Drosophila miR-956 suppression modulates Ectoderm-expressed 4 and inhibits viral replication

•Drosophila C virus (DCV) infection in model host Drosophila impacts miRNA abundance.•Abundance of miR-956-3p is decreased in adult flies following DCV infection.•DCV-induced morality is delayed in mutant flies lacking miR-956.•miR-956-3p modulates levels of host Ectoderm-expressed 4 (ect4) mRNA.•DCV-induced mortality is earlier in mutant flies with reduced Ect4 expression.

Small non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs) can modulate the outcome of virus infection. Here we explore the role of miRNAs in insect-virus interactions, in vivo, using the natural Drosophila melanogaster-Drosophila C virus (DCV) model system. Comparison of the miRNA expression profiles in DCV-infected and uninfected flies showed altered miRNA levels due to DCV infection, with the largest change in abundance observed for miR-956-3p. Knockout of miR-956 resulted to delayed DCV-induced mortality and decreased viral accumulation compared to wild-type flies. A screen of 84 putative miR-956-3p target genes identified regulation of Ectoderm-expressed 4 (Ect4) in miR-956 knockout flies and, separately, DCV infection. In Ect4 knockdown flies DCV-induced mortality occurred more quickly and virus accumulation was increased. Taken together, results suggest that the host-protective and antiviral consequences of miR-956 suppression during in vivo infection of D. melanogaster with its natural pathogen DCV is conferred through miR-956-3p induction of its target Ect4.