Interaction of a plant virus-encoded protein with the major nucleolar protein fibrillarin is required for systemic virus infection

Hitchhikers, highway tolls and roadworks: the interactions of plant viruses with the phloem

The phloem is of central importance to plant viruses, providing the route by which they spread throughout their host. Compared with virus movement in non-vascular tissue, phloem entry, exit, and long-distance translocation usually involve additional viral factors and complex virus-host interactions, probably, because the phloem has evolved additional protection against these molecular 'hitchhikers'. Recent progress in understanding phloem trafficking of endogenous mRNAs along with observations of membranous viral replication 'factories' in sieve elements challenge existing conceptions of virus long-distance transport. At the same time, the central role of the phloem in plant defences against viruses and the sophisticated viral manipulation of this host tissue are beginning to emerge.

Hijacking of the nucleolar protein fibrillarin by TGB1 is required for cell-to-cell movement of Barley stripe mosaic virus

Barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV) Triple Gene Block1 (TGB1) is a multifunctional movement protein with RNA-binding, ATPase and helicase activities which mainly localizes to the plasmodesmata (PD) in infected cells. Here, we show that TGB1 localizes to the nucleus and the nucleolus, as well as the cytoplasm, and that TGB1 nuclear-cytoplasmic trafficking is required for BSMV cell-to-cell movement. Prediction analyses and laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) experiments verified that TGB1 possesses a nucleolar localization signal (NoLS) (amino acids 95-104) and a nuclear localization signal (NLS) (amino acids 227-238). NoLS mutations reduced BSMV cell-to-cell movement significantly, whereas NLS mutations almost completely abolished movement. Furthermore, neither the NoLS nor NLS mutant viruses could infect Nicotiana benthamiana systemically, although the NoLS mutant virus was able to establish systemic infections of barley. Protein interaction experiments demonstrated that TGB1 interacts directly with the glycine-arginine-rich (GAR) domain of the nucleolar protein fibrillarin (Fib2). Moreover, in BSMV-infected cells, Fib2 accumulation increased by about 60%-70% and co-localized with TGB1 in the plasmodesmata. In addition, BSMV cell-to-cell movement in fib2 knockdown transgenic plants was reduced to less than one-third of that of non-transgenic plants. Fib2 also co-localized with both TGB1 and BSMV RNA, which are the main components of the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) movement complex. Collectively, these results show that TGB1-Fib2 interactions play a direct role in cell-to-cell movement, and we propose that Fib2 is hijacked by BSMV TGB1 to form a BSMV RNP which functions in cell-to-cell movement.

Long distance RNA movement

Contents Summary 29 I. Introduction 29 II. Phloem as a conduit for macromolecules 30 III. Classes of phloem transported RNAs and their function 32 IV. Mode of RNA transport 35 V. Conclusions 37 Acknowledgements 37 References 37 SUMMARY: In higher plants, small noncoding RNAs and large messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules are transported between cells and over long distances via the phloem. These large macromolecules are thought to get access to the sugar-conducting phloem vessels via specialized plasmodesmata (PD). Analyses of the phloem exudate suggest that all classes of RNA molecules, including silencing-induced RNAs (siRNAs), micro RNAs (miRNAs), transfer RNAs (tRNAs), ribosomal RNA (rRNAs) and mRNAs, are transported via the vasculature to distant tissues. Although the functions of mobile siRNAs and miRNAs as signalling molecules are well established, we lack a profound understanding of mobile mRNA function(s) in recipient cells and tissues, and how they are selected for transport. A surprisingly high number of up to thousands of mRNAs were described in diverse plant species such as cucumber, pumpkin, Arabidopsis and grapevine to move long distances over graft junctions to distinct body parts. In this review, we present an overview of the classes of mobile RNAs, the potential mechanisms facilitating RNA long-distance transport, and the roles of mobile RNAs in regulating transcription and translation. Furthermore, we address potential function(s) of mobile protein-encoding mRNAs with respect to their characteristics and evolutionary constraints.

Identification of Functional Domain(s) of Fibrillarin Interacted with p2 of Rice stripe virus

p2 of Rice stripe virus may promote virus systemic infection by interacting with the full length of fibrillarin from Nicotiana benthamiana (NbFib2) in the nucleolus and cajal body (CB). NbFib2 contains three functional domains. We used yeast two-hybrid, colocalization, and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays to study the interactions between p2 and the three domains of NbFib2, namely, the N-terminal fragment containing a glycine and arginine-rich (GAR) domain, the central RNA-binding domain, and the C-terminal fragment containing an α-helical domain. The results show that the N-terminal domain is indispensable for NbFib2 to localize in the nucleolus and cajal body. p2 binds all three regions of NbFib2, and they target to the nucleus but fail to the nucleolus and cajal bodies (CBs).

The Multiple Functions of the Nucleolus in Plant Development, Disease and Stress Responses

The nucleolus is the most conspicuous domain in the eukaryotic cell nucleus, whose main function is ribosomal RNA (rRNA) synthesis and ribosome biogenesis. However, there is growing evidence that the nucleolus is also implicated in many other aspects of cell biology, such as regulation of cell cycle, growth and development, senescence, telomerase activity, gene silencing, responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. In the first part of the review, we briefly assess the traditional roles of the plant nucleolus in rRNA synthesis and ribosome biogenesis as well as possible functions in other RNA regulatory pathways such as splicing, nonsense-mediated mRNA decay and RNA silencing. In the second part of the review we summarize recent progress and discuss already known and new hypothetical roles of the nucleolus in plant growth and development. In addition, this part will highlight studies showing new nucleolar functions involved in responses to pathogen attack and abiotic stress. Cross-talk between the nucleolus and Cajal bodies is also discussed in the context of their association with poly(ADP ribose)polymerase (PARP), which is known to play a crucial role in various physiological processes including growth, development and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Differential use of 3'CITEs by the subgenomic RNA of Pea enation mosaic virus 2

The genomic RNA (gRNA) of Pea enation mosaic virus 2 (PEMV2) is the template for p33 and -1 frameshift product p94. The PEMV2 subgenomic RNA (sgRNA) encodes two overlapping ORFs, p26 and p27, which are required for movement and stability of the gRNA. Efficient translation of p33 requires two of three 3' proximal cap-independent translation enhancers (3'CITEs): the kl-TSS, which binds ribosomes and engages in a long-distance interaction with the 5'end; and the adjacent eIF4E-binding PTE. Unlike the gRNA, all three 3'CITEs were required for efficient translation of the sgRNA, which included the ribosome-binding 3'TSS. A hairpin in the 5' proximal coding region of p26/p27 supported translation by the 3'CITEs by engaging in a long-distance RNA:RNA interaction with the kl-TSS. These results strongly suggest that the 5' ends of PEMV2 gRNA and sgRNA connect with the 3'UTR through similar long-distance interactions while having different requirements for 3'CITEs.

Cajal bodies and their role in plant stress and disease responses

Cajal bodies (CBs) are distinct sub-nuclear structures that are present in eukaryotic living cells and are often associated with the nucleolus. CBs play important roles in RNA metabolism and formation of RNPs involved in transcription, splicing, ribosome biogenesis, and telomere maintenance. Besides these primary roles, CBs appear to be involved in additional functions that may not be directly related to RNA metabolism and RNP biogenesis. In this review, we assess possible roles of plant CBs in RNA regulatory pathways such as nonsense-mediated mRNA decay and RNA silencing. We also summarize recent progress and discuss new non-canonical functions of plant CBs in responses to stress and disease. It is hypothesized that CBs can regulate these responses via their interaction with poly(ADP ribose)polymerase (PARP), which is known to play an important role in various physiological processes including responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. It is suggested that CBs and their components modify PARP activities and functions.

Analyses of pea necrotic yellow dwarf virus-encoded proteins

Pea necrotic yellow dwarf virus (PNYDV) is a multipartite, circular, single-stranded DNA plant virus. PNYDV encodes eight proteins and the function of three of which remains unknown-U1, U2, and U4. PNYDV proteins cellular localization was analyzed by GFP tagging and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) studies. The interactions of all eight PNYDV proteins were tested pairwise in planta (36 combinations in total). Seven interactions were identified and two (M-Rep with CP and MP with U4) were characterized further. MP and U4 complexes appeared as vesicle-like spots and were localized at the nuclear envelope and cell periphery. These vesicle-like spots were associated with the endoplasmatic reticulum. In addition, a nuclear localization signal (NLS) was mapped for U1, and a mutated U1 with NLS disrupted localized at plasmodesmata and therefore might also have a role in movement. Taken together, this study provides evidence for previously undescribed nanovirus protein-protein interactions and their cellular localization with novel findings not only for those proteins with unknown function, but also for characterized proteins such as the CP.

Plant snRNP Biogenesis: A Perspective from the Nucleolus and Cajal Bodies

Small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs) are protein-RNA complexes composed of specific snRNP-associated proteins along with small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs), which are non-coding RNA molecules abundant in the nucleus. snRNPs mainly function as core components of the spliceosome, the molecular machinery for pre-mRNA splicing. Thus, snRNP biogenesis is a critical issue for plants, essential for the determination of a cell's activity through the regulation of gene expression. The complex process of snRNP biogenesis is initiated by transcription of the snRNA in the nucleus, continues in the cytoplasm, and terminates back in the nucleus. Critical steps of snRNP biogenesis, such as chemical modification of the snRNA and snRNP maturation, occur in the nucleolus and its related sub-nuclear structures, Cajal bodies. In this review, I discuss roles for the nucleolus and Cajal bodies in snRNP biogenesis, and a possible linkage between the regulation of snRNP biogenesis and plant development and environmental responses.

Human promyelocytic leukemia protein is targeted to distinct subnuclear domains in plant nuclei and colocalizes with nucleolar constituents in a SUMO-dependent manner

Eukaryotic nuclei are subdivided into subnuclear structures. Among the most prominent of these structures are the nucleolus and the PML nuclear bodies (PML‐NBs). PML‐NBs are spherical multiprotein aggregates of varying size localized in the interchromosomal area. PML‐NB formation is dependent on the presence of the promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) as well as on post‐translational modification of core components by covalent attachment of the small ubiquitin‐like modifier (SUMO). So far, PML‐NBs as well as PML have been described in mammalian cells only, whereas no orthologs are known in the plant kingdom. In order to investigate conserved mechanisms in PML targeting, we expressed human PML (hPML) fused to the GFP in Nicotiana benthamiana. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy and coimmunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometric analysis, we found the fusion protein in association with nucleolar constituents. Importantly, mutants of hPML, which are no longer SUMOylated, showed altered localizations, implying SUMO‐dependent targeting of hPML in plants as has previously been shown for mammalian cells. Interestingly, in the presence of proteasome inhibitors, hPML could also be found in the nucleolus of mammalian cells suggesting conserved targeting mechanisms of PML across kingdoms. Finally, Solanum tuberosum COP1, a proposed PML‐like protein from plants, was fused to the red fluorescent protein (RFP) and coexpressed with hPML::eGFP. Microscopic analysis confirmed the localization of COP1::RFP in nuclear speckles. However, hPML::eGFP did not colocalize with COP1::RFP. Hence, we conclude that plants do not possess specialized PML‐NBs, but that their functions may be covered by other subnuclear structures like the nucleolus.

Database Proteomics data have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange Consortium with the identifier PXD004254.

The Nucleolar Fibrillarin Protein Is Required for Helper Virus-Independent Long-Distance Trafficking of a Subviral Satellite RNA in Plants

RNA trafficking plays pivotal roles in regulating plant development, gene silencing, and adaptation to environmental stress. Satellite RNAs (satRNAs), parasites of viruses, depend on their helper viruses (HVs) for replication, encapsidation, and efficient spread. However, it remains largely unknown how satRNAs interact with viruses and the cellular machinery to undergo trafficking. Here, we show that the P20 protein of Bamboo mosaic potexvirus satRNA (satBaMV) can functionally complement in trans the systemic trafficking of P20-defective satBaMV in infected Nicotiana benthamiana The transgene-derived satBaMV, uncoupled from HV replication, was able to move autonomously across a graft union identified by RT-qPCR, RNA gel blot, and in situ RT-PCR analyses. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments revealed that the major nucleolar protein fibrillarin is coprecipitated in the P20 protein complex. Notably, silencing fibrillarin suppressed satBaMV-, but not HV-, phloem-based movement following grafting or coinoculation with HV Confocal microscopy revealed that the P20 protein colocalized with fibrillarin in the nucleoli and formed punctate structures associated with plasmodesmata. The mobile satBaMV RNA appears to exist as ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex composed of P20 and fibrillarin, whereas BaMV movement proteins, capsid protein, and BaMV RNA are recruited with HV coinfection. Taken together, our findings provide insight into movement of satBaMV via the fibrillarin-satBaMV-P20 RNP complex in phloem-mediated systemic trafficking.

Ins and Outs of Multipartite Positive-Strand RNA Plant Viruses: Packaging versus Systemic Spread

Viruses possessing a non-segmented genome require a specific recognition of their nucleic acid to ensure its protection in a capsid. A similar feature exists for viruses having a segmented genome, usually consisting of viral genomic segments joined together into one viral entity. While this appears as a rule for animal viruses, the majority of segmented plant viruses package their genomic segments individually. To ensure a productive infection, all viral particles and thereby all segments have to be present in the same cell. Progression of the virus within the plant requires as well a concerted genome preservation to avoid loss of function. In this review, we will discuss the "life aspects" of chosen phytoviruses and argue for the existence of RNA-RNA interactions that drive the preservation of viral genome integrity while the virus progresses in the plant.

Lettuce chlorosis virus P23 Suppresses RNA Silencing and Induces Local Necrosis with Increased Severity at Raised Temperatures

RNA silencing functions as an antivirus defense strategy in plants, one that plant viruses counter by producing viral suppressors of RNA silencing (VSRs). VSRs have been identified in three members of the genus Crinivirus but they do not all share identical suppression mechanisms. Here, we used Agrobacterium co-infiltration assays to investigate the suppressor activity of proteins encoded by Lettuce chlorosis virus (LCV). Of 7 LCV proteins (1b, P23, HSP70 homolog, P60, CP, CPm, and P27) tested for the suppression of silencing of green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression in wild-type Nicotiana benthamiana plants, only P23 suppressed the onset of local silencing. Small-interfering (si)RNA accumulation was reduced in leaves co-infiltrated with P23, suggesting that P23 inhibited the accumulation or enhanced the degradation of siRNA. P23 also inhibited the cell-to-cell and systemic movement of RNA silencing in GFP-expressing transgenic N. benthamiana plants. Expression of P23 via agroinfiltration of N. benthamiana leaves induced local necrosis that increased in severity at elevated temperatures, a novelty given that a direct temperature effect on necrosis severity has not been reported for the other crinivirus VSRs. These results further affirm the sophistication of crinivirus VSRs in mediating the evasion of host's antiviral defenses and in symptom modulation.

Cytorhabdovirus P3 genes encode 30K-like cell-to-cell movement proteins

Plant viruses encode movement proteins (MP) to facilitate cell-to-cell transport through plasmodesmata. In this study, using trans-complementation of a movement-defective turnip vein-clearing tobamovirus (TVCV) replicon, we show for the first time for cytorhabdoviruses (lettuce necrotic yellows virus (LNYV) and alfalfa dwarf virus (ADV)) that their P3 proteins function as MP similar to the TVCV P30 protein. All three MP localized to plasmodesmata when ectopically expressed. In addition, we show that these MP belong to the 30K superfamily since movement was inhibited by mutation of an aspartic acid residue in the critical 30K-specific LxD/N50-70G motif. We also report that Nicotiana benthamiana microtubule-associated VOZ1-like transcriptional activator interacts with LNYV P3 and TVCV P30 but not with ADV P3 or any of the MP point mutants. This host protein, which is known to interact with P3 of sonchus yellow net nucleorhabdovirus, may be involved in aiding the cell-to-cell movement of LNYV and TVCV.

The Subcellular Localization and Functional Analysis of Fibrillarin2, a Nucleolar Protein in Nicotiana benthamiana

Nucleolar proteins play important roles in plant cytology, growth, and development. Fibrillarin2 is a nucleolar protein of Nicotiana benthamiana (N. benthamiana). Its cDNA was amplified by RT-PCR and inserted into expression vector pEarley101 labeled with yellow fluorescent protein (YFP). The fusion protein was localized in the nucleolus and Cajal body of leaf epidermal cells of N. benthamiana. The N. benthamiana fibrillarin2 (NbFib2) protein has three functional domains (i.e., glycine and arginine rich domain, RNA-binding domain, and α-helical domain) and a nuclear localization signal (NLS) in C-terminal. The protein 3D structure analysis predicted that NbFib2 is an α/β protein. In addition, the virus induced gene silencing (VIGS) approach was used to determine the function of NbFib2. Our results showed that symptoms including growth retardation, organ deformation, chlorosis, and necrosis appeared in NbFib2-silenced N. benthamiana.

Rice stripe tenuivirus p2 may recruit or manipulate nucleolar functions through an interaction with fibrillarin to promote virus systemic movement

Rice stripe virus (RSV) is the type species of the genus Tenuivirus and represents a major viral pathogen affecting rice production in East Asia. In this study, RSV p2 was fused to yellow fluorescent protein (p2-YFP) and expressed in epidermal cells of Nicotiana benthamiana. p2-YFP fluorescence was found to move to the nucleolus initially, but to leave the nucleolus for the cytoplasm forming numerous distinct bright spots there at later time points. A bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assay showed that p2 interacted with fibrillarin and that the interaction occurred in the nucleus. Both the nucleolar localization and cytoplasmic distribution of p2-YFP fluorescence were affected in fibrillarin-silenced N. benthamiana. Fibrillarin depletion abolished the systemic movement of RSV, but not that of Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and Potato virus X (PVX). A Tobacco rattle virus (TRV)-based virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) method was used to diminish RSV NS2 (encoding p2) or NS3 (encoding p3) during RSV infection. Silencing of NS3 alleviated symptom severity and reduced RSV accumulation, but had no obvious effects on virus movement and the timing of symptom development. However, silencing of NS2 abolished the systemic movement of RSV. The possibility that RSV p2 may recruit or manipulate nucleolar functions to promote virus systemic infection is discussed.

Fibrillarin methylates H2A in RNA polymerase I trans-active promoters in Brassica oleracea

Fibrillarin is a well conserved methyltransferase involved in several if not all of the more than 100 methylations sites in rRNA which are essential for proper ribosome function. It is mainly localized in the nucleoli and Cajal bodies inside the cell nucleus where it exerts most of its functions. In plants, fibrillarin binds directly the guide RNA together with Nop56, Nop58, and 15.5ka proteins to form a snoRNP complex that selects the sites to be methylated in pre-processing of ribosomal RNA. Recently, the yeast counterpart NOP1 was found to methylate histone H2A in the nucleolar regions. Here we show that plant fibrillarin can also methylate histone H2A. In Brassica floral meristem cells the methylated histone H2A is mainly localized in the nucleolus but unlike yeast or human cells it also localize in the periphery of the nucleus. In specialized transport cells the pattern is altered and it exhibits a more diffuse staining in the nucleus for methylated histone H2A as well as for fibrillarin. Here we also show that plant fibrillarin is capable of interacting with H2A and carry out its methylation in the rDNA promoter.

In vitro properties of hordeivirus TGB1 protein forming ribonucleoprotein complexes

Hordeivirus movement protein encoded by the first gene of the triple gene block (TGB1 protein, TGBp1) interacts in vivo with viral genomic and subgenomic RNAs to form ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particles that are considered to be a form of viral genome (non-virion transport form) capable of cell-to-cell and long-distance transport in infected plants. The structures of these RNPs have not been elucidated. The poa semilatent virus (PSLV) TGBp1 contains a structured C-terminal NTPase/helicase domain and an N-terminal extension region consisting of two domains - a completely intrinsically disordered extreme N-terminal domain and an internal domain (ID) with structure resembling a partially disordered molten globule. Here, we characterized the structures assembled in vitro by the full-length PSLV TGBp1 alone or in the presence of viral RNA. The PSLV TGBp1 was capable of multimerization and self-assembly into extended high-molecular-mass complexes. These complexes disassembled to apparent monomers upon incubation with ATP. Upon incubation with viral RNA, the PSLV TGBp1 in vitro formed RNP structures that appeared as filamentous particles resembling virions of helical filamentous plant viruses in morphology and dimensions. By comparing the biophysical characteristics of PSLV TGBp1 and its domains in the presence and absence of RNA, we show that the ID plays the main structural role in the self-interactions and RNA interactions of TGBp1 leading to the assembly of virus-like RNP particles.

Nuclear processes associated with plant immunity and pathogen susceptibility

Plants are sessile organisms that have evolved exquisite and sophisticated mechanisms to adapt to their biotic and abiotic environment. Plants deploy receptors and vast signalling networks to detect, transmit and respond to a given biotic threat by inducing properly dosed defence responses. Genetic analyses and, more recently, next-generation -omics approaches have allowed unprecedented insights into the mechanisms that drive immunity. Similarly, functional genomics and the emergence of pathogen genomes have allowed reciprocal studies on the mechanisms governing pathogen virulence and host susceptibility, collectively allowing more comprehensive views on the processes that govern disease and resistance. Among others, the identification of secreted pathogen molecules (effectors) that modify immunity-associated processes has changed the plant-microbe interactions conceptual landscape. Effectors are now considered both important factors facilitating disease and novel probes, suited to study immunity in plants. In this review, we will describe the various mechanisms and processes that take place in the nucleus and help regulate immune responses in plants. Based on the premise that any process required for immunity could be targeted by pathogen effectors, we highlight and describe a number of functional assays that should help determine effector functions and their impact on immune-related processes. The identification of new effector functions that modify nuclear processes will help dissect nuclear signalling further and assist us in our bid to bolster immunity in crop plants.

Fibrillarin from Archaea to human

Fibrillarin is an essential protein that is well known as a molecular marker of transcriptionally active RNA polymerase I. Fibrillarin methyltransferase activity is the primary known source of methylation for more than 100 methylated sites involved in the first steps of preribosomal processing and required for structural ribosome stability. High expression levels of fibrillarin have been observed in several types of cancer cells, particularly when p53 levels are reduced, because p53 is a direct negative regulator of fibrillarin transcription. Here, we show fibrillarin domain conservation, structure and interacting molecules in different cellular processes as well as with several viral proteins during virus infection.

Dissecting the molecular network of virus-plant interactions: the complex roles of host factors

A successful infection by a plant virus results from the complex molecular interplay between the host plant and the invading virus. Thus, dissecting the molecular network of virus-host interactions advances the understanding of the viral infection process and may assist in the development of novel antiviral strategies. In the past decade, molecular identification and functional characterization of host factors in the virus life cycle, particularly single-stranded, positive-sense RNA viruses, have been a research focus in plant virology. As a result, a number of host factors have been identified. These host factors are implicated in all the major steps of the infection process. Some host factors are diverted for the viral genome translation, some are recruited to improvise the viral replicase complexes for genome multiplication, and others are components of transport complexes for cell-to-cell spread via plasmodesmata and systemic movement through the phloem. This review summarizes current knowledge about host factors and discusses future research directions.

Key importance of small RNA binding for the activity of a glycine-tryptophan (GW) motif-containing viral suppressor of RNA silencing

Viruses express viral suppressors of RNA silencing (VSRs) to counteract RNA silencing-based host defenses. Although virtually all stages of the antiviral silencing pathway can be inhibited by VSRs, small RNAs (sRNAs) and Argonaute (AGO) proteins seem to be the most frequent targets. Recently, GW/WG motifs of some VSRs have been proposed to dictate their suppressor function by mediating interaction with AGO(s). Here we have studied the VSR encoded by Pelargonium line pattern virus (family Tombusviridae). The results show that p37, the viral coat protein, blocks RNA silencing. Site-directed mutagenesis of some p37 sequence traits, including a conserved GW motif, allowed generation of suppressor-competent and -incompetent molecules and uncoupling of the VSR and particle assembly capacities. The engineered mutants were used to assess the importance of p37 functions for viral infection and the relative contribution of diverse molecular interactions to suppressor activity. Two main conclusions can be drawn: (i) the silencing suppression and encapsidation functions of p37 are both required for systemic Pelargonium line pattern virus infection, and (ii) the suppressor activity of p37 relies on the ability to bind sRNAs rather than on interaction with AGOs. The data also caution against potential misinterpretations of results due to overlap of sequence signals related to distinct protein properties. This is well illustrated by mutation of the GW motif in p37 that concurrently affects nucleolar localization, efficient interaction with AGO1, and sRNA binding capability. These concomitant effects could have been overlooked in other GW motif-containing suppressors, as we exemplify with the orthologous p38 of turnip crinkle virus.

The 3' untranslated region of Pea Enation Mosaic Virus contains two T-shaped, ribosome-binding, cap-independent translation enhancers

Many plant viruses without 5' caps or 3' poly(A) tails contain 3' proximal, cap-independent translation enhancers (3'CITEs) that bind to ribosomal subunits or translation factors thought to assist in ribosome recruitment. Most 3'CITEs participate in a long-distance kissing-loop interaction with a 5' proximal hairpin to deliver ribosomal subunits to the 5' end for translation initiation. Pea Enation Mosaic Virus (PEMV) contains two adjacent 3'CITEs in the center of its 703-nucleotide 3' untranslated region (3'UTR), the ribosome-binding, kissing-loop T-shaped structure (kl-TSS) and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding Panicum mosaic virus-like translation enhance (PTE). We now report that PEMV contains a third, independent 3'CITE located near the 3' terminus. This 3'CITE is composed of three hairpins and two pseudoknots, similar to the TSS 3'CITE of the carmovirus Turnip crinkle virus (TCV). As with the TCV TSS, the PEMV 3'TSS is predicted to fold into a T-shaped structure that binds to 80S ribosomes and 60S ribosomal subunits. A small hairpin (kl-H) upstream of the 3'TSS contains an apical loop capable of forming a kissing-loop interaction with a 5' proximal hairpin and is critical for the accumulation of full-length PEMV in protoplasts. Although the kl-H and 3'TSS are dispensable for the translation of a reporter construct containing the complete PEMV 3'UTR in vitro, deleting the normally required kl-TSS and PTE 3'CITEs and placing the kl-H and 3'TSS proximal to the reporter termination codon restores translation to near wild-type levels. This suggests that PEMV requires three 3'CITEs for proper translation and that additional translation enhancers may have been missed if reporter constructs were used in 3'CITE identification. Importance: The rapid life cycle of viruses requires efficient translation of viral-encoded proteins. Many plant RNA viruses contain 3' cap-independent translation enhancers (3'CITEs) to effectively compete with ongoing host translation. Since only single 3'CITEs have been identified for the vast majority of individual viruses, it is widely accepted that this is sufficient for a virus's translational needs. Pea Enation Mosaic Virus possesses a ribosome-binding 3'CITE that can connect to the 5' end through an RNA-RNA interaction and an adjacent eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding 3'CITE. We report the identification of a third 3'CITE that binds weakly to ribosomes and requires an upstream hairpin to form a bridge between the 3' and 5' ends. Although both ribosome-binding 3'CITEs are critical for virus accumulation in vivo, only the CITE closest to the termination codon of a reporter open reading frame is active, suggesting that artificial constructs used for 3'CITE identification may underestimate the number of CITEs that participate in translation.

The RNA helicases AtMTR4 and HEN2 target specific subsets of nuclear transcripts for degradation by the nuclear exosome in Arabidopsis thaliana

The RNA exosome is the major 3'-5' RNA degradation machine of eukaryotic cells and participates in processing, surveillance and turnover of both nuclear and cytoplasmic RNA. In both yeast and human, all nuclear functions of the exosome require the RNA helicase MTR4. We show that the Arabidopsis core exosome can associate with two related RNA helicases, AtMTR4 and HEN2. Reciprocal co-immunoprecipitation shows that each of the RNA helicases co-purifies with the exosome core complex and with distinct sets of specific proteins. While AtMTR4 is a predominantly nucleolar protein, HEN2 is located in the nucleoplasm and appears to be excluded from nucleoli. We have previously shown that the major role of AtMTR4 is the degradation of rRNA precursors and rRNA maturation by-products. Here, we demonstrate that HEN2 is involved in the degradation of a large number of polyadenylated nuclear exosome substrates such as snoRNA and miRNA precursors, incompletely spliced mRNAs, and spurious transcripts produced from pseudogenes and intergenic regions. Only a weak accumulation of these exosome substrate targets is observed in mtr4 mutants, suggesting that MTR4 can contribute, but plays rather a minor role for the degradation of non-ribosomal RNAs and cryptic transcripts in Arabidopsis. Consistently, transgene post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) is marginally affected in mtr4 mutants, but increased in hen2 mutants, suggesting that it is mostly the nucleoplasmic exosome that degrades aberrant transgene RNAs to limit their entry in the PTGS pathway. Interestingly, HEN2 is conserved throughout green algae, mosses and land plants but absent from metazoans and other eukaryotic lineages. Our data indicate that, in contrast to human and yeast, plants have two functionally specialized RNA helicases that assist the exosome in the degradation of specific nucleolar and nucleoplasmic RNA populations, respectively.

RNA-binding properties of the plant protein Nt-4/1

The tobacco α-helical protein Nt-4/1 with unknown function forms ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes in vitro. Results obtained by retardation of RNP complexes in agarose gel were confirmed by Western-Northern hybridization. Several deletion and point mutants of Nt-4/1 were constructed, and the RNA-binding site was mapped in a positively charged region of the C-terminal domain of the protein. The results of this study and those described earlier support our hypothesis of the participation of Nt-4/1 protein in spreading RNA-containing pathogens in the plant.

Genetic dissection of a putative nucleolar localization signal in the coat protein of ourmia melon virus

Ourmiaviruses became the object of recent attention for their unusual taxonomic placements among plant viruses. The ourmia melon virus (OuMV) RNA3 encodes a 22-kDa coat protein (CP). Besides its role in virion formation, the OuMV CP facilitates systemic virus spread. In Nicotiana benthamiana, an eGFP-CP fusion protein was localized in the nucleus and preferentially in the nucleolus. By bioinformatics analysis, we identified an arginine- and lysine-rich region at the N-terminus of the CP. Here, we demonstrate by deletion and alanine scanning mutagenesis that this region in the CP is responsible for its preferential accumulation in the nucleolus of host cells.

Coilin, the signature protein of Cajal bodies, differentially modulates the interactions of plants with viruses in widely different taxa

Cajal bodies (CBs) are distinct nuclear bodies physically and functionally associated with the nucleolus. In addition to their traditional function in coordinating maturation of certain nuclear RNAs, CBs participate in cell cycle regulation, development, and regulation of stress responses. A key "signature" component of CBs is coilin, the scaffolding protein essential for CB formation and function. Using an RNA silencing (loss-of-function) approach, we describe here new phenomena whereby coilin also affects, directly or indirectly, a variety of interactions between host plants and viruses that have RNA or DNA genomes. Moreover, the effects of coilin on these interactions are manifested differently: coilin contributes to plant defense against tobacco rattle virus (tobravirus), tomato black ring virus (nepovirus), barley stripe mosaic virus (hordeivirus), and tomato golden mosaic virus (begomovirus). In contrast, with potato virus Y (potyvirus) and turnip vein clearing virus (tobamovirus), coilin serves to increase virus pathogenicity. These findings show that interactions with coilin (or CBs) may involve diverse mechanisms with different viruses and that these mechanisms act at different phases of virus infection. Thus, coilin (CBs) has novel, unexpected natural functions that may be recruited or subverted by plant viruses for their own needs or, in contrast, are involved in plant defense mechanisms that suppress host susceptibility to the viruses.

AltMV TGB1 Nucleolar Localization Requires Homologous Interaction and Correlates with Cell Wall Localization Associated with Cell-to-Cell Movement

The Potexvirus Alternanthera mosaic virus (AltMV) has multifunctional triple gene block (TGB) proteins, among which our studies have focused on the properties of the TGB1 protein. The TGB1 of AltMV has functions including RNA binding, RNA silencing suppression, and cell-to-cell movement, and is known to form homologous interactions. The helicase domains of AltMV TGB1 were separately mutated to identify which regions are involved in homologous TGB1 interactions. The yeast two hybrid system and Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation (BiFC) in planta were utilized to examine homologous interactions of the mutants. Helicase motif I of AltMV TGB1 was found to be critical to maintain homologous interactions. Mutations in the remaining helicase motifs did not inhibit TGB1 homologous interactions. In the absence of homologous interaction of TGB1, subcellular localization of helicase domain I mutants showed distinctively different patterns from that of WT TGB1. These results provide important information to study viral movement and replication of AltMV.

Viral and nonviral elements in potexvirus replication and movement and in antiviral responses

In Potato virus X, a member of the genus Potexvirus, special sequences and structures at the 5' and 3' ends of the nontranslated region function as cis-acting elements for viral replication. These elements greatly affect interactions between viral RNAs and those between viral RNAs and host factors. The potexvirus genome encodes five open-reading frames. Viral replicase, which is required for the synthesis of viral RNA, binds viral RNA elements and host factors to form a viral replication complex at the host cellular membrane. The coat protein (CP) and three viral movement proteins (TGB1, TGB2, and TGB3) have critical roles in mediating cell-to-cell viral movement through plasmodesmata by virion formation or by nonvirion ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex formation with viral movement proteins (TGBs). The RNP complex, like TGB1-CP-viral RNA, is associated with viral replicase and used for immediate reinitiation of viral replication in newly invaded cells. Higher plants have defense mechanisms against potexviruses such as Rx-mediated resistance and RNA silencing. The CP acts as an avirulence effector for plant defense mechanisms, while TGB1 functions as a viral suppressor of RNA silencing, which is the mechanism of innate immune resistance. Here, we describe recent findings concerning the involvement of viral and host factors in potexvirus replication and in antiviral responses to potexvirus infection.

Geminivirus protein structure and function

Geminiviruses are a family of plant viruses that cause economically important plant diseases worldwide. These viruses have circular single-stranded DNA genomes and four to eight genes that are expressed from both strands of the double-stranded DNA replicative intermediate. The transcription of these genes occurs under the control of two bidirectional promoters and one monodirectional promoter. The viral proteins function to facilitate virus replication, virus movement, the assembly of virus-specific nucleoprotein particles, vector transmission and to counteract plant host defence responses. Recent research findings have provided new insights into the structure and function of these proteins and have identified numerous host interacting partners. Most of the viral proteins have been shown to be multifunctional, participating in multiple events during the infection cycle and have, indeed, evolved coordinated interactions with host proteins to ensure a successful infection. Here, an up-to-date review of viral protein structure and function is presented, and some areas requiring further research are identified.

Determinate primary root growth as an adaptation to aridity in Cactaceae: towards an understanding of the evolution and genetic control of the trait

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Species of Cactaceae are well adapted to arid habitats. Determinate growth of the primary root, which involves early and complete root apical meristem (RAM) exhaustion and differentiation of cells at the root tip, has been reported for some Cactoideae species as a root adaptation to aridity. In this study, the primary root growth patterns of Cactaceae taxa from diverse habitats are classified as being determinate or indeterminate, and the molecular mechanisms underlying RAM maintenance in Cactaceae are explored. Genes that were induced in the primary root of Stenocereus gummosus before RAM exhaustion are identified.

METHODS

Primary root growth was analysed in Cactaceae seedlings cultivated in vertically oriented Petri dishes. Differentially expressed transcripts were identified after reverse northern blots of clones from a suppression subtractive hybridization cDNA library.

KEY RESULTS

All species analysed from six tribes of the Cactoideae subfamily that inhabit arid and semi-arid regions exhibited determinate primary root growth. However, species from the Hylocereeae tribe, which inhabit mesic regions, exhibited mostly indeterminate primary root growth. Preliminary results suggest that seedlings of members of the Opuntioideae subfamily have mostly determinate primary root growth, whereas those of the Maihuenioideae and Pereskioideae subfamilies have mostly indeterminate primary root growth. Seven selected transcripts encoding homologues of heat stress transcription factor B4, histone deacetylase, fibrillarin, phosphoethanolamine methyltransferase, cytochrome P450 and gibberellin-regulated protein were upregulated in S. gummosus root tips during the initial growth phase.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary root growth in Cactoideae species matches their environment. The data imply that determinate growth of the primary root became fixed after separation of the Cactiodeae/Opuntioideae and Maihuenioideae/Pereskioideae lineages, and that the genetic regulation of RAM maintenance and its loss in Cactaceae is orchestrated by genes involved in the regulation of gene expression, signalling, and redox and hormonal responses.

The benyvirus RNA silencing suppressor is essential for long-distance movement, requires both zinc-finger and NoLS basic residues but not a nucleolar localization for its silencing-suppression activity

The RNA silencing-suppression properties of Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) and Beet soil-borne mosaic virus (BSBMV) cysteine-rich p14 proteins have been investigated. Suppression of RNA silencing activities were made evident using viral infection of silenced Nicotiana benthamiana 16C, N. benthamiana agroinfiltrated with green fluorescent protein (GFP), and GF-FG hairpin triggers supplemented with viral suppressor of RNA silencing (VSR) constructs or using complementation of a silencing-suppressor-defective BNYVV virus in Chenopodium quinoa. Northern blot analyses of small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) in agroinfiltration tests revealed reduced amounts of siRNA, especially secondary siRNA, suggesting that benyvirus VSR act downstream of the siRNA production. Using confocal laser-scanning microscopy imaging of infected protoplasts expressing functional p14 protein fused to an enhanced GFP reporter, we showed that benyvirus p14 accumulated in the nucleolus and the cytoplasm independently of other viral factors. Site-directed mutagenesis showed the importance of the nucleolar localization signal embedded in a C4 zinc-finger domain in the VSR function and intrinsic stability of the p14 protein. Conversely, RNA silencing suppression appeared independent of the nucleolar localization of the protein, and a correlation between BNYVV VSR expression and long-distance movement was established.

Multifunctional roles for the N-terminal basic motif of Alfalfa mosaic virus coat protein: nucleolar/cytoplasmic shuttling, modulation of RNA-binding activity, and virion formation

In addition to virion formation, the coat protein (CP) of Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) is involved in the regulation of replication and translation of viral RNAs, and in cell-to-cell and systemic movement of the virus. An intriguing feature of the AMV CP is its nuclear and nucleolar accumulation. Here, we identify an N-terminal lysine-rich nucleolar localization signal (NoLS) in the AMV CP required to both enter the nucleus and accumulate in the nucleolus of infected cells, and a C-terminal leucine-rich domain which might function as a nuclear export signal. Moreover, we demonstrate that AMV CP interacts with importin-α, a component of the classical nuclear import pathway. A mutant AMV RNA 3 unable to target the nucleolus exhibited reduced plus-strand RNA synthesis and cell-to-cell spread. Moreover, virion formation and systemic movement were completely abolished in plants infected with this mutant. In vitro analysis demonstrated that specific lysine residues within the NoLS are also involved in modulating CP-RNA binding and CP dimerization, suggesting that the NoLS represents a multifunctional domain within the AMV CP. The observation that nuclear and nucleolar import signals mask RNA-binding properties of AMV CP, essential for viral replication and translation, supports a model in which viral expression is carefully modulated by a cytoplasmic/nuclear balance of CP accumulation.

The R-rich motif of Beet black scorch virus P7a movement protein is important for the nuclear localization, nucleolar targeting and viral infectivity

Beet black scorch virus (BBSV) encodes three movement proteins (P7a, P7b and P5') that facilitate its cell-to-cell movement. An arginine-rich motif of P7a N-terminus was found to determine nuclear and nucleolar localization. Amino acids substitution or deletion of the R-rich motif interfered with P7a nuclear and nucleolar localization. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays revealed that P7a protein interacted with Nicotiana benthamiana nuclear import factor importin α, suggesting that P7a is translocated into the nucleus by the classical importin α/β-dependent pathway. Moreover, P7a also interacted with the nucleolar protein fibrillarin. Mutations in the R-rich motif of P7a diminished P7a interactions with importin α and fibrillarin, influenced viral replication in Nicotiana benthamiana protoplasts and altered the symptom phenotype and viral RNA accumulation in Chenopodium amaranticolor plants. These results demonstrate that the R-rich motif of P7a is correlated with nuclear and nucleolar localization, viral replication and virus infection.

The extreme N-terminal domain of a hordeivirus TGB1 movement protein mediates its localization to the nucleolus and interaction with fibrillarin

The hordeiviral movement protein encoded by the first gene of the triple gene block (TGBp1) of Poa semilatent virus (PSLV), interacts with viral genomic RNAs to form RNP particles which are considered to be a form of viral genome capable of cell-to-cell and long-distance transport in infected plants. The PSLV TGBp1 contains a C-terminal NTPase/helicase domain (HELD) and an N-terminal extension region consisting of two structurally and functionally distinct domains: an extreme N-terminal domain (NTD) and an internal domain (ID). This study demonstrates that transient expression of TGBp1 fused to GFP in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves results in faint but obvious fluorescence in the nucleolus in addition to cytosolic distribution. Mutagenesis of the basic amino acids inside the NTD clusters A (116)KSKRKKKNKK(125) and B (175)KKATKKESKKQTK(187) reveals that these clusters are indispensable for nuclear and nucleolar targeting of PSLV TGBp1 and may contain nuclear and nucleolar localization signals or their elements. The PSLV TGBp1 is able to bind to fibrillarin, the major nucleolar protein (AtFib2 from Arabidopsis thaliana) in vitro. This protein-protein interaction occurs between the glycine-arginine-rich (GAR) domain of fibrillarin and the first 82 amino acid residues of TGBp1. The interaction of TGBp1 with fibrillarin is also visualized in vivo by bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) during co-expression of TGBp1 or its deletion mutants, and fibrillarin as fusions to different halves of YFP in N. benthamiana plants. The sites responsible for nuclear/nucleolar localization and fibrillarin binding, have been located within the intrinsically disordered TGBp1 NTD. These data could suggest that specific functions of hordeivirus TGBp1 may depend on its interaction with nucleolar components.

The p19 protein of Grapevine Algerian latent virus is a determinant of systemic infection of Chenopodium quinoa

A previous study showed that both Grapevine Algerian latent virus (GALV) and Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) systemically infect Nicotiana benthamiana, but GALV causes systemic infection whereas TBSV causes only local lesions in Chenopodium quinoa (C. quinoa). We recently isolated GALV strain Naju (GALV-N) from Limonium sinense and TBSV strain Sacheon (TBSV-S) from tomato. Both viruses belong to the genus Tombusvirus and have a similar genome organization. To identify determinants of systemic infection of GALV-N in C. quinoa in the current study, we generated infectious clones and capsid protein (CP)-deletion clones for the two viruses and confirmed that CP of GALV-N is required for systemic infection of C. quinoa due to its primary structural role in virus assembly. Through the use of chimeras, we identified a viral factor in addition to CP that contributes to systemic infection by GALV-N. Inactivation of the p19 demonstrated that host-specific activities of p19 are necessary for efficient systemic infection of C. quinoa by GALV-N. Our study is the first report to determine the viral factors required for systemic infection of GALV in C. quinoa.

Proteomic analysis of Sulfolobus solfataricus during Sulfolobus Turreted Icosahedral Virus infection

Where there is life, there are viruses. The impact of viruses on evolution, global nutrient cycling, and disease has driven research on their cellular and molecular biology. Knowledge exists for a wide range of viruses; however, a major exception are viruses with archaeal hosts. Archaeal virus-host systems are of great interest because they have similarities to both eukaryotic and bacterial systems and often live in extreme environments. Here we report the first proteomics-based experiments on archaeal host response to viral infection. Sulfolobus Turreted Icosahedral Virus (STIV) infection of Sulfolobus solfataricus P2 was studied using 1D and 2D differential gel electrophoresis (DIGE) to measure abundance and redox changes. Cysteine reactivity was measured using novel fluorescent zwitterionic chemical probes that, together with abundance changes, suggest that virus and host are both vying for control of redox status in the cells. Proteins from nearly 50% of the predicted viral open reading frames were found along with a new STIV protein with a homologue in STIV2. This study provides insight to features of viral replication novel to the archaea, makes strong connections to well-described mechanisms used by eukaryotic viruses such as ESCRT-III mediated transport, and emphasizes the complementary nature of different omics approaches.

Suppression of Arabidopsis ARGONAUTE1-mediated slicing, transgene-induced RNA silencing, and DNA methylation by distinct domains of the Cucumber mosaic virus 2b protein

Unique among the known plant and animal viral suppressors of RNA silencing, the 2b protein interacts directly with both small interfering RNA (siRNA) and ARGONAUTE1 (AGO1) and AGO4 proteins and is targeted to the nucleolus. However, it is largely unknown which regions of the 111-residue 2b protein determine these biochemical properties and how they contribute to its diverse silencing suppressor activities. Here, we identified a functional nucleolar localization signal encoded within the 61-amino acid N-terminal double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) binding domain (dsRBD) that exhibited high affinity for short and long dsRNA. However, physical interaction of 2b with AGOs required an essential 33-residue region C-terminal to the dsRBD and was sufficient to inhibit the in vitro AGO1 Slicer activity independently of its dsRNA binding activities. Furthermore, the direct 2b-AGO interaction was not essential for the 2b suppression of posttranscriptional gene silencing (PTGS) and RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) in vivo. Lastly, we found that the 2b-AGO interactions in vivo also required the nucleolar targeting of 2b and had the potential to redistribute both the 2b and AGO proteins in nucleus. These findings together suggest that 2b may suppress PTGS and RdDM in vivo by binding and sequestering siRNA and the long dsRNA precursor in a process that is facilitated by its interactions with AGOs in the nucleolus.

Unusual features of pomoviral RNA movement

Potato mop-top pomovirus (PMTV) is one of a few viruses that can move systemically in plants in the absence of the capsid protein (CP). Pomoviruses encode the triple gene block genetic module of movement proteins (TGB 1, 2, and 3) and recent research suggests that PMTV RNA is transported either as ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes containing TGB1 or encapsidated in virions containing TGB1. Furthermore, there are different requirements for local or systemic (long-distance) movement. Research suggests that nucleolar passage of TGB1 may be important for the long-distance movement of both RNP and virions. Moreover, and uniquely, the long-distance movement of the CP-encoding RNA requires expression of both major and minor CP subunits and is inhibited when only the major CP sub unit is expressed. This paper reviews pomovirus research and presents a current model for RNA movement.

Structural elucidation and functional characterization of the Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis effector protein ATR13

The oomycete Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis (Hpa) is the causal agent of downy mildew on the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and has been adapted as a model system to investigate pathogen virulence strategies and plant disease resistance mechanisms. Recognition of Hpa infection occurs when plant resistance proteins (R-genes) detect the presence or activity of pathogen-derived protein effectors delivered to the plant host. This study examines the Hpa effector ATR13 Emco5 and its recognition by RPP13-Nd, the cognate R-gene that triggers programmed cell death (HR) in the presence of recognized ATR13 variants. Herein, we use NMR to solve the backbone structure of ATR13 Emco5, revealing both a helical domain and a disordered internal loop. Additionally, we use site-directed and random mutagenesis to identify several amino acid residues involved in the recognition response conferred by RPP13-Nd. Using our structure as a scaffold, we map these residues to one of two surface-exposed patches of residues under diversifying selection. Exploring possible roles of the disordered region within the ATR13 structure, we perform domain swapping experiments and identify a peptide sequence involved in nucleolar localization. We conclude that ATR13 is a highly dynamic protein with no clear structural homologues that contains two surface-exposed patches of polymorphism, only one of which is involved in RPP13-Nd recognition specificity.

Self-interaction of Abutilon mosaic virus replication initiator protein (Rep) in plant cell nuclei

Geminiviruses replicate their circular single-stranded DNA genome in nuclei of infected plant cells. Their replication initiator proteins (Reps) possess interaction domains for homo- and hetero-oligomerization as shown previously by in vitro studies and yeast two hybrid assays. Here, homo-oligomerization and cellular localization of the Abutilon mosaic virus (AbMV) Rep was analysed with bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) in epidermal tissues of Nicotiana benthamiana. BiFC revealed that Rep oligomers accumulated within the nucleoplasm, but were excluded from nucleoli as indicated by a nucleoli/cajal body marker. A similar subcellular distribution was observed for Rep fused to full-length cyan fluorescent protein. To examine whether tagged Reps were functionally active, N. benthamiana plants transgenic for a dimeric AbMV DNA B were inoculated with the BiFC expression constructs and nucleic acids were analysed by rolling circle amplification/restriction fragment length polymorphism as well as Southern blot hybridization. The results confirmed that the modified AbMV Rep was able to transreplicate DNA B.

How do plant viruses induce disease? Interactions and interference with host components

Plant viruses are biotrophic pathogens that need living tissue for their multiplication and thus, in the infection-defence equilibrium, they do not normally cause plant death. In some instances virus infection may have no apparent pathological effect or may even provide a selective advantage to the host, but in many cases it causes the symptomatic phenotypes of disease. These pathological phenotypes are the result of interference and/or competition for a substantial amount of host resources, which can disrupt host physiology to cause disease. This interference/competition affects a number of genes, which seems to be greater the more severe the symptoms that they cause. Induced or repressed genes belong to a broad range of cellular processes, such as hormonal regulation, cell cycle control and endogenous transport of macromolecules, among others. In addition, recent evidence indicates the existence of interplay between plant development and antiviral defence processes, and that interference among the common points of their signalling pathways can trigger pathological manifestations. This review provides an update on the latest advances in understanding how viruses affect substantial cellular processes, and how plant antiviral defences contribute to pathological phenotypes.

Garlic virus X 11-kDa protein granules move within the cytoplasm and traffic a host protein normally found in the nucleolus

The subcellular localization of the 11-kDa protein (p11) encoded by ORF3 of Garlic virus X (GarVX; genus Allexivirus, family Alphaflexiviridae) was examined by confocal microscopy. Granules with intense fluorescence were visible on the endoplasmic reticulum when p11 fused with green or red fluorescent protein (GFP or RFP) was expressed in epidermal cells of Nicotiana benthamiana. Moreover, the p11-RFP granules moved in the cytoplasm, along the cell periphery and through the cell membranes to adjacent cells. A 17-kDa protein (p17) of garlic interacting with p11 was identified by yeast two-hybridization and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay. When p17 fused to GFP was expressed in epidermal cells of N. benthamiana, it localized to the nucleolus. However, in the presence of GarVX p11, the distribution of p17 changed to that of p11, but did not appear to affect the pattern of movement of p11.

Garlic virus X 11-kDa protein granules move within the cytoplasm and traffic a host protein normally found in the nucleolus

The subcellular localization of the 11-kDa protein (p11) encoded by ORF3 of Garlic virus X (GarVX; genus Allexivirus, family Alphaflexiviridae) was examined by confocal microscopy. Granules with intense fluorescence were visible on the endoplasmic reticulum when p11 fused with green or red fluorescent protein (GFP or RFP) was expressed in epidermal cells of Nicotiana benthamiana. Moreover, the p11-RFP granules moved in the cytoplasm, along the cell periphery and through the cell membranes to adjacent cells. A 17-kDa protein (p17) of garlic interacting with p11 was identified by yeast two-hybridization and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay. When p17 fused to GFP was expressed in epidermal cells of N. benthamiana, it localized to the nucleolus. However, in the presence of GarVX p11, the distribution of p17 changed to that of p11, but did not appear to affect the pattern of movement of p11.

Two RNA-binding sites in plant fibrillarin provide interactions with various RNA substrates

Fibrillarin, one of the major proteins of the nucleolus, plays several essential roles in ribosome biogenesis including pre-rRNA processing and 2′-O-ribose methylation of rRNA and snRNAs. Recently, it has been shown that fibrillarin plays a role in virus infections and is associated with viral RNPs. Here, we demonstrate the ability of recombinant fibrillarin 2 from Arabidopsis thaliana (AtFib2) to interact with RNAs of different lengths and types including rRNA, snoRNA, snRNA, siRNA and viral RNAs in vitro. Our data also indicate that AtFib2 possesses two RNA-binding sites in the central (138–179 amino acids) and C-terminal (225–281 amino acids) parts of the protein, respectively. The conserved GCVYAVEF octamer does not bind RNA directly as suggested earlier, but may assist with the proper folding of the central RNA-binding site.

Reverse genetic analysis of Ourmiaviruses reveals the nucleolar localization of the coat protein in Nicotiana benthamiana and unusual requirements for virion formation

Ourmia melon virus (OuMV) is the type member of the genus Ourmiavirus. These viruses have a trisegmented genome, each part of which encodes a single protein. Ourmiaviruses share a distant similarity with other plant viruses only in their movement proteins (MP), whereas their RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) shares features only with fungal viruses of the family Narnaviridae. Thus, ourmiaviruses are in a unique phylogenetic position among existing plant viruses. Here, we developed an agroinoculation system to launch infection in Nicotiana benthamiana plants. Using different combinations of the three segments, we demonstrated that RNA1 is necessary and sufficient for cis-acting replication in the agroinfiltrated area. RNA2 and RNA3, encoding the putative movement protein and the coat protein (CP), respectively, are both necessary for successful systemic infection of N. benthamiana. The CP is dispensable for long-distance transport of the virus through vascular tissues, but its absence prevents efficient systemic infection at the exit sites. Virion formation occurred only when the CP was translated from replication-derived RNA3. Transient expression of a green fluorescent protein-MP (GFP-MP) fusion via agroinfiltration showed that the MP is present in cytoplasmic connections across plant cell walls; in protoplasts the GFP-MP fusion stimulates the formation of tubular protrusions. Expression through agroinfiltration of a GFP-CP fusion displays most of the fluorescence inside the nucleus and within the nucleolus in particular. Nuclear localization of the CP was also confirmed through Western blot analysis of purified nuclei. The significance of several unusual properties of OuMV for replication, virion assembly, and movement is discussed in relation to other positive-strand RNA viruses.