Mosquito Defensins Enhance Japanese Encephalitis Virus Infection by Facilitating Virus Adsorption and Entry within the Mosquito
Ke Liu, Changguang Xiao, Shumin Xi, Muddassar Hameed, Abdul Wahaab, Donghua Shao, Zongjie Li, Beibei Li, Jianchao Wei, Yafeng Qiu, Denian Miao, Huaimin Zhu, Zhiyong Ma
Abstract
In this study, we observed the complex roles of mosquito defensin in JEV infection; mosquito defensin exhibited a weak antiviral effect but strongly enhanced binding. In the latter, defensin directly binds the ED III domain of the viral E protein and promotes the adsorption of JEV to target cells by interacting with lipoprotein receptor-related protein 2 (LRP2), thus accelerating virus entry. Together, our results indicate that mosquito defensin plays an important role in facilitating JEV infection and potential transmission.
Topics & Concepts
BiologyDefensinVirologyVirusEncephalitisJapanese encephalitisMicrobiologyAntimicrobialMosquito-borne diseases and controlAntimicrobial Peptides and ActivitiesInsect Resistance and Genetics