Antiviral RNA interference activity in cells of the predatory mosquito, Toxorhynchites amboinensis

Donald, C. L. , Varjak, M. , Aguiar, E. R. G. R., Marques, J. T., Sreenu, V. B. , Schnettler, E. and Kohl, A. (2018) Antiviral RNA interference activity in cells of the predatory mosquito, Toxorhynchites amboinensis. Viruses, 10(12), 694. (doi: 10.3390/v10120694) (PMID:30563205) (PMCID:PMC6316411)

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Abstract

Arthropod vectors control the replication of arboviruses through their innate antiviral immune responses. In particular, the RNA interference (RNAi) pathways are of notable significance for the control of viral infections. Although much has been done to understand the role of RNAi in vector populations, little is known about its importance in non-vector mosquito species. In this study, we investigated the presence of an RNAi response in Toxorhynchites amboinensis, which is a non-blood feeding species proposed as a biological control agent against pest mosquitoes. Using a derived cell line (TRA-171), we demonstrate that these mosquitoes possess a functional RNAi response that is active against a mosquito-borne alphavirus, Semliki Forest virus. As observed in vector mosquito species, small RNAs are produced that target viral sequences. The size and characteristics of these small RNAs indicate that both the siRNA and piRNA pathways are induced in response to infection. Taken together, this data suggests that Tx. amboinensis are able to control viral infections in a similar way to natural arbovirus vector mosquito species. Understanding their ability to manage arboviral infections will be advantageous when assessing these and similar species as biological control agents.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Donald, Dr Claire and Vattipally, Dr Sreenu and Schnettler, Dr Esther and Varjak, Dr Margus and Kohl, Professor Alain
Authors: Donald, C. L., Varjak, M., Aguiar, E. R. G. R., Marques, J. T., Sreenu, V. B., Schnettler, E., and Kohl, A.
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:Viruses
Publisher:MDPI
ISSN:1999-4915
ISSN (Online):1999-4915
Published Online:06 December 2018
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2018 The Authors
First Published:First published in Viruses 10(12): 694
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License
Data DOI:10.5525/gla.researchdata.703

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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