GBNV encoded movement protein (NSm) remodels ER network via C-terminal coiled coil domain

Revisiting Orthotospovirus phylogeny using full-genome data and testing the contribution of selection, recombination and segment reassortment in the origin of members of new species

The family Tospoviridae of the order Bunyavirales is constituted of tri-segmented negative-sense single-stranded RNA viruses that infect plants and are also able to replicate in their insect vectors in a persistent manner. The family is composed of a single genus, Orthotospovirus, whose type species is Tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus. Previous studies assessing the phylogenetic relationships within this genus were based on partial genomic sequences, resulting in unresolved clades and a poor assessment of the roles of recombination and segment reassortment during mixed infections. Full genome sequences of members of recognized Orthotospovirus species are now available at NCBI. In this study, we examined 67 complete genome sequences from members of 22 species. Our study confirms the existence of four phylogroups (A to D), grouped in two major clades (A-B and C-D) within the genus. We found strong evidence that within-segment recombination events and reassortment of segments during mixed infections have been involved in the origin of new orthotospoviruses. Also, selection pressures were analyzed for each gene, and evidence of positive selection was found in all genes.

An aromatic amino acid and associated helix in the C-terminus of the potato leafroll virus minor capsid protein regulate systemic infection and symptom expression

The C-terminal region of the minor structural protein of potato leafroll virus (PLRV), known as the readthrough protein (RTP), is involved in efficient virus movement, tissue tropism and symptom development. Analysis of numerous C-terminal deletions identified a five-amino acid motif that is required for RTP function. A PLRV mutant expressing RTP with these five amino acids deleted (Δ5aa-RTP) was compromised in systemic infection and symptom expression. Although the Δ5aa-RTP mutant was able to move long distance, limited infection foci were observed in systemically infected leaves suggesting that these five amino acids regulate virus phloem loading in the inoculated leaves and/or unloading into the systemically infected tissues. The 5aa deletion did not alter the efficiency of RTP translation, nor impair RTP self-interaction or its interaction with P17, the virus movement protein. However, the deletion did alter the subcellular localization of RTP. When co-expressed with a PLRV infectious clone, a GFP tagged wild-type RTP was localized to discontinuous punctate spots along the cell periphery and was associated with plasmodesmata, although localization was dependent upon the developmental stage of the plant tissue. In contrast, the Δ5aa-RTP-GFP aggregated in the cytoplasm. Structural modeling indicated that the 5aa deletion would be expected to perturb an α-helix motif. Two of 30 plants infected with Δ5aa-RTP developed a wild-type virus infection phenotype ten weeks post-inoculation. Analysis of the virus population in these plants by deep sequencing identified a duplication of sequences adjacent to the deletion that were predicted to restore the α-helix motif. The subcellular distribution of the RTP is regulated by the 5-aa motif which is under strong selection pressure and in turn contributes to the efficient long distance movement of the virus and the induction of systemic symptoms.

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.

Bunyavirales ribonucleoproteins: the viral replication and transcription machinery

The Bunyavirales order is one of the largest groups of segmented negative-sense single-stranded RNA viruses, which includes many pathogenic strains that cause severe human diseases. The RNA segments of the bunyavirus genome are separately encapsidated by multiple copies of nucleoprotein (N), and both termini of each N-encapsidated genomic RNA segment bind to one copy of the viral L polymerase protein. The viral genomic RNA, N and L protein together form the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex that constitutes the molecular machinery for viral genome replication and transcription. Recently, breakthroughs have been achieved in understanding the architecture of bunyavirus RNPs with the determination of the atomic structures of the N and L proteins from various members of this order. In this review, we discuss the structures and functions of these bunyavirus RNP components, as well as viral genome replication and transcription mechanisms.

Transcriptomic profile of tobacco in response to Tomato zonate spot orthotospovirus infection

BACKGROUND

Tomato zonate spot virus (TZSV), a dominant species of thrips-transmitted orthotospoviruses in Yunnan and Guangxi provinces in China, causes significant loss of yield in lots of crops and is a major threat to incomes of rural families. However, the detailed molecular mechanism of crop disease caused by TZSV remains obscure.

METHODS

Next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based transcriptome analysis (RNA-seq) was performed to investigate and compare the gene expression changes in systemic leaves of tobacco upon infection with TZSV and mock-inoculated plants as a control.

RESULTS

De novo assembly and analysis of tobacco transcriptome data by RNA-Seq identified 135,395 unigenes. 2102 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained in tobacco with TZSV infection, among which 1518 DEGs were induced and 584 were repressed. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis revealed that these DEGs were associated with multiple biological functions, including metabolic process, oxidation-reduction process, photosynthesis process, protein kinase activity. The KEGG pathway analysis of these DEGs indicated that pathogenesis caused by TZSV may affect multiple processes including primary and secondary metabolism, photosynthesis and plant-pathogen interactions.

CONCLUSION

Our global survey of transcriptional changes in TZSV infected tobacco provides crucial information into the precise molecular mechanisms underlying pathogenesis and symptom development. This is the first report on the relationships in the TZSV-plant interaction using transcriptome analysis. Findings of present study will significantly help enhance our understanding of the complicated mechanisms of plant responses to orthotospoviral infection.

Intracellular Localization, Interactions and Functions of Capsicum Chlorosis Virus Proteins

Tospoviruses are among the most devastating viruses of horticultural and field crops. Capsicum chlorosis virus (CaCV) has emerged as an important pathogen of capsicum and tomato in Australia and South-east Asia. Present knowledge about CaCV protein functions in host cells is lacking. We determined intracellular localization and interactions of CaCV proteins by live plant cell imaging to gain insight into the associations of viral proteins during infection. Proteins were transiently expressed as fusions to autofluorescent proteins in leaf epidermal cells of Nicotiana benthamiana and capsicum. All viral proteins localized at least partially in the cell periphery suggestive of cytoplasmic replication and assembly of CaCV. Nucleocapsid (N) and non-structural movement (NSm) proteins localized exclusively in the cell periphery, while non-structural suppressor of silencing (NSs) protein and Gc and Gn glycoproteins accumulated in both the cell periphery and the nucleus. Nuclear localization of CaCV Gn and NSs is unique among tospoviruses. We validated nuclear localization of NSs by immunofluorescence in protoplasts. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation showed self-interactions of CaCV N, NSs and NSm, and heterotypic interactions of N with NSs and Gn. All interactions occurred in the cytoplasm, except NSs self-interaction was exclusively nuclear. Interactions of a tospoviral NSs protein with itself and with N had not been reported previously. Functionally, CaCV NSs showed strong local and systemic RNA silencing suppressor activity and appears to delay short-distance spread of silencing signal. Cell-to-cell movement activity of NSm was demonstrated by trans-complementation of a movement-defective tobamovirus replicon. CaCV NSm localized at plasmodesmata and its transient expression led to the formation of tubular structures that protruded from protoplasts. The D155 residue in the 30K-like movement protein-specific LxD/N50-70G motif of NSm was critical for plasmodesmata localization and movement activity. Compared to other tospoviruses, CaCV proteins have both conserved and unique properties in terms of in planta localization, interactions and protein functions which will effect viral multiplication and movement in host plants.

Virus assembly factories in a lipid world

Many viruses build specialized structures known as viral factories, a protected environment in which viral genome replication and morphogenesis take place. Recent findings show that viruses manipulate lipid flows to assemble these replication platforms. Viruses are thus able to create new membranes by interfering with lipid metabolism, targeting and transport; they make use of specific lipid transfer proteins (LTP) at membrane contact sites, and frequently recruit endoplasmic reticulum (ER), ER export sites, and mitochondria. Some factories, such as those built by plant and certain animal viruses, are motile membranous structures involved in intracellular or intercellular transport of the replicated viral genome. The identification of lipids and LTP subverted by viruses might lead to better understand and fight viral infections.

The ER-Membrane Transport System Is Critical for Intercellular Trafficking of the NSm Movement Protein and Tomato Spotted Wilt Tospovirus

Plant viruses move through plasmodesmata to infect new cells. The plant endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is interconnected among cells via the ER desmotubule in the plasmodesma across the cell wall, forming a continuous ER network throughout the entire plant. This ER continuity is unique to plants and has been postulated to serve as a platform for the intercellular trafficking of macromolecules. In the present study, the contribution of the plant ER membrane transport system to the intercellular trafficking of the NSm movement protein and Tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (TSWV) is investigated. We showed that TSWV NSm is physically associated with the ER membrane in Nicotiana benthamiana plants. An NSm-GFP fusion protein transiently expressed in single leaf cells was trafficked into neighboring cells. Mutations in NSm that impaired its association with the ER or caused its mis-localization to other subcellular sites inhibited cell-to-cell trafficking. Pharmacological disruption of the ER network severely inhibited NSm-GFP trafficking but not GFP diffusion. In the Arabidopsis thaliana mutant rhd3 with an impaired ER network, NSm-GFP trafficking was significantly reduced, whereas GFP diffusion was not affected. We also showed that the ER-to-Golgi secretion pathway and the cytoskeleton transport systems were not involved in the intercellular trafficking of TSWV NSm. Importantly, TSWV cell-to-cell spread was delayed in the ER-defective rhd3 mutant, and this reduced viral infection was not due to reduced replication. On the basis of robust biochemical, cellular and genetic analysis, we established that the ER membrane transport system serves as an important direct route for intercellular trafficking of NSm and TSWV.