Aedes anphevirus (AeAV): an insect-specific virus distributed worldwide inAedes aegyptimosquitoes that has complex interplays withWolbachiaand dengue virus infection in cells

Abstract

AbstractInsect specific viruses (ISVs) of the yellow fever mosquitoAedes aegyptihave been demonstrated to modulate transmission of arboviruses such as dengue virus (DENV) and West Nile virus by the mosquito. The diversity and composition of the virome ofAe. aegypti, however, remains poorly understood. In this study, we characterised Aedes anphevirus (AeAV), a negative-sense RNA virus from the orderMononegavirales. AeAV identified fromAedescell lines were infectious to bothAe. aegyptiandAedes albopictuscells, but not to three mammalian cell lines. To understand the incidence and genetic diversity of AeAV, we assembled 17 coding-complete and two partial genomes of AeAV from available RNA-Seq data. AeAV appears to transmit vertically and be present in laboratory colonies, wild-caught mosquitoes and cell lines worldwide. Phylogenetic analysis of AeAV strains indicates that as theAe. aegyptimosquito has expanded into the Americas and Asia-Pacific, AeAV has evolved into monophyletic African, American and Asia-Pacific lineages. The endosymbiotic bacteriumWolbachia pipientisrestricts positive-sense RNA viruses inAe. aegypti. Re-analysis of a small RNA library ofAe. aegypticells co-infected with AeAV andWolbachiaproduces an abundant RNAi response consistent with persistent virus replication. We foundWolbachiaenhances replication of AeAV when compared to a tetracycline cleared cell line, and AeAV modestly reduces DENV replicationin vitro. The results from our study improve understanding of the diversity and evolution of the virome ofAe. aegyptiand adds to previous evidence that showsWolbachiadoes not restrict a range of negative strand RNA viruses.