Translational repression of viral RNA mediates arbovirus persistence in mosquitoes

ABSTRACT:

Persistent infection of mosquito vectors is essential for the transmission of arboviruses, yet how these viruses produce sufficient progeny without compromising host cell fitness remains unclear. Arbovirus genomes exhibit suboptimal codon usage for both human and mosquito hosts, raising questions about how they achieve efficient translation in such distinct cellular environments. Using chikungunya virus (CHIKV) as a model, we conducted a temporal, genome-wide analysis of transcription, translation, and tRNA modifications in Aedes albopictus C6/36 cells. We found that, unlike in human cells, CHIKV infection does not manipulate the tRNA modification landscape in mosquitoes to overcome codon bias. Instead, viral persistence is marked by a progressive, virus-specific repression of CHIKV RNA translation, occurring alongside a recovery of host mRNA translation. This translational balance, established independently of the RNAi system, supports sustained viral production without major disruption to host gene expression. Our findings reveal a fine-tuned equilibrium in mosquito cells that allows the establishment of long-term CHIKV persistence through controlled viral protein synthesis.

INSTRUMENT(S): Liquid Chromatography MS - positive - reverse phase

PROVIDER: MTBLS12760 | MetaboLights | 2026-02-12

REPOSITORIES: MetaboLights