BmRRS1 Protein Inhibits the Proliferation of Baculovirus Nucleopolyhedrovirus in Silkworm, .

The study of functional genes involved in baculovirus infection is vital for its wide application in pest biocontrol. This study utilized the nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) and silkworm as models to elucidate the role of BmRRS1, which has been found to exhibit notable differential expression between resistant and susceptible silkworm strains. The results showed that it was evolutionarily conserved in selected species. Among different tissues, it was expressed at the highest level in the gonads, followed by the hemolymph and silk glands; among the different developmental stages, it was the highest in the second instar, followed by the pupae and adults. Moreover, its vital role in suppressing AcMNPV infection was verified by the decreased expression of and vp39 protein after overexpression of as well as by the increased expression of the viral gene and the viral protein vp39 after siRNA treatment against expression in BmN cells. Additionally, the direct interaction between BmRRS1 and AcMNPV was detected by the GST pull-down assay. Finally, the homologue of in was found to be involved in larval resistance to AcMNPV. In a word, plays a vital role in AcMNPV resistance in silkworms, and this might be related to the direct interaction with AcMNPV. The results of this study provide a potential target for protecting silkworm larvae from virus infection and controlling agricultural and forestry pests.