MicroRNA bmo‐miR‐31‐5p inhibits apoptosis and promotes BmNPV proliferation by targeting the CYP9e2 gene of Bombyx mori

Abstract BACKGROUND Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus (BmNPV), as a typical baculovirus, is the primary pathogen that infects the silkworm B. mori, a lepidopteran species. Owing to the high biological safety of BmNPV in infecting insects, it is commonly utilized as a biological insecticide for pest control. Apoptosis is important in the interaction between the host and pathogenic microorganisms. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) influence immune responses and promote stability of the immune system via apoptosis. Therefore, the study of apoptosis‐related miRNA in silkworms during virus infection can not only provide support for standardizing the prevention and control of diseases and insect pests, but also reduce the economic losses to sericulture caused by the misuse of biological pesticides. RESULTS Through transcriptome sequencing, we identified a miRNA, miR‐31‐5p, and demonstrated that it can inhibit apoptosis in silkworm cells and promote the proliferation of BmNPV in BmE‐SWU1 cells. We identified a target gene of miR‐31‐5p, B. mori cytochrome P450 9e2 ( BmCYP9e2 ), and demonstrated that it can promote apoptosis in silkworm cells and inhibit the proliferation of BmNPV. Moreover, we constructed transgenic silkworm strains with miR‐31‐5p knockout and confirmed that they can inhibit the proliferation of BmNPV. CONCLUSION These data indicate that miR‐31‐5p may exert functions of inhibiting apoptosis and promoting virus proliferation by regulating BmCYP9e2 . The findings demonstrate how miRNAs influence host cell apoptosis and how they are involved in the host immune system response to viruses, providing important insights into the applications of biological insecticides for pest control. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.