Back to Search
Start Over
Control of RNA viruses in mosquito cells through the acquisition of vDNA and endogenous viral elements
- 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