An invertebrate gene encoding a Mab21-containing protein involves in antiviral response through regulating the STING pathway. (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Shihao; Yang, Feifei; Wang, Fuxuan; Lv, Xinjia; Li, Fuhua
• Is Part Of: Developmental and comparative immunology. Volume 121(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: Mab21-containing protein -- cGAS-STING pathway -- WSSV -- Antiviral response -- Penaeid shrimp; Immunology -- Periodicals; Developmental immunology -- Periodicals; 616.079
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2021.104101
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0145-305X

Abstract

Abstract: The cGAS-STING pathway plays essential roles in detecting cytosolic dsDNA and initiating antiviral and antibacterial responses in vertebrates. However, knowledge about its function in antiviral response of invertebrates is very limited. In the present study, a gene encoding a Mab21-containing protein, a cGAS homologue, was identified from a decapod crustacean Litopenaeus vannamei and designated as LvMab21cp . LvMab21cp was mainly distributed in intestine and hepatopancreas, showing similar expression profile with other genes in the cGAS-STING pathway, such as LvSTING and LvIRF . The expression levels of LvMab21cp, LvSTING and LvIRF were up-regulated in intestine and hepatopancreas of shrimp after white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection. Knockdown of LvMab21cp by dsRNA-mediated RNA interference could decrease the expression levels of its putative downstream genes, including LvSTING, LvIRF, LvVago4 and LvVago5, and enhance the in vivo propagation of WSSV in shrimp. Overexpression of LvMab21cp and LvSTING in HEK 293T cells activated the expression of mammalian IFNs upon simulation with interferon stimulatory DNA (ISD). These data suggest that LvMab21cp was a cGAS homologue, a member of the shrimp cGAS-STING pathway, and play an important role during WSSV infection. To our knowledge, this is the first report to show the role of the cGAS-STING pathway in the antiviral response of invertebrates, which will provide new insights into the innate immunity of invertebrates. Highlights: LvMab21cp encodes a cGAS homologue in Litopenaeus vannamei and shows similar expression profile with LvSTING and LvIRF. WSSV infection induces up-regulation of LvMab21cp, LvSTING and LvIRF in intestine and hepatopancreas. Knockdown of LvMab21cp decreases the expression levels of LvSTING, LvIRF, LvVago4 and LvVago5. Knockdown of LvMab21cp enhances the in vivo propagation of WSSV in shrimp. Overexpression of LvMab21cp and LvSTING in 293T cells activates the expression of mammalian IFNs upon ISD simulation.