A newly discovered member of the Atlastin family, BmAtlastin-n, has an antiviral effect against BmNPV in Bombyx mori

Sci Rep. 2016 Jun 29:6:28946. doi: 10.1038/srep28946.

Abstract

Atlastin is a member of the dynamin protein superfamily and it can mediate homotypic fusion of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes, which is required for many biological processes. In this study, a new Atlastin homologous protein, BmAtlastin-n, was characterized in silkworms and was found to contain an N-terminal conserved GTPase domain and a coiled-coil middle domain. BmAtlastin-n is localized in the cytoplasm and enriched in silkworm midgut. Results also showed that overexpression of BmAtlastin-n in BmN-SWU1 cells could enhance resistance to BmNPV. To better confirm its antiviral effect, microRNA was used to knock down the expression of BmAtlastin-n in BmE-SWU1 cells with inducing the reproduction of BmNPV. A transgenic expression vector of BmAtlastin-n was constructed and introduced to silkworm embryos by microinjection. The transgenic silkworm also showed considerable antiviral capacity. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that BmAtlastin-n plays an important role in BmNPV defense. More importantly, the current study may provide a new clue for Atlastin research.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
  • Bombyx / genetics
  • Bombyx / metabolism*
  • Bombyx / virology
  • Cell Line
  • Cloning, Molecular / methods*
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism
  • Disease Resistance
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / chemistry
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / genetics*
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / pharmacology*
  • Insect Proteins / chemistry
  • Insect Proteins / genetics
  • Insect Proteins / pharmacology
  • Intestine, Small / metabolism
  • Nucleopolyhedroviruses / drug effects*
  • Protein Domains

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Insect Proteins
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases