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Updated: Dec 10, 2025
In Silico Identification and Characterization of circRNAs During Host-Pathogen Interactions
Published on: October 21, 2022
Expression profile analysis of circular RNAs in BmN cells (Bombyx mori) upon BmNPV infection
Shaolun Zhang1, Manman Shen1,2, Haotong Yin1
1Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.
Abstract:
The disease caused by Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) has always been difficult to control, resulting in tremendous economic losses in the sericulture industry. Although much has been learned about the impact of noncoding RNAs on pathogenesis, the role of circular RNA (circRNA) in insect immunity remains unclear. To explore circRNA regulation involved in BmNPV infection, we used transcriptome analysis of BmN cells with or without BmNPV infection to generate circRNA data set. A total of 444 novel circRNAs were identified in BmN cells, with 198 pervasively distributed both in the control group and BmNPV-infection group. The host genes were enriched inMAPK signaling pathway, dorso-ventral axis formation, and ECM-receptor interaction, which were required for the normal larval growth. A total of 75 circRNAs were differentially expressed (DE) on BmNPV infection. Six downregulated circRNAs were validated by Sanger sequencing and qRT-PCR. DEcircRNA-miRNA-DEmRNA network was constructed based on the six validated circRNAs. Pathway analysis indicated that the predicted target genes were mainly enriched in the metabolic pathway and immune-related signaling pathway. Our results may provide a basis for further studies on circRNA function in BmN cells challenged by BmNPV infection and offer an insight into the molecular mechanism on silkworm-virus interaction.
Insights
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play a role in silkworm immunity against Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) infection. This study identified differentially expressed circRNAs and constructed a regulatory network, offering insights into silkworm-virus interactions.
Area of Science:
- * Molecular Biology
- * Virology
- * Insect Immunology
Background:
- * Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) causes significant economic losses in sericulture.
- * The role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in insect immunity, particularly during viral infections, is largely unknown.
- * Understanding circRNA regulation is crucial for developing strategies to control BmNPV.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To identify and characterize circRNAs in BmN cells during BmNPV infection.
- * To investigate the differential expression of circRNAs in response to BmNPV.
- * To explore the regulatory network of circRNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs), and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) involved in the silkworm's immune response.
Main Methods:
- * Transcriptome analysis of BmN cells with and without BmNPV infection to identify circRNAs.
- * Differential expression analysis to detect circRNAs affected by BmNPV.
- * Validation of differentially expressed circRNAs using Sanger sequencing and qRT-PCR.
- * Construction of a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network and pathway analysis.
Main Results:
- * 444 novel circRNAs were identified in BmN cells, with 198 consistently present.
- * 75 circRNAs were differentially expressed upon BmNPV infection, with six downregulated circRNAs validated.
- * Pathway analysis of predicted target genes revealed enrichment in metabolic and immune-related signaling pathways.
Conclusions:
- * This study provides the first comprehensive dataset of circRNAs in BmN cells responding to BmNPV infection.
- * The identified differentially expressed circRNAs and the constructed regulatory network offer insights into the molecular mechanisms of silkworm immunity against viral pathogens.
- * These findings lay the groundwork for future research into circRNA functions and potential applications in controlling BmNPV in sericulture.
