Endogenous RNA virus-derived elements exhibit functional divergence in modulating development and virus susceptibility in Bombyx mori.
- Open access
Endogenous viral elements in Bombyx mori show diverse roles, with BmToEVE reducing virus susceptibility and BmChuEVE3 increasing it, impacting development and immunity.
- Why it matters: Understanding how viral-derived genetic elements influence host biology can reveal mechanisms of development and antiviral defense, filling a knowledge gap in Lepidoptera.
- What they did: Seven active nrEVEs from four RNA virus families were identified and characterized through expression profiling, small-RNA analysis, and functional knockdowns, including BmToEVE and BmChuEVE3.
- The result: Silencing BmToEVE decreased BmNPV levels and boosted immune responses, while BmChuEVE3 knockdown increased virus susceptibility and suppressed immune functions, demonstrating functional divergence in host-virus interactions.