1
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Bakker JW, Münger E, Esser HJ, Sikkema RS, de Boer WF, Sprong H, Reusken CBEM, de Vries A, Kohl R, van der Linden A, Stroo A, van der Jeugd H, Pijlman GP, Koopmans MPG, Munnink BBO, Koenraadt CJM. Ixodes ricinus as potential vector for Usutu virus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012172. [PMID: 38985837 PMCID: PMC11236205 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV) is an emerging flavivirus that is maintained in an enzootic cycle with mosquitoes as vectors and birds as amplifying hosts. In Europe, the virus has caused mass mortality of wild birds, mainly among Common Blackbird (Turdus merula) populations. While mosquitoes are the primary vectors for USUV, Common Blackbirds and other avian species are exposed to other arthropod ectoparasites, such as ticks. It is unknown, however, if ticks can maintain and transmit USUV. We addressed this question using in vitro and in vivo experiments and field collected data. USUV replicated in IRE/CTVM19 Ixodes ricinus tick cells and in injected ticks. Moreover, I. ricinus nymphs acquired the virus via artificial membrane blood-feeding and maintained the virus for at least 70 days. Transstadial transmission of USUV from nymphs to adults was confirmed in 4.9% of the ticks. USUV disseminated from the midgut to the haemocoel, and was transmitted via the saliva of the tick during artificial membrane blood-feeding. We further explored the role of ticks by monitoring USUV in questing ticks and in ticks feeding on wild birds in the Netherlands between 2016 and 2019. In total, 622 wild birds and the Ixodes ticks they carried were tested for USUV RNA. Of these birds, 48 (7.7%) carried USUV-positive ticks. The presence of negative-sense USUV RNA in ticks, as confirmed via small RNA-sequencing, showed active virus replication. In contrast, we did not detect USUV in 15,381 questing ticks collected in 2017 and 2019. We conclude that I. ricinus can be infected with USUV and can transstadially and horizontally transmit USUV. However, in comparison to mosquito-borne transmission, the role of I. ricinus ticks in the epidemiology of USUV is expected to be minor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian W Bakker
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Helen J Esser
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Reina S Sikkema
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Vogeltrekstation, Dutch Centre for Avian Migration and Demography, NIOO-KNAW, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Willem F de Boer
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Hein Sprong
- National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Chantal B E M Reusken
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ankje de Vries
- National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Robert Kohl
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Arjan Stroo
- Centre for Monitoring of Vectors, Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Henk van der Jeugd
- Vogeltrekstation, Dutch Centre for Avian Migration and Demography, NIOO-KNAW, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Gorben P Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
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Sun K, Fu K, Hu T, Shentu X, Yu X. Leveraging insect viruses and genetic manipulation for sustainable agricultural pest control. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024; 80:2515-2527. [PMID: 37948321 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The potential of insect viruses in the biological control of agricultural pests is well-recognized, yet their practical application faces obstacles such as host specificity, variable virulence, and resource scarcity. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies have significantly advanced our capabilities in discovering and identifying new insect viruses, thereby enriching the arsenal for pest management. Concurrently, progress in reverse genetics has facilitated the development of versatile viral expression vectors. These vectors have enhanced the specificity and effectiveness of insect viruses in targeting specific pests, offering a more precise approach to pest control. This review provides a comprehensive examination of the methodologies employed in the identification of insect viruses using HTS. Additionally, it explores the domain of genetically modified insect viruses and their associated challenges in pest management. The adoption of these cutting-edge approaches holds great promise for developing environmentally sustainable and effective pest control solutions. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Sun
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biometrology and Inspection & Quarantine, College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kang Fu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biometrology and Inspection & Quarantine, College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tao Hu
- Zhejinag Seed Industry Group Xinchuang Bio-breeding Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuping Shentu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biometrology and Inspection & Quarantine, College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoping Yu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biometrology and Inspection & Quarantine, College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, China
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Tempone AJ, Zezza-Ramalho MDS, Borely D, Pitaluga AN, Brazil RP, Brandão-Filho SP, Pessoa FAC, Bruno RV, Carvalho-Costa FA, Salomón OD, Volf P, Burleigh BA, Aguiar ERGR, Traub-Cseko YM. Rhabdoviral Endogenous Sequences Identified in the Leishmaniasis Vector Lutzomyia longipalpis Are Widespread in Sandflies from South America. Viruses 2024; 16:395. [PMID: 38543761 PMCID: PMC10974309 DOI: 10.3390/v16030395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Sandflies are known vectors of leishmaniasis. In the Old World, sandflies are also vectors of viruses while little is known about the capacity of New World insects to transmit viruses to humans. Here, we relate the identification of RNA sequences with homology to rhabdovirus nucleocapsids (NcPs) genes, initially in the Lutzomyia longipalpis LL5 cell lineage, named NcP1.1 and NcP2. The Rhabdoviridae family never retrotranscribes its RNA genome to DNA. The sequences here described were identified in cDNA and DNA from LL-5 cells and in adult insects indicating that they are transcribed endogenous viral elements (EVEs). The presence of NcP1.1 and NcP2 in the L. longipalpis genome was confirmed in silico. In addition to showing the genomic location of NcP1.1 and NcP2, we identified another rhabdoviral insertion named NcP1.2. Analysis of small RNA molecules derived from these sequences showed that NcP1.1 and NcP1.2 present a profile consistent with elements targeted by primary piRNAs, while NcP2 was restricted to the degradation profile. The presence of NcP1.1 and NcP2 was investigated in sandfly populations from South America and the Old World. These EVEs are shared by different sandfly populations in South America while none of the Old World species studied presented the insertions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio J. Tempone
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitas e Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil; (M.d.S.Z.-R.); (D.B.); (A.N.P.)
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular/CNPq, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil;
| | - Monique de Souza Zezza-Ramalho
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitas e Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil; (M.d.S.Z.-R.); (D.B.); (A.N.P.)
| | - Daniel Borely
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitas e Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil; (M.d.S.Z.-R.); (D.B.); (A.N.P.)
| | - André N. Pitaluga
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitas e Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil; (M.d.S.Z.-R.); (D.B.); (A.N.P.)
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular/CNPq, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil;
| | - Reginaldo Peçanha Brazil
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil;
| | - Sinval P. Brandão-Filho
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fiocruz, Recife 50740-465, PE, Brazil;
| | - Felipe A. C. Pessoa
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Doenças Transmissíveis na Amazônia, Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fiocruz Amazônia, Manaus 69027-070, AM, Brazil;
| | - Rafaela V. Bruno
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular/CNPq, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil;
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Insetos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil
| | - Filipe A. Carvalho-Costa
- Laboratório de Epidemiologia e Sistemática Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil;
| | - Oscar D. Salomón
- Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical, Ministerio de Salud de la Nación, ANLIS, Puerto Iguazu 3370, Misiones, Argentina;
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Charles University, 12800 Prague, Czech Republic;
| | - Barbara A. Burleigh
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Cambridge, MA 02115, USA;
| | - Eric R. G. R. Aguiar
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil;
| | - Yara M. Traub-Cseko
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitas e Vetores, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil; (M.d.S.Z.-R.); (D.B.); (A.N.P.)
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular/CNPq, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, RJ, Brazil;
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Hédelin L, Thiébaut A, Huang J, Li X, Lemoine A, Haas G, Meignin C, Cai H, Waterhouse RM, Martins N, Imler JL. Investigating the Evolution of Drosophila STING-Dependent Antiviral Innate Immunity by Multispecies Comparison of 2'3'-cGAMP Responses. Mol Biol Evol 2024; 41:msae032. [PMID: 38377349 PMCID: PMC10917227 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msae032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Viruses represent a major threat to all animals, which defend themselves through induction of a large set of virus-stimulated genes that collectively control the infection. In vertebrates, these genes include interferons that play a critical role in the amplification of the response to infection. Virus- and interferon-stimulated genes include restriction factors targeting the different steps of the viral replication cycle, in addition to molecules associated with inflammation and adaptive immunity. Predictably, antiviral genes evolve dynamically in response to viral pressure. As a result, each animal has a unique arsenal of antiviral genes. Here, we exploit the capacity to experimentally activate the evolutionarily conserved stimulator of IFN genes (STING) signaling pathway by injection of the cyclic dinucleotide 2'3'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate into flies to define the repertoire of STING-regulated genes in 10 Drosophila species, spanning 40 million years of evolution. Our data reveal a set of conserved STING-regulated factors, including STING itself, a cGAS-like-receptor, the restriction factor pastel, and the antiviral protein Vago, but also 2 key components of the antiviral RNA interference pathway, Dicer-2, and Argonaute2. In addition, we identify unknown species- or lineage-specific genes that have not been previously associated with resistance to viruses. Our data provide insight into the core antiviral response in Drosophila flies and pave the way for the characterization of previously unknown antiviral effectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léna Hédelin
- CNRS UPR9022, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Antonin Thiébaut
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jingxian Huang
- School of Basic Medical Science, Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- School of Basic Medical Science, Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Aurélie Lemoine
- CNRS UPR9022, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Gabrielle Haas
- CNRS UPR9022, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Carine Meignin
- CNRS UPR9022, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Hua Cai
- School of Basic Medical Science, Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Robert M Waterhouse
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nelson Martins
- CNRS UPR9022, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jean-Luc Imler
- CNRS UPR9022, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- School of Basic Medical Science, Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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5
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Zhang X, Li Y, Cao Y, Wu Y, Cheng G. The Role of Noncoding RNA in the Transmission and Pathogenicity of Flaviviruses. Viruses 2024; 16:242. [PMID: 38400018 PMCID: PMC10892091 DOI: 10.3390/v16020242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) constitute a class of RNA molecules that lack protein-coding capacity. ncRNAs frequently modulate gene expression through specific interactions with target proteins or messenger RNAs, thereby playing integral roles in a wide array of cellular processes. The Flavivirus genus comprises several significant members, such as dengue virus (DENV), Zika virus (ZIKV), and yellow fever virus (YFV), which have caused global outbreaks, resulting in high morbidity and mortality in human populations. The life cycle of arthropod-borne flaviviruses encompasses their transmission between hematophagous insect vectors and mammalian hosts. During this process, a complex three-way interplay occurs among the pathogen, vector, and host, with ncRNAs exerting a critical regulatory influence. ncRNAs not only constitute a crucial regulatory mechanism that has emerged from the coevolution of viruses and their hosts but also hold potential as antiviral targets for controlling flavivirus epidemics. This review introduces the biogenesis of flavivirus-derived ncRNAs and summarizes the regulatory roles of ncRNAs in viral replication, vector-mediated viral transmission, antiviral innate immunity, and viral pathogenicity. A profound comprehension of the interplay between ncRNAs and flaviviruses will help formulate efficacious prophylactic and therapeutic strategies against flavivirus-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianwen Zhang
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Yuhan Li
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Tsinghua University-Peking University Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; (Y.L.); (Y.C.)
| | - Yingyi Cao
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Tsinghua University-Peking University Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; (Y.L.); (Y.C.)
| | - Ying Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China;
| | - Gong Cheng
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Tsinghua University-Peking University Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; (Y.L.); (Y.C.)
- Institute of Pathogenic Organisms, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Southwest United Graduate School, Kunming 650092, China
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Estevez-Castro CF, Rodrigues MF, Babarit A, Ferreira FV, de Andrade EG, Marois E, Cogni R, Aguiar ERGR, Marques JT, Olmo RP. Neofunctionalization driven by positive selection led to the retention of the loqs2 gene encoding an Aedes specific dsRNA binding protein. BMC Biol 2024; 22:14. [PMID: 38273313 PMCID: PMC10809485 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-024-01821-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mosquito borne viruses, such as dengue, Zika, yellow fever and Chikungunya, cause millions of infections every year. These viruses are mostly transmitted by two urban-adapted mosquito species, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Although mechanistic understanding remains largely unknown, Aedes mosquitoes may have unique adaptations that lower the impact of viral infection. Recently, we reported the identification of an Aedes specific double-stranded RNA binding protein (dsRBP), named Loqs2, that is involved in the control of infection by dengue and Zika viruses in mosquitoes. Preliminary analyses suggested that the loqs2 gene is a paralog of loquacious (loqs) and r2d2, two co-factors of the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway, a major antiviral mechanism in insects. RESULTS Here we analyzed the origin and evolution of loqs2. Our data suggest that loqs2 originated from two independent duplications of the first double-stranded RNA binding domain of loqs that occurred before the origin of the Aedes Stegomyia subgenus, around 31 million years ago. We show that the loqs2 gene is evolving under relaxed purifying selection at a faster pace than loqs, with evidence of neofunctionalization driven by positive selection. Accordingly, we observed that Loqs2 is localized mainly in the nucleus, different from R2D2 and both isoforms of Loqs that are cytoplasmic. In contrast to r2d2 and loqs, loqs2 expression is stage- and tissue-specific, restricted mostly to reproductive tissues in adult Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. Transgenic mosquitoes engineered to express loqs2 ubiquitously undergo developmental arrest at larval stages that correlates with massive dysregulation of gene expression without major effects on microRNAs or other endogenous small RNAs, classically associated with RNA interference. CONCLUSIONS Our results uncover the peculiar origin and neofunctionalization of loqs2 driven by positive selection. This study shows an example of unique adaptations in Aedes mosquitoes that could ultimately help explain their effectiveness as virus vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos F Estevez-Castro
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Brazil
- CNRS UPR9022, Inserm U1257, Université de Strasbourg, 67084, Strasbourg, France
| | - Murillo F Rodrigues
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403-5289, USA
| | - Antinéa Babarit
- CNRS UPR9022, Inserm U1257, Université de Strasbourg, 67084, Strasbourg, France
| | - Flávia V Ferreira
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Elisa G de Andrade
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Brazil
- CNRS UPR9022, Inserm U1257, Université de Strasbourg, 67084, Strasbourg, France
| | - Eric Marois
- CNRS UPR9022, Inserm U1257, Université de Strasbourg, 67084, Strasbourg, France
| | - Rodrigo Cogni
- Department of Ecology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-090, Brazil
| | - Eric R G R Aguiar
- Department of Biological Science, Center of Biotechnology and Genetics, State University of Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, 45662-900, Brazil
| | - João T Marques
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Brazil.
- CNRS UPR9022, Inserm U1257, Université de Strasbourg, 67084, Strasbourg, France.
| | - Roenick P Olmo
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Brazil.
- CNRS UPR9022, Inserm U1257, Université de Strasbourg, 67084, Strasbourg, France.
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Fonseca PLC, Gaur RK, Aguiar ERGR. Editorial: Using virus specific-signatures during infection to characterize host-pathogen interactions. Front Genet 2023; 14:1290714. [PMID: 37811151 PMCID: PMC10556736 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1290714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Paula Luize Camargos Fonseca
- Genetics Department, Biological Sciences Institute, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Rajarshi Kumar Gaur
- Department of Biotechnology, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Abbo SR, de Almeida JPP, Olmo RP, Balvers C, Griep JS, Linthout C, Koenraadt CJM, Silva BM, Fros JJ, Aguiar ERGR, Marois E, Pijlman GP, Marques JT. The virome of the invasive Asian bush mosquito Aedes japonicus in Europe. Virus Evol 2023; 9:vead041. [PMID: 37636319 PMCID: PMC10460169 DOI: 10.1093/ve/vead041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The Asian bush mosquito Aedes japonicus is rapidly invading North America and Europe. Due to its potential to transmit multiple pathogenic arthropod-borne (arbo)viruses including Zika virus, West Nile virus, and chikungunya virus, it is important to understand the biology of this vector mosquito in more detail. In addition to arboviruses, mosquitoes can also carry insect-specific viruses that are receiving increasing attention due to their potential effects on host physiology and arbovirus transmission. In this study, we characterized the collection of viruses, referred to as the virome, circulating in Ae. japonicus populations in the Netherlands and France. Applying a small RNA-based metagenomic approach to Ae. japonicus, we uncovered a distinct group of viruses present in samples from both the Netherlands and France. These included one known virus, Ae. japonicus narnavirus 1 (AejapNV1), and three new virus species that we named Ae. japonicus totivirus 1 (AejapTV1), Ae. japonicus anphevirus 1 (AejapAV1) and Ae. japonicus bunyavirus 1 (AejapBV1). We also discovered sequences that were presumably derived from two additional novel viruses: Ae. japonicus bunyavirus 2 (AejapBV2) and Ae. japonicus rhabdovirus 1 (AejapRV1). All six viruses induced strong RNA interference responses, including the production of twenty-one nucleotide-sized small interfering RNAs, a signature of active replication in the host. Notably, AejapBV1 and AejapBV2 belong to different viral families; however, no RNA-dependent RNA polymerase sequence has been found for AejapBV2. Intriguingly, our small RNA-based approach identified an ∼1-kb long ambigrammatic RNA that is associated with AejapNV1 as a secondary segment but showed no similarity to any sequence in public databases. We confirmed the presence of AejapNV1 primary and secondary segments, AejapTV1, AejapAV1, and AejapBV1 by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in wild-caught Ae. japonicus mosquitoes. AejapNV1 and AejapTV1 were found at high prevalence (87-100 per cent) in adult females, adult males, and larvae. Using a small RNA-based, sequence-independent metagenomic strategy, we uncovered a conserved and prevalent virome among Ae. japonicus mosquito populations. The high prevalence of AejapNV1 and AejapTV1 across all tested mosquito life stages suggests that these viruses are intimately associated with Ae. japonicus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra R Abbo
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - João P P de Almeida
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antonio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Roenick P Olmo
- Insect Models of Innate Immunity, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UPR9022, INSERM U1257, 2 Allee Konrad Roentgen, Strasbourg 67000, France
| | - Carlijn Balvers
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - Jet S Griep
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - Charlotte Linthout
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - Constantianus J M Koenraadt
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - Bruno M Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antonio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Jelke J Fros
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - Eric R G R Aguiar
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antonio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
- Department of Biological Science, Center of Biotechnology and Genetics, State University of Santa Cruz, Rod. Jorge Amado Km 16, Ilhéus 45662-900, Brazil
| | - Eric Marois
- Insect Models of Innate Immunity, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UPR9022, INSERM U1257, 2 Allee Konrad Roentgen, Strasbourg 67000, France
| | - Gorben P Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - João T Marques
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antonio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
- Insect Models of Innate Immunity, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UPR9022, INSERM U1257, 2 Allee Konrad Roentgen, Strasbourg 67000, France
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9
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Olmo RP, Todjro YMH, Aguiar ERGR, de Almeida JPP, Ferreira FV, Armache JN, de Faria IJS, Ferreira AGA, Amadou SCG, Silva ATS, de Souza KPR, Vilela APP, Babarit A, Tan CH, Diallo M, Gaye A, Paupy C, Obame-Nkoghe J, Visser TM, Koenraadt CJM, Wongsokarijo MA, Cruz ALC, Prieto MT, Parra MCP, Nogueira ML, Avelino-Silva V, Mota RN, Borges MAZ, Drumond BP, Kroon EG, Recker M, Sedda L, Marois E, Imler JL, Marques JT. Mosquito vector competence for dengue is modulated by insect-specific viruses. Nat Microbiol 2023; 8:135-149. [PMID: 36604511 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-022-01289-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Aedes aegypti and A. albopictus mosquitoes are the main vectors for dengue virus (DENV) and other arboviruses, including Zika virus (ZIKV). Understanding the factors that affect transmission of arboviruses from mosquitoes to humans is a priority because it could inform public health and targeted interventions. Reasoning that interactions among viruses in the vector insect might affect transmission, we analysed the viromes of 815 urban Aedes mosquitoes collected from 12 countries worldwide. Two mosquito-specific viruses, Phasi Charoen-like virus (PCLV) and Humaita Tubiacanga virus (HTV), were the most abundant in A. aegypti worldwide. Spatiotemporal analyses of virus circulation in an endemic urban area revealed a 200% increase in chances of having DENV in wild A. aegypti mosquitoes when both HTV and PCLV were present. Using a mouse model in the laboratory, we showed that the presence of HTV and PCLV increased the ability of mosquitoes to transmit DENV and ZIKV to a vertebrate host. By transcriptomic analysis, we found that in DENV-infected mosquitoes, HTV and PCLV block the downregulation of histone H4, which we identify as an important proviral host factor in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roenick P Olmo
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UPR9022, INSERM U1257, Strasbourg, France
| | - Yaovi M H Todjro
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Eric R G R Aguiar
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Department of Biological Sciences (DCB), Center of Biotechnology and Genetics (CBG), State University of Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, Brazil
| | - João Paulo P de Almeida
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Flávia V Ferreira
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Juliana N Armache
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Isaque J S de Faria
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Alvaro G A Ferreira
- Mosquitos Vetores: Endossimbiontes e Interação Patógeno-Vetor, Instituto René Rachou-Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Siad C G Amadou
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ana Teresa S Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Kátia P R de Souza
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula P Vilela
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Antinea Babarit
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UPR9022, INSERM U1257, Strasbourg, France
| | - Cheong H Tan
- Environmental Health Institute, Vector Biology and Control Division, National Environment Agency, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mawlouth Diallo
- Pôle de Zoologie Médicale, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Alioune Gaye
- Pôle de Zoologie Médicale, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Christophe Paupy
- Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Écologie, Génétique, Évolution et Contrôle (MIVEGEC); Université de Montpellier, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Judicaël Obame-Nkoghe
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Département de Biologie, Université des Sciences et Techniques de Masuku, Franceville, Gabon.,Écologie des Systèmes Vectoriels, Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville, Franceville, Gabon
| | - Tessa M Visser
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Ana Luiza C Cruz
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Mariliza T Prieto
- Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, Seção de Controle de Vetores, Santos City Hall, Santos, Brazil
| | - Maisa C P Parra
- Laboratory of Research in Virology, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Maurício L Nogueira
- Laboratory of Research in Virology, Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, Brazil.,Departament of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Vivian Avelino-Silva
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), Cerqueira Cesar, Brazil
| | - Renato N Mota
- Health Surveillance (Zoonosis Control), Brumadinho City Hall, Brumadinho, Brazil
| | - Magno A Z Borges
- Center for Biological and Health Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Brazil
| | - Betânia P Drumond
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Erna G Kroon
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Mario Recker
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, UK.,Institute of Tropical Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Luigi Sedda
- Lancaster Medical School, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Eric Marois
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UPR9022, INSERM U1257, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jean-Luc Imler
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UPR9022, INSERM U1257, Strasbourg, France
| | - João T Marques
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. .,Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UPR9022, INSERM U1257, Strasbourg, France.
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10
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Palatini U, Alfano N, Carballar RL, Chen XG, Delatte H, Bonizzoni M. Virome and nrEVEome diversity of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes from La Reunion Island and China. Virol J 2022; 19:190. [DOI: 10.1186/s12985-022-01918-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Aedes albopictus is a public health threat for its worldwide spread and ability to transmit arboviruses. Understanding mechanisms of mosquito immunity can provide new tools to control arbovirus spread. The genomes of Aedes mosquitoes contain hundreds of nonretroviral endogenous viral elements (nrEVEs), which are enriched in piRNA clusters and produce piRNAs, with the potential to target cognate viruses. Recently, one nrEVE was shown to limit cognate viral infection through nrEVE-derived piRNAs. These findings suggest that nrEVEs constitute an archive of past viral infection and that the landscape of viral integrations may be variable across populations depending on their viral exposure.
Methods
We used bioinformatics and molecular approaches to identify known and novel (i.e. absent in the reference genome) viral integrations in the genome of wild collected Aedes albopictus mosquitoes and characterize their virome.
Results
We showed that the landscape of viral integrations is dynamic with seven novel viral integrations being characterized, but does not correlate with the virome, which includes both viral species known and unknown to infect mosquitoes. However, the small RNA coverage profile of nrEVEs and the viral genomic contigs we identified confirmed an interaction among these elements and the piRNA and siRNA pathways in mosquitoes.
Conclusions
Mosquitoes nrEVEs have been recently described as a new form of heritable, sequence-specific mechanism of antiviral immunity. Our results contribute to understanding the dynamic distribution of nrEVEs in the genomes of wild Ae. albopictus and their interaction with mosquito viruses.
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11
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Fiorillo C, Yen PS, Colantoni A, Mariconti M, Azevedo N, Lombardo F, Failloux AB, Arcà B. MicroRNAs and other small RNAs in Aedes aegypti saliva and salivary glands following chikungunya virus infection. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9536. [PMID: 35681077 PMCID: PMC9184468 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13780-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Mosquito saliva facilitates blood feeding through the anti-haemostatic, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of its proteins. However, the potential contribution of non-coding RNAs to host manipulation is still poorly understood. We analysed small RNAs from Aedes aegypti saliva and salivary glands and show here that chikungunya virus-infection triggers both the siRNA and piRNA antiviral pathways with limited effects on miRNA expression profiles. Saliva appears enriched in specific miRNA subsets and its miRNA content is well conserved among mosquitoes and ticks, clearly pointing to a non-random sorting and occurrence. Finally, we provide evidence that miRNAs from Ae. aegypti saliva may target human immune and inflammatory pathways, as indicated by prediction analysis and searching for experimentally validated targets of identical human miRNAs. Overall, we believe these observations convincingly support a scenario where both proteins and miRNAs from mosquito saliva are injected into vertebrates during blood feeding and contribute to the complex vector-host-pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmine Fiorillo
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases - Division of Parasitology, "Sapienza" University, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Pei-Shi Yen
- Arboviruses and Insect Vectors Unit, Institute Pasteur, 25 rue Dr. Roux, 75724, Paris Cedex 15, France
| | - Alessio Colantoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, "Sapienza" University, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Marina Mariconti
- Arboviruses and Insect Vectors Unit, Institute Pasteur, 25 rue Dr. Roux, 75724, Paris Cedex 15, France
| | - Nayara Azevedo
- Genomics Core Facility, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Meyerhofstrasse 1, 69117, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Fabrizio Lombardo
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases - Division of Parasitology, "Sapienza" University, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna-Bella Failloux
- Arboviruses and Insect Vectors Unit, Institute Pasteur, 25 rue Dr. Roux, 75724, Paris Cedex 15, France
| | - Bruno Arcà
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases - Division of Parasitology, "Sapienza" University, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy.
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12
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Zhao S, Chen G, Kong X, Chen N, Wu X. BmNPV p35 Reduces the Accumulation of Virus-Derived siRNAs and Hinders the Function of siRNAs to Facilitate Viral Infection. Front Immunol 2022; 13:845268. [PMID: 35251046 PMCID: PMC8895250 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.845268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Antiviral immunity involves various mechanisms and responses, including the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway. During long-term coevolution, viruses have gained the ability to evade this defense by encoding viral suppressors of RNAi (VSRs). It was reported that p35 of baculovirus can inhibit cellular small interference RNA (siRNA) pathway; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying p35 as a VSR remain largely unclear. Here, we showed that p35 of Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) reduces the accumulation of virus-derived siRNAs (vsiRNAs) mapped to a particular region in the viral genome, leading to an increased expression of the essential genes in this region, and revealed that p35 disrupts the function of siRNAs by preventing them from loading into Argonaute-2 (Ago2). This repressive effect on the cellular siRNA pathway enhances the replication of BmNPV. Thus, our findings illustrate for the first time the inhibitory mechanism of a baculovirus VSR and how this effect influences viral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shudi Zhao
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Bee Resource Utilization and Innovation of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guanping Chen
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Bee Resource Utilization and Innovation of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiangshuo Kong
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Bee Resource Utilization and Innovation of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Nan Chen
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Bee Resource Utilization and Innovation of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaofeng Wu
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Bee Resource Utilization and Innovation of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaofeng Wu,
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13
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Fonseca PLC, Mucherino M JJ, Porto JAM, Armache JN, de Almeida JPP, da Silva FF, Olmo RP, Faria IJDS, de Carvalho DS, Góes-Neto A, Corrêa RX, Pirovani CP, Pacheco LGC, Costa MA, Aguiar ERGR. Genome-wide identification of miRNAs and target regulatory network in the invasive ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor. Genomics 2021; 113:2290-2303. [PMID: 34044154 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2021.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Varroa destructor is an ectoparasite mite that attacks bees leading to colony disorders worldwide. microRNAs (miRNAs) are key molecules used by eukaryotes to post-transcriptional control of gene expression. Nevertheless, still lack information aboutV. destructor miRNAs and its regulatory networks. Here, we used an integrative strategy to characterize the miRNAs in the V. destructor mite. We identified 310 precursors that give rise to 500 mature miRNAs, which 257 are likely mite-specific elements. miRNAs showed canonical length ranging between 18 and 25 nucleotides and 5' uracil preference. Top 10 elements concentrated over 80% of total miRNA expression, with bantam alone representing ~50%. We also detected non-templated bases in precursor-derived small RNAs, indicative of miRNA post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms. Finally, we note that conserved miRNAs control similar processes in different organisms, suggesting a conservative role. Altogether, our findings contribute to the better understanding of the mite biology that can assist future studies on varroosis control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula L C Fonseca
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais CEP 30270-901, Brazil
| | - Jonathan J Mucherino M
- Department of Biological Science (DCB), Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Rodovia Jorge Amado km 16, Ilhéus, Bahia 45662-900, Brazil; Department of Forest Management, Facultad de Ciencias Forestales y Ambientales, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida, Mérida 5101, Venezuela
| | - Joel A M Porto
- Department of Biological Science (DCB), Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Rodovia Jorge Amado km 16, Ilhéus, Bahia 45662-900, Brazil
| | - Juliana N Armache
- Bioinformatics Program, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais CEP 30270-901, Brazil
| | - João Paulo P de Almeida
- Bioinformatics Program, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais CEP 30270-901, Brazil
| | - Felipe F da Silva
- Bioinformatics Program, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais CEP 30270-901, Brazil
| | - Roenick P Olmo
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UPR9022, Inserm, Strasbourg, France
| | - Isaque J da S Faria
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais CEP 30270-901, Brazil
| | - Daniel S de Carvalho
- Bioinformatics Program, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais CEP 30270-901, Brazil
| | - Aristóteles Góes-Neto
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais CEP 30270-901, Brazil; Bioinformatics Program, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais CEP 30270-901, Brazil
| | - Ronan X Corrêa
- Department of Biological Science (DCB), Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Rodovia Jorge Amado km 16, Ilhéus, Bahia 45662-900, Brazil
| | - Carlos P Pirovani
- Department of Biological Science (DCB), Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Rodovia Jorge Amado km 16, Ilhéus, Bahia 45662-900, Brazil
| | - Luis G C Pacheco
- Institute of Health Sciences, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Marco Antônio Costa
- Department of Biological Science (DCB), Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Rodovia Jorge Amado km 16, Ilhéus, Bahia 45662-900, Brazil
| | - Eric R G R Aguiar
- Department of Biological Science (DCB), Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Rodovia Jorge Amado km 16, Ilhéus, Bahia 45662-900, Brazil.
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14
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de Almeida JP, Aguiar ER, Armache JN, Olmo RP, Marques JT. The virome of vector mosquitoes. Curr Opin Virol 2021; 49:7-12. [PMID: 33991759 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2021.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Mosquitoes are the major vectors for arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) of medical importance. Aedes aegypti and A. albopictus are the most prolific and widespread mosquito vectors being responsible for global transmission of dengue, Zika and Chikungunya viruses. Characterizing the collection of viruses circulating in mosquitoes, the virome, has long been of special interest. In addition to arboviruses, mosquitoes carry insect-specific viruses (ISVs) that do not directly infect vertebrates. Mounting evidence indicates that ISVs interact with arboviruses and may affect mosquito vector competence. Here, we review our current knowledge about the virome of vector mosquitoes and discuss the challenges for the field that may lead to novel strategies to prevent outbreaks of arboviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Pp de Almeida
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte CEP 31270901, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Eric Rgr Aguiar
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte CEP 31270901, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Department of Biological Science (DCB), Center of Biotechnology and Genetics (CBG), State University of Santa Cruz (UESC), Rodovia Ilhéus-Itabuna km 16, Ilhéus 45652-900, Brazil
| | - Juliana N Armache
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte CEP 31270901, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Roenick P Olmo
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UPR9022, INSERM U1257, Strasbourg 67084, France
| | - João T Marques
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte CEP 31270901, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UPR9022, INSERM U1257, Strasbourg 67084, France.
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15
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Characterization of a Novel Mitovirus of the Sand Fly Lutzomyia longipalpis Using Genomic and Virus-Host Interaction Signatures. Viruses 2020; 13:v13010009. [PMID: 33374584 PMCID: PMC7822452 DOI: 10.3390/v13010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hematophagous insects act as the major reservoirs of infectious agents due to their intimate contact with a large variety of vertebrate hosts. Lutzomyia longipalpis is the main vector of Leishmania chagasi in the New World, but its role as a host of viruses is poorly understood. In this work, Lu. longipalpis RNA libraries were subjected to progressive assembly using viral profile HMMs as seeds. A sequence phylogenetically related to fungal viruses of the genus Mitovirus was identified and this novel virus was named Lul-MV-1. The 2697-base genome presents a single gene coding for an RNA-directed RNA polymerase with an organellar genetic code. To determine the possible host of Lul-MV-1, we analyzed the molecular characteristics of the viral genome. Dinucleotide composition and codon usage showed profiles similar to mitochondrial DNA of invertebrate hosts. Also, the virus-derived small RNA profile was consistent with the activation of the siRNA pathway, with size distribution and 5′ base enrichment analogous to those observed in viruses of sand flies, reinforcing Lu. longipalpis as a putative host. Finally, RT-PCR of different insect pools and sequences of public Lu. longipalpis RNA libraries confirmed the high prevalence of Lul-MV-1. This is the first report of a mitovirus infecting an insect host.
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16
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Fareh M, van Lopik J, Katechis I, Bronkhorst AW, Haagsma AC, van Rij RP, Joo C. Viral suppressors of RNAi employ a rapid screening mode to discriminate viral RNA from cellular small RNA. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:3187-3197. [PMID: 29325071 PMCID: PMC5888754 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx1316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is an indispensable mechanism for antiviral defense in insects, including mosquitoes that transmit human diseases. To escape this antiviral defense system, viruses encode suppressors of RNAi that prevent elimination of viral RNAs, and thus ensure efficient virus accumulation. Although the first animal Viral Suppressor of RNAi (VSR) was identified more than a decade ago, the molecular basis of RNAi suppression by these viral proteins remains unclear. Here, we developed a single-molecule fluorescence assay to investigate how VSRs inhibit the recognition of viral RNAs by Dcr-2, a key endoribonuclease enzyme in the RNAi pathway. Using VSRs from three insect RNA viruses (Culex Y virus, Drosophila X virus and Drosophila C virus), we reveal bimodal physical interactions between RNA molecules and VSRs. During initial interactions, these VSRs rapidly discriminate short RNA substrates from long dsRNA. VSRs engage nearly irreversible binding with long dsRNAs, thereby shielding it from recognition by Dcr-2. We propose that the length-dependent switch from rapid screening to irreversible binding reflects the main mechanism by which VSRs distinguish viral dsRNA from cellular RNA species such as microRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Fareh
- Kavli Institute of NanoScience and Department of BioNanoScience, Delft University of Technology, Delft 2629 HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Jasper van Lopik
- Kavli Institute of NanoScience and Department of BioNanoScience, Delft University of Technology, Delft 2629 HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Iason Katechis
- Kavli Institute of NanoScience and Department of BioNanoScience, Delft University of Technology, Delft 2629 HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Alfred W Bronkhorst
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen 6525 GA, The Netherlands
| | - Anna C Haagsma
- Kavli Institute of NanoScience and Department of BioNanoScience, Delft University of Technology, Delft 2629 HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald P van Rij
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen 6525 GA, The Netherlands
| | - Chirlmin Joo
- Kavli Institute of NanoScience and Department of BioNanoScience, Delft University of Technology, Delft 2629 HZ, The Netherlands
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17
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Olmo RP, Martins NE, Aguiar ERGR, Marques JT, Imler JL. The insect reservoir of biodiversity for viruses and for antiviral mechanisms. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2019; 91 Suppl 3:e20190122. [PMID: 31166476 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765201920190122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Insects are the most diverse group of animals. They can be infected by an extraordinary diversity of viruses. Among them, arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) can be transmitted to humans. High-throughput sequencing of small RNAs from insects provides insight into their virome, which may help understand the dynamics of vector borne infectious diseases. Furthermore, investigating the mechanisms that restrict viral infections in insects points to genetic innovations that may inspire novel antiviral strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roenick P Olmo
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Nelson Eduardo Martins
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Eric Roberto G R Aguiar
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - João T Marques
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Jean-Luc Imler
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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18
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Martins NE, Olmo RP, Aguiar ERGR, Marques JT, Imler JL. [Insects: An exceptional reservoir for viruses and antiviral genes]. Biol Aujourdhui 2019; 212:101-106. [PMID: 30973139 DOI: 10.1051/jbio/2019008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Insects are the most diverse group of animals. They can be infected by an extraordinary diversity of viruses. Among them, arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) can be transmitted to humans. High-throughput sequencing of small RNAs from insects provides insight on their virome, which may help understand the dynamics of vector borne infectious diseases. Furthermore, investigating the mechanisms that restrict viral infections in insects points to genetic innovations that may inspire novel antiviral strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelson Eduardo Martins
- CNRS UPR9022, INSERM U1257, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, 15, rue René Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg, France
| | - Roenick Proveti Olmo
- CNRS UPR9022, INSERM U1257, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, 15, rue René Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg, France
| | - Eric Roberto Guimarães Rocha Aguiar
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 6627, Av. Antônio Carlos, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte/MG, Brazil - Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - João Trindade Marques
- CNRS UPR9022, INSERM U1257, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, 15, rue René Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg, France - Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 6627, Av. Antônio Carlos, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte/MG, Brazil
| | - Jean-Luc Imler
- CNRS UPR9022, INSERM U1257, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, 15, rue René Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg, France
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19
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Fonseca PLC, Badotti F, de Oliveira TFP, Fonseca A, Vaz ABM, Tomé LMR, Abrahão JS, Marques JT, Trindade GS, Chaverri P, Aguiar ERGR, Góes-Neto A. Virome analyses of Hevea brasiliensis using small RNA deep sequencing and PCR techniques reveal the presence of a potential new virus. Virol J 2018; 15:184. [PMID: 30477549 PMCID: PMC6258436 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-018-1095-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hevea brasiliensis is an important commercial crop due to the high quality of the latex it produces; however, little is known about viral infections in this plant. The only virus described to infect H. brasiliensis until now is a Carlavirus, which was described more than 30 years ago. Virus-derived small interfering RNA (vsiRNAs) are the product of the plant’s antiviral defense triggered by dsRNA viral intermediates generated, during the replication cycle. These vsiRNAs are complementar to viral genomes and have been widely used to identify and characterize viruses in plants. Methods In the present study, we investigated the virome of leaf and sapwood samples from native H. brasiliensis trees collected in two geographic areas in the Brazilian Amazon. Small RNA (sRNA) deep sequencing and bioinformatic tools were used to assembly, identify and characterize viral contigs. Subsequently, PCR amplification techniques were performed to experimentally verify the presence of the viral sequences. Finally, the phylogenetic relationship of the putative new virus with related viral genomes was analyzed. Results Our strategy allowed the identification of 32 contigs with high similarity to viral reference genomes, from which 23 exhibited homology to viruses of the Tymoviridae family. The reads showed a predominant size distribution at 21 nt derived from both strands, which was consistent with the vsiRNAs profile. The presence and genome position of the viral contigs were experimentally confirmed using droplet digital PCR amplifications. A 1913 aa long fragment was obtained and used to infer the phylogenetic relationship of the putative new virus, which indicated that it is taxonomically related to the Grapevine fleck virus, genus Maculavirus. The putative new virus was named Hevea brasiliensis virus (HBrV) in reference to its host. Conclusion The methodological strategy applied here proved to be efficient in detecting and confirming the presence of new viral sequences on a ‘very difficult to manage’ sample. This is the second time that viral sequences, that could be ascribed as a putative novel virus, associated to the rubber tree has been identified. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12985-018-1095-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula L C Fonseca
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Badotti
- Department of Chemistry, Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica de Minas Gerais (CEFET-MG), Belo Horizonte, MG, 30421-169, Brazil
| | - Tatiana F P de Oliveira
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil.,LANAGRO/MG -Laboratório Nacional da Agricultura, Ministério da Agricultura (MAPA), Pedro Leopoldo, MG, 33600-000, Brazil
| | - Antônio Fonseca
- LANAGRO/MG -Laboratório Nacional da Agricultura, Ministério da Agricultura (MAPA), Pedro Leopoldo, MG, 33600-000, Brazil
| | - Aline B M Vaz
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil.,Faculdade de Minas (FAMINAS), Belo Horizonte, MG, 31744-007, Brazil
| | - Luiz M R Tomé
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Jônatas S Abrahão
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - João T Marques
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Giliane S Trindade
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Priscila Chaverri
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA.,Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José, 11501-2060, Costa Rica
| | - Eric R G R Aguiar
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil. .,Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, BA, ,40110-100, Brazil.
| | - Aristóteles Góes-Neto
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil.
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20
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Control of dengue virus in the midgut of Aedes aegypti by ectopic expression of the dsRNA-binding protein Loqs2. Nat Microbiol 2018; 3:1385-1393. [PMID: 30374169 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-018-0268-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV) is an arbovirus transmitted to humans by Aedes mosquitoes1. In the insect vector, the small interfering RNA (siRNA) pathway is an important antiviral mechanism against DENV2-5. However, it remains unclear when and where the siRNA pathway acts during the virus cycle. Here, we show that the siRNA pathway fails to efficiently silence DENV in the midgut of Aedes aegypti although it is essential to restrict systemic replication. Accumulation of DENV-derived siRNAs in the midgut reveals that impaired silencing results from a defect downstream of small RNA biogenesis. Notably, silencing triggered by endogenous and exogenous dsRNAs remained effective in the midgut where known components of the siRNA pathway, including the double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-binding proteins Loquacious and r2d2, had normal expression levels. We identified an Aedes-specific paralogue of loquacious and r2d2, hereafter named loqs2, which is not expressed in the midgut. Loqs2 interacts with Loquacious and r2d2 and is required to control systemic replication of DENV and also Zika virus. Furthermore, ectopic expression of Loqs2 in the midgut of transgenic mosquitoes is sufficient to restrict DENV replication and dissemination. Together, our data reveal a mechanism of tissue-specific regulation of the mosquito siRNA pathway controlled by Loqs2.
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21
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Insect-specific viruses: from discovery to potential translational applications. Curr Opin Virol 2018; 33:33-41. [PMID: 30048906 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2018.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Over the past decade the scientific community has experienced a new age of virus discovery in arthropods in general, and in insects in particular. Next generation sequencing and advanced bioinformatics tools have provided new insights about insect viromes and viral evolution. In this review, we discuss some high-throughput sequencing technologies used to discover viruses in insects and the challenges raised in data interpretations. Additionally, the discovery of these novel viruses that are considered as insect-specific viruses (ISVs) has gained increasing attention in their potential use as biological agents. As example, we show how the ISV Nhumirim virus was used to reduce West Nile virus transmission when co-infecting the mosquito vector. We also discuss new translational opportunities of using ISVs to limit insect vector competence by using them to interfere with pathogen acquisition, to directly target the insect vector or to confer pathogen resistance by the insect vector.
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22
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Ferreira FV, Aguiar ERGR, Olmo RP, de Oliveira KPV, Silva EG, Sant'Anna MRV, Gontijo NDF, Kroon EG, Imler JL, Marques JT. The small non-coding RNA response to virus infection in the Leishmania vector Lutzomyia longipalpis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006569. [PMID: 29864168 PMCID: PMC6002125 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2017] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Sandflies are well known vectors for Leishmania but also transmit a number of arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses). Few studies have addressed the interaction between sandflies and arboviruses. RNA interference (RNAi) mechanisms utilize small non-coding RNAs to regulate different aspects of host-pathogen interactions. The small interfering RNA (siRNA) pathway is a broad antiviral mechanism in insects. In addition, at least in mosquitoes, another RNAi mechanism mediated by PIWI interacting RNAs (piRNAs) is activated by viral infection. Finally, endogenous microRNAs (miRNA) may also regulate host immune responses. Here, we analyzed the small non-coding RNA response to Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection in the sandfly Lutzoymia longipalpis. We detected abundant production of virus-derived siRNAs after VSV infection in adult sandflies. However, there was no production of virus-derived piRNAs and only mild changes in the expression of vector miRNAs in response to infection. We also observed abundant production of virus-derived siRNAs against two other viruses in Lutzomyia Lulo cells. Together, our results suggest that the siRNA but not the piRNA pathway mediates an antiviral response in sandflies. In agreement with this hypothesis, pre-treatment of cells with dsRNA against VSV was able to inhibit viral replication while knock-down of the central siRNA component, Argonaute-2, led to increased virus levels. Our work begins to elucidate the role of RNAi mechanisms in the interaction between L. longipalpis and viruses and should also open the way for studies with other sandfly-borne pathogens. Sandflies are important insect vectors that transmit many species of Leishmania, bacteria and viruses. We know very little about how this insect vector responds to viral infection. RNA interference (RNAi) utilizes small non-coding RNAs to regulate different aspects of animal physiology, including immune responses. Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) mediate a major antiviral response in insects. Virus-derived PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) can also be generated during infection, at least in some insects. Finally, endogenous microRNAs (miRNA) can regulate the host response to infection. Here we show that virus infection triggers activation of the siRNA pathway but not production of piRNAs in the sandfly Lutzomyia longipalpis. Furthermore, activation or inhibition of the siRNA pathway had a direct effect on viral replication. We also show that virus infection caused mild changes to the expression of endogenous miRNAs. Our work describes for the first time a model to study virus infection in sandflies and highlights the importance of the siRNA pathway for the control of virus infection in L. longipalpis. The framework described here can be used to explore other aspects of the vector-pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flávia Viana Ferreira
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Eric Roberto Guimarães Rocha Aguiar
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Roenick Proveti Olmo
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Karla Pollyanna Vieira de Oliveira
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Emanuele Guimarães Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Maurício Roberto Viana Sant'Anna
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Nelder de Figueiredo Gontijo
- Department of Parasitology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Erna Geessien Kroon
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Jean Luc Imler
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS M3I/UPR9022, Inserm MIR/U1257, Strasbourg, France
| | - João Trindade Marques
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Kharchenko EP. OCCURRENCE OF SMALL HOMOLOGOUS AND COMPLEMENTARY FRAGMENTS IN HUMAN VIRUS GENOMES AND THEIR POSSIBLE ROLE. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF INFECTION AND IMMUNITY 2018. [DOI: 10.15789/2220-7619-2017-4-393-404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
With computer analysis occurrence of small homologous and complementary fragments (21 nucleotides in length) has been studied in genomes of 14 human viruses causing most dangerous infections. The sample includes viruses with (+) and (–) single stranded RNA and DNA-containing hepatitis A virus. Analysis of occurrence of homologous sequences has shown the existence two extreme situations. On the one hand, the same virus contains homologous sequences to almost all other viruses (for example, Ebola virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus, and mumps virus), and numerous homologous sequences to the same other virus (especially in severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus to Dengue virus and in Ebola virus to poliovirus). On the other hand, there are rare occurrence and not numerous homologous sequences in genomes of other viruses (rubella virus, hepatitis A virus, and hepatitis B virus). Similar situation exists for occurrence of complementary sequences. Rubella virus, the genome of which has the high content of guanine and cytosine, has no complementary sequences to almost all other viruses. Most viruses have moderate level of occurrence for homologous and complementary sequences. Autocomplementary sequences are numerous in most viruses and one may suggest that the genome of single stranded RNA viruses has branched secondary structure. In addition to possible role in recombination among strains autocomplementary sequences could be regulators of translation rate of virus proteins and determine its optimal proportion in virion assembly with genome and mRNA folding. Occurrence of small homologous and complementary sequences in RNA- and DNA-containing viruses may be the result of multiple recombinations in the past and the present and determine their adaptation and variability. Recombination may take place in coinfection of human and/or common hosts. Inclusion of homologous and complementary sequences into genome could not only renew viruses but also serve as memory of existence of a competitor for host and means of counteraction against a competitor in coinfection being an analogy of the bacterial CRISPR/Cas system.
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24
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Varghese FS, van Rij RP. Insect Virus Discovery by Metagenomic and Cell Culture-Based Approaches. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1746:197-213. [PMID: 29492897 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7683-6_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Insects are the most abundant and diverse group of animals on earth, but our knowledge of their viruses is biased toward insect-borne viruses that cause disease in plants, animals, or humans. Recent metagenomic studies and systematic surveys of viruses in wild-caught insects have identified an unanticipated large repertoire of novel viruses and viral sequences. These include new members of existing clades, new clades, and even entirely new virus families. These studies greatly expand the known virosphere in insects, provide opportunities to study virus-host interactions, and generate new insights into virus evolution. In this chapter, we discuss the methods used to identify novel viruses in insects and highlight some notable surprises arising from these studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Finny S Varghese
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald P van Rij
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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25
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Saldaña MA, Etebari K, Hart CE, Widen SG, Wood TG, Thangamani S, Asgari S, Hughes GL. Zika virus alters the microRNA expression profile and elicits an RNAi response in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005760. [PMID: 28715413 PMCID: PMC5531668 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Revised: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV), a flavivirus transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti, has recently spread globally in an unprecedented fashion, yet we have a poor understanding of host-microbe interactions in this system. To gain insights into the interplay between ZIKV and the mosquito, we sequenced the small RNA profiles in ZIKV-infected and non-infected Ae. aegypti mosquitoes at 2, 7 and 14 days post-infection. ZIKA induced an RNAi response in the mosquito with virus-derived short interfering RNAs and PIWI-interacting RNAs dramatically increased in abundance post-infection. Further, we found 17 host microRNAs (miRNAs) that were modulated by ZIKV infection at all time points. Strikingly, many of these regulated miRNAs have been reported to have their expression altered by dengue and West Nile viruses, while the response was divergent from that induced by the alphavirus Chikungunya virus in mosquitoes. This suggests that conserved miRNA responses occur within mosquitoes in response to flavivirus infection. This study expands our understanding of ZIKV-vector interactions and provides potential avenues to be further investigated to target ZIKV in the mosquito host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A. Saldaña
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States of America
| | - Kayvan Etebari
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Charles E. Hart
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States of America
| | - Steven G. Widen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States of America
| | - Thomas G. Wood
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States of America
| | - Saravanan Thangamani
- Department of Pathology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, Center for Tropical Diseases, Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Disease. University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States of America
| | - Sassan Asgari
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- * E-mail: (SA); (GLH)
| | - Grant L. Hughes
- Department of Pathology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, Center for Tropical Diseases, Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Disease. University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SA); (GLH)
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26
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Lee M, Etebari K, Hall-Mendelin S, van den Hurk AF, Hobson-Peters J, Vatipally S, Schnettler E, Hall R, Asgari S. Understanding the role of microRNAs in the interaction of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes with an insect-specific flavivirus. J Gen Virol 2017; 98:1892-1903. [PMID: 28699859 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.000832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The Flavivirus genus contains some of the most prevalent vector-borne viruses, such as the dengue, Zika and yellow fever viruses that cause devastating diseases in humans. However, the insect-specific clade of flaviviruses is restricted to mosquito hosts, albeit they have retained the general features of the genus, such as genome structure and replication. The interactions between insect-specific flaviviruses (ISFs) and their mosquito hosts are largely unknown. Pathogenic flaviviruses are known to modulate host-derived microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of non-coding RNAs that are important in controlling gene expression. Alterations in miRNAs may represent changes in host gene expression and promote understanding of virus-host interactions. The role of miRNAs in ISF-mosquito interactions is largely unknown. A recently discovered Australian ISF, Palm Creek virus (PCV), has the ability to suppress medically relevant flaviviruses. Here, we investigated the potential involvement of miRNAs in PCV infection using the model mosquito Aedes aegypti. By combining small-RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis, differentially expressed miRNAs were determined. Our results indicated that PCV infection hardly affects host miRNAs. Out of 101 reported miRNAs of Ae. aegypti, only aae-miR-2940-5p had a significantly altered expression over the course of infection. However, further analysis of aae-miR-2940-5p revealed that this miRNA does not have any direct impact on PCV replication in vitro. Thus, overall the results suggest that PCV infection has a limited effect on the mosquito miRNA profile and therefore miRNAs may not play a significant role in the PCV-Ae. aegypti interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morris Lee
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Kayvan Etebari
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Sonja Hall-Mendelin
- Public Health Virology, Forensic and Scientific Services, Department of Health, Queensland Government, PO Box 594, Archerfield, QLD 4108, Australia
| | - Andrew F van den Hurk
- Public Health Virology, Forensic and Scientific Services, Department of Health, Queensland Government, PO Box 594, Archerfield, QLD 4108, Australia
| | - Jody Hobson-Peters
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Sreenu Vatipally
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, Scotland, UK
| | - Esther Schnettler
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, Scotland, UK
- Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Roy Hall
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Sassan Asgari
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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