Functional analysis of Dicer‐2 gene in Bombyx mori resistance to BmNPV virus. Issue 1 (5th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Taohong; Xia, Yuchen; Xu, Xinyue; Wei, Guoqing; Wang, Lei
• Is Part Of: Archives of insect biochemistry and physiology. Volume 105:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-07-05
• Subjects: BmNPV -- Bombyx mori -- Dicer‐2 -- RNAi; Insects -- Physiology -- Periodicals; Insect biochemistry -- Periodicals; 595.701572
• DOI: 10.1002/arch.21724
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0739-4462

Abstract

Abstract: Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) is a primary pathogen in silkworm, and the molecular mechanism of B. mori defense to BmNPV infection is still unclear. RNA interference (RNAi) is well‐known as an intracellular conserved mechanism that is critical in gene regulation and cell defense. The antiviral RNAi pathway processes viral double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) into viral small interfering RNAs that guide the recognition and cleavage of complementary viral target RNAs. In this study, a Dicer‐2 ( Dcr2 ) gene was identified in B. mori and its antiviral function was explored. Dcr2 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was the highest in hemocytes and expressed in all stages of silkworm growth. After infection with BmNPV, the expression of Dcr2 mRNA was significantly increased after infection in midgut and hemocytes. The expression of Dcr2 was significantly upregulated by injecting dsRNA (dsBmSPH‐1) into silkworm after 48 hr. Knocking down the expression level of Dcr2 using specific dsRNA in silkworm, which modestly enhanced the production of viral genomic DNA. Our results suggested that the Dcr2 gene in B. mori plays an important role in against BmNPV invasion. Abstract : Dicer‐2 ( Dcr2 ) gene was induced by special double‐strand RNA in Bombyx mori and B. mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) replication was enhanced by silencing of Dcr2 gene. Research Highlights: 1. Dicer‐2 ( Dcr2 ) gene was induced by exogenous long double‐strand RNA in Bombyx mori . 2. Dcr2 gene expression was upregulated after B. mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) induction. 3. BmNPV replication was increased after the knocking down of Dcr2 gene.