Identification and characterization of a novel small viral peptide (VSP59) encoded by Bombyx mori cypovirus (BmCPV) that negatively regulates viral replication.

ABSTRACT: Bombyx mori cypovirus (BmCPV), a member of the Reoviridae family, is a well-established research model for double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) viruses with segmented genomes. Despite its small genome size, the coding potential of BmCPV remains largely unexplored. In this study, we identified a novel small open reading frame within the S10 dsRNA genome, encoding a small viral peptide (VSP59) with 59 amino acid residues. Functional characterization revealed that VSP59 acts as a negative regulator of viral replication. VSP59 predominantly localizes to the cytoplasm, where it interacts with prohibitin 2 (PHB2), an inner membrane mitophagy receptor. This interaction targets mitochondria and triggers caspase 3-dependent apoptosis. Transient expression of vsp59 in BmN cells suppressed viral

SUBMITTER: Cao M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11537000 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature