Acute Bee Paralysis Virus Regulation of microRNA Expression Dynamics in the Insect Host (Apis mellifera) Cell Line (Ame-711)

Authors: KUMAR, DEEPAK - University Of Southern Mississippi; Goblirsch, Michael; Adamczyk Jr, John; KARIM, SHAHID - University Of Southern Mississippi

Submitted to: Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/30/2025
Publication Date: 1/5/2026
Citation: Kumar, D., Goblirsch, M.J., Adamczyk Jr, J.J., Karim, S. 2026. Acute Bee Paralysis Virus Regulation of microRNA Expression Dynamics in the Insect Host (Apis mellifera) Cell Line (Ame-711). Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. 15:1709271. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2025.1709271.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1709271

Interpretive Summary: Insect pollinators play a vital role in food security worldwide. Honeybees, the most important pollenators, are subjected to several threats leading to colony collapse thereby reducing their numbers available for pollenation. Understanding the molecular mechanisms responsible for their resistance or susceptibility of honeybees to viruses is valuable for designing strategies to protect honeybees. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNA strands ranging from 21-25 nucleotides generated by organisms including insects, and play a vital role in gene expression. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the commonly occurring Acute Bee Paralysis Virus (ABPV) manipulates the honey bee microRNAs to suppress the insect host physiology. Small RNA libraries from uninfected and APBV-infected honey bee cells (AME-711) were prepared using commercially available kits. The sequencing of these small RNA libraries generated millions of raw reads in all 12 libraries and identified a total of 250 miRNAs. Fifteen miRNAs were differentially regulated upon ABPV infection. This study identified differentially regulated miRNAs in ABPV-infected cells and suggests a potential role in infection. This study opens up a new avenue of research to functionally characterize the miRNAs in a honey bee cell line.

Technical Abstract: Honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) are important insect pollinators that play a vital role in food security worldwide. Climatic changes, agricultural practices, parasites, and viral diseases have had a detrimental effect on their populations. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNA strands ranging from 21-25 nucleotides generated by organisms including insects, and play a vital role in gene expression. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the Acute Bee Paralysis Virus (ABPV) manipulates the honey bee microRNAs to suppress the insect host physiology. Small RNA libraries from uninfected and APBV-infected Apis mellifera cells (AME-711) were prepared using the Illumina Truseq kit. Small RNA sequencing data was analyzed using miRDeep2 and sRNAtoolbox to identify differentially regulated miRNAs. The DE miRNAs were validated using quantitative PCR assay. The sequencing of small RNA libraries generated millions of raw reads in all 12 libraries and identified a total of 250 miRNAs. Fifteen miRNAs were differentially regulated upon ABPV infection. This study identified differentially regulated miRNAs in ABPV-infected cells and suggests a potential role in infection. This study opens up a new avenue of research to functionally characterize the miRNAs in a honey bee cell line.