WSSV病毒microRNA对对虾细胞自噬的影响研究

在病毒与宿主的进化博弈中, 产生了病毒编码的microRNA(viral miRNA), 动物病毒编码的miRNA广泛参与病毒自身基因表达的调节，也能够直接靶向调控许多宿主基因的表达，以利于自身的潜伏生存和逃避宿主免疫系统对其的清除.细胞自噬是机体一种重要的保护和防御机制，在免疫、炎症以及抵抗微生物感染中起着至关重要的作用。项目拟以WSSV病毒miRNA对对虾细胞自噬的影响为研究核心，分别围绕WSSV感染对细胞自噬的影响，病毒miRNA对细胞自噬的影响以及调控的分子机制等问题，从分子、细胞乃至整个机体的层次进行系统而深入的研究。通过本项目的研究，促进我们对WSSV病毒感染机制的了解，为WSSV的防治提供新的理论基础。同时本课题的研究，有可能揭示动物病毒感染的一种新机制，开创一个新的研究领域。

Virus-encoded miRNAs have been shown to target cellular or host genes that can negatively or positively impact the course and natural history of the infections and the survival of both virus and host. Autophagy can repress the pathogenic infection and parasitization. On the other side, some microorganisms may develop mechanisms to escape from autophagy for their survival. However, the interactions between viral miRNA and autophagy are poorly understood. In this project, we intend on dissecting the molecualr mechnaisms whereby WSSV viral miRNAs manipulate the autophagy. The investigation will greatly enhance our understanding of the critical nexus in the host-virus relationship and, possibly, lead to the development of novel antiviral strategies on shrimp culture.