Abstract
Bombyx mori cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (BmCPV) is one of the most important pathogens of silkworm. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been demonstrated to play key roles in regulating host-pathogen interaction. However, there are limited reports on the miRNAs expression profiles during insect pathogen challenges. In this study, four small RNA libraries from BmCPV-infected midgut of silkworm at 72 h post-inoculation and 96 h post-inoculation and their corresponding control midguts were constructed and deep sequenced. A total of 316 known miRNAs (including miRNA*) and 90 novel miRNAs were identified. Fifty-eight miRNAs displayed significant differential expression between the infected and normal midgut (P value < = 0.01 and fold change > = 2.0 or < = 0.5), among which ten differentially expressed miRNA were validated by qRT-PCR method. Further bioinformatics analysis of predicted target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs showed that the miRNA targets were involved in stimulus and immune system process in silkworm.
Highlights
Silkworm, Bombyx mori, a model system for Lepidoptera, has significantly contributed to studies of insect immunology
B. mori cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (BmCPV) belongs to the CPV subfamily, which consists of 19 distinct species within the genus Cypovirus, family Reoviridae [1,2]
The genome of BmCPV is composed of 10 discrete double-stranded RNA segments [3,4]
Summary
Bombyx mori, a model system for Lepidoptera, has significantly contributed to studies of insect immunology. The B. mori cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (BmCPV) is a major viral pathogen of silkworm that causes extensive damage to the sericultural industry. BmCPV belongs to the CPV subfamily, which consists of 19 distinct species (electropherotypes) within the genus Cypovirus, family Reoviridae [1,2]. BmCPV infects epithelial cells of the midgut of susceptible silkworm. White wrinkles can be observed in the posterior part of the midgut, which is the typical symptom of CPV-caused disease [5]. No effective treatment has been developed for CPV-caused disease except comprehensive prevention. The molecular mechanism of BmCPV infection is poorly understood
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