Pathogen-driven proteomic changes in hemolymph of nuclear polyhedrosis virus-infected silkworm Bombyx mori L.

Abstract

Viral infections are distinct in the capacity of the viruses to overtake the host's protein synthesis machinery and regulate it for the viral replication. Interaction and infection process of BmNPV in its host Bombyx mori is an important step to understand host-pathogen interaction studies. In present research work, we have screened the BmNPV isolate from the grasserie-infected silkworms from rearing fields of Central Karnataka, India. Isolation, purification, and characterization of the BmNPV virus were done by sucrose density gradient centrifugation, scanning electron microscopy, and SDS-PAGE of the occlusion bodies (OBs). Comparative proteomic analysis revealed drastic up- and downregulation of several proteins in control and infected silkworms. The role of various proteins in comparison with reported proteins responsible for disease infection was elucidated.