bta-miR-2904 inhibits bovine viral diarrhea virus replication by targeting viral-infection-induced autophagy via ATG13

miR-193b-5p promotes GCRV replication by inhibiting autophagy via targeting deptor in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)

miRNAs are increasingly recognized for their crucial role in autophagy processes. Recent research has highlighted the significant function of autophagy in modulating immune responses. Within this context, specific miRNAs have been identified as indirect mediators of immune functions through their modulation of autophagy. In this study, we verified that miR-193b-5p simultaneously targeted the grass carp autophagy-related gene deptor, thereby reducing autophagy levels in CIK cells. Moreover, we found the expression levels of miR-193b-5p and deptor responding to pathogen infections in the GCRV-infected CIK cells. Notably, the overexpression of miR-193b-5p was found to induce the GCRV replication and reduce the irf3, irf7 and IFN1 expression. These findings also demonstrated that grass carp miR-193b-5p impacted the proliferation, migration, and antiapoptotic abilities of CIK cells. All the above results indicated that miR-193b-5p was linked to grass carp autophagy and played a vital role in antiviral immunity by targeting deptor. Our study may provide important insights into autophagy-related miRNAs and their roles in defense and immune mechanisms against pathogens in teleost.

A Genome-Wide Association Study for Resistance to Tropical Theileriosis in Two Bovine Portuguese Autochthonous Breeds

The control of Tropical Theileriosis, a tick-borne disease with a strong impact on cattle breeding, can be facilitated using marker-assisted selection in breeding programs. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) using high-density arrays are extremely important for the ongoing process of identifying genomic variants associated with resistance to Theileria annulata infection. In this work, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were analyzed in the Portuguese autochthonous cattle breeds Alentejana and Mertolenga. In total, 24 SNPs suggestive of significance (p ≤ 10-4) were identified for Alentejana cattle and 20 SNPs were identified for Mertolenga cattle. The genomic regions around these SNPs were further investigated for annotated genes and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) previously described by other authors. Regarding the Alentejana breed, the MAP3K1, CMTM7, SSFA2, and ATG13 genes are located near suggestive SNPs and appear as candidate genes for resistance to Tropical Theileriosis, considering its action in the immune response and resistance to other diseases. On the other hand, in the Mertolenga breed, the UOX gene is also a candidate gene due to its apparent link to the pathogenesis of the disease. These results may represent a first step toward the possibility of including genetic markers for resistance to Tropical Theileriosis in current breed selection programs.