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CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Thesis
Drosophila melanogaster limostatin and its human ortholog promote West Nile virus infection
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
05/2024
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000006953
Abstract
The arbovirus West Nile virus (WNV) is a danger to global health. Spread primarily by mosquitoes, WNV causes about 2000 cases per year in the United States. The natural mosquito immune response controls viral replication so that the host survives but can still transmit the virus. Using the genetically malleable Drosophila melanogaster model, we previously dissected innate immune pathways used to control WNV infection. Specifically, we showed that insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS) activates a JAK/STAT-mediated immune response that reduces WNV. However, how factors that regulate IIS in insects control infection has not been identified. D. melanogaster Limostatin (Lst) encodes a peptide hormone that suppresses insulin secretion. Its mammalian ortholog, Neuromedin U (NMU), is a peptide that regulates the production and secretion of insulin from pancreatic beta cells. In this study, we used D. melanogaster and human cell culture models to investigate the roles of these insulin regulators in immune signaling. We found D. melanogaster Lst mutants, which have elevated insulin-like peptide expression, are less susceptible to WNV infection. Increased levels of insulin-like peptides in these flies results in upregulated JAK/STAT activity, leading to protection from infection. Treatment of human cells with the insulin regulator NMU results in increased WNV replication.
Further investigation of methods to target Lst in mosquitoes or NMU in mammals can improve vector control methods and may lead to improved therapeutics for human and animal infection.
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Details
- Title
- Drosophila melanogaster limostatin and its human ortholog promote West Nile virus infection
- Creators
- Ezra B. Mead
- Contributors
- Alan G Goodman (Chair)Jennifer L Watts (Committee Member)James MacLean (Committee Member)Philip F Mixter (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- School of Molecular Biosciences
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 54
- Identifiers
- 99901125140101842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis