Biology subjects

Anerao, I. M.

Publications and source records attributed to Anerao, I. M..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

SARS-CoV-2 PLpro Drives Epithelial Barrier Disruption Across Drosophila and Mammalian Epithelia

Severe SARS-CoV-2 infection manifests as a systemic disorder characterized by catastrophic loss of epithelial homeostasis and dysregulated host inflammation. However, which specific viral factors initiate this tissue damage in intact, living organisms remains unresolved. Using a comprehensive in vivo screen of all 25 SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural proteins (NSPs) and accessory factors (ORFs) in the Drosophila wing imaginal epithelium, here we have identified NSP5 (Main protease, Mpro) and NSP3--specifically its papain-like protease (PLpro) domain--as individual triggers of tissue injury. Focusing further on PLpro, we demonstrate that its expression initiates a self-amplifying host cell stress signaling circuit driven by metabolic overdrive, oxidative stress, and hyperactivation of Akt, JNK, and JAK-STAT signaling. However, this pathogenic loop is fragile; genetic suppression of any of the hyperactivated signaling nodes collapses this network, thereby restoring epithelial homeostasis. This organ-intrinsic, PLpro-induced epithelial vulnerability is also seen in the adult midgut and larval respiratory system. Notably, in the larval respiratory system, PLpro drives compartment-specific pathologies: it induces fibrosis-like remodeling in terminally differentiated squamous tracheal tubes, while catastrophically depleting the progenitor-competent tracheoblasts and air sac precursors (ASP). Both these defects are reversed by the genetic knockdown of PLpro-induced JAK-STAT signaling. Finally, we show that PLpro expression in mammalian MDCK epithelia similarly triggers junctional remodeling and inflammatory stress signaling. Our findings position PLpro as a central driver of COVID-19 pathogenesis through a self-amplifying epithelial stress circuit that compromises epithelial homeostasis across organs and species.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2026

RasG12V Oncogene-Induced Epithelial Senescence and Its Relay Promotes Host Metabolic Syndrome in Drosophila

Precancerous oncogenic activation in a target organ often induces senescence, a tumor-suppressive response known as oncogene-induced senescence (OIS). Clinical observations indicate a strong association of metabolic syndrome (MetS) with the precancerous and early-stage cancers. Notably, cells displaying OIS are characterized by a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), in which they secrete factors, including inflammatory cytokines. Thus, SASP from cells displaying OIS may trigger host MetS, which likely underpins its association with cancers, such as colorectal cancer (CRC). Here, we tested this hypothesis and show that, in Drosophila, the activated RasG12V oncogene, which is frequently implicated in human CRC, induces OIS in imaginal disc epithelium and systemically triggers host larval MetS via the conserved cytokine Upd1/IL6. Thus, the larval host with RasG12V-induced epithelial OIS displays MetS, characterized by obesity, increased lipid and glycogen accumulation in the fat body, and altered insulin signaling, marked by transition from hyperinsulinemia to insulin resistance--all at a precancerous stage. Further, we also noted hyperphagia and increased expression of insulin-like peptides (dILP2/3/5) in the brain of larvae displaying RasG12V-induced OIS. Notably, RasG12V-induced OIS is systemically relayed, leading to activation of a senescence-like program in the distant fat body. Genetic suppression of upd1 or pharmacological intervention with the senomorphic agent, Metformin, attenuated fat body senescence and mitigated MetS-associated phenotypes. Our findings thus identify a causal relationship between OIS and host MetS, suggesting its utility as an early biomarker for detecting cancers such as CRC and its potential as a prophylactic target.

cancer biology↗