scholarly journals Equine Arteritis Virus Does Not Induce Interferon Production in Equine Endothelial Cells: Identification of Nonstructural Protein 1 as a Main Interferon Antagonist

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Young Go ◽  
Yanhua Li ◽  
Zhenhai Chen ◽  
Mingyuan Han ◽  
Dongwan Yoo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Nonstructural Protein ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Equine Arteritis Virus ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Type I ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Type I Ifn ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Nonstructural Protein 1

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of equine arteritis virus (EAV) on type I interferon (IFN) production. Equine endothelial cells (EECs) were infected with the virulent Bucyrus strain (VBS) of EAV and expression of IFN-βwas measured at mRNA and protein levels by quantitative real-time RT-PCR and IFN bioassay using vesicular stomatitis virus expressing the green fluorescence protein (VSV-GFP), respectively. Quantitative RT-PCR results showed that IFN-βmRNA levels in EECs infected with EAV VBS were not increased compared to those in mock-infected cells. Consistent with quantitative RT-PCR, Sendai virus- (SeV-) induced type I IFN production was inhibited by EAV infection. Using an IFN-βpromoter-luciferase reporter assay, we subsequently demonstrated that EAV nsps 1, 2, and 11 had the capability to inhibit type I IFN activation. Of these three nsps, nsp1 exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect. Taken together, these data demonstrate that EAV has the ability to suppress the type I IFN production in EECs and nsp1 may play a critical role to subvert the equine innate immune response.

scholarly journals A Critical Role for Perivascular Cells in Amplifying Vascular Leakage Induced by Dengue Virus Nonstructural Protein 1

mSphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yin P. Cheung ◽  
Valeria Mastrullo ◽  
Davide Maselli ◽  
Teemapron Butsabong ◽  
Paolo Madeddu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Endothelial Cell ◽  
Dengue Virus ◽  
Nonstructural Protein ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Vascular Leakage ◽  
World Health ◽  
Severe Dengue ◽  
Perivascular Cells ◽  
Nonstructural Protein 1

ABSTRACT Dengue is the most prevalent arthropod-borne viral disease affecting humans, with severe dengue typified by potentially fatal microvascular leakage and hypovolemic shock. Blood vessels of the microvasculature are composed of a tubular structure of endothelial cells ensheathed by perivascular cells (pericytes). Pericytes support endothelial cell barrier formation and maintenance through paracrine and contact-mediated signaling and are critical to microvascular integrity. Pericyte dysfunction has been linked to vascular leakage in noncommunicable pathologies such as diabetic retinopathy but has never been linked to infection-related vascular leakage. Dengue vascular leakage has been shown to result in part from the direct action of the secreted dengue virus (DENV) nonstructural protein NS1 on endothelial cells. Using primary human vascular cells, we show here that NS1 also causes pericyte dysfunction and that NS1-induced endothelial hyperpermeability is more pronounced in the presence of pericytes. Notably, NS1 specifically disrupted the ability of pericytes to support endothelial cell function in a three-dimensional (3D) microvascular assay, with no effect on pericyte viability or physiology. These effects are mediated at least in part through contact-independent paracrine signals involved in endothelial barrier maintenance by pericytes. We therefore identify a role for pericytes in amplifying NS1-induced microvascular hyperpermeability in severe dengue and thus show that pericytes can play a critical role in the etiology of an infectious vascular leakage syndrome. These findings open new avenues of research for the development of drugs and diagnostic assays for combating infection-induced vascular leakage, such as severe dengue. IMPORTANCE The World Health Organization considers dengue one of the top 10 global public health problems. There is no specific antiviral therapy to treat dengue virus and no way of predicting which patients will develop potentially fatal severe dengue, typified by vascular leakage and circulatory shock. We show here that perivascular cells (pericytes) amplify the vascular leakage-inducing effects of the dengue viral protein NS1 through contact-independent signaling to endothelial cells. While pericytes are known to contribute to noncommunicable vascular leakage, this is the first time these cells have been implicated in the vascular effects of an infectious disease. Our findings could pave the way for new therapies and diagnostics to combat dengue and potentially other infectious vascular leakage syndromes.

scholarly journals Bluetongue Virus NS4 Protein Is an Interferon Antagonist and a Determinant of Virus Virulence

2016 ◽  
Vol 90 (11) ◽  
pp. 5427-5439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxime Ratinier ◽  
Andrew E. Shaw ◽  
Gerald Barry ◽  
Quan Gu ◽  
Luigina Di Gialleonardo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Outcome ◽  
Viral Replication ◽  
Bluetongue Virus ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Nonstructural Protein ◽  
Type I ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Type I Ifn ◽  
Interferon Stimulated Genes ◽  
Viral Virulence

ABSTRACTBluetongue virus (BTV) is the causative agent of bluetongue, a major infectious disease of ruminants with serious consequences to both animal health and the economy. The clinical outcome of BTV infection is highly variable and dependent on a variety of factors related to both the virus and the host. In this study, we show that the BTV nonstructural protein NS4 favors viral replication in sheep, the animal species most affected by bluetongue. In addition, NS4 confers a replication advantage on the virus in interferon (IFN)-competent primary sheep endothelial cells and immortalized cell lines. We determined that in cells infected with an NS4 deletion mutant (BTV8ΔNS4), there is increased synthesis of type I IFN compared to cells infected with wild-type BTV-8. In addition, using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), we show that NS4 modulates the host IFN response and downregulates mRNA levels of type I IFN and interferon-stimulated genes. Moreover, using reporter assays and protein synthesis assays, we show that NS4 downregulates the activities of a variety of promoters, such as the cytomegalovirus immediate-early promoter, the IFN-β promoter, and a promoter containing interferon-stimulated response elements (ISRE). We also show that the NS4 inhibitory activity on gene expression is related to its nucleolar localization. Furthermore, NS4 does not affect mRNA splicing or cellular translation. The data obtained in this study strongly suggest that BTV NS4 is an IFN antagonist and a key determinant of viral virulence.IMPORTANCEBluetongue is one of the main infectious diseases of ruminants and is caused by bluetongue virus (BTV), an arthropod-borne virus transmitted from infected to susceptible animals byCulicoidesbiting midges. Bluetongue has a variable clinical outcome that can be related to both virus and host factors. It is therefore critical to understand the interplay between BTV and the host immune responses. In this study, we show that a nonstructural protein of BTV (NS4) is critical to counteract the innate immune response of the host. Infection of cells with a BTV mutant lacking NS4 results in increased synthesis of IFN-β and upregulation of interferon-stimulated genes. In addition, we show that NS4 is a virulence factor for BTV by favoring viral replication in sheep, the animal species most susceptible to bluetongue.

scholarly journals Identification of Natural Molecular Determinants of Ross River Virus Type I Interferon Modulation

2020 ◽  
Vol 94 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiang Liu ◽  
Margit Mutso ◽  
Liubov Cherkashchenko ◽  
Eva Zusinaite ◽  
Lara J. Herrero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Type I Interferon ◽  
Nonstructural Protein ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Type I Interferons ◽  
Ross River Virus ◽  
Type I ◽  
Type I Ifn ◽  
Nonstructural Protein 1

ABSTRACT Ross River virus (RRV) belongs to the genus Alphavirus and is prevalent in Australia. RRV infection can cause arthritic symptoms in patients and may include rash, fever, arthralgia, and myalgia. Type I interferons (IFN) are the primary antiviral cytokines and trigger activation of the host innate immune system to suppress the replication of invading viruses. Alphaviruses are able to subvert the type I IFN system, but the mechanisms used are ill defined. In this study, seven RRV field strains were analyzed for induction of and sensitivity to type I IFN. The sensitivities of these strains to human IFN-β varied significantly and were highest for the RRV 2548 strain. Compared to prototype laboratory strain RRV-T48, RRV 2548 also induced higher type I IFN levels both in vitro and in vivo and caused milder disease. To identify the determinants involved in type I IFN modulation, the region encoding the nonstructural proteins (nsPs) of RRV 2548 was sequenced, and 42 amino acid differences from RRV-T48 were identified. Using fragment swapping and site-directed mutagenesis, we discovered that substitutions E402A and R522Q in nsP1 as well as Q619R in nsP2 were responsible for increased sensitivity of RRV 2548 to type I IFN. In contrast, substitutions A31T, N219T, S580L, and Q619R in nsP2 led to induction of higher levels of type I IFN. With exception of E402A, all these variations are common for naturally occurring RRV strains. However, they are different from all known determinants of type I IFN modulation reported previously in nsPs of alphaviruses. IMPORTANCE By identifying natural Ross River virus (RRV) amino acid determinants for type I interferon (IFN) modulation, this study gives further insight into the mechanism of type I IFN modulation by alphaviruses. Here, the crucial role of type I IFN in the early stages of RRV disease pathogenesis is further demonstrated. This study also provides a comparison of the roles of different parts of the RRV nonstructural region in type I IFN modulation, highlighting the importance of nonstructural protein 1 (nsP1) and nsP2 in this process. Three substitutions in nsP1 and nsP2 were found to be independently associated with enhanced type I IFN sensitivity, and four independent substitutions in nsP2 were important in elevated type I IFN induction. Such evidence has clear implications for RRV immunobiology, persistence, and pathology. The identification of viral proteins that modulate type I IFN may also have importance for the pathogenesis of other alphaviruses.

scholarly journals Role of Interferon Regulatory Factor 3 in Type I Interferon Responses in Rotavirus-Infected Dendritic Cells and Fibroblasts

2007 ◽  
Vol 81 (6) ◽  
pp. 2758-2768 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iyadh Douagi ◽  
Gerald M. McInerney ◽  
Åsa S. Hidmark ◽  
Vassoula Miriallis ◽  
Kari Johansen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dendritic Cells ◽  
Nonstructural Protein ◽  
Interferon Regulatory Factor ◽  
Type I Interferons ◽  
Type I ◽  
Type I Ifn ◽  
Regulatory Factor ◽  
Interferon Regulatory Factor 3 ◽  
Nonstructural Protein 1 ◽  
Subsequent Activation

ABSTRACT The main pathway for the induction of type I interferons (IFN) by viruses is through the recognition of viral RNA by cytosolic receptors and the subsequent activation of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF-3), which drives IFN-α/β transcription. In addition to their role in inducing an antiviral state, type I IFN also play a role in modulating adaptive immune responses, in part via their effects on dendritic cells (DCs). Many viruses have evolved mechanisms to interfere with type I IFN induction, and one recently reported strategy for achieving this is by targeting IRF-3 for degradation, as shown for rotavirus nonstructural protein 1 (NSP1). It was therefore of interest to investigate whether rotavirus-exposed DCs would produce type I IFN and/or mature in response to the virus. Our results demonstrate that IRF-3 was rapidly degraded in rotavirus-infected mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and type I IFN was not detected in these cultures. In contrast, rotavirus induced type I IFN production in myeloid DCs (mDCs), resulting in their activation. Type I IFN induction in response to rotavirus was reduced in mDCs from IRF-3−/− mice, indicating that IRF-3 was important for mediating the response. Exposure of mDCs to UV-treated rotavirus induced significantly higher type I IFN levels, suggesting that rotavirus-encoded functions also antagonized the response in DCs. However, in contrast to MEFs, this action was not sufficient to completely abrogate type I IFN induction, consistent with a role for DCs as sentinels for virus infection.

scholarly journals MicroRNA-513b-5p targets COL1A1 and COL1A2 associated with the formation and rupture of intracranial aneurysm

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zheng Zheng ◽  
Yan Chen ◽  
Yinzhou Wang ◽  
Yongkun Li ◽  
Qiong Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Intracranial Aneurysm ◽  
Luciferase Reporter Assay ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Type I ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Reporter Assay ◽  
Over Expression ◽  
Tnf Α

AbstractCollagen-type I alpha 1 chain (COL1A1) and COL1A2 are abnormally expressed in intracranial aneurysm (IA), but their mechanism of action remains unclear. This study was performed to investigate the mechanism of COL1A1 and COL1A2 affecting the occurrence and rupture of IA. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to measure the expression of hsa-miR-513b-5p, COL1A1, COL1A2, TNF-α, IL-6, MMP2, MMP3, MMP9 and TIMP4 in patients with ruptured IA (RA) (n = 100), patients with un-ruptured IA (UA) (n = 100), and controls (n = 100). Then, human vascular smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) were cultured, and dual luciferase reporter assay was performed to analyse the targeting relationship between miR-513b-5p and COL1A1 or COL1A2. The effects of the miR-513b-5p mimic and inhibitor on the proliferation, apoptosis, and death of HASMC and the RIP1-RIP3-MLKL and matrix metalloproteinase pathways were also explored. The effect of silencing and over-expression of COL1A1 and COL1A2 on the role of miR-513b-5p were also evaluated. Finally, the effects of TNF-α on miR-513b-5p targeting COL1A1 and COL1A2 were tested. Compared with those in the control group, the serum mRNA levels of miR-513b-5p, IL-6 and TIMP4 were significantly decreased in the RA and UA groups, but COL1A1, COL1A2, TNF-α, IL-1β, MMP2, MMP3 and MMP9 were significantly increased (p < 0.05). Compared with those in the UA group, the expression of COL1A1, COL1A2, TNF-α, IL-1β and MMP9 was significantly up-regulated in the RA group (p < 0.05). Results from the luciferase reporter assay showed that COL1A1 and COL1A were the direct targets of miR-513b-5p. Further studies demonstrated that miR-513b-5p targeted COL1A1/2 to regulate the RIP1-RIP3-MLKL and MMP pathways, thereby enhancing cell death and apoptosis. Over-expression of COL1A1 or COL1A2, rather than silencing COL1A1/2, could improve the inhibitory effect of miR-513b-5p on cell activity by regulating the RIP1-RIP3-MLKL and MMP pathways. Furthermore, over-expression of miR-513b-5p and/or silencing COL1A1/2 inhibited the TNF-α-induced cell proliferation and enhanced the TNF-α-induced cell death and apoptosis. The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of collagen I and TIMP4 expression and promotion of the expression of RIP1, p-RIP1, p-RIP3, p-MLKL, MMP2 and MMP9. MiR-513b-5p targeted the inhibition of COL1A1/2 expression and affected HASMC viability and extracellular mechanism remodelling by regulating the RIP1-RIP3-MLKL and MMP pathways. This process might be involved in the formation and rupture of IA.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein Targets RIG-I-Like Receptor Pathways to Inhibit the Induction of Interferon Response

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 530
Author(s):  
Soo Jin Oh ◽  
Ok Sarah Shin
Keyword(s):  
Nucleocapsid Protein ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Nonstructural Protein ◽  
Poly I:C ◽  
Interferon Response ◽  
Type I ◽  
Antiviral Immune Response ◽  
N Protein ◽  
Nonstructural Protein 1 ◽  
Polycytidylic Acid

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that has resulted in the current pandemic. The lack of highly efficacious antiviral drugs that can manage this ongoing global emergency gives urgency to establishing a comprehensive understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2. We characterized the role of the nucleocapsid protein (N) of SARS-CoV-2 in modulating antiviral immunity. Overexpression of SARS-CoV-2 N resulted in the attenuation of retinoic acid inducible gene-I (RIG-I)-like receptor-mediated interferon (IFN) production and IFN-induced gene expression. Similar to the SARS-CoV-1 N protein, SARS-CoV-2 N suppressed the interaction between tripartate motif protein 25 (TRIM25) and RIG-I. Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2 N inhibited polyinosinic: polycytidylic acid [poly(I:C)]-mediated IFN signaling at the level of Tank-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) and interfered with the association between TBK1 and interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), subsequently preventing the nuclear translocation of IRF3. We further found that both type I and III IFN production induced by either the influenza virus lacking the nonstructural protein 1 or the Zika virus were suppressed by the SARS-CoV-2 N protein. Our findings provide insights into the molecular function of the SARS-CoV-2 N protein with respect to counteracting the host antiviral immune response.

scholarly journals Control of Herpes Simplex Virus Replication Is Mediated through an Interferon Regulatory Factor 3-Dependent Pathway

2009 ◽  
Vol 83 (23) ◽  
pp. 12399-12406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vineet D. Menachery ◽  
David A. Leib
Keyword(s):  
Herpes Simplex Virus ◽  
Herpes Simplex ◽  
Virus Replication ◽  
Early Recognition ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Type I ◽  
Type I Ifn ◽  
Regulatory Factor ◽  
Simplex Virus ◽  
Hsv 1

ABSTRACT The type I interferon (IFN) cascade is critical in controlling viral replication and pathogenesis. Recognition pathways triggered by viral infection rapidly induce the type I IFN cascade, often in an IFN regulatory factor 3 (IRF-3)-dependent fashion. This dependence predicts that loss of IRF-3 would render early recognition pathways inoperative and thereby impact virus replication, but this has not been observed previously with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in vitro. In this study, HSV-1-infected IRF-3−/− bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) and macrophages supported increased HSV replication compared to control cells. In addition, IRF-3-deficient BMDCs exhibited delayed type I IFN synthesis compared to control cells. However, while IFN pretreatment of IRF-3−/− BMDCs resulted in reduced virus titers, a far greater reduction was seen after IFN treatment of wild-type cells. This suggests that even in the presence of exogenously supplied IFN, IRF-3−/− BMDCs are inherently defective in the control of HSV-1 replication. Together, these results demonstrate a critical role for IRF-3-mediated pathways in controlling HSV-1 replication in cells of the murine immune system.

Role of the chaperone protein 14-3-3ε in the regulation of influenza A virus-activated beta interferon

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ee-Hong Tam ◽  
Yen-Chin Liu ◽  
Chian-Huey Woung ◽  
Helene Minyi Liu ◽  
Guan-Hong Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virus Infection ◽  
Influenza A Virus ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Type I ◽  
Type I Ifn ◽  
Ns1 Protein ◽  
Chaperone Protein ◽  
Influenza A Virus Infection

The NS1 protein of the influenza A virus plays a critical role in regulating several biological processes in cells, including the type I interferon (IFN) response. We previously profiled the cellular factors that interact with the NS1 protein of influenza A virus and found that the NS1 protein interacts with proteins involved in RNA splicing/processing, cell cycle regulation, and protein targeting processes, including 14-3-3ε. Since 14-3-3ε plays an important role in RIG-I translocation to MAVS to activate type I IFN expression, the interaction of the NS1 and 14-3-3ε proteins may prevent the RIG-I-mediated IFN response. In this study, we confirmed that the 14-3-3ε protein interacts with the N-terminal domain of the NS1 protein and that the NS1 protein inhibits RIG-I-mediated IFN-β promoter activation in 14-3-3ε-overexpressing cells. In addition, our results showed that knocking down 14-3-3ε can reduce IFN-β expression elicited by influenza A virus and enhance viral replication. Furthermore, we found that threonine in the 49 th amino acid position of the NS1 protein plays a role in the interaction with 14-3-3ε. Influenza A virus expressing C-terminus-truncated NS1 with T49A mutation dramatically increases IFN-β mRNA in infected cells and causes slower replication than that of virus without the T-to-A mutation. Collectively, this study demonstrates that 14-3-3ε is involved in influenza A virus-initiated IFN-β expression and that the interaction of the NS1 protein and 14-3-3ε may be one of the mechanisms for inhibiting type I IFN activation during influenza A virus infection. IMPORTANCE Influenza A virus is an important human pathogen causing severe respiratory disease. The virus has evolved several strategies to dysregulate the innate immune response and facilitate its replication. We demonstrate that the NS1 protein of influenza A virus interacts with the cellular chaperone protein 14-3-3ε, which plays a critical role in RIG-I translocation that induces type I IFN expression, and that NS1 protein prevents RIG-I translocation to mitochondrial membrane. The interaction site for 14-3-3ε is the RNA-binding domain (RBD) of the NS1 protein. Therefore, this research elucidates a novel mechanism by which the NS1 RBD mediates IFN-β suppression to facilitate influenza A viral replication. Additionally, the findings reveal the antiviral role of 14-3-3ε during influenza A virus infection.

scholarly journals BMP15 Suppresses Progesterone Production by Down-Regulating StAR via ALK3 in Human Granulosa Cells

2013 ◽  
Vol 27 (12) ◽  
pp. 2093-2104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsun-Ming Chang ◽  
Jung-Chien Cheng ◽  
Christian Klausen ◽  
Peter C. K. Leung
Keyword(s):  
Granulosa Cells ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Granulosa Cell Tumor ◽  
Type I ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Human Granulosa Cells ◽  
Progesterone Production ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory

In addition to somatic cell-derived growth factors, oocyte-derived growth differentiation factor (GDF)9 and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)15 play essential roles in female fertility. However, few studies have investigated their effects on human ovarian steroidogenesis, and fewer still have examined their differential effects or underlying molecular determinants. In the present study, we used immortalized human granulosa cells (SVOG) and human granulosa cell tumor cells (KGN) to compare the effects of GDF9 and BMP15 on steroidogenic enzyme expression and investigate potential mechanisms of action. In SVOG cells, neither GDF9 nor BMP15 affects the mRNA levels of P450 side-chain cleavage enzyme or 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. However, treatment with BMP15, but not GDF9, significantly decreases steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) mRNA and protein levels as well as progesterone production. These suppressive effects, along with the induction of Sma and Mad-related protein (SMAD)1/5/8 phosphorylation, are attenuated by cotreatment with 2 different BMP type I receptor inhibitors (dorsomorphin and DMH-1). Furthermore, depletion of activin receptor-like kinase (ALK)3 using small interfering RNA reverses the effects of BMP15 on SMAD1/5/8 phosphorylation and StAR expression. Similarly, knockdown of ALK3 abolishes BMP15-induced SMAD1/5/8 phosphorylation in KGN cells. These results provide evidence that oocyte-derived BMP15 down-regulates StAR expression and decreases progesterone production in human granulosa cells, likely via ALK3-mediated SMAD1/5/8 signaling. Our findings suggest that oocyte may play a critical role in the regulation of progesterone to prevent premature luteinization during the late stage of follicle development.

scholarly journals MicroRNA-277 targetsinsulin-like peptides 7and8to control lipid metabolism and reproduction inAedes aegyptimosquitoes

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (38) ◽  
pp. E8017-E8024 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Ling ◽  
Vladimir A. Kokoza ◽  
Changyu Zhang ◽  
Emre Aksoy ◽  
Alexander S. Raikhel
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Metabolism ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Fat Body ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Target Prediction ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Ovary Development ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
Energy Store

Hematophagous female mosquitoes transmit numerous devastating human diseases, including malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus, and others. Because of their obligatory requirement of a vertebrate blood meal for reproduction, these mosquitoes need a lot of energy; therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms linking metabolism and reproduction is of particular importance. Lipids are the major energy store providing the fuel required for host seeking and reproduction. They are essential components of the fat body, a metabolic tissue that is the insect analog of vertebrate liver and adipose tissue. In this study, we found that microRNA-277 (miR-277) plays an important role in regulating mosquito lipid metabolism. The genetic disruption of miR-277 using the CRISPR-Cas9 system led to failures in both lipid storage and ovary development. miR-277 mimic injection partially rescued these phenotypic manifestations. Examination of subcellular localization of FOXO protein via CRISPR-assisted, single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide-mediated homology-directed repair revealed that insulin signaling is up-regulated in response to miR-277 depletion. In silico target prediction identified that insulin-like peptides 7 and 8 (ilp7andilp8) are putative targets of miR-277; RNA immunoprecipitation and a luciferase reporter assay confirmed thatilp7andilp8are direct targets of this miRNA. CRISPR-Cas9 depletion ofilp7andilp8led to metabolic and reproductive defects. These depletions identified differential actions of ILP7 and ILP8 in lipid homeostasis and ovarian development. Thus, miR-277 plays a critical role in mosquito lipid metabolism and reproduction by targetingilp7andilp8, and serves as a monitor to control ILP7 and ILP8 mRNA levels.

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