Article
Virology
Agathe M. G. Colmant, David Warrilow, Sonja Hall-Mendelin, Michael Onn, Jody Hobson-Peters, Bixing Huang, Nina Kurucz, Allan Warchot, Bridgette R. Primmer, Sally Isberg, Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann, Roy A. Hall
Summary: Mosquito samples were collected near crocodile farms in the Darwin region of Australia to study virus population. Although no Kunjin virus was detected, the optimized MAVRIC system identified viruses from three different classes and demonstrated the persistence of an insect-specific flavivirus in mosquitoes. Additionally, a novel Hubei macula-like virus was detected in two mosquito genera, suggesting a possible horizontal transmission cycle between arthropods and plants.
Article
Virology
Stephanie Jansen, Daniel Cadar, Renke Luehken, Wolf Peter Pfitzner, Hanna Joest, Sandra Oerther, Michelle Helms, Branka Zibrat, Konstantin Kliemke, Norbert Becker, Olli Vapalahti, Giada Rossini, Anna Heitmann
Summary: The study showed that Ae. koreicus has the potential to transmit CHIKV and ZIKV but not WNV, with low transmission efficiency. Additionally, a novel mosquito-associated virus called Wiesbaden virus (WBDV) was identified in Ae. koreicus, which may have a boosting effect on CHIKV transmission.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Heather Coatsworth, Jovana Bozic, Juliana Carrillo, Eva A. Buckner, Adam R. Rivers, Rhoel R. Dinglasan, Derrick K. Mathias
Summary: Virome studies have shown the presence of RNA viruses in animals, leading to a rethinking of the relationships between organisms and their microbiota. Mosquito viromes, especially those of Aedes aegypti, could potentially contain a core virome that impacts the basic biology of the host. This study investigated the virome composition in A. aegypti and found varying compositions across samples, suggesting the potential for a vertically maintained core virome.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Kenta Okamoto, Chihong Song, Han Wang, Miako Sakaguchi, Christina Chalkiadaki, Naoyuki Miyazaki, Takeshi Nabeshima, Kouichi Morita, Shingo Inoue, Kazuyoshi Murata
Summary: This study describes the three-dimensional electron cryo- microscopy (cryo- EM) structure of Tanay virus (TANAV), a recently identified insect-infecting virus. The TANAV particle has a unique core and envelope structure, and can change its shape under certain conditions. These findings provide insights into the cell entry mechanism and structural changes during the lifecycle of TANAV.
JOURNAL OF GENERAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Mattia Calzolari, Paolo Bonilauri, Annalisa Grisendi, Gastone Dalmonte, Alice Vismarra, Davide Lelli, Chiara Chiapponi, Romeo Bellini, Antonio Lavazza, Michele Dottori
Summary: In this study, we detected several arboviruses, including West Nile virus, Usutu virus, and Tahyna virus, in mosquitoes collected in Emilia-Romagna, Italy in 2021. Our findings suggest the presence of viral hot spots and highlight the importance of investigating Tahyna virus as a potential cause of human diseases.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Virology
Avian V. White, Ming Fan, Jordan M. Mazzara, Rachel L. Roper, Stephanie L. Richards
Summary: The study revealed that Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of dengue virus. Espirito Santo virus does not infect mammalian cells but inhibits dengue virus replication in mosquito cells.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yasuko Orba, Keita Matsuno, Ryo Nakao, Kirill Kryukov, Yumi Saito, Fumihiko Kawamori, Ariel Loza Vega, Tokiko Watanabe, Tadashi Maemura, Michihito Sasaki, William W. Hall, Roy A. Hall, Juan Antonio Pereira, So Nakagawa, Hirofumi Sawa
Summary: The Flavivirus genus includes a variety of mosquito-specific viruses, and three new flavivirus species were identified in mosquitoes collected in Bolivia. PSFV, isolated from Psorophora albigenu, can replicate in Aedes mosquitoes but not in mammalian cells. OSFV and MAFV were also discovered, belonging to classical ISFs and sharing low genetic similarity with known flaviviruses.
JOURNAL OF GENERAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Mine Altinli, Esther Schnettler, Mathieu Sicard
Summary: Mosquitoes not only transmit arboviruses but also carry mosquito-associated insect-specific viruses. Recent advances in viral metagenomics have revealed the abundance of viruses without visible symptoms. Studies have shifted towards investigating single-stranded RNA mosquito viruses and their interference with arboviruses in female adults.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Valeria L. Carvalho, Maureen T. Long
Summary: Arthropod-borne viruses are global pathogens that circulate endemically with local explosive outbreaks and constant encroachment into new locations. Few vaccines against these viruses exist, but promising results have been shown with insect-specific virus vaccines, offering a new approach for future arbovirus vaccine research.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Jonno Jorn Stelder, Andrei Daniel Mihalca, Ann Sofie Olesen, Lene Jung Kjaer, Anette Ella Boklund, Thomas Bruun Rasmussen, Mihai Marinov, Vasile Alexe, Oana Maria Balmos, Rene Bodker
Summary: Mosquitoes can transmit various vector-borne pathogens affecting pigs, and different mosquito species have different preferences and behaviors towards hosts. The feeding preferences of mosquitoes on pigs were observed to vary, and the abundance of certain mosquito species could contribute to pathogen transmission.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Angela R. Dixon, Isabelle Vondra
Summary: Mosquitoes have unique characteristics and behaviors that have led to the development of various beneficial technologies for medical applications, such as mosquito-inspired microneedles, anticoagulants from their saliva, and technologies inspired by mosquito vision and olfaction.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jurgen P. Moonen, Michelle Schinkel, Tom van der Most, Pascal Miesen, Ronald P. van Rij
Summary: Mosquitoes are important vectors for infectious viral diseases, and understanding the mosquito virome is crucial for studying disease emergence and outbreak dynamics. A searchable database of insect-specific viruses associated with mosquitoes has been constructed, providing valuable information on their global distribution and the challenges of integrating virome data.
Article
Virology
Alexandre Freitas da Silva, Filipe Zimmer Dezordi, Lais Ceschini Machado, Rodrigo Dias de Oliveira, Si Qin, Hang Fan, Xianglilan Zhang, Yigang Tong, Monica Medeiros Silva, Elgion Lucio Silva Loreto, Gabriel Luz Wallau
Summary: This study characterized the RNA viruses interacting with Mansonia wilsoni and Coquillettidia hermanoi mosquito species, identifying new viral lineages and enriching our understanding of the virome of these two sylvatic Mansoniini mosquitoes.
Article
Entomology
Xin An, Wei Zhang, Chao Ye, Guy Smagghe, Jin-Jun Wang, Jinzhi Niu
Summary: This study investigates the interaction between aphids and viruses, and identifies a widely distributed bunyavirus that infects and replicates in multiple aphid species. The viral titer significantly affects the physiological parameters and nutrient content of aphids.
Article
Virology
Renuka E. Joseph, Nadya Urakova, Kristine L. Werling, Hillery C. Metz, Kaylee Montanari, Jason L. Rasgon
Summary: Eilat virus (EILV) was found to be most competent in Culex tarsalis mosquitoes and transmitted through saliva. This suggests that EILV could be developed as a tool to target pathogens transmitted by Culex tarsalis mosquitoes.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Correction
Immunology
Christopher L. D. McMillan, Stacey T. M. Cheung, Naphak Modhiran, James Barnes, Alberto A. Amarilla, Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann, Leo Yi Yang Lee, Kate Guilfoyle, Geert van Amerongen, Koert Stittelaar, Virginie Jakob, Celia Lebas, Patrick Reading, Kirsty R. Short, Paul R. Young, Daniel Watterson, Keith J. Chappell
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Aiden C. Beauglehole, Dinora Roche Recinos, Cassandra L. Pegg, Yih Yean Lee, Victor Turnbull, Susann Herrmann, Esteban Marcellin, Christopher B. Howard, Benjamin L. Schulz
Summary: Appropriate treatment of Hemophilia B is crucial, and advancements in recombinant technologies have allowed for the production of Factor IX. However, the complex post-translational modifications of Factor IX have posed challenges for large-scale recombinant production. Further research is needed to optimize the production methods.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Nina Kurucz, Jamie Lee McMahon, Allan Warchot, Glen Hewitson, Jean Barcelon, Frederick Moore, Jasmin Moran, Jessica J. Harrison, Agathe M. G. Colmant, Kyran M. Staunton, Scott A. Ritchie, Michael Townsend, Dagmar Meyer Steiger, Roy A. Hall, Sally R. Isberg, Sonja Hall-Mendelin
Summary: The Kunjin strain of West Nile virus (WNVKUN) and Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV) were detected in crocodile farms in northern Australia, especially in the Darwin region. The use of honey-baited nucleic acid preservation cards proved to be an effective method for monitoring the transmission of these arboviruses. The presence of Kokobera virus (KOKV) in mosquitoes suggests a potential role in crocodile diseases and highlights the importance of One Health approach.
Article
Virology
Francisco J. Torres, Rhys Parry, Leon E. Hugo, Andrii Slonchak, Natalee D. Newton, Laura J. Vet, Naphak Modhiran, Brody Pullinger, Xiaohui Wang, James Potter, Clay Winterford, Jody Hobson-Peters, Roy A. Hall, Alexander A. Khromykh
Summary: In this study, we generated reporter viruses of Binjari virus (BinJV) expressing fluorescent proteins, which showed high growth in insect cells and could be quantified using fluorescence detection. We found that primary infection of BinJV(zsGreen) completely inhibited secondary infection of homologous or heterologous viruses. Furthermore, strong fluorescence signals were detected in the vicinity of salivary glands in vivo. This study establishes a tractable system for exploring flavivirus superinfection exclusion in vitro and in vivo.
Article
Biology
Alejandro Villalta, Alain Schmitt, Leandro F. Estrozi, Emmanuelle R. J. Quemin, Jean-Marie Alempic, Audrey Lartigue, Vojtech Prazak, Lucid Belmudes, Daven Vasishtanm, Agathe M. G. Colmant, Flora A. Honore, Yohann Coute, Kay Grunewald, Chantal Abergel
Summary: Mimivirus, the prototype of Mimiviridae family of giant dsDNA viruses, has a unique organizational structure with a protein shell composed of two GMC-type oxidoreductases. The genome is arranged in left-handed super-helices with a central channel for transcription. This supramolecular organization is an efficient evolutionary strategy for packaging and protecting the genome.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Hai-Teng Li, Edward D. Kerr, Benjamin L. Schulz, Michael J. Gidley, Sushil Dhital
Summary: The popularity of high-amylose cultivars of main crops is increasing due to their unique properties and enhanced nutritional values. This study evaluated the performance of high-amylose wheat (HAW) flours and starches with different amylose contents under high-temperature processing. The results showed that conventional RVA could not predict the pasting behaviors of HAW ingredients accurately, and the iodine colorimetry method was not a good indicator of the cooling and retrogradation process. Protein content and composition also influenced the pasting behaviors of HAW flours, and fine structural features of amylose and amylopectin played a regulatory role.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cassandra L. Pegg, Benjamin L. Schulz, Benjamin A. Neely, Gregory F. Albery, Colin J. Carlson
Summary: Sugars that coat viruses and host cells play a crucial role in disease transmission, but their study is often neglected. Understanding glycosylation and utilizing it for predictive science can bridge the knowledge gap in zoonotic risk assessment.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eduardo A. Albornoz, Alberto A. Amarilla, Naphak Modhiran, Sandra Parker, Xaria X. Li, Danushka K. Wijesundara, Julio Aguado, Adriana Pliego Zamora, Christopher L. D. McMillan, Benjamin Liang, Nias Y. G. Peng, Julian D. J. Sng, Fatema Tuj Saima, Jenny N. Fung, John D. Lee, Devina Paramitha, Rhys Parry, Michael S. Avumegah, Ariel Isaacs, Martin W. Lo, Zaray Miranda-Chacon, Daniella Bradshaw, Constanza Salinas-Rebolledo, Niwanthi W. Rajapakse, Ernst J. Wolvetang, Trent P. Munro, Alejandro Rojas-Fernandez, Paul R. Young, Katryn J. Stacey, Alexander A. Khromykh, Keith J. Chappell, Daniel Watterson, Trent M. Woodruff
Summary: COVID-19 infection may lead to neurological symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease. The study found that SARS-CoV-2 and spike protein can directly activate the NLRP3 inflammasome in microglial cells, which may contribute to the development of neuroinflammation.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Hematology
Jody Hobson-Peters, Alberto A. Amarilla, Lina Rustanti, Denese C. Marks, Eileen Roulis, Alexander A. Khromykh, Naphak Modhiran, Daniel Watterson, Stefan Reichenberg, Frank Tolksdorf, Chryslain Sumian, Axel Seltsam, Ute Gravemann, Helen M. Faddy
Summary: The THERAFLEX MB-Plasma and THERAFLEX UV-Platelets systems were found to effectively reduce the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in plasma and platelets, respectively.
Letter
Virology
Peter Speck, Jason Mackenzie, Rowena A. Bull, Barry Slobedman, Heidi Drummer, Johanna Fraser, Lara Herrero, Karla Helbig, Sarah Londrigan, Gregory Moseley, Natalie Prow, Grant Hansman, Robert Edwards, Chantelle Ahlenstiel, Allison Abendroth, David Tscharke, Jody Hobson-Peters, Robson Kriiger-Loterio, Rhys Parry, Glenn Marsh, Emma Harding, David A. Jacques, Matthew J. Gartner, Wen Shi Lee, Julie McAuley, Paola Vaz, Frank Sainsbury, Michelle D. Tate, Jane Sinclair, Allison Imrie, Stephen Rawlinson, Andrew Harman, Jillian M. Carr, Ebony A. Monson, Merilyn Hibma, Timothy J. Mahony, Thomas Tu, Robert J. Center, Lok Bahadur Shrestha, Robyn Hall, Morgyn Warner, Vernon Ward, Danielle E. Anderson, Nicholas S. Eyre, Natalie E. Netzler, Alison J. Peel, Peter Revill, Michael Beard, Alistair R. Legione, Alexandra J. Spencer, Adi Idris, Jade Forwood, Subir Sarker, Damian F. J. Purcell, Nathan Bartlett, Joshua M. Deerain, Bruce J. Brew, Sassan Asgari, Helen Farrell, Alexander Khromykh, Daniel Enosi Tuipulotu, David Anderson, Sevim Mese, Yaman Tayyar, Kathryn Edenborough, Jasim Muhammad Uddin, Abrar Hussain, Connor J. I. Daymond, Jacinta Agius, Karyn N. Johnson, Paniz Shirmast, Mahdi Abedinzadeshahri, Robin MacDiarmid, Caroline L. Ashley, Jay Laws, Lucy L. Furfaro, Thomas D. Burton, Stephen M. R. Johnson, Zahra Telikani, Mary Petrone, Justin A. Roby, Carolyn Samer, Andreas Suhrbier, April van der Kamp, Anthony Cunningham, Celeste Donato, Jackie Mahar, Wesley D. Black, Subhash Vasudevan, Roman Lenchine, Kirsten Spann, Daniel J. Rawle, Penny Rudd, Jessica Neil, Richard Kingston, Timothy P. Newsome, Ki Wook Kim, Johnson Mak, Kym Lowry, Nathan Bryant, Joanne Meers, Jason A. Roberts, Nigel McMillan, Larisa I. Labzin, Andrii Slonchak, Leon E. Hugo, Bennett Henzeler, Natalee D. Newton, Cassandra T. David, Patrick C. Reading, Camille Esneau, Tatiana Briody, Najla Nasr, Donna McNeale, Brian McSharry, Omid Fakhri, Bethany A. Horsburgh, Grant Logan, Paul Howley, Paul Young
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ariel Isaacs, Yu Shang Low, Kyle L. L. Macauslane, Joy Seitanidou, Cassandra L. L. Pegg, Stacey T. M. Cheung, Benjamin Liang, Connor A. P. Scott, Michael J. J. Landsberg, Benjamin L. L. Schulz, Keith J. J. Chappell, Naphak Modhiran, Daniel Watterson
Summary: In 2022, a novel henipavirus called Langya virus (LayV) was discovered in China, which is closely related to Mojiang virus (MojV) and different from bat-borne henipaviruses, such as Nipah (NiV) and Hendra (HeV) viruses. This is the first documented case of human infection with a HNV other than NiV and HeV, highlighting the potential danger of this virus genus to human health.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Marcel Hausdorff, Adrien Delpal, Sarah Barelier, Laura Nicollet, Bruno Canard, Franck Touret, Agathe Colmant, Bruno Coutard, Jean-Jacques Vasseur, Etienne Decroly, Francoise Debart
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has raised the urgent need for new therapeutic drugs targeting the SARS-CoV-2 replication machinery. This study focuses on the development of inhibitors targeting the highly conserved protein nsp14, which is involved in viral RNA translation and immune evasion. Through structure-guided drug design, 26 novel adenosine mimetics were synthesized, one of which showed selective inhibition of nsp14 N7-MTase activity with high potency against SARS-CoV-2 replication in cell culture.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Freda E. -C. Jen, Jodie L. Abrahams, Benjamin L. Schulz, Araceli Lamelas, Gerd Pluschke, Michael P. Jennings
Summary: In the meningitis belt of sub-Saharan Africa, cyclic meningococcal epidemics coincide with clonal waves of Neisseria meningitidis. A whole-genome sequencing study with meningococcal isolates collected during outbreaks identified the pilin glycosylation (pgl) locus as a hotspot of recombination. The exchange of pgl genes in N. meningitidis results in variable glycosylation patterns of pilin and other surface glycoproteins. Investigating pilin glycosylation can shed light on bacterial adaptation and potential targets for therapies and vaccines.
ACS INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Gervais Habarugira, Jessica J. Harrison, Jasmin Moran, Willy W. Suen, Agathe M. G. Colmant, Jody Hobson-Peters, Sally R. Isberg, Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann, Roy A. Hall
Summary: This study tested a chimeric virus vaccine composed of non-structural genes from the insect-specific flavivirus Binjari virus and structural proteins from West Nile virus. The vaccine elicited a strong antibody response and protected hatchling saltwater crocodiles against viremia and skin lesions caused by West Nile virus. The results indicate that the BinJV/WNV chimera is a safe and effective vaccine for preventing skin lesions in farmed crocodilians.
Review
Microbiology
Kyle L. Macauslane, Cassandra L. Pegg, Kirsty R. Short, Benjamin L. Schulz
Summary: Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are a major cause of death and disability, with the greatest impact on children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Respiratory viruses are the main culprits behind ARIs. The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a defense mechanism activated in response to viral infection, and it plays a role in the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases. Many respiratory viruses manipulate the UPR during infection, affecting both the host and the pathogens. Modulating the UPR may have therapeutic potential in virally induced respiratory diseases.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
