A polydnavirus ANK protein acts as virulence factor by disrupting the function of prothoracic gland steroidogenic cells

PLoS One. 2014 Apr 17;9(4):e95104. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0095104. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Polydnaviruses are obligate symbionts integrated as proviruses in the genome of some ichneumonoid wasps that parasitize lepidopteran larvae. Polydnavirus free viral particles, which are injected into the host at oviposition, express virulence factors that impair immunity and development. To date, most studies have focused on the molecular mechanisms underpinning immunosuppression, whereas how viral genes disrupt the endocrine balance remains largely uninvestigated. Using Drosophila as a model system, the present report analyzes the function of a member of the ankyrin gene family of the bracovirus associated with Toxoneuron nigriceps, a larval parasitoid of the noctuid moth Heliothis virescens. We found that the TnBVank1 expression in the Drosophila prothoracic gland blocks the larval-pupal molt. This phenotype can be rescued by feeding the larvae with 20-hydroxyecdysone. The localization of the TnBVANK1 is restricted to the cytoplasm where it interacts with Hrs and Alix marked endosomes. Collectively, our data demonstrate that the TnBVANK1 protein acts as a virulence factor that causes the disruption of ecdysone biosynthesis and developmental arrest by impairing the vesicular traffic of ecdysteroid precursors in the prothoracic gland steroidogenic cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ankyrins* / genetics
  • Ankyrins* / metabolism
  • Cytoplasm / genetics
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism
  • Cytoplasm / virology
  • Drosophila melanogaster
  • Endosomes / genetics
  • Endosomes / metabolism
  • Endosomes / virology
  • Moths* / genetics
  • Moths* / metabolism
  • Moths* / virology
  • Polydnaviridae* / genetics
  • Polydnaviridae* / metabolism
  • Polydnaviridae* / pathogenicity
  • Viral Proteins* / genetics
  • Viral Proteins* / metabolism
  • Virulence Factors* / genetics
  • Virulence Factors* / metabolism

Substances

  • Ankyrins
  • Viral Proteins
  • Virulence Factors

Grants and funding

This article is based on work supported by grants from MIUR (Prin 2008-2010 to GG e FP), University of Bologna (RFO 2008; 2009 to GG), a fellowship from University of Bologna to LV and PON R&C 2007-2013 grant financed by MIUR in cooperation with the European Funds for the Regional Development (FESR), project GenopomPro, coordinated by the University of Napoli Federico II, Department of Agriculture (to FP). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.