bmnpv-miR-3 facilitates BmNPV infection by modulating the expression of viral P6.9 and other late genes in Bombyx mori.
During the last decade, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as fine tuners of gene expression in various biological processes including host-pathogen interactions. Apart from the role of host encoded miRNAs in host-virus interactions, recent studies have also indicated the key role of virus-encoded miRNAs in the regulation of host defense responses. In the present study, we show that bmnpv-miR-3, a Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) encoded miRNA, regulates the expression of DNA binding protein (P6.9) and other late genes, vital for the late stage of viral infection in the host, Bombyx mori. We have performed both cell culture and in vivo experiments to establish the role of bmnpv-miR-3 in the infection cycle of BmNPV. Our findings showed that bmnpv-miR-3 expresses during early stage of infection, and negatively regulates the expression of P6.9. There was an upregulation in P6.9 expression upon blocking of bmnpv-miR-3 by Locked Nucleic Acid (LNA), whereas overexpression of bmnpv-miR-3 resulted in a decreased expression of P6.9. Besides, a remarkable enhancement and reduction in the viral loads were observed upon blocking and overexpression of bmnpv-miR-3, respectively. Furthermore, we have also assessed the host immune response using one of the Lepidoptera-specific antimicrobial proteins, Gloverin-1 upon blocking and overexpression of bmnpv-miR-3, which correlated viral load with the host immune response. All these results together; clearly imply that bmnpv-miR-3-mediated controlled regulation of BmNPV late genes in the early stage of infection helps BmNPV to escape the early immune response from the host.
Centre of Excellence for Genetics and Genomics of Silkmoths, Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Tuljaguda Complex, Nampally, Hyderabad 500001, Andhra Pradesh, India. Electronic address: cpsingh@cdfd.org.in.
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Singh
National Centre for Cell Science, University of Pune Campus, Ganeshkhind, Pune 411007, Maharashtra, India. Electronic address: jyoti.cdfd@gmail.com.
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Singh
Centre of Excellence for Genetics and Genomics of Silkmoths, Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Tuljaguda Complex, Nampally, Hyderabad 500001, Andhra Pradesh, India. Electronic address: silkmoth@cdfd.org.in.
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Nagaraju
D000818:Animals; D012831:Bombyx / Q000502:physiology / Q000821:virology*; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017924:Nucleopolyhedroviruses / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D035683:MicroRNAs; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014764:Viral Proteins
Baculovirus; BmNPV; Bombyx mori; P6.9; miRNA