelic acid (DAP)-type peptidoglycan (PGN) binding assays.
  • RNA interference (RNAi) for BmPGRP2-2 knockdown and gene overexpression studies.
  • Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) infection assays in cell lines and silkworm larvae.
  • Transcriptome analysis and quantitative PCR (qPCR) for gene expression.
  • Western blotting to assess protein levels and signaling pathway activation.

Main Results:

  • BmPGRP2-1 binds DAP-type PGN and activates the immune deficiency (Imd) pathway.
  • BmPGRP2-2 knockdown reduces BmNPV multiplication and mortality, while overexpression enhances viral replication.
  • BmPGRP2 negatively regulates phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) expression.
  • BmNPV infection induces BmPGRP2-2 expression, which suppresses PTEN-PI3K/Akt signaling to inhibit apoptosis.
  • BmNPV appears to modulate the BmPGRP2-2-PTEN-PI3K/Akt pathway to evade host antiviral responses.

Conclusions:

  • BmPGRP2-1 and BmPGRP2-2 exhibit differential functions in response to bacterial and viral pathogens.
  • BmPGRP2-2 plays a pro-viral role by inhibiting host cell apoptosis through the PTEN-PI3K/Akt pathway.
  • Bombyx mori utilizes BmPGRP2-2 as a target for viral evasion strategies, highlighting a novel interaction in insect antiviral immunity.
Keywords:
AktBmNPVDAP-type PGNImdPGRPPTENapoptosissilkworm

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Studying Host-Virus Interactions with Pseudotyped Viruses05:49

Author Spotlight: Studying Host-Virus Interactions with Pseudotyped Viruses

Published on: November 21, 2023

2.5K
Confocal Imaging of Double-Stranded RNA and Pattern Recognition Receptors in Negative-Sense RNA Virus Infection06:44

Confocal Imaging of Double-Stranded RNA and Pattern Recognition Receptors in Negative-Sense RNA Virus Infection

Published on: January 26, 2019

8.3K

Related Concept Videos

Humoral Immune Responses01:36

Humoral Immune Responses

Overview
83.5K
Peptidoglycan Synthesis01:28

Peptidoglycan Synthesis

Structure of PeptidoglycanPeptidoglycan is a vital structural component of the bacterial cell wall, providing mechanical strength and shape to the cell. It consists of repeating units of two sugars—N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM)—linked by β-1,4 glycosidic bonds. These sugar chains are cross-linked by short peptide chains, forming a mesh-like polymer that surrounds the bacterial plasma membrane.Cytoplasmic Phase – Precursor SynthesisPeptidoglycan...
2.3K
Other Stress Responses in Bacteria01:30

Other Stress Responses in Bacteria

Bacteria have global regulatory systems that control several types of stress mechanisms. These include Pho regulon and the heat shock response, which are essential systems for environmental adaptation, such as nutrient limitation and proteotoxic stress. The Pho regulon and the heat shock response exemplify bacterial resilience, enabling rapid adaptation to fluctuating environmental conditions.Pho RegulonBacteria require phosphorus for essential cellular processes, including nucleic acid...
360
Intracellular Movement of Viruses and Bacteria01:10

Intracellular Movement of Viruses and Bacteria

Intracellular bacteria and viruses often comprise a group of highly infectious pathogens that can cause several diseases. Bacterial pathogens include those belonging to the genus Rickettsia responsible for conditions such as rocky mountain spotted fever and the Mediterranean spotted fever; Chlamydia, a genus responsible for a sexually transmitted disease; Coxiella burnetii, an agent responsible for Q fever. Viral pathogens include vaccinia—a poxvirus, and herpes simplex virus—a...
3.5K
Cell-mediated Immune Responses01:40

Cell-mediated Immune Responses

Overview
83.6K
Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response01:23

Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response

The T and B lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system develop from common lymphoid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. These progenitors give rise to precursors that eventually develop into both T and B lymphocytes. As these precursors mature, they gain the ability to detect and respond to foreign antigens in the body, a process known as immunocompetence. Additionally, these precursors acquire self-tolerance, a process that ensures they do not react to self-antigens. This intricate system...
8.5K