adiponectin receptor-like protein signaling facilitates Zika virus infection.

UNLABELLED

The mosquito plays a critical role in the transmission of viral diseases, including Zika virus, which poses significant public health challenges. Understanding the complex interactions between mosquitoes and viruses is paramount for the development of effective control strategies. In this study, we demonstrate that silencing the adiponectin receptor-like protein (AaARLP) results in a reduction of Zika virus infection. Transcriptomic analysis identified alterations in several trypsin genes and further revealed that -knockdown mosquitoes had diminished trypsin activity. Moreover, silencing of selected resulted in a similar delay in Zika virus infection in mosquitoes, further highlighting the connection between the AaARLP and trypsin. Overall, our findings demonstrate that AaARLP signaling is important for Zika virus infection of .

IMPORTANCE

Arboviruses pose a significant threat to public health, with mosquitoes, especially , being a major vector for their transmission. Gaining insight into the complex interaction between mosquitoes and viruses is essential to build successful control strategies. In this study, we identified a novel pathway connecting the adiponectin receptor-like protein and its association with trypsin, key enzymes involved in blood digestion. Furthermore, we demonstrated the significance of signaling via the adiponectin receptor-like protein in virus infection within the mosquito. Together, our discoveries illuminate mosquito metabolic pathways essential in viral infection.