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The piRNA pathway is required for nucleopolyhedrovirus replication in Lepidoptera
Junming Xia1, Shigang Fei1, Hongyun Wu1
1Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.
Insect Science
|December 10, 2022
Summary
The Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Virology
- Genetics
Background:
- The piRNA pathway is known for antiviral defense against RNA viruses, particularly in mosquitoes.
- Its role in defending against DNA viruses and its universality across species remain less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of piRNA pathway factors (BmAgo3 and Siwi) in the replication of Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV), a DNA virus.
- To examine the impact of PIWI-class genes on Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) replication in Spodoptera frugiperda.
Main Methods:
- Overexpression and knockdown experiments of BmAgo3 and Siwi in silkworm (Bombyx mori) cell lines and larvae.
- Knockdown of PIWI-class genes in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cell lines to assess effects on AcMNPV replication.
Main Results:
- BmAgo3 and Siwi promoted BmNPV replication in silkworms.
- In Sf9 cells, Piwi-like-1 and Piwi-like-2-3 inhibited AcMNPV replication, while Piwi-like-4-5 promoted it.
- Demonstrated species- and gene-specific roles of PIWI-class proteins in DNA virus replication.
Conclusions:
- The piRNA pathway significantly influences host responses to DNA virus infections in Lepidoptera.
- PIWI-class genes exhibit diverse functions in antiviral defense against DNA viruses, highlighting interspecies variability.
- This study offers novel insights into the interaction between PIWI-class proteins and DNA viruses.
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