title: Arbovirus-mosquito interactions: RNAi pathway.
abstract: Arthropod-borne (arbo) viruses infect hematophagous arthropods (vectors) to maintain virus transmission between vertebrate hosts. The mosquito vector actively controls arbovirus infection to minimize its fitness costs. The RNA interference (RNAi) pathway is the major antiviral response vectors use to restrict arbovirus infections. We know this because depleting RNAi gene products profoundly impacts arbovirus replication, the antiviral RNAi pathway genes undergo positive, diversifying selection and arboviruses have evolved strategies to evade the vector's RNAi responses. The vector's RNAi defense and arbovirus countermeasures lead to an arms race that prevents potential virus-induced fitness costs yet maintains arbovirus infections needed for transmission. This review will discuss the latest findings in RNAi-arbovirus interactions in the model insect (Drosophila melanogaster) and in specific mosquito vectors.
authors.affiliation: Arthropod-borne and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Mail Delivery 1692, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA. Electronic address: Kenneth.Olson@Colostate.Edu.
authors.forename: Ken E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.affiliation: Arthropod-borne and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Mail Delivery 1692, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
authors.forename: Carol D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Blair
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001102:Arbovirus Infections / Q000821:virology; D001103:Arboviruses / Q000502:physiology*; D001179:Arthropod Vectors / Q000502:physiology* / Q000821:virology; D009033:Culicidae / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D023421:Models, Animal; D034622:RNA Interference / Q000502:physiology*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D012367:RNA, Viral