Figure 7. Model of RSV regulation of the JNK signaling pathway of its vector insect causing increased replication.
The virus activates the JNK signaling pathway of the vector insects in three ways: i) upregulating TNF-α; ii) decreasing the expression of GPS2, which is a repressor of JNK activation; and iii) binding of the virus capsid protein to GPS2 to prevent it from inhibiting the JNK activation machinery. JNK activation is beneficial to the ability of the virus to replicate in its vector insects.