Knockdown of piRNA pathway proteins results in enhanced Semliki forest virus production in mosquito cells

Schnettler, E., Donald, C. L. , Human, S., Watson, M., Siu, R. W. C., McFarlane, M. , Fazakerley, J. K., Kohl, A. and Fragkoudis, R. (2013) Knockdown of piRNA pathway proteins results in enhanced Semliki forest virus production in mosquito cells. Journal of General Virology, 94(Pt. 7), pp. 1680-1689. (doi: 10.1099/vir.0.053850-0) (PMID:23559478) (PMCID:PMC3709635)

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Abstract

The exogenous siRNA pathway is important in restricting arbovirus infection in mosquitoes. Less is known about the role of the PIWI-interacting RNA pathway, or piRNA pathway, in antiviral responses. Viral piRNA-like molecules have recently been described following infection of mosquitoes and derived cell lines with several arboviruses. The piRNA pathway has thus been suggested to function as an additional small RNA-mediated antiviral response to the known infection-induced siRNA response. Here we show that piRNA-like molecules are produced following infection with the naturally mosquito-borne Semliki Forest virus in mosquito cell lines. We show that knockdown of piRNA pathway proteins enhances the replication of this arbovirus and defines the contribution of piRNA pathway effectors, thus characterizing the antiviral properties of the piRNA pathway. In conclusion, arbovirus infection can trigger the piRNA pathway in mosquito cells, and knockdown of piRNA proteins enhances virus production.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Mcdonald, Dr Melanie and Donald, Dr Claire and Schnettler, Dr Esther and Kohl, Professor Alain
Authors: Schnettler, E., Donald, C. L., Human, S., Watson, M., Siu, R. W. C., McFarlane, M., Fazakerley, J. K., Kohl, A., and Fragkoudis, R.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research
Journal Name:Journal of General Virology
Publisher:Society for General Microbiology
ISSN:0022-1317
ISSN (Online):1465-2099
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2013 SGM
First Published:First published in Journal of General Virology 94(7):1680-1689
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
656551Arbovirus interactions with arthropod hostsAlain KohlMedical Research Council (MRC)MC_UU_12014/8MVLS III - CENTRE FOR VIRUS RESEARCH