Polydnaviruses (PDVs), obligatory symbionts with parasitoid wasps, function as host immune suppressors and growth and development regulator. PDVs can induce host haemocyte apoptosis, but the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. Here, we provided evidence that, during the early stages of parasitism, the activated bracovirus (CvBV) reduced the overall number of host haemocytes by inducing apoptosis. We found that one haemocyte-highly expressed CvBV gene, , could induce haemocyte apoptosis. Further analyses showed that has four homologs from other bracoviruses and BV from wasps in the genus , and all four of them possessed a similar structure containing 3 copies of a well-conserved motif (Gly-Tyr-Pro-T... More
Polydnaviruses (PDVs), obligatory symbionts with parasitoid wasps, function as host immune suppressors and growth and development regulator. PDVs can induce host haemocyte apoptosis, but the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. Here, we provided evidence that, during the early stages of parasitism, the activated bracovirus (CvBV) reduced the overall number of host haemocytes by inducing apoptosis. We found that one haemocyte-highly expressed CvBV gene, , could induce haemocyte apoptosis. Further analyses showed that has four homologs from other bracoviruses and BV from wasps in the genus , and all four of them possessed a similar structure containing 3 copies of a well-conserved motif (Gly-Tyr-Pro-Tyr, GYPY). Mass spectrometry analysis revealed that CvBV-26-4 was secreted into plasma by haemocytes and then degraded into peptides that induced the apoptosis of haemocytes. Moreover, ectopic expression of caused fly haemocyte apoptosis and increased the susceptibility of flies to bacteria. Based on this research, a new family of bracovirus genes, Bracovirus apoptosis-inducing proteins (), was proposed. Furthermore, it was discovered that the development of wasp larvae was affected when the function of CvBV BAP was obstructed in the parasitized hosts. The results of our study indicate that the gene family from the bracoviruses group is crucial for immunosuppression during the early stages of parasitism.
