Baculoviruses manipulate host lipid metabolism via adipokinetic hormone signaling to induce climbing behavior.

ABSTRACT: Baculoviruses can induce climbing behavior in caterpillar hosts, which provides an excellent model for studying parasite manipulation of host behavior. Herein, we found that Helicoverpa armigera single nucleopolyhedrovirus (HearNPV) promoted lipid metabolism of infected H. armigera larvae, and changes in lipid metabolism can affect climbing behavior. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms between lipid metabolism and climbing behavior is particularly important. In this study, we found adipokinetic hormone 1 (HaAKH1), adipokinetic hormone 2 (HaAKH2) and their receptor HaAKHR were essential for promoting lipid metabolism and climbing behavior in response to HearNPV infection. Both molecular docking result and Ca2+ imaging showed that both HaAKH1 and HaAKH2 could interact with HaAK

SUBMITTER: Zhu L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11819524 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature