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Control of RNA viruses in mosquito cells through the acquisition of vDNA and endogenous viral elements

Authors :
Michel Tassetto
Mark Kunitomi
Zachary J Whitfield
Patrick T Dolan
Irma Sánchez-Vargas
Miguel Garcia-Knight
Isabel Ribiero
Taotao Chen
Ken E Olson
Raul Andino
Source :
eLife, Vol 8 (2019)
Publication Year :
2019
Publisher :
eLife Sciences Publications Ltd, 2019.

Abstract

Aedes aegypti transmit pathogenic arboviruses while the mosquito itself tolerates the infection. We examine a piRNA-based immunity that relies on the acquisition of viral derived cDNA (vDNA) and how this pathway discriminates between self and non-self. The piRNAs derived from these vDNAs are essential for virus control and Piwi4 has a central role in the pathway. Piwi4 binds preferentially to virus-derived piRNAs but not to transposon-targeting piRNAs. Analysis of episomal vDNA from infected cells reveals that vDNA molecules are acquired through a discriminatory process of reverse-transcription and recombination directed by endogenous retrotransposons. Using a high-resolution Ae. aegypti genomic sequence, we found that vDNAs integrated in the host genome as endogenous viral elements (EVEs), produce antisense piRNAs that are preferentially loaded onto Piwi4. Importantly, EVE-derived piRNAs are specifically loaded onto Piwi4 to inhibit virus replication. Thus, Ae. aegypti employs a sophisticated antiviral mechanism that promotes viral persistence and generates long-lasting adaptive immunity.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2050084X
Volume :
8
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
eLife
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.7842ae357541ff9c9984e3ebe0a05e
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.41244