Coat proteins, host factors and plant viral replication

Going beyond consensus genome sequences: An innovative SNP-based methodology reconstructs different Ugandan cassava brown streak virus haplotypes at a nationwide scale in Rwanda

Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD), which is caused by cassava brown streak virus (CBSV) and Ugandan cassava brown streak virus (UCBSV), represents one of the most devastating threats to cassava production in Africa, including in Rwanda where a dramatic epidemic in 2014 dropped cassava yield from 3.3 million to 900,000 tonnes (1). Studying viral genetic diversity at the genome level is essential in disease management, as it can provide valuable information on the origin and dynamics of epidemic events. To fill the current lack of genome-based diversity studies of UCBSV, we performed a nationwide survey of cassava ipomovirus genomic sequences in Rwanda by high-throughput sequencing (HTS) of pools of plants sampled from 130 cassava fields in thirteen cassava-producing districts, spanning seven agro-ecological zones with contrasting climatic conditions and different cassava cultivars. HTS allowed the assembly of a nearly complete consensus genome of UCBSV in twelve districts. The phylogenetic analysis revealed high homology between UCBSV genome sequences, with a maximum of 0.8 per cent divergence between genomes at the nucleotide level. An in-depth investigation based on Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) was conducted to explore the genome diversity beyond the consensus sequences. First, to ensure the validity of the result, a panel of SNPs was confirmed by independent reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Sanger sequencing. Furthermore, the combination of fixation index (FST) calculation and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) based on SNP patterns identified three different UCBSV haplotypes geographically clustered. The haplotype 2 (H2) was restricted to the central regions, where the NAROCAS 1 cultivar is predominantly farmed. RT-PCR and Sanger sequencing of individual NAROCAS1 plants confirmed their association with H2. Haplotype 1 was widely spread, with a 100 per cent occurrence in the Eastern region, while Haplotype 3 was only found in the Western region. These haplotypes' associations with specific cultivars or regions would need further confirmation. Our results prove that a much more complex picture of genetic diversity can be deciphered beyond the consensus sequences, with practical implications on virus epidemiology, evolution, and disease management. Our methodology proposes a high-resolution analysis of genome diversity beyond the consensus between and within samples. It can be used at various scales, from individual plants to pooled samples of virus-infected plants. Our findings also showed how subtle genetic differences could be informative on the potential impact of agricultural practices, as the presence and frequency of a virus haplotype could be correlated with the dissemination and adoption of improved cultivars.

An Evolved 5' Untranslated Region of Alfalfa Mosaic Virus Allows the RNA Transport of Movement-Defective Variants

Although the coat protein (CP) has a relevant role in the long-distance movement of alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) and brome mosaic virus (BMV), its precise function is not fully understood. Previous results showed that a specific interaction between the C termini of the movement protein (MP) and the cognate CP is required for systemic transport. Thus, we have performed a compensatory evolution experiment using an AMV RNA3 derivative defective in long-distance transport that carries a BMV MP lacking the C-terminal 48 residues and unable to interact with the AMV CP. After several passages, five independent evolution lineages were able to move long distance. The analysis of the viral RNA of these lineages showed the presence of three different modifications located exclusively at the 5' untranslated region (5' UTR). The three evolved 5' UTR variants accumulated comparable levels of viral RNA and CP but reduced the accumulation of virus particles and the affinity between the 5' UTR and the AMV CP. In addition, the evolved 5' UTR increased cell-to-cell transport for both the AMV RNA3 carrying the BMV MP and that carrying the AMV MP. Finally, the evolved 5' UTRs allowed the systemic transport of an AMV RNA3 carrying a CP mutant defective in virus particles and increased the systemic transport of several AMV RNA3 derivatives carrying different viral MPs associated with the 30K superfamily. Altogether, our findings indicate that virus particles are not required for the systemic transport of AMV but also that BMV MP is competent for the short- and long-distance transport without the interaction with the CP. IMPORTANCE The results obtained in the present work could challenge the view of the role of the virus particle in the systemic transport of plant viruses. In this sense, we show that two different MPs are competent to systemically transport the AMV genome without the requirement of the virus particles, as reported for viruses lacking a CP (e.g., Umbravirus). The incapability of the viral MP to interact with the CP triggered virus variants that evolved to reduce the formation of virus particles, probably to increase the accessibility of the MP to the viral progeny. Our results point to the idea that virus particles would not be necessary for the viral systemic transport but would be necessary for vector virus transmission. This idea is reinforced by the observation that heterologous MPs also increased the systemic transport of the AMV constructs that have reduced encapsidation capabilities.

Development of Comprehensive Serological Techniques for Sensitive, Quantitative and Rapid Detection of Soybean mosaic virus

Soybean is an important grain and oil crop worldwide; however, the yield and seed quality of which are seriously affected by Soybean mosaic virus (SMV). As efficient detection technology is crucial for the field management of SMV, novel immunological detection methods were developed in the present study. According to the phylogenetic analysis, the CP coding sequence of SMV-SC7 was selected for the prokaryotic expression of the recombinant SMV-CP. Purified SMV-CP was used for the development of polyclonal antibodies (PAb) against the SMV-CP (PAb-SMV-CP) and monoclonal antibodies (MAb) against SMV-CP (MAb-SMV-CP). Subsequently, the PAb-SMV-CP was used for the development of a novel DAS- quantitative ELISA (DAS-qELISA) kit, of which the sensitivity was greater than 1:4000, and this could be used for the quantitative detection of SMV in China. Meanwhile, the MAb-SMV-CP was labeled with colloidal gold, and then was used for the development of the SMV-specific gold immunochromatography strip (SMV-GICS). The SMV-GICS gives accurate detection results through observed control lines and test lines in 5 to 10 min, sharing the same sensitivity as RT-PCR, and can be used for rapid, accurate and high-throughput field SMV detection. The DAS-qELISA kit and the SMV-GICA strip developed in this study are SMV-specific, sensitive, cheap and easy to use. These products will be conducive to the timely, efficient SMV epidemiology and detection in major soybean-producing regions in China and abroad.

Coat protein of Chinese wheat mosaic virus upregulates and interacts with cytosolic glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, a negative regulator of plant autophagy, to promote virus infection

Autophagy is an intracellular degradation mechanism involved in antiviral defense, but the strategies employed by plant viruses to counteract autophagy-related defense remain unknown for the majority of the viruses. Herein, we describe how the Chinese wheat mosaic virus (CWMV, genus Furovirus) interferes with autophagy and enhances its infection in Nicotiana benthamiana. Yeast two-hybrid screening and in vivo/in vitro assays revealed that the 19 kDa coat protein (CP19K) of CWMV interacts with cytosolic glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenases (GAPCs), negative regulators of autophagy, which bind autophagy-related protein 3 (ATG3), a key factor in autophagy. CP19K also directly interacts with ATG3, possibly leading to the formation of a CP19K-GAPC-ATG3 complex. CP19K-GAPC interaction appeared to intensify CP19K-ATG3 binding. Moreover, CP19K expression upregulated GAPC gene transcripts and reduced autophagic activities. Accordingly, the silencing of GAPC genes in transgenic N. benthamiana reduced CWMV accumulation, whereas CP19K overexpression enhanced it. Overall, our results suggest that CWMV CP19K interferes with autophagy through the promotion and utilization of the GAPC role as a negative regulator of autophagy.

Plant Viral Coat Proteins as Biochemical Targets for Antiviral Compounds

Coat proteins (CPs) of RNA plant viruses play a pivotal role in virus particle assembly, vector transmission, host identification, RNA replication, and intracellular and intercellular movement. Numerous compounds targeting CPs have been designed, synthesized, and screened for their antiviral activities. This review is intended to fill a knowledge gap where a comprehensive summary is needed for antiviral agent discovery based on plant viral CPs. In this review, major achievements are summarized with emphasis on plant viral CPs as biochemical targets and action mechanisms of antiviral agents. This review hopefully provides new insights and references for the further development of new safe and effective antiviral pesticides.

The Amino-Proximal Region of the Coat Protein of Cucumber Vein Yellowing Virus (Family Potyviridae) Affects the Infection Process and Whitefly Transmission

Most plant viruses rely on vector transmission for their spread and specific interactions between vector and virus have evolved to regulate this relationship. The whitefly Bemisia tabaci- transmitted cucumber vein yellowing virus (CVYV; genus Ipomovirus, family Potyviridae) is endemic in the Mediterranean Basin, where it causes significant losses in cucurbit crops. In this study, the role of the coat protein (CP) of CVYV for B. tabaci transmission and plant infection was investigated using a cloned and infectious CVYV cDNA and a collection of point and deletion mutants derived from this clone. Whitefly transmission of CVYV was abolished in a deletion mutant lacking amino acids in position 93-105 of the CP. This deletion mutant caused more severe disease symptoms compared to the cDNA clone representing the wild-type (wt) virus and movement efficiency was likewise affected. Two virus mutants carrying a partially restored CP were transmissible and showed symptoms comparable to the wt virus. Collectively, our data demonstrate that the N-terminus of the CVYV CP is a determinant for transmission by the whitefly vector and is involved in plant infection and symptom expression.

The structure of a plant-specific partitivirus capsid reveals a unique coat protein domain architecture with an intrinsically disordered protrusion

Persistent plant viruses may be the most common viruses in wild plants. A growing body of evidence for mutualism between such viruses and their hosts, suggests that they play an important role in ecology and agriculture. Here we present the capsid structure of a plant-specific partitivirus, Pepper cryptic virus 1, at 2.9 Å resolution by Cryo-EM. Structural features, including the T = 1 arrangement of 60 coat protein dimers, are shared with fungal partitiviruses and the picobirnavirus lineage of dsRNA viruses. However, the topology of the capsid is markedly different with protrusions emanating from, and partly comprising, the binding interface of coat protein dimers. We show that a disordered region at the apex of the protrusion is not required for capsid assembly and represents a hypervariable site unique to, and characteristic of, the plant-specific partitiviruses. These results suggest a structural basis for the acquisition of additional functions by partitivirus coat proteins that enables mutualistic relationships with diverse plant hosts.

Intercellular movement of plant RNA viruses: Targeting replication complexes to the plasmodesma for both accuracy and efficiency

Replication and movement are two critical steps in plant virus infection. Recent advances in the understanding of the architecture and subcellular localization of virus-induced inclusions and the interactions between viral replication complex (VRC) and movement proteins (MPs) allow for the dissection of the intrinsic relationship between replication and movement, which has revealed that recruitment of VRCs to the plasmodesma (PD) via direct or indirect MP-VRC interactions is a common strategy used for cell-to-cell movement by most plant RNA viruses. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in the understanding of virus-induced inclusions and their roles in virus replication and cell-to-cell movement, analyze the advantages of such coreplicational movement from a viral point of view and discuss the possible mechanical force by which MPs drive the movement of virions or viral RNAs through the PD. Finally, we highlight the missing pieces of the puzzle of viral movement that are especially worth investigating in the near future.

Chimeric Tobamoviruses With Coat Protein Exchanges Modulate Symptom Expression and Defence Responses in Nicotiana tabacum

In the pathogen infection and host defence equilibrium, plant viruses have evolved to efficiently replicate their genomes, to resist the attack from host defence responses and to avoid causing severe negative effect on growth and metabolism of the hosts. In this study, we generated chimeric tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) variants, in which the coat protein (CP) sequences were substituted with that of cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) or pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) to address the role of these in virus infection and host symptomology. The results showed that the chimeric viruses (TMV-CGCP or TMV-PMCP) induce stunting and necrotic symptoms in tobacco plants. We analyzed the transcriptomic changes in tobacco plants after infection of TMV and its chimeras using a high-throughput RNA sequencing approach and found that infection of the chimeric TMV induced significant up-regulation of host defence responsive genes together with salicylic (SA) or abscisic acid (ABA) responsive genes, but down-regulation of auxin (Aux) responsive genes. We further confirmed the increase in the levels of SA and ABA, together with the reduced levels of Aux after infection of chimeric TMV in tobacco plants. These data suggest novel roles of tobamovirus CP in induction of host symptoms and defence responses.

A DnaJ protein that interacts with soybean mosaic virus coat protein serves as a key susceptibility factor for viral infection

Soybean mosaic virus (SMV)-disease is one of the most serious and widespread diseases in soybean (Glycine max). In the present study, a DnaJ protein in soybean designated GmCPIP (SMV coat protein-interacting protein) was screened by the QIS-Seq (quantitative interactor screening with next-generation sequencing) method, and the interaction between SMV CP and GmCPIP was confirmed by the yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) system and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assay. Subcellular localization analysis indicated that both proteins are localized in the cytoplasm, cytomembrane and nucleus. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that infection with SMV-SC4 temporarily increased the transcription of GmCPIP. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) down-regulated the GmCPIP gene by 82%, and the accumulation of SMV was decreased by 88.6% in GmCPIP-silenced plants inoculated with SMV-SC4. The interaction of GmCPIP with SMV CP seems to contribute to SMV infection in soybean.

Phosphorylation-Related Crosstalk Between Distant Regions of the Core Region of the Coat Protein Contributes to Virion Assembly of Plum Pox Virus

Eukaryotic proteins are often targets of posttranslational modifications (PTMs). Capsid protein (CP) of plum pox virus (PPV), a member of genus Potyvirus, has been reported to be prone to phosphorylation in four serines at the N-terminal region. CP phosphorylation has been proposed to influence PPV infection by regulating CP accumulation in coordination with a second PTM, O-GlcNAcylation. In this study, a further proteomic characterization of PPV CP phosphorylation revealed additional phospho-targets, thus evidencing even greater complexity of the network of PTMs affecting this protein. In particular, two new phosphorylation targets, T254 and T313, at protein distal core, appear to be highly relevant for infection. Although abolishing phosphorylation at these positions does not have a severe effect on infectivity or viral accumulation, phospho-mimicking at either of these targets disrupts cell-to-cell movement. Strand-specific reverse transcription-quantitative PCR analysis and fractionation by centrifugation in a continuous sucrose gradient enabled us to conclude that such a deleterious effect is not related to failures in replication but is a consequence of inaccurate virion assembly. The analysis of spontaneous compensatory mutations at the CP core identified in a multiple phospho-mimicking mutant disclosed a functional dialogue between distant phospho-targets, which was further supported by an in silico PPV virion model, built on the watermelon mosaic virus atomic structure. Therefore, whereas joint and opposite action of O-GlcNAcylation and phosphorylation at the N-terminal disordered protrusion of CP appears to regulate protein stability, we propose that phosphorylations at the core region control assembly and disassembly of viral particles.

A conserved motif in three viral movement proteins from different genera is required for host factor recruitment and cell-to-cell movement

Due to their minimal genomes, plant viruses are forced to hijack specific cellular pathways to ensure host colonization, a condition that most frequently involves physical interaction between viral and host proteins. Among putative viral interactors are the movement proteins, responsible for plasmodesma gating and genome binding during viral transport. Two of them, DGBp1 and DGBp2, are required for alpha-, beta- and gammacarmovirus cell-to-cell movement, but the number of DGBp-host interactors identified at present is limited. By using two different approaches, yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays, we found three Arabidopsis factors, eIF3g1, RPP3A and WRKY36, interacting with DGBp1s from each genus mentioned above. eIF3g1 and RPP3A are mainly involved in protein translation initiation and elongation phases, respectively, while WRKY36 belongs to WRKY transcription factor family, important regulators of many defence responses. These host proteins are not expected to be associated with viral movement, but knocking out WRKY36 or silencing either RPP3A or eIF3g1 negatively affected Arabidopsis infection by Turnip crinkle virus. A highly conserved FNF motif at DGBp1 C-terminus was required for protein-protein interaction and cell-to-cell movement, suggesting an important biological role.

Potyviral coat protein and genomic RNA: A striking partnership leading virion assembly and more

Potyvirus genus clusters a significant and expanding number of widely distributed plant viruses, responsible for large losses impacting most crops of economic interest. The potyviral genome is a single-stranded, linear, positive-sense RNA of around 10kb that is encapsidated in flexuous rod-shaped filaments, mostly made up of a helically arranged coat protein (CP). Beyond its structural role of protecting the viral genome, the potyviral CP is a multitasking protein intervening in practically all steps of the virus life cycle. In particular, interactions between the CP and the viral RNA must be tightly controlled to allow the correct assignment of the RNA to each of its functions through the infection process. This review attempts to bring together the most relevant available information regarding the architecture and modus operandi of potyviral CP and virus particles, highlighting significant discoveries, but also substantial gaps in the existing knowledge on mechanisms orchestrating virion assembly and disassembly. Biotechnological applications based on potyvirus nanoparticles is another important topic addressed here.

Differential expression of structural and functional proteins during bean common mosaic virus-host plant interaction

Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV), the most common seed-borne pathogen in Phaseolus vulgaris L. is known to cause severe loss in productivity across the globe. In the present study, proteomic analyses were performed for leaf samples from control (healthy) and susceptible BCMV infected plants. The differential expression of proteins was evaluated using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). Approximately, 1098 proteins were spotted, amongst which 107 proteins were observed to be statistically significant with differential expression. The functional categorization of the differential proteins illustrated that they were involved in biotic/abiotic stress (18%), energy and carbon metabolism (11%), photosynthesis (46%), protein biosynthesis (10%), chaperoning (5%), chlorophyll (5%) and polyunsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis (5%). This is the first report on the comparative proteome study of compatible plant-BCMV interactions in P. vulgaris which contributes largely to the understanding of protein-mediated disease resistance/susceptible mechanisms.

Dynamics of Protein Accumulation from the 3' End of Viral RNA Are Different from Those in the Rest of the Genome in Potato Virus A Infection

One large open reading frame (ORF) encodes 10 potyviral proteins. We compared the accumulation of cylindrical inclusion (CI) protein from the middle, coat protein (CP) from the 3'end, and Renilla luciferase (RLUC) from two distinct locations in potato virus A (PVA) RNA. 5' RLUC was expressed from an rluc gene inserted between the P1 and helper component proteinase (HCPro) cistrons, and 3' RLUC was expressed from the gene inserted between the RNA polymerase and CP cistrons. Viral protein and RNA accumulation were quantitated (i) when expressed from PVA RNA in the presence of ectopically expressed genome-linked viral protein (VPg) and auxiliary proteins and (ii) at different time points during natural infection. The rate and timing of 3' RLUC and CP accumulation were found to be different from those of 5' RLUC and CI. Ectopic expression of VPg boosted PVA RNA, 3' RLUC, and, together with HCPro, CP accumulation, whereas 5' RLUC and CI accumulation remained unaffected regardless of the increased viral RNA amount. In natural infection, the rate of the noteworthy minute early accumulation of 3' RLUC accelerated toward the end of infection. 5' RLUC accumulation, which was already pronounced at 2 days postinfection, increased moderately and stabilized to a constant level by day 5, whereas PVA RNA and CP levels continued to increase throughout the infection. We propose that these observations connect with the mechanisms by which potyvirus infection limits CP accumulation during early infection and specifically supports its accumulation late in infection, but follow-up studies are required to understand the mechanism of how this occurs.IMPORTANCE The results of this study suggest that the dynamics of potyviral protein accumulation are regulated differentially from the 3' end of viral RNA than from the rest of the genome, the significance of which would be to satisfy the needs of replication early and particle assembly late in infection.

The Biological Impact of the Hypervariable N-Terminal Region of Potyviral Genomes

Potyviridae is the largest family of plant-infecting RNA viruses, encompassing over 30% of known plant viruses. The family is closely related to animal picornaviruses such as enteroviruses and belongs to the picorna-like supergroup. Like all other picorna-like viruses, potyvirids employ polyprotein processing as a gene expression strategy and have single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genomes, most of which are monopartite with a long open reading frame. The potyvirid polyproteins are highly conserved in the central and carboxy-terminal regions. In contrast, the N-terminal region is hypervariable and contains position-specific mutations resulting from transcriptional slippage during viral replication, leading to translational frameshift to produce additional viral proteins essential for viral infection. Some potyvirids even lack one of the N-terminal proteins P1 or helper component-protease and have a genus-specific or species-specific protein instead. This review summarizes current knowledge about the conserved and divergent features of potyvirid genomes and biological relevance and discusses future research directions.

Elucidating the functional aspects of different domains of bean common mosaic virus coat protein

The coat protein (CP) is the only structural protein present in the polyprotein of bean common mosaic virus. The well known characteristics of the CP are self-oligomerization and nucleic acid binding activity. The studies of the coat protein mutants revealed that the oligomeric property of CP solely depends on the amino-terminal residues and the nucleic acid binding domain present at the 194-202 residue position. The 3'UTR RNA of the virus showed high binding affinity with the RNA binding domain as compared to the 5'UTR RNA. Further, the intrinsic fluorescence study of the CP also suggested that the N- and C-terminal of CP contains a highly disordered region. The present study also illustrates that the coat protein contains a conserved RNA binding pocket among the potyviruses, but displays divergent oligomerization propensities due to the difference in residue at the N- and C-terminal.

Utilization of infectious clones to visualize Cassava brown streak virus replication in planta and gain insights into symptom development

Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) is a leading cause of cassava yield losses across eastern and central Africa and is having a severe impact on food security across the region. Despite its importance, relatively little is known about the mechanisms behind CBSD viral infections. We have recently reported the construction of Cassava brown streak virus (CBSV) and Ugandan cassava brown streak virus (UCBSV) infectious clones (IC), which can be used to gain insights into the functions of viral proteins and sequences associated with symptom development. In this study, we perform the first reporter gene tagging of a CBSV IC, with the insertion of green fluorescent protein (GFP) sequence at two different genome positions. Nicotiana benthamiana infections with the CBSV_GFP ICs revealed active CBSV replication in inoculated leaves at 2-5 days post inoculation (dpi) and systemic leaves at 10-14 dpi. We also constructed the chimera CBSV_UCP IC, consisting of the CBSV genome with a UCBSV coat protein (CP) sequence replacement. N. benthamiana infections with CBSV_UCP revealed that the CBSV CP may be associated with high levels of viral accumulation and necrosis development during early infection. These initial manipulations pave the way for U/CBSV ICs to be used to understand U/CBSV biology that will inform vital CBSD control strategies.

Viral sequences required for efficient viral infection differ between two Chinese pepper mild mottle virus isolates

Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) causes mosaic symptoms and malformation on both leaf and fruit of pepper, reduces considerable economical yields and poses threats to human health. In this study, infectious clone of PMMoV Huludao (HLD) isolate (pCB-PMMoV-HLD) was constructed and its infectious ablility in Nicotiana benthamiana was confirmed by virions observation and Northern blot analysis. The mutant PMMoV (HLD-fsCP) that cannot express coat protein (CP) showed reduced viral accumulation but can systemically infect N. benthamiana. We constructed several chimeric mutant viruses (ZA-HB-HC, HA-ZB-HC, HA-HB-ZC and HA-ZB-ZC) by sequences substitution between PMMoV-HLD and PMMoV Zhejiang isolates (PMMoV-ZJ) and analyzed their infectious abilities in N. benthamiana and Capsicum annuum. The results showed that the chimera virus expressed by pCB-ZA-HB-HC, pCB-HA-HB-ZC and pCB-HA-ZB-ZC, but not by pCB-HA-ZB-HC, exhibited reduced infectious ability compared with wild-type PMMoV-ZJ and PMMoV-HLD, which indicated that RNA sequences required for efficient infection of PMMoV differ between the two virus isolates. The differential requirement of viral RNA sequences for efficient PMMoV infection provided theoretical value to further understand the infection and pathogenesis of PMMoV.

Functional insights into the role of C-terminal disordered domain of Sesbania mosaic virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and the coat protein in viral replication in vivo

The C-terminal disordered domain of sesbania mosaic virus (SeMV) RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) interacts with the viral protein P10. The functional significance of this interaction in viral replication was examined by a comparative analysis of genomic and sub-genomic RNA levels (obtained by quantitative real time PCR) in the total RNA extracted from Cyamopsis plants agro-infiltrated with wild-type or mutant forms of SeMV infectious cDNA (icDNA). The sgRNA copy numbers were found to be significantly higher than those of gRNA in the wild-type icDNA transfected plants. Transfection of a mutant icDNA expressing an RdRp lacking the C-terminal disordered domain led to a drastic reduction in the copy numbers of both forms of viral RNA. This could be due to the loss of interaction between the disordered domain of RdRp and P10 and possibly other viral/host proteins that might be required for the assembly of viral replicase. The C-terminal disordered domain also harbours the motif E which is essential for the catalytic function of RdRp. Mutation of the conserved tyrosine within this motif in the full length icDNA resulted in complete inhibition of progeny RNA synthesis in the transfected plants confirming the importance of motif E in the polymerase function in vivo. The role of coat protein (CP) in viral infection was also investigated by agro-infiltration of a CP start codon mutant icDNA which suggested that CP is essential for the encapsidation of viral progeny RNAs at later stages of infection.

Genetic evolutionary analysis of soybean mosaic virus populations from three geographic locations in China based on the P1 and CP genes

Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) is one of the major pathogens causing serious soybean losses. Little is known about the genetic structure and evolutionary biology of the SMV population in southwestern China. In this study, 29 SMV isolates were obtained from Sichuan Province, and the genomic regions encoding the first protein (P1) and coat protein (CP) were sequenced. Combined with SMV isolates from the southeastern and northeastern regions of China, the genetic and molecular evolution of SMV was studied. Recombination analysis revealed that intraspecific and interspecific recombination had occurred in the SMV population. A phylogenetic tree based on the P1 gene reflected the geographic origin of the non-interspecific recombinant SMV (SMV-NI), while a tree based on the CP gene did not. Though frequent gene flow of the SMV-NI populations was found between the southeastern and northeastern populations, the southwestern population was relatively independent. Genetic differentiation was significant between the SMV interspecific recombinant (SMV-RI) and the non-interspecific recombinant (SMV-NI) populations. It was interesting to note that there was an almost identical recombination breakpoint in SMV-RI and Watermelon mosaic virus (WMV). Population dynamics showed that SMV-RI might be in an expanding state, while the SMV-NI population is relatively stable.

Functional analysis of apple stem pitting virus coat protein variants

BACKGROUND

Although the canonical function of viral coat protein (CP) is to encapsidate the viral genome, they have come to be recognized as multifunctional proteins, involved in almost every stage of the viral infection cycle. However, CP functions of Apple stem pitting virus (ASPV) has not been comprehensively documented. This study aimed to characterize the functions of ASPV CP and any functional diversification caused by sequence diversity of six ASPV CP variants and studied their biological, serological, pathogenic and viral suppressor of RNA silencing (VSR) functions.

METHODS

Six ASPV CP variants that have previously been shown to belong to different subgroups were selected here to study their diversity functions. Agrobacterium mediated infiltration (Agroinfiltration) was used to express YFP-ASPV-CPs in Nicotiana. benthamiana and infect Nicotiana. occidental with PVX-ASPV-CPs in. Confocal microscopy was used to detect YFP-ASPV-CPs florescence. CPs expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) were induced by IPTG.

RESULTS

In this study, we showed that recombinant CPs expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) had different levels of serological reactivity to three anti-ASPV antibodies used to detect ASPV. Furthermore, fusion CPs with YFP (YFP-CPs) expressed in N. benthamiana cells differed in their ability to form aggregates. We also showed that ASPV isolates that harbour these CPs induced different biological symptoms on its herbaceous host N. occidentalis. At the same time, we found that all six CPs when expressed in PVX vector showed similar VSR activity and produced similar symptoms in N. occidentalis, despite their differences in amino acids.

CONCLUSIONS

Different ASPV isolates induced different symptoms in N. occidentalis, however, ASPV CP variants expressed in PVX vector showed the same symptoms in N. occidentalis plants. Also, we showed that ASPV CP variants has the same level of VSR activity, but they have different abilities to aggregate in N. benthamiana.

Effects of deletion at the TTTSTTT motif of Hibiscus latent Singapore virus coat protein on viral replication and long-distance movement

Hibiscus latent Singapore virus (HLSV) mutant HLSV-22A could not express coat protein (CP) nor infect plants systemically (Niu et al., 2015). In this study, a serine- and threonine-rich motif TTTSTTT at the C-terminus of HLSV CP was found to be involved in virus replication and systemic movement. Deletion the last amino acid residue in HLSV-22A led to a more rapid virus replication, but with delayed systemic movement. When the RNA structure in TTTSTTT motif was altered, while keeping its amino acids unchanged, mutants HLSV-87A-mmSL and HLSV-22A-mmSL showed no change in viral replication. These results indicated that the unique TTTSTTT motif is associated with virus replication and systemic movement. Deletion but not substitution of amino acid(s) at the C-terminus of TTTSTTT motif of HLSV CP with short internal poly(A) track enhanced virus replication, whereas the virus with a longer internal poly(A) tract of 87 A showed delayed systemic movement (147 words).

Dissecting the Subcellular Localization, Intracellular Trafficking, Interactions, Membrane Association, and Topology of Citrus Leprosis Virus C Proteins

Citrus leprosis (CL) is a re-emergent viral disease affecting citrus crops in the Americas, and citrus leprosis virus C (CiLV-C), belonging to the genus Cilevirus, is the main pathogen responsible for the disease. Despite the economic importance of CL to the citrus industry, very little is known about the performance of viral proteins. Here, we present a robust in vivo study around functionality of p29, p15, p61, MP, and p24 CiLV-C proteins in the host cells. The intracellular sub-localization of all those viral proteins in plant cells are shown, and their co-localization with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), Golgi complex (GC) (p15, MP, p61 and p24), actin filaments (p29, p15 and p24), nucleus (p15), and plasmodesmata (MP) are described. Several features are disclosed, including i) ER remodeling and redistribution of GC apparatus, ii) trafficking of the p29 and MP along the ER network system, iii) self-interaction of the p29, p15, and p24 and hetero-association between p29-p15, p29-MP, p29-p24, and p15-MP proteins in vivo. We also showed that all proteins are associated with biological membranes; whilst p15 is peripherally associated, p29, p24, and MP are integrally bound to cell membranes. Furthermore, while p24 exposes an N-cytoplasm-C-lumen topology, p29, and p15 are oriented toward the cytoplasmic face of the biological membrane. Based on our findings, we discuss the possible performance of each protein in the context of infection and a hypothetical model encompassing the virus spread and sites for replication and particle assembly is suggested.

Susceptibility Genes to Plant Viruses

Plant viruses use cellular factors and resources to replicate and move. Plants respond to viral infection by several mechanisms, including innate immunity, autophagy, and gene silencing, that viruses must evade or suppress. Thus, the establishment of infection is genetically determined by the availability of host factors necessary for virus replication and movement and by the balance between plant defense and viral suppression of defense responses. Host factors may have antiviral or proviral activities. Proviral factors condition susceptibility to viruses by participating in processes essential to the virus. Here, we review current advances in the identification and characterization of host factors that condition susceptibility to plant viruses. Host factors with proviral activity have been identified for all parts of the virus infection cycle: viral RNA translation, viral replication complex formation, accumulation or activity of virus replication proteins, virus movement, and virion assembly. These factors could be targets of gene editing to engineer resistance to plant viruses.

A Functional Link between RNA Replication and Virion Assembly in the Potyvirus Plum Pox Virus

Accurate assembly of viral particles in the potyvirus Plum pox virus (PPV) has been shown to depend on the contribution of the multifunctional viral protein HCPro. In this study, we show that other viral factors, in addition to the capsid protein (CP) and HCPro, are necessary for the formation of stable PPV virions. The CP produced in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves from a subviral RNA termed LONG, which expresses a truncated polyprotein that lacks P1 and HCPro, together with HCPro supplied in trans, was assembled into virus-like particles and remained stable after in vitro incubation. In contrast, deletions in multiple regions of the LONG coding sequence prevented the CP stabilization mediated by HCPro. In particular, we demonstrated that the first 178 amino acids of P3, but not a specific nucleotide sequence coding for them, are required for CP stability and proper assembly of PPV particles. Using a sequential coagroinfiltration assay, we observed that the subviral LONG RNA replicates and locally spreads in N. benthamiana leaves expressing an RNA silencing suppressor. The analysis of the effect of both point and deletion mutations affecting RNA replication in LONG and full-length PPV demonstrated that this process is essential for the assembly of stable viral particles. Interestingly, in spite of this requirement, the CP produced by a nonreplicating viral RNA can be stably assembled into virions as long as it is coexpressed with a replication-proficient RNA. Altogether, these results highlight the importance of coupling encapsidation to other viral processes to secure a successful infection.IMPORTANCE Viruses of the family Potyviridae are among the most dangerous threats for basically every important crop, and such socioeconomical relevance has made them a subject of many research studies. In spite of this, very little is currently known about proteins and processes controlling viral genome encapsidation by the coat protein. In the case of Plum pox virus (genus Potyvirus), for instance, we have previously shown that the multitasking viral factor HCPro plays a role in the production of stable virions. Here, by using this potyvirus as a model, we move further to show that additional factors are also necessary for the efficient production of potyviral particles. More importantly, a comprehensive screening for such factors led us to the identification of a functional link between virus replication and packaging, unraveling a previously unknown connection of these two key events of the potyviral infection cycle.

Vertical transmission of positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses in plants as a model for arboviral induced teratogenesis

Teratogenic viruses have increased public health importance with the emergence of Zika virus and a recent decline in rubella virus vaccination. Of the seven viruses known to cause birth defects in humans, three are mosquito-borne pathogens. Ethical oversight, compliance, rising costs, and the need for specialized training slow the pace of study of these human pathogens compared to study of similar teratogenic viruses in plants. Plant viruses have served as models for human viruses which can be applied to animal systems. This review describes the similar features of plant and animal teratogenic arboviruses and the common systems and barriers that are encountered during vertical transmission in the host.

Cucumber mosaic virus coat protein modulates the accumulation of 2b protein and antiviral silencing that causes symptom recovery in planta

Shoot apical meristems (SAM) are resistant to most plant viruses due to RNA silencing, which is restrained by viral suppressors of RNA silencing (VSRs) to facilitate transient viral invasion of the SAM. In many cases chronic symptoms and long-term virus recovery occur, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we found that wild-type Cucumber mosaic virus (CMVWT) invaded the SAM transiently, but was subsequently eliminated from the meristems. Unexpectedly, a CMV mutant, designated CMVRA that harbors an alanine substitution in the N-terminal arginine-rich region of the coat protein (CP) persistently invaded the SAM and resulted in visible reductions in apical dominance. Notably, the CMVWT virus elicited more potent antiviral silencing than CMVRA in newly emerging leaves of infected plants. However, both viruses caused severe symptoms with minimal antiviral silencing effects in the Arabidopsis mutants lacking host RNA-DEPENDENT RNA POLYMERASE 6 (RDR6) or SUPPRESSOR OF GENE SILENCING 3 (SGS3), indicating that CMVWT induced host RDR6/SGS3-dependent antiviral silencing. We also showed that reduced accumulation of the 2b protein is elicited in the CMVWT infection and consequently rescues potent antiviral RNA silencing. Indeed, co-infiltration assays showed that the suppression of posttranscriptional gene silencing mediated by 2b is more severely compromised by co-expression of CPWT than by CPRA. We further demonstrated that CPWT had high RNA binding activity leading to translation inhibition in wheat germ systems, and CPWT was associated with SGS3 into punctate granules in vivo. Thus, we propose that the RNAs bound and protected by CPWT possibly serve as templates of RDR6/SGS3 complexes for siRNA amplification. Together, these findings suggest that the CMV CP acts as a central hub that modulates antiviral silencing and VSRs activity, and mediates viral self-attenuation and long-term symptom recovery.

Coat Protein Regulation by CK2, CPIP, HSP70, and CHIP Is Required for Potato Virus A Replication and Coat Protein Accumulation

We demonstrate here that both coat protein (CP) phosphorylation by protein kinase CK2 and a chaperone system formed by two heat shock proteins, CP-interacting protein (CPIP) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), are essential for potato virus A (PVA; genus Potyvirus) replication and that all these host proteins have the capacity to contribute to the level of PVA CP accumulation. An E3 ubiquitin ligase called carboxyl terminus Hsc70-interacting protein (CHIP), which may participate in the CPIP-HSP70-mediated CP degradation, is also needed for robust PVA gene expression. Residue Thr²⁴³ within the CK2 consensus sequence of PVA CP was found to be essential for viral replication and to regulate CP protein stability. Substitution of Thr²⁴³ either with a phosphorylation-mimicking Asp (CP^ADA) or with a phosphorylation-deficient Ala (CP^AAA) residue in CP expressed from viral RNA limited PVA gene expression to the level of nonreplicating PVA. We found that both the CP^AAA mutant and CK2 silencing inhibited, whereas CP^ADA mutant and overexpression of CK2 increased, PVA translation. From our previous studies, we know that phosphorylation reduces the RNA binding capacity of PVA CP and an excess of CP fully blocks viral RNA translation. Together, these findings suggest that binding by nonphosphorylated PVA CP represses viral RNA translation, involving further CP phosphorylation and CPIP-HSP70 chaperone activities as prerequisites for PVA replication. We propose that this mechanism contributes to shifting potyvirus RNA from translation to replication.

IMPORTANCE

Host protein kinase CK2, two host chaperones, CPIP and HSP70, and viral coat protein (CP) phosphorylation at Thr²⁴³ are needed for potato virus A (PVA) replication. Our results show that nonphosphorylated CP blocks viral translation, likely via binding to viral RNA. We propose that this translational block is needed to allow time and space for the formation of potyviral replication complex around the 3' end of viral RNA. Progression into replication involves CP regulation by both CK2 phosphorylation and chaperones CPIP and HSP70.

Mixed Infections of Four Viruses, the Incidence and Phylogenetic Relationships of Sweet Potato Chlorotic Fleck Virus (Betaflexiviridae) Isolates in Wild Species and Sweetpotatoes in Uganda and Evidence of Distinct Isolates in East Africa

Viruses infecting wild flora may have a significant negative impact on nearby crops, and vice-versa. Only limited information is available on wild species able to host economically important viruses that infect sweetpotatoes (Ipomoea batatas). In this study, Sweet potato chlorotic fleck virus (SPCFV; Carlavirus, Betaflexiviridae) and Sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus (SPCSV; Crinivirus, Closteroviridae) were surveyed in wild plants of family Convolvulaceae (genera Astripomoea, Ipomoea, Hewittia and Lepistemon) in Uganda. Plants belonging to 26 wild species, including annuals, biannuals and perennials from four agro-ecological zones, were observed for virus-like symptoms in 2004 and 2007 and sampled for virus testing. SPCFV was detected in 84 (2.9%) of 2864 plants tested from 17 species. SPCSV was detected in 66 (5.4%) of the 1224 plants from 12 species sampled in 2007. Some SPCSV-infected plants were also infected with Sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV; Potyvirus, Potyviridae; 1.3%), Sweet potato mild mottle virus (SPMMV; Ipomovirus, Potyviridae; 0.5%) or both (0.4%), but none of these three viruses were detected in SPCFV-infected plants. Co-infection of SPFMV with SPMMV was detected in 1.2% of plants sampled. Virus-like symptoms were observed in 367 wild plants (12.8%), of which 42 plants (11.4%) were negative for the viruses tested. Almost all (92.4%) the 419 sweetpotato plants sampled from fields close to the tested wild plants displayed virus-like symptoms, and 87.1% were infected with one or more of the four viruses. Phylogenetic and evolutionary analyses of the 3'-proximal genomic region of SPCFV, including the silencing suppressor (NaBP)- and coat protein (CP)-coding regions implicated strong purifying selection on the CP and NaBP, and that the SPCFV strains from East Africa are distinguishable from those from other continents. However, the strains from wild species and sweetpotato were indistinguishable, suggesting reciprocal movement of SPCFV between wild and cultivated Convolvulaceae plants in the field.

Structure and Noncanonical Activities of Coat Proteins of Helical Plant Viruses

The main function of virus coat protein is formation of the capsid that protects the virus genome against degradation. However, besides the structural function, coat proteins have many additional important activities in the infection cycle of the virus and in the defense response of host plants to viral infection. This review focuses on noncanonical functions of coat proteins of helical RNA-containing plant viruses with positive genome polarity. Analysis of data on the structural organization of coat proteins of helical viruses has demonstrated that the presence of intrinsically disordered regions within the protein structure plays an important role in implementation of nonstructural functions and largely determines the multifunctionality of coat proteins.

Protein intrinsic disorder within the Potyvirus genus: from proteome-wide analysis to functional annotation

Within proteins, intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) are devoid of stable secondary and tertiary structures under physiological conditions and rather exist as dynamic ensembles of inter-converting conformers. Although ubiquitous in all domains of life, the intrinsic disorder content is highly variable in viral genomes. Over the years, functional annotations of disordered regions at the scale of the whole proteome have been conducted for several animal viruses. But to date, similar studies applied to plant viruses are still missing. Based on disorder prediction tools combined with annotation programs and evolutionary studies, we analyzed the intrinsic disorder content in Potyvirus, using a 10-species dataset representative of this genus diversity. In this paper, we revealed that: (i) the Potyvirus proteome displays high disorder content, (ii) disorder is conserved during Potyvirus evolution, suggesting a functional advantage of IDRs, (iii) IDRs evolve faster than ordered regions, and (iv) IDRs may be associated with major biological functions required for the Potyvirus cycle. Notably, the proteins P1, Coat protein (CP) and Viral genome-linked protein (VPg) display a high content of conserved disorder, enriched in specific motifs mimicking eukaryotic functional modules and suggesting strategies of host machinery hijacking. In these three proteins, IDRs are particularly conserved despite their high amino acid polymorphism, indicating a link to adaptive processes. Through this comprehensive study, we further investigate the biological relevance of intrinsic disorder in Potyvirus biology and we propose a functional annotation of potyviral proteome IDRs.

Two homologous host proteins interact with potato virus X RNAs and CPs and affect viral replication and movement

Because viruses encode only a small number of proteins, all steps of virus infection rely on specific interactions between viruses and hosts. We previously screened several Nicotiana benthamiana (Nb) proteins that interact with the stem-loop 1 (SL1) RNA structure located at the 5' end of the potato virus X (PVX) genome. In this study, we characterized two of these proteins (NbCPIP2a and NbCPIP2b), which are homologous and are induced upon PVX infection. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay confirmed that both proteins bind to either SL1(+) or SL1(-) RNAs of PVX. The two proteins also interact with the PVX capsid protein (CP) in planta. Overexpression of NbCPIP2a positively regulated systemic movement of PVX in N. benthamiana, whereas NbCPIP2b overexpression did not affect systemic movement of PVX. Transient overexpression and silencing experiments demonstrated that NbCPIP2a and NbCPIP2b are positive regulators of PVX replication and that the effect on replication was greater for NbCPIP2a than for NbCPIP2b. Although these two host proteins are associated with plasma membranes, PVX infection did not affect their subcellular localization. Taken together, these results indicate that NbCPIP2a and NbCPIP2b specifically bind to PVX SL1 RNAs as well as to CP and enhance PVX replication and movement.

Cotranslational coat protein-mediated inhibition of potyviral RNA translation

Potato virus A (PVA) is a single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus and a member of the family Potyviridae. The PVA coat protein (CP) has an intrinsic capacity to self-assemble into filamentous virus-like particles, but the mechanism responsible for the initiation of viral RNA encapsidation in vivo remains unclear. Apart from virion assembly, PVA CP is also involved in the inhibition of viral RNA translation. In this study, we show that CP inhibits PVA RNA translation in a dose-dependent manner, through a mechanism involving the CP-encoding region. Analysis of this region, however, failed to identify any RNA secondary structure(s) preferentially recognized by CP, suggesting that the inhibition depends on CP-CP rather than CP-RNA interactions. In agreement with this possibility, insertion of an in-frame stop codon upstream of the CP sequence led to a marked decrease in the inhibition of viral RNA translation. Based on these results, we propose a model in which the cotranslational interactions between excess CP accumulating in trans and CP translated from viral RNA in cis are required to initiate the translational repression. This model suggests a mechanism for how viral RNA can be sequestered from translation and specifically selected for encapsidation at the late stages of viral infection.

IMPORTANCE

The main functions of the CP during potyvirus infection are to protect viral RNA from degradation and to transport it locally, systemically, and from host to host. Although virion assembly is a key step in the potyviral infectious cycle, little is known about how it is initiated and how viral RNA is selected for encapsidation. The results presented here suggest that CP-CP rather than CP-RNA interactions are predominantly involved in the sequestration of viral RNA away from translation. We propose that the cotranslational nature of these interactions may represent a mechanism for the selection of viral RNA for encapsidation. A better understanding of the mechanism of virion assembly may lead to development of crops resistant to potyviruses at the level of viral RNA encapsidation, thereby reducing the detrimental effects of potyvirus infections on food production.

Insights into the polerovirus-plant interactome revealed by coimmunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry

Identification of host proteins interacting with the aphidborne Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) from the genus Polerovirus, family Luteoviridae, is a critical step toward understanding how PLRV and related viruses infect plants. However, the tight spatial distribution of PLRV to phloem tissues poses challenges. A polyclonal antibody raised against purified PLRV virions was used to coimmunoprecipitate virus-host protein complexes from Nicotiana benthamiana tissue inoculated with an infectious PLRV cDNA clone using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. A. tumefaciens-mediated delivery of PLRV enabled infection and production of assembled, insect-transmissible virus in most leaf cells, overcoming the dynamic range constraint posed by a systemically infected host. Isolated protein complexes were characterized using high-resolution mass spectrometry and consisted of host proteins interacting directly or indirectly with virions, as well as the nonincorporated readthrough protein (RTP) and three phosphorylated positional isomers of the RTP. A bioinformatics analysis using ClueGO and STRING showed that plant proteins in the PLRV protein interaction network regulate key biochemical processes, including carbon fixation, amino acid biosynthesis, ion transport, protein folding, and trafficking.

The 'emergence' of turnip mosaic virus was probably a 'gene-for-quasi-gene' event

Turnip mosaic potyvirus is a virus of brassicas that emerged from a lineage of monocotyledon-infecting potyviruses about 1000 years ago. In vivo and in silico studies all indicate that sites, primarily in its protein 3 (P3) and cylindrical inclusion protein (CI) genes, but also its small 6 kDa 2 protein (6K2) and genome-linked viral protein (VPg) genes, control host specificity in a dynamic way. It is most likely that non-unique combinations of transient viral genomic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), not all of them non-synonymous, allowed the host switch to occur. These SNPs were probably ephemeral and replaced over time by other combinations as the population subsequently diverged within, and adapted to, the brassica host population.

Bean Common Mosaic Virus and Bean Common Mosaic Necrosis Virus: Relationships, Biology, and Prospects for Control

The closely related potyviruses Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) and Bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV) are major constraints on common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) production. Crop losses caused by BCMV and BCMNV impact severely not only on commercial scale cultivation of this high-value crop but also on production by smallholder farmers in the developing world, where bean serves as a key source of dietary protein and mineral nutrition. In many parts of the world, progress has been made in combating BCMV through breeding bean varieties possessing the I gene, a dominant gene conferring resistance to most BCMV strains. However, in Africa, and in particular in Central and East Africa, BCMNV is endemic and this presents a serious problem for deployment of the I gene because this virus triggers systemic necrosis (black root disease) in plants possessing this resistance gene. Information on these two important viruses is scattered throughout the literature from 1917 onward, and although reviews on resistance to BCMV and BCMNV exist, there is currently no comprehensive review on the biology and taxonomy of BCMV and BCMNV. In this chapter, we discuss the current state of our knowledge of these two potyviruses including fundamental aspects of classification and phylogeny, molecular biology, host interactions, transmission through seed and by aphid vectors, geographic distribution, as well as current and future prospects for the control of these important viruses.

Multifaceted capsid proteins: multiple interactions suggest multiple roles for Pepino mosaic virus capsid protein

Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) (family Alphaflexiviridae, genus Potexvirus) is a mechanically transmitted tomato pathogen that, over the last decade, has evolved from emerging to endemic worldwide. Here, two heat-shock cognate (Hsc70) isoforms were identified as part of the coat protein (CP)/Hsc70 complex in vivo, following full-length PepMV and CP agroinoculation. PepMV accumulation was severely reduced in Hsp70 virus-induced gene silenced and in quercetin-treated Nicotiana benthamiana plants. Similarly, in vitro-transcribed as well as virion RNA input levels were reduced in quercetin-treated protoplasts, suggesting an essential role for Hsp70 in PepMV replication. As for Potato virus X, the PepMV CP and triple gene-block protein 1 (TGBp1) self-associate and interact with each other in vitro but, unlike in the prototype, both PepMV proteins represent suppressors of transgene-induced RNA silencing with different modes of action; CP is a more efficient suppressor of RNA silencing, sequesters the silencing signal by preventing its spread to neighboring cells and its systemic movement. Here, we provide evidence for additional roles of the PepMV CP and host-encoded Hsp70 in viral infection, the first as a truly multifunctional protein able to specifically bind to a host chaperone and to counterattack an RNA-based defense mechanism, and the latter as an essential factor for PepMV infection.

Hibiscus chlorotic ringspot virus coat protein is essential for cell-to-cell and long-distance movement but not for viral RNA replication

Hibiscus chlorotic ringspot virus (HCRSV) is a member of the genus Carmovirus in the family Tombusviridae. In order to study its coat protein (CP) functions on virus replication and movement in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.), two HCRSV mutants, designated as p2590 (A to G) in which the first start codon ATG was replaced with GTG and p2776 (C to G) in which proline 63 was replaced with alanine, were constructed. In vitro transcripts of p2590 (A to G) were able to replicate to a similar level as wild type without CP expression in kenaf protoplasts. However, its cell-to-cell movement was not detected in the inoculated kenaf cotyledons. Structurally the proline 63 in subunit C acts as a kink for β-annulus formation during virion assembly. Progeny of transcripts derived from p2776 (C to G) was able to move from cell-to-cell in inoculated cotyledons but its long-distance movement was not detected. Virions were not observed in partially purified mutant virus samples isolated from 2776 (C to G) inoculated cotyledons. Removal of the N-terminal 77 amino acids of HCRSV CP by trypsin digestion of purified wild type HCRSV virions resulted in only T = 1 empty virus-like particles. Taken together, HCRSV CP is dispensable for viral RNA replication but essential for cell-to-cell movement, and virion is required for the virus systemic movement. The proline 63 is crucial for HCRSV virion assembly in kenaf plants and the N-terminal 77 amino acids including the β-annulus domain is required in T = 3 assembly in vitro.

The photosystem II oxygen-evolving complex protein PsbP interacts with the coat protein of Alfalfa mosaic virus and inhibits virus replication

Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) coat protein (CP) is essential for many steps in virus replication from early infection to encapsidation. However, the identity and functional relevance of cellular factors that interact with CP remain unknown. In an unbiased yeast two-hybrid screen for CP-interacting Arabidopsis proteins, we identified several novel protein interactions that could potentially modulate AMV replication. In this report, we focus on one of the novel CP-binding partners, the Arabidopsis PsbP protein, which is a nuclear-encoded component of the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II. We validated the protein interaction in vitro with pull-down assays, in planta with bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays, and during virus infection by co-immunoprecipitations. CP interacted with the chloroplast-targeted PsbP in the cytosol and mutations that prevented the dimerization of CP abolished this interaction. Importantly, PsbP overexpression markedly reduced virus accumulation in infected leaves. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that AMV CP dimers interact with the chloroplast protein PsbP, suggesting a potential sequestration strategy that may preempt the generation of any PsbP-mediated antiviral state.

An evolutionary analysis of the Secoviridae family of viruses

The plant-infecting Secoviridae family of viruses forms part of the Picornavirales order, an important group of non-enveloped viruses that infect vertebrates, arthropods, plants and algae. The impact of the secovirids on cultivated crops is significant, infecting a wide range of plants from grapevine to rice. The overwhelming majority are transmitted by ecdysozoan vectors such as nematodes, beetles and aphids. In this study, we have applied a variety of computational methods to examine the evolutionary traits of these viruses. Strong purifying selection pressures were calculated for the coat protein (CP) sequences of nine species, although for two species evidence of both codon specific and episodic diversifying selection were found. By using Bayesian phylogenetic reconstruction methods CP nucleotide substitution rates for four species were estimated to range from between 9.29×10⁻³ to 2.74×10⁻³ (subs/site/year), values which are comparable with the short-term estimates of other related plant- and animal-infecting virus species. From these data, we were able to construct a time-measured phylogeny of the subfamily Comovirinae that estimated divergence of ninety-four extant sequences occurred less than 1,000 years ago with present virus species diversifying between 50 and 250 years ago; a period coinciding with the intensification of agricultural practices in industrial societies. Although recombination (modularity) was limited to closely related taxa, significant and often unique similarities in the protein domains between secovirid and animal infecting picorna-like viruses, especially for the protease and coat protein, suggested a shared ancestry. We discuss our results in a wider context and find tentative evidence to indicate that some members of the Secoviridae might have their origins in insects, possibly colonizing plants in a number of founding events that have led to speciation. Such a scenario; virus infection between species of different taxonomic kingdoms, has significant implications for virus emergence.

Molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying potyvirus infection

Potyviruses represent one of the most economically important and widely distributed groups of plant viruses. Despite considerable progress towards understanding the cellular and molecular basis of their pathogenicity, many questions remain about the mechanisms by which potyviruses suppress host defences and create an optimal intracellular environment for viral translation, replication, assembly and spread. The review focuses on the multifunctional roles of potyviral proteins and their interplay with various host factors in different compartments of the infected cell. We place special emphasis on the recently discovered and currently putative mechanisms by which potyviruses subvert the normal functions of different cellular organelles in order to establish an efficient and productive infection.

Intracellular coordination of potyviral RNA functions in infection

Establishment of an infection cycle requires mechanisms to allocate the genomes of (+)-stranded RNA viruses in a balanced ratio to translation, replication, encapsidation, and movement, as well as mechanisms to prevent translocation of viral RNA (vRNA) to cellular RNA degradation pathways. The ratio of vRNA allocated to various functions is likely balanced by the availability of regulatory proteins or competition of the interaction sites within regulatory ribonucleoprotein complexes. Due to the transient nature of viral processes and the interdependency between vRNA pathways, it is technically demanding to work out the exact molecular mechanisms underlying vRNA regulation. A substantial number of viral and host proteins have been identified that facilitate the steps that lead to the assembly of a functional potyviral RNA replication complex and their fusion with chloroplasts. Simultaneously with on-going viral replication, part of the replicated potyviral RNA enters movement pathways. Although not much is known about the processes of potyviral RNA release from viral replication complexes, the molecular interactions involved in these processes determine the fate of the replicated vRNA. Some viral and host cell proteins have been described that direct replicated potyviral RNA to translation to enable potyviral gene expression and productive infection. The antiviral defense of the cell causes vRNA degradation by RNA silencing. We hypothesize that also plant pathways involved in mRNA decay may have a role in the coordination of potyviral RNA expression. In this review, we discuss the roles of different potyviral and host proteins in the coordination of various potyviral RNA functions.

A simplified approach to construct infectious cDNA clones of a tobamovirus in a binary vector

Infectious cDNA clones of RNA viruses are important tools to study molecular processes such as replication and host-virus interactions. However, the cloning steps necessary for construction of cDNAs of viral RNA genomes in binary vectors are generally laborious. In this study, a simplified method of producing an agro-infectious Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) clone is described in detail. Initially, the complete genome of PMMoV was amplified by a single-step RT-PCR, cloned, and subcloned into a small plasmid vector under the T7 RNA polymerase promoter to confirm the infectivity of the cDNA clone through transcript inoculation. The complete genome was then transferred to a binary vector using a single-step, overlap-extension PCR. The selected clones were agro-infiltrated to Nicotiana benthamiana plants and showed to be infectious, causing typical PMMoV symptoms. No differences in host responses were observed when the wild-type PMMoV isolate, the T7 RNA polymerase-derived transcripts and the agroinfiltration-derived viruses were inoculated to N. benthamiana, Capsicum chinense PI 159236 and Capsicum annuum plants.