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Title: MOLECULAR INVESTIGATIONS OF VIRUS/VECTOR INTERACTIONS

Author
item Campbell, Corey
item MCNULTY, MICHAEL - UNIV OF WYOMING
item Letchworth, Geoffrey
item Wilson, William

Submitted to: Veterinaria Italiana
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/26/2003
Publication Date: 9/1/2004
Citation: Campbell, C.L., Mcnulty, M.J., Letchworth III, G.J., Wilson, W.C. 2004. Molecular investigations of virus/vector interactions. Veterinaria Italiana. 40:390-395.

Interpretive Summary: Defining predictors for insect-transmitted virus (arbovirus) disease cycles requires an understanding of the interactions between the virus and vector insect. Studies of bluetongue and related viruses from numerous geographic regions have indicated that specific genes are affected by insect population differences. Therefore, we have initiated genetic studies of biting midges (no-see ums; gnats to determine insect gene expression responses to infection as well as a gene discovery project. Previous work showed elevated insect gene transcripts in orbivirus-infected female midguts at 1d post-feeding (pI). Here, we report additional data on affects in midguts 2d following an EHDV (epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus) feeding, as well in head/salivary glands at 3d pI. Of the genes identified in midguts at 2d pI, 3 encode protein translational machinery components, and 3 encode components that affect cellular structural features. Of the differentially expressed salivary gland genes, only one was homologous to a previously identified gene, a putative odorant binding protein. The gene discovery project is still being compiled however, several hundred genes have already been identified.

Technical Abstract: Defining predictors for insect-transmitted virus (arbovirus) disease cycles requires an understanding of the molecular interactions between the virus and vector insect. Studies of orbiviruses from numerous geographic regions have indicated that specific genes are affected by insect population differences. Therefore, we have initiated genetic studies of Culicoides sonorensis, isolating cDNAs for characterization of differential insect gene expression, as well as a gene discovery project. Previous work showed insect transcripts elevated in orbivirus-infected female midguts at 1d post-feeding (pI). Here, we report cDNAs that were more abundant in midguts 2d following an EHDV (epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus) feeding, as well in head/salivary glands at 3d pI. Of the cDNAs identified in midguts at 2d pI, 3 encode translational machinery components, and 3 encode components that affect cellular structural features. Of the differentially expressed salivary gland cDNAs, only one was homologous to a previously identified gene, a putative odorant binding protein.