Drosophila miR-956 suppression modulates Ectoderm-expressed 4 and inhibits viral replication

作者：Monsanto Hearne Verna; Tham Annabelle L Y; Wong Zhee Sheen; Asgari Sassan; Johnson Karyn N

来源：Virology, 2017, 502: 20-27.

DOI：10.1016/j.virol.2016.12.009

• Host-virus interaction
• Insect-virus interaction
• miRNA
• Drosophila
• Drosophila C virus
• Ect4
• Dicistroviridae

Small non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs) can modulate the outcome of virus infection. Here we explore the role of miRNAs in insect-virus interactions, in vivo, using the natural Drosophila melanogaster-Drosophila C virus (DCV) model system. Comparison of the miRNA expression profiles in DCV-infected and uninfected flies showed altered miRNA levels due to DCV infection, with the largest change in abundance observed for miR-956-3p. Knockout of miR-956 resulted to delayed DCV-induced mortality and decreased viral accumulation compared to wild-type flies. A screen of 84 putative miR-956-3p target genes identified regulation of Ectoderm expressed 4 (Ect4) in miR-956 knockout flies and, separately, DCV infection. In Ect4 knockdown flies DCV-induced mortality occurred more quickly and virus accumulation was increased. Taken together, results suggest that the host-protective and antiviral consequences of miR-956 suppression during in vivo infection of D. melanogaster with its natural pathogen DCV is conferred through miR-956-3p induction of its target Ect4.

• 出版日期2017-2