WSV181 inhibits JAK/STAT signaling and promotes viral replication in Drosophila

Wei Wang; Changkun Pan; Zongliang Huang; Huifang Yuan; Jianming Chen

doi:10.1016/j.dci.2018.11.003

WSV181 inhibits JAK/STAT signaling and promotes viral replication in Drosophila

Dev Comp Immunol. 2019 Mar:92:20-28. doi: 10.1016/j.dci.2018.11.003. Epub 2018 Nov 7.

Authors

Wei Wang¹, Changkun Pan², Zongliang Huang³, Huifang Yuan⁴, Jianming Chen⁵

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Oceanography, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Technology and Data Department of Technology Center, PoolingMed Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310053, China.
³ Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 511436, China.
⁴ School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia.
⁵ Institute of Oceanography, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, China. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 30414403
DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2018.11.003

Abstract

The Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway plays a critical role in host defense against viral infections. Here, we report the use of the Drosophila model system to investigate the modulation of the JAK/STAT pathway by the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) protein WSV181. WSV181 overexpression in transgenic flies resulted in the downregulation of STAT92E and STAT92E-targeted genes. This result indicates that WSV181 can suppress JAK/STAT signaling by controlling STAT92E expression. An infection experiment was carried out on transgenic Drosophila infected with Drosophila C virus and on Litopenaeus vannamei injected with recombinant WSV181 and WSSV. The increased viral load and suppressed transcript levels of JAK/STAT pathway components indicate that WSV181 can promote viral proliferation by inhibiting the JAK/STAT pathway. This study provided evidence for the role of WSV181 in viral replication and revealed a new mechanism through which WSSV evades host immunity to maintain persistent infection.

Keywords: JAK/STAT pathway; Viral replication; WSSV; WSV181.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Animals, Genetically Modified
DNA Virus Infections / immunology*
Dicistroviridae / physiology*
Drosophila / immunology*
Drosophila Proteins / metabolism*
Immune Evasion
Immunomodulation
Janus Kinases / metabolism*
RNA Virus Infections / immunology*
STAT Transcription Factors / metabolism*
Signal Transduction
Transcription Factors / metabolism*
Viral Load
Viral Proteins / metabolism*
Virus Replication
White spot syndrome virus 1 / physiology*

Substances

Drosophila Proteins
STAT Transcription Factors
Stat92E protein, Drosophila
Transcription Factors
Viral Proteins
Janus Kinases
hop protein, Drosophila

Supplementary concepts

Drosophila C virus