Comprehensive Profiling of Lysine Acetylome in Baculovirus Infected Silkworm (Bombyx mori) Cells

Bombyx mori is one of the key lepidopteran model species, and is economically important for silk production and proteinaceous drug expression. Baculovirus and insect host are important natural biological models for studying host–pathogen interactions. The impact of Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) infection on the proteome and acetylome of Bombyx mori ovarian (BmN) cells are explored to facilitate a better understanding of infection‐driven interactions between BmNPV and host in vitro. The proteome and acetylome are profiled through six‐plex Tandem mass tag (TMT) labeling‐based quantitative proteomics. A total of 4194 host proteins are quantified, of which 33 are upregulated and 47 are downregulated in BmN cells at 36 h post‐infection. Based on the proteome, quantifiable differential Kac proteins are identified and functionally annotated to gene expression regulation, energy metabolism, substance synthesis, and metabolism after BmNPV infection. Altogether, 644 Kac sites in 431 host proteins and 39 Kac sites in 22 viral proteins are identified and quantified in infected BmN cells. Our study demonstrates that BmNPV infection globally impacts the proteome and acetylome of BmN cells. The viral proteins are also acetylated by the host acetyltransferase. Protein acetylation is essential for cellular self‐regulation and response to virus infection. This study provides new insights for understanding the host–virus interaction mechanisms, and the role of acetylation in BmN cellular response to viral infection.     

IN VITRO ANTIVIRAL ACTIVITY OF AN ALKALINE TRYPSIN FROM THE DIGESTIVE JUICE OF Bombyx mori LARVAE AGAINST NUCLEOPOLYHEDROVIRUS

Alkaline trypsin protein of molecular mass 25,436 Da purified from the digestive juice of Bombyx mori larvae indicated strong antiviral activity against Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) under in vitro conditions. Partial N-terminal amino acid sequence of the protein was determined and the cDNA was cloned based on the amino acid sequence. A homology search of the deduced amino acid sequence of the cDNA showed 55% identity with Helicoverpa armigera trypsin and the active site of this protein was completely conserved. Hence, the protein was designated B. mori trypsin (Bmtryp). The results suggest that Bmtryp, an insect digestive enzyme, can be a potential antiviral factor against BmNPV at the initial site of viral infection.     

Effects of overexpression and inhibited expression of thymosin,an actin‐interacting protein from Bombyx mori,on BmNPV proliferation and replication

Previous study showed that exogenously applied recombinant thymosin from Bombyx mori (BmTHY) reduces B. mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) proliferation in silkworm. Which stands to reason that BmTHY in B. mori is crucial for the defense against BmNPV. However, little is known about the effect of endogenously overexpressed or repressed BmTHY on B. mori resistance to virus infection. To study this issue, we constructed an overexpression and inhibited expression systems of BmTHY in BmN cells. The viral titer and the analysis from the quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed that overexpression of BmTHY decreased the copies of BmNPV gene gp41, which goes over to inhibit the proliferation of BmNPV in BmN cells, while the inhibited expression of BmTHY significantly enhanced viral proliferation in infected BmN cells. These results indicated that endogenous BmTHY can inhibit BmNPV proliferation and replication in infected BmN cells. Furthermore, Co‐IP showed that BmTHY could bind to actin in BmN cells. Also, the overexpression or inhibited expression of BmTHY shifted the ratio of F/G‐actin in infected BmN cells. Lastly, the BmTHY, an actin‐interacting protein, might be one of the key host factors against BmNPV, which inhibits viral proliferation and replication in BmN cells.     

Identification of a PP2A gene in Bombyx mori with antiviral function against B. mori nucleopolyhedrovirus

Ser/Thr protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is one of the type 2 protein phosphatases, which is required for many intracellular physiological processes and pathogen infection. However, the function of PP2A is unclear in silkworm, Bombyx mori. Here, we cloned and identified BmPP2A, a PP2A gene from B. mori, which has two HEAT domains and a high similarity to PP2A from other organisms. Our results showed that BmPP2A is localized in the cytoplasm and highly expressed in silkworm epidermis and midgut, and that Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) infection induces down‐regulation of BmPP2A expression. Furthermore, up‐regulation of BmPP2A via overexpression significantly inhibited BmNPV multiplication. In contrast, down‐regulation of BmPP2A via RNA interference and okadaic acid (a PP2A inhibitor) treatment allowed robust BmNPV replication. This is the first report of PP2A having an antiviral effect in silkworm and provides insights into the function of BmPP2A, a potential anti‐BmNPV mechanism, and a possible target for the breeding of silkworm‐resistant strains.     

柘叶饲养对家蚕消化液中抗核多角体病毒（BmNPV）相关蛋白活性的影响

为探讨柘叶Cudrania tricuspidata饲养家蚕Bombyx mori易感染核多角体病毒（BmNPV）的机制, 本实验比较研究了分别以柘叶和桑叶Morus alba饲养家蚕后其消化液中抗病毒蛋白活性的差异。结果表明: 家蚕经柘叶饲养后消化液中红色荧光蛋白（red fluorescent protein, RFP）的强度无明显变化, 但柘叶饲养蚕消化液中脂肪酶、 胰蛋白酶的活性显著低于桑叶饲养蚕, 柘叶饲养蚕消化液中脂肪酶和胰蛋白酶的活性分别为1 421.71±202.60 U/L和19.67±8.17 U/mL, 桑叶饲养蚕脂肪酶和胰蛋白酶的活性分别为1 976.03±139.92 U/L和199.18±181.71 U/mL。这些结果说明, 消化液中脂肪酶和胰蛋白酶的活性水平低与柘叶饲养蚕易感染核型多角体病毒（BmNPV）可能相关。     

Screening of Bombyx mori brain proteins interacting with protein tyrosine phosphatase of BmNPV

In this study, glutathione-S-transferase pull-down combined with mass spectrometry techniques were used to identify the candidate proteins interacting with protein tyrosine phosphatase of the Bombyx Mori nucleopolyhedrovirus in the B. mori (BmNPV-PTP) brain. A total of 36 proteins were identified from BmNPV-PTP coprecipitate samples by searching the NCBI_Bombyx Mori database with the original mass spectrum data. Among those proteins, the interaction between BmNPV-PTP and B. mori cyclophilin A may accelerate the apoptosis of certain nerve cells involved in regulating behavior, and thus may be an inducer of enhanced locomotor activity (ELA). After the BmNPV invasion, BmNPV-PTP binding to peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors may initiate a series of abnormal cascades of the nervous system, which results in abnormal hyperactive behavior in B. mori. Besides this, vacuolar ATP synthase catalytic subunit A, annexin, and several enzymes for energy conversion were identified, which may play a role in enhancing viral entry and infectivity and provide energy for enhancing the locomotor activity of B. mori. In general, the results of this study will facilitate the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the ELA of B. mori larva induced by BmNPV.     

家蚕中肠组织抗核型多角体病毒病的相关蛋白分析

家蚕中肠上皮是病毒经口侵入遇到的第一个组织。昆虫幼虫抵御杆状病毒的感染,可通过选择性的使感染的中肠上皮细胞发生调亡并在释放病毒粒子进入血淋巴之前使感染的细胞从中肠脱落。为研究家蚕抗核型多角体病毒(Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus, BmNPV)病的机制,通过对BmNPV高度抗性和高度敏感性的家蚕品系杂交和回交构建了近等基因系。本文对家蚕高抗,敏感及近等基因系5龄起蚕中肠组织的蛋白质表达谱进行了二维电泳 (two-dimensional gel electrophoresis,2-DE) 分析,并利用基质辅助激光解吸电离飞行时间 (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight, MALDI-TOF) 质谱对差异蛋白进行鉴定。结果发现了5个差异表达的蛋白。推测这些蛋白可能与家蚕中肠对BmNPV的抗性或感性有关。     

Analysis of expression and chitin‐binding activity of the wing disc cuticle protein BmWCP4 in the silkworm,Bombyx mori

The insect exoskeleton is mainly composed of chitin filaments linked by cuticle proteins. When insects molt, the cuticle of the exoskeleton is renewed by degrading the old chitin and cuticle proteins and synthesizing new ones. In this study, chitin‐binding activity of the wing disc cuticle protein BmWCP4 in Bombyx mori was studied. Sequence analysis showed that the protein had a conservative hydrophilic “R&R” chitin‐binding domain (CBD). Western blotting showed that BmWCP4 was predominately expressed in the wing disc‐containing epidermis during the late wandering and early pupal stages. The immunohistochemistry result showed that the BmWCP4 was mainly present in the wing disc tissues containing wing bud and trachea blast during day 2 of wandering stage. Recombinant full‐length BmWCP4 protein, “R&R” CBD peptide (CBD), non‐CBD peptide (BmWCP4‐CBD^?), four single site‐directed mutated peptides (M₁, M₂, M₃ and M₄) and four‐sites‐mutated peptide (M_F) were generated and purified, respectively, for in vitro chitin‐binding assay. The results indicated that both the full‐length protein and the “R&R” CBD peptide could bind with chitin, whereas the BmWCP4‐CBD^? could not bind with chitin. The single residue mutants M₁, M₂, M₃ and M₄ reduced but did not completely abolish the chitin‐binding activity, while four‐sites‐mutated protein M_F completely lost the chitin‐binding activity. These data indicate that BmWCP4 protein plays a critical role by binding to the chitin filaments in the wing during larva‐to‐pupa transformation. The conserved aromatic amino acids are critical in the interaction between chitin and the cuticle protein.     

Evolutionary and functional analyses of the interaction between the Bombyx mori inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) and nucleopolyhedrovirus IAPs

As an important insect immune response, apoptosis plays a critical role in the interaction between baculoviruses and insect hosts. Previous reports have identified inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins in both insects and baculoviruses, but the relationship between these proteins is still not clearly understood. Here, we found that insect IAP proteins were clustered with baculovirus IAP3, suggesting that the baculovirus iap3 gene might be derived from the Lepidoptera or Diptera. We demonstrated that Bombyx mori inhibitor of apoptosis (Bmiap) gene had an inhibitory effect on apoptosis in silkworm cells. Further analysis of the effects of Bmiap genes on the proliferation of B. mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) showed that both the Bmiap and BmNPV iap genes increased BmNPV proliferation after BmNPV infected silkworm cells. Our results also indicated that BmNPV IAP1 and IAP2 directly interacted with BmIAP in silkworm cells, implying that the Bmiap gene might be hijacked by BmNPV iap genes during BmNPV infection. Taken together, our results provide important insights into the functional relationships of iap genes, and improve our knowledge of apoptosis in baculoviruses and insect hosts.     

Evidences for a stage-specific juvenile hormone binding protein in the hemolymph of the silkworm,Bombyx mori L.: Identification and characterization by photoaffinity labeling and immunological analyses

Two molecular forms of juvenile hormone binding proteins were identified in the larval hemolymph of Bombyx mori by photoaffinity labeling. One form having an Mr of 33 kDa was present constantly in the hemolymph of the third to the fifth instar larvae while the other form having an Mr of 35 kDa was detected in the hemolymph until in the early fifth instar larvae but not in the prewandering larvae and prepupae. A 33 kDa binding protein was purified by hydrophobic interaction chromatography, gel filtration, and native PAGE. Antiserum against 33 kDa binding protein cross-reacted with 35 kDa binding protein on Western blots, suggesting that these binding proteins shared the same epitopes. From the results of saturation binding assays, it was inferred that 33 and 35 kDa binding proteins had a similar binding affinity for JH 1. It was revealed that one of these binding proteins, 35 kDa binding protein, was produced in the fat body in a stage-specific manner: fat body of the early fifth instar larvae synthesized both 33 and 35 kDa binding proteins while that of prewandering larvae synthesized only 33 kDa binding protein. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Proteomic profiling of the hemolymph at the fifth instar of the silkworm Bombyx mori

Abstract Two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (2‐DE) followed by matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization – time‐of‐flight/time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MS) analysis were used to charaterize the hemolymph proteomic profiles of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. At days 4 (V4) and 5 (V5) of the fifth (final) instar, when the larvae were at the fast‐growing stage, we found dramatic changes in spots representing proteins having an approximate molecular weight (MW) of 30 kDa. Of these spots, four 30K proteins were highly up‐regulated, implying a close association with the growth and development of B. mori larvae. To understand the molecular basis and underlying mechanisms involved in development and metamorphosis, the proteome of whole hemolymph at V5 was analyzed using shotgun liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry with an LTQ‐Orbitrap. A total of 108 proteins were identified without any false discovery hits. These proteins were involved in a variety of cellular functions, including metabolism, development, nutrient transport and reserve, and defense response. Gene ontology analysis showed that 3.4% of these proteins had nutrient reservoir activities and 5.7% were involved in the response to stimulus. Pathway analysis revealed that 22 proteins with common targets were involved in various cellular processes such as immunity, differentiation, proliferation and metamorphosis. These results suggested that some key factors such as the 30K proteins in hemolymph play important roles in B. mori growth and development. Moreover, the multiple functions of hemolymph may be operated by a complex biological network.     

Functional analysis of Dicer-2 gene in Bombyx mori resistance to BmNPV virus

Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) is a primary pathogen in silkworm, and the molecular mechanism of B. mori defense to BmNPV infection is still unclear. RNA interference (RNAi) is well-known as an intracellular conserved mechanism that is critical in gene regulation and cell defense. The antiviral RNAi pathway processes viral double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) into viral small interfering RNAs that guide the recognition and cleavage of complementary viral target RNAs. In this study, a Dicer-2 (Dcr2) gene was identified in B. mori and its antiviral function was explored. Dcr2 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was the highest in hemocytes and expressed in all stages of silkworm growth. After infection with BmNPV, the expression of Dcr2 mRNA was significantly increased after infection in midgut and hemocytes. The expression of Dcr2 was significantly upregulated by injecting dsRNA (dsBmSPH-1) into silkworm after 48 hr. Knocking down the expression level of Dcr2 using specific dsRNA in silkworm, which modestly enhanced the production of viral genomic DNA. Our results suggested that the Dcr2 gene in B. mori plays an important role in against BmNPV invasion.     

Aluminum toxicity related to SOD and expression of presenilin and CREB in Bombyx mori

Aluminum (Al) is an important environmental metal factor that can be potentially associated with pathological changes leading to neurotoxicity. The silkworm, Bombyx mori, is an important economic insect and has also been used as a model organism in various research areas. However, the toxicity of Al on silkworm physiology has not been reported. Here, we comprehensively investigate the toxic effects of Al on the silkworm, focusing on its effects on viability and development, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and the expression of presenilin and cAMP response element‐binding protein (CREB) in BmE cells and silkworm larvae. BmE cell viability decreased after treatment with aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) in both dose‐ and time‐dependent manners. When AlCl₃ solution was injected into newly hatched fifth instar larvae, both larval weight gain and survival rate were significantly decreased in a manner correlating with AlCl₃ dose and developmental stage. Furthermore, when BmE cells and silkworm larvae were exposed to AlCl₃, SOD activity decreased significantly relative to the control group, whereas presenilin expression increased more than twofold. Additionally, CREB and phosphorylated CREB (p‐CREB) expression in the heads of fifth instar larvae decreased by 28.0% and 50.0%, respectively. These results indicate that Al inhibits the growth and development of silkworms in vitro and in vivo, altering SOD activity and the expressions of presenilin, CREB, and p‐CREB. Our data suggest that B. mori can serve as a model animal for studying Al‐induced neurotoxicity or neurodegeneration.     

杆状病毒凋亡抑制基因IAP1促进家蚕CyclinB的核内积累

[目的]家蚕核型多角体病毒(Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus,BmNPV)是生产上危害最严重的病原之一。BmNPV感染BmN-SWU1细胞将细胞周期阻滞于G2/M期。CyclinB是调控细胞周期G2期向M期转换的重要细胞周期蛋白。因此,研究BmNPV感染后CyclinB变化对解析病毒调控细胞周期的机制具有重要意义,同时探究这个过程中与CyclinB互作的病毒蛋白,可为构建家蚕转基因品系提供分子靶标。[方法]qRT-PCR检测BmNPV感染后BmCyclinB的表达变化;免疫荧光观察病毒感染前后BmCyclinB的定位变化,通过细胞质细胞核蛋白分离实验验证。免疫共沉淀钓取与BmCyclinB互作的病毒蛋白。BmNPV感染期间敲除BmNPV IAP1观察BmCyclinB的入核比例。[结果]BmNPV感染后BmCyclinB转录水平下调。BmNPV感染前BmCyclinB主要定位于细胞质,而感染后主要定位于细胞核。BmNPV感染BmN-SWU1细胞后促进BmCyclinB在核内积累。共钓取了7个与BmCyclinB互作的病毒蛋白,免疫共沉淀和细胞共定位证明BmNPV IAP1与BmCyclinB之间存在相互作用。敲除BmNPV IAP1后BmCyclinB进入细胞核的数量显著减少。[结论]BmNPV IAP1可通过与BmCyclinB互作,促进BmCyclinB在核内积累。     

Genome‐wide identification of chitin‐binding proteins and characterization of BmCBP1 in the silkworm,Bombyx mori

The insect cuticle plays important roles in numerous physiological functions to protect the body from invasion of pathogens, physical injury and dehydration. In this report, we conducted a comprehensive genome-wide search for genes encoding proteins with peritrophin A-type (ChtBD2) chitin-binding domain (CBD) in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. One of these genes, which encodes the cuticle protein BmCBP1, was additionally cloned, and its expression and location during the process of development and molting in B. mori were investigated. In total, 46 protein-coding genes were identified in the silkworm genome, including those encoding 15 cuticle proteins analogous to peritrophins with one CBD (CPAP1s), nine cuticle proteins analogous to peritrophins with three CBD (CPAP3s), 15 peritrophic membrane proteins (PMPs), four chitinases, and three chitin deacetylases, which contained at least one ChtBD2 domain. Microarray analysis indicated that CPAP-encoding genes were widely expressed in various tissues, whereas PMP genes were highly expressed in the midgut. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting showed that the cuticle protein BmCBP1 was highly expressed in the epidermis and head, particularly during molting and metamorphosis. An immunofluorescence study revealed that chitin co-localized with BmCBP1 at the epidermal surface during molting. Additionally, BmCBP1 was notably up-regulated by 20-hydroxyecdysone treatment. These results provide a genome-level view of the chitin-binding protein in silkworm and suggest that BmCBP1 participates in the formation of the new cuticle during molting.