Sequence variation within Beet necrotic yellow vein virus p25 protein influences its oligomerization and isolate pathogenicity on Tetragonia expansa

The arms race between beet necrotic yellow vein virus and host resistance in sugar beet

Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) causes rhizomania disease in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris), which is controlled since more than two decades by cultivars harboring the Rz1 resistance gene. The development of resistance-breaking strains has been favored by a high selection pressure on the soil-borne virus population. Resistance-breaking is associated with mutations at amino acid positions 67-70 (tetrad) in the RNA3 encoded pathogenicity factor P25 and the presence of an additional RNA component (RNA5). However, natural BNYVV populations are highly diverse making investigations on the resistance-breaking mechanism rather difficult. Therefore, we applied a reverse genetic system for BNYVV (A type) to study Rz1 resistance-breaking by direct agroinoculation of sugar beet seedlings. The bioassay allowed a clear discrimination between susceptible and Rz1 resistant plants already four weeks after infection, and resistance-breaking was independent of the sugar beet Rz1 genotype. A comprehensive screen of natural tetrads for resistance-breaking revealed several new mutations allowing BNYVV to overcome Rz1. The supplementation of an additional RNA5 encoding the pathogenicity factor P26 allowed virus accumulation in the Rz1 genotype independent of the P25 tetrad. This suggests the presence of two distinct resistance-breaking mechanisms allowing BNYVV to overcome Rz1. Finally, we showed that the resistance-breaking effect of the tetrad and the RNA5 is specific to Rz1 and has no effect on the stability of the second resistance gene Rz2. Consequently, double resistant cultivars (Rz1+Rz2) should provide effective control of Rz1 resistance-breaking strains. Our study highlights the flexibility of the viral genome allowing BNYVV to overcome host resistance, which underlines the need for a continuous search for alternative resistance genes.

The Virulence Factor p25 of Beet Necrotic Yellow Vein Virus Interacts With Multiple Aux/IAA Proteins From Beta vulgaris: Implications for Rhizomania Development

Rhizomania caused by Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) is characterized by excessive lateral root (LR) formation. Auxin-mediated degradation of Aux/IAA transcriptional repressors stimulates gene regulatory networks leading to LR organogenesis and involves several Aux/IAA proteins acting at distinctive stages of LR development. Previously, we showed that BNYVV p25 virulence factor interacts with BvIAA28, a transcriptional repressor acting at early stages of LR initiation. The evidence suggested that p25 inhibits BvIAA28 nuclear localization, thus, de-repressing transcriptional network leading to LR initiation. However, it was not clear whether p25 interacts with other Aux/IAA proteins. Here, by adopting bioinformatics, in vitro and in vivo protein interaction approaches we show that p25 interacts also with BvIAA2 and BvIAA6. Moreover, we confirmed that the BNYVV infection is, indeed, accompanied by an elevated auxin level in the infected LRs. Nevertheless, expression levels of BvIAA2 and BvIAA6 remained unchanged upon BNYVV infection. Mutational analysis indicated that interaction of p25 with either BvIAA2 or BvIAA6 requires full-length proteins as even single amino acid residue substitutions abolished the interactions. Compared to p25-BvIAA28 interaction that leads to redistribution of BvIAA28 into cytoplasm, both BvIAA2 and BvIAA6 remained confined into the nucleus regardless of the presence of p25 suggesting their stabilization though p25 interaction. Overexpression of p25-interacting partners (BvIAA2, BvIAA6 and BvIAA28) in Nicotiana benthamiana induced an auxin-insensitive phenotype characterized by plant dwarfism and dramatically reduced LR development. Thus, our work reveals a distinct class of transcriptional repressors targeted by p25.

Modulation of disease severity by plant positive-strand RNA viruses: The complex interplay of multifunctional viral proteins, subviral RNAs and virus-associated RNAs with plant signaling pathways and defense responses

Plant viruses induce a range of symptoms of varying intensity, ranging from severe systemic necrosis to mild or asymptomatic infection. Several evolutionary constraints drive virus virulence, including the dependence of viruses on host factors to complete their infection cycle, the requirement to counteract or evade plant antiviral defense responses and the mode of virus transmission. Viruses have developed an array of strategies to modulate disease severity. Accumulating evidence has highlighted not only the multifunctional role that viral proteins play in disrupting or highjacking plant factors, hormone signaling pathways and intracellular organelles, but also the interaction networks between viral proteins, subviral RNAs and/or other viral-associated RNAs that regulate disease severity. This review focusses on positive-strand RNA viruses, which constitute the majority of characterized plant viruses. Using well-characterized viruses with different genome types as examples, recent advances are discussed as well as knowledge gaps and opportunities for further research.

Prevalence and Distribution of Beet Necrotic Yellow Vein Virus Strains in North Dakota and Minnesota

Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) is the causal agent of rhizomania, a disease of global importance to the sugar beet industry. The most widely implemented resistance gene to rhizomania to date is Rz1, but resistance has been circumvented by resistance-breaking (RB) isolates worldwide. In an effort to gain greater understanding of the distribution of BNYVV and the nature of RB isolates in Minnesota and eastern North Dakota, sugar beet plants were grown in 594 soil samples obtained from production fields and subsequently were analyzed for the presence of BNYVV as well as coding variability in the viral P25 gene, the gene previously implicated in the RB pathotype. Baiting of virus from the soil with sugar beet varieties possessing no known resistance to rhizomania resulted in a disease incidence level of 10.6% in the region examined. Parallel baiting analysis of sugar beet genotypes possessing Rz1, the more recently introgressed Rz2, and with the combination of Rz1 + Rz2 resulted in a disease incidence level of 4.2, 1.0, and 0.8%, respectively. Virus sequences recovered from sugar beet bait plants possessing resistance genes Rz1 and/or Rz2 exhibited reduced genetic diversity in the P25 gene relative to those recovered from the susceptible genotype while confirming the hypervariable nature of the coding for amino acids (AAs) at position 67 and 68 in the P25 protein. In contrast to previous reports, we did not find an association between any one specific AA signature at these positions and the ability to circumvent Rz1-mediated resistance. The data document ongoing virulence development in BNYVV populations to previously resistant varieties and provide a baseline for the analysis of genetic change in the virus population that may accompany the implementation of new resistance genes to manage rhizomania.

Long Term Management of Rhizomania Disease-Insight Into the Changes of the Beet necrotic yellow vein virus RNA-3 Observed Under Resistant and Non-resistant Sugar Beet Fields

Rhizomania disease, caused by the Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV), is considered as one of the major constraints for sugar beet production, worldwide. As a result of the introgression of major resistance genes (Holly, Rz2) in commercially available sugar beet varieties, the virus has endured strong selection pressure since the 90s'. Understanding the virus response and diversity to sugar beet resistance is a key factor for a sustainable management of only few resistance genes. Here we report rhizomania surveys conducted in a rhizomania hot spot, the Pithiviers area (France) during a 4-year period and complementary to the study of Schirmer et al. (2005). The study aimed at evaluating the intra- and inter-field BNYVV diversity in response to different sources of resistance and over the growing season. To follow rhizomania development over the sugar beet growing season, extensive field samplings combined with field assays were performed in this study. The evolution of the BNYVV diversity was assessed at intra- and inter-field levels, with sugar beet cultivars containing different resistance genes (Rz1, Rz1 + Heterodera schachtii resistance and Rz1Rz2). Intra-field diversity was analyzed at the beginning and the end of the growing season of each field. From more than one thousand field samples, the simultaneous presence of the different A, B and P types of BNYVV was confirmed, with 21 variants identified at positions 67-70 of the p25 tetrad. The first variant, AYHR, was found most commonly followed by SYHG. Numerous mixed infections (9.93% of the samples), mostly of B-type with P-type, have also been evidenced. Different tetrads associated with the A- or B-type were also found with a fifth RNA-genome component known to allow more aggressiveness to BNYVV on sugar beet roots. Cultivars with Rz1+Rz2 resistant genes showed few root symptoms even if the BNYVV titre was quite high according to the BNYVV type present. The virus infectious potential in the soil at the end of the growing season with such cultivars was also lower despite a wider diversity at the BNYVV RNA3 sequence level. Rz1+Rz2 cultivars also exhibited a lower presence of Beet soil-borne virus (BSBV), a P. betae-transmitted Pomovirus. Cultivars with Rz1 and nematode (N) resistance genes cultivated in field infected with nematodes showed lower BNYVV titre than those with Rz1 or Rz1+Rz2 cultivars. Overall, the population structure of BNYVV in France is shown to be different from that previously evidenced in different world areas. Implications for long-term management of the resistance to rhizomania is discussed.

Beet Necrotic Yellow Vein Virus Noncoding RNA Production Depends on a 5'→3' Xrn Exoribonuclease Activity

The RNA3 species of the beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV), a multipartite positive-stranded RNA phytovirus, contains the 'core' nucleotide sequence required for its systemic movement in Beta macrocarpa. Within this 'core' sequence resides a conserved "coremin" motif of 20 nucleotides that is absolutely essential for long-distance movement. RNA3 undergoes processing steps to yield a noncoding RNA3 (ncRNA3) possessing "coremin" at its 5' end, a mandatory element for ncRNA3 accumulation. Expression of wild-type (wt) or mutated RNA3 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae allows for the accumulation of ncRNA3 species. Screening of S.cerevisiae ribonuclease mutants identified the 5'-to-3' exoribonuclease Xrn1 as a key enzyme in RNA3 processing that was recapitulated both in vitro and in insect cell extracts. Xrn1 stalled on ncRNA3-containing RNA substrates in these decay assays in a similar fashion as the flavivirus Xrn1-resistant structure (sfRNA). Substitution of the BNYVV-RNA3 'core' sequence by the sfRNA sequence led to the accumulation of an ncRNA species in yeast in vitro but not in planta and no viral long distance occurred. Interestingly, XRN4 knockdown reduced BNYVV RNA accumulation suggesting a dual role for the ribonuclease in the viral cycle.

A Viral Noncoding RNA Complements a Weakened Viral RNA Silencing Suppressor and Promotes Efficient Systemic Host Infection

Systemic movement of beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) in Beta macrocarpa depends on viral RNA3, whereas in Nicotiana benthamiana this RNA is dispensable. RNA3 contains a coremin motif of 20 nucleotides essential for the stabilization of noncoding RNA3 (ncRNA3) and for long-distance movement in Beta species. Coremin mutants that are unable to accumulate ncRNA3 also do not achieve systemic movement in Beta species. A mutant virus carrying a mutation in the p14 viral suppressor of RNA silencing (VSR), unable to move long distances, can be complemented with the ncRNA3 in the lesion phenotype, viral RNA accumulation, and systemic spread. Analyses of the BNYVV VSR mechanism of action led to the identification of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase 6 (RDR6) pathway as a target of the virus VSR and the assignment of a VSR function to the ncRNA3.

Genetic diversity and population structure of beet necrotic yellow vein virus in China

Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) is a serious threat to the sugar beet industry worldwide. However, little information is available regarding the genetic diversity and population structure of BNYVV in China. Here, we analyzed multiple sequences from four genomic regions (CP, RNA3, RNA4 and RNA5) of a set of Chinese isolates. Sequence analyses revealed that several isolates were mixed infections of variants with different genotypes and/or different p25 tetrad motifs. In total, 12 distinct p25 tetrads were found in the Chinese BNYVV population, of which four tetrads were newly identified. Phylogenetic analyses based on four genes (CP, RNA3-p25, RNA4-p31 and RNA5-p26) in isolates from around the world revealed the existence of two to four groups, which mostly corresponded to previously reported phylogenetic groups. Two new subgroups and a new group were identified from the Chinese isolates in p25 and p26 trees, respectively. Selection pressure analysis indicated that there was a positive selection pressure on the p25 from the Chinese isolates, but the other three proteins were under a negative selection pressure. There was frequent gene flow between geographically distant populations, which meant that BNYVV populations from different provinces were not geographically differentiated.

On the interaction and localization of the beet necrotic yellow vein virus replicase

Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) is a multipartite positive-strand RNA virus. BNYVV RNA-1 encodes a non-structural p237 polyprotein processed in two proteins (p150 and p66) by a cis-acting protease activity. BNYVV non-structural proteins are closely related to replication proteins of positive strand RNA viruses such as hepeviruses rather to other plant virus replicases. The p237 and dsRNA have been localized by TEM in ER structures of infected leaf cells whereas dsRNA was immunolabeled in infected protoplasts. The p150 contains domains with methyltransferase, protease, helicase and two domains of unknown function whereas p66 encompasses the RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase signature. We report the existing interactions between functional domains of the p150 and p66 proteins and the addressing of the benyvirus replicase to the endoplasmic reticulum. Yeast two-hybrid approach, colocalization with FRET-FLIM analyses and co-immunoprecipitation highlighted existing interactions that suggest the presence of a multimeric complex at the vicinity of the cellular membranous web.

Infection of Beet necrotic yellow vein virus with RNA4-encoded P31 specifically up-regulates pathogenesis-related protein 10 in Nicotiana benthamiana

BACKGROUND

Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) is the infectious agent of sugar beet rhizomania, which consists of four or five plus-sense RNAs. RNA4 of BNYVV is not essential for virus propagation in Nicotiana benthamiana but has a major effect on symptom expression. Early reports showed that RNA4-encoded P31 was associated with severe symptoms, such as curling and dwarfing, in N. benthamiana.

RESULTS

We discovered that the pathogenesis-related protein 10 (PR-10) gene can be up-regulated in BNYVV-infected N. benthamiana in the presence of RNA4 and that it had a close link with symptom development. Our frame-shift, deletion and substitution analysis showed that only the entire P31 could induce PR-10 up-regulation during BNYVV infection and that all the tryptophans and six cysteines (C174, C183, C186, C190, C197 and C199) in the cysteine-rich P31 had significant effects on PR-10 expression. However, P31 could not interact directly with PR-10 in yeast.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data demonstrated that only integrated P31 specifically induced PR-10 transcription, which coincided closely with the appearance of severe symptoms in BNYVV-infected N. benthamiana, although they could not interact directly with each other in yeast.

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.

The P25 pathogenicity factor of Beet necrotic yellow vein virus targets the sugar beet 26S proteasome involved in the induction of a hypersensitive resistance response via interaction with an F-box protein

P25, a Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) pathogenicity factor, interacts with a sugar beet protein with high homology to Arabidopsis thaliana kelch repeat containing F-box family proteins (FBK) of unknown function in yeast. FBK are members of the Skp1-Cullin-F-box (SCF) complex that mediate protein degradation. Here, we confirm this sugar beet FBK-P25 interaction in vivo and in vitro and provide evidence for in planta interaction and similar subcellular distribution in Nicotiana tabacum leaf cells. P25 even interacts with an FBK from A. thaliana, a BNYVV nonhost. FBK functional classification was possible by demonstrating the interaction with A. thaliana orthologs of Skp1-like (ASK) genes, a member of the SCF E3 ligase. By means of a yeast two-hybrid bridging assay, a direct effect of P25 on SCF-complex formation involving ASK1 protein was demonstrated. FBK transient Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated expression in N. benthamiana leaves induced a hypersensitive response. The full-length F-box protein consists of one F-box domain followed by two kelch repeats, which alone were unable to interact with P25 in yeast and did not lead to cell-death induction. The results support the idea that P25 is involved in virus pathogenicity in sugar beet and suggest suppression of resistance response.

Beet necrotic yellow vein virus subgenomic RNA3 is a cleavage product leading to stable non-coding RNA required for long-distance movement

Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) is a multipartite RNA virus. BNYVV RNA3 does not accumulate in non-host transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants when expressed using a 35S promoter. However, a 3'-derivative species has been detected in transgenic plants and in transient expression assays conducted in Nicotiana benthamiana and Beta macrocarpa. The 3'-derivative species is similar to the previously reported subgenomic RNA3 produced during virus infection. 5' RACE revealed that the truncated forms had identical 5' ends. The 5' termini carried the coremin motif also present on BNYVV RNA5, beet soil-borne mosaic virus RNA3 and 4, and cucumber mosaic virus group 2 RNAs. This RNA3 species lacks a m(7)Gppp at the 5' end of the cleavage products, whether expressed transiently or virally. Mutagenesis revealed the importance of the coremin sequence for both long-distance movement and stabilization of the cleavage product in vivo and in vitro. The isolation of various RNA3 5'-end products suggests the existence of a cleavage between nt 212 and 1234 and subsequent exonucleolytic degradation, leading to the accumulation of a non-coding RNA. When RNA3 was incubated in wheatgerm extracts, truncated forms appeared rapidly and their appearance was protein- and divalent ion-dependent.

Beet soil-borne mosaic virus RNA-4 encodes a 32 kDa protein involved in symptom expression and in virus transmission through Polymyxa betae

Beet soil-borne mosaic virus (BSBMV), like Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV), is a member of the Benyvirus genus and both are transmitted by Polymyxa betae. Both viruses possess a similar genomic organization: RNA-1 and -2 are essential for infection and replication while RNA-3 and -4 play important roles in disease development and vector-mediated infection in sugar beet roots. We characterized a new species of BSBMV RNA-4 that encodes a 32 kDa protein and a chimeric form of BSBMV RNA-3 and -4. We demonstrated that BSBMV RNA-4 can be amplified by BNYVV RNA-1 and -2 in planta, is involved in symptoms expression on Chenopodium quinoa plants and can also complement BNYVV RNA-4 for virus transmission through its vector P. betae in Beta vulgaris plants. Using replicon-mediated expression, we demonstrate for the first time that a correct expression of RNAs-4 encoded proteins is essential for benyvirus transmission.

Detection and characterization of spontaneous internal deletion mutants of Beet Necrotic yellow vein virus RNA3 from systemic host Nicotiana benthamiana

BACKGROUND

Beet Necrotic Yellow Vein virus (BNYVV) is a member of the genus Benyvirus causing a worldwide sugar beet disease rhizomania. BNYVV contains four or five plus-sense single stranded RNAs. In altered selective conditions, multipartite RNA viruses of plant are prone to undergoing internal deletions, thus turning into Defective RNAs (D RNAs). Although several D RNAs have been reported in BNYVV infection, the spontaneous internal deletion mutants responsible for severe symptom in systemic host Nicotiana benthamiana (N. benthamiana) are not described so far.

RESULTS

Systemic host N. benthamiana was inoculated by Chinese BNYVV isolates. RT-PCR and Northern blot showed that the D RNAs forms of BNYVV RNA3 were present in the systemic infection of the N. benthamiana. Three distinct D-RNA3s, named as D-RNA 3α, D-RNA 3β and D-RNA 3γ, were made into infectious clones. When inoculated on the N. benthamiana, the in vitro transcripts of D forms exhibited more stable than that of wild-type RNA3 in systemic movement. Among the detected mutant, the p25 protein frame-shift mutant (D-RNA3α) induced obvious necrotic lesions on Tetragonia.expansa (T. expansa) and pronounced systemic symptom on the N. benthamiana. The D-RNA3α was further mutated artificially to pre-terminate the downstream N protein, leading to the abolishment of the pathogenicity, indicating the N protein was responsible for the necrotic symptom.

CONCLUSION

Our studies demonstrated the internal deletion mutants of BNYVV-RNA3 were spontaneously generated in the systemic infection on N. benthamiana. The internal deletions didn't affect the efficient replication of D-RNA3s, instead by improving the stability and pathogenicity of RNA3 in the systemic host N. benthamiana. Besides, our results also suggested the downstream N protein of RNA3, but not the upstream p25 protein, may play an important role in the systemic infection on N. benthamiana.

Breakdown of host resistance by independent evolutionary lineages of Beet necrotic yellow vein virus involves a parallel c/u mutation in its p25 gene

ABSTRACT Breakdown of sugar beet Rz1-mediated resistance against Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) infection was previously found, by reverse genetics, to be caused by a single mutation in its p25 gene. The possibility of alternative breaking mutations, however, has not been discarded. To explore the natural diversity of BNYVV in the field and its effects on overcoming Rz1, wild-type (WT) and resistance-breaking (RB) p25 genes from diverse production regions of North America were characterized. The relative titer of WT p25 was inversely correlated with disease expression in Rz1 plants from Minnesota and California. In Minnesota, the predominant WT p25 encoded the A(67)C(68) amino acid signature whereas, in California, it encoded A(67)L(68). In both locations, these WT signatures were associated with asymptomatic BNYVV infections of Rz1 cultivars. Further analyses of symptomatic resistant plants revealed that, in Minnesota, WT A(67)C(68) was replaced by V(67)C(68) whereas, in California, WT A(67)L(68) was replaced by V(67)L(68). Therefore, V(67) was apparently critical in overcoming Rz1 in both pathosystems. The greater genetic distances between isolates from different geographic regions rather than between WT and RB from the same location indicate that the underlying C to U transition originated independently in both BNYVV lineages.

Identification of Beet necrotic yellow vein virus P25 pathogenicity factor-interacting sugar beet proteins that represent putative virus targets or components of plant resistance

Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) induces the most important disease threatening sugar beet. The growth of partially resistant hybrids carrying monogenic dominant resistance genes stabilize yield but are unable to entirely prevent virus infection and replication. P25 is responsible for symptom development and previous studies have shown that recently occurring resistance-breaking isolates possess increased P25 variability. To better understand the viral pathogenicity factor's interplay with plant proteins and to possibly unravel the molecular basis of sugar beet antivirus resistance, P25 was applied in a yeast two-hybrid screen of a resistant sugar beet cDNA library. This screen identified candidate proteins recognized as orthologues from other plant species which are known to be expressed following pathogen infection and involved in plant defense response. Most of the candidates potentially related to host-pathogen interactions were involved in the ubiquitylation process and plants response to stress, and were part of cell and metabolism components. The interaction of several candidate genes with P25 was confirmed in Nicotiana benthamiana leaf cells by transient agrobacterium-mediated expression applying bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay. The putative functions of several of the candidates identified support previous findings and present first targets for understanding the BNYVV pathogenicity and antivirus resistance mechanism.

A single U/C nucleotide substitution changing alanine to valine in the beet necrotic yellow vein virus P25 protein promotes increased virus accumulation in roots of mechanically inoculated, partially resistant sugar beet seedlings

Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) A type isolates E12 and S8, originating from areas where resistance-breaking had or had not been observed, respectively, served as starting material for studying the influence of sequence variations in BNYVV RNA 3 on virus accumulation in partially resistant sugar beet varieties. Sub-isolates containing only RNAs 1 and 2 were obtained by serial local lesion passages; biologically active cDNA clones were prepared for RNAs 3 which differed in their coding sequences for P25 aa 67, 68 and 129. Sugar beet seedlings were mechanically inoculated with RNA 1+2/RNA 3 pseudorecombinants. The origin of RNAs 1+2 had little influence on virus accumulation in rootlets. E12 RNA 3 coding for V(67)C(68)Y(129) P25, however, enabled a much higher virus accumulation than S8 RNA 3 coding for A(67)H(68)H(129) P25. Mutants revealed that this was due only to the V(67) 'GUU' codon as opposed to the A(67) 'GCU' codon.

Beet soil-borne mosaic virus RNA-3 is replicated and encapsidated in the presence of BNYVV RNA-1 and -2 and allows long distance movement in Beta macrocarpa

Beet soil-borne mosaic virus (BSBMV) and Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) belong to the Benyvirus genus. BSBMV has been reported only in the United States, while BNYVV has a worldwide distribution. Both viruses are vectored by Polymyxa betae and possess similar host ranges, particle number and morphology. BNYVV and BSBMV are not serologically related but they have similar genomic organizations. Field isolates usually consist of four RNA species but some BNYVV isolates contain a fifth RNA. RNAs 1 and 2 are essential for infection and replication while RNAs 3 and 4 play important roles in plant and vector interactions, respectively. Nucleotide and amino acid analyses revealed that BSBMV and BNYVV are sufficiently different to be classified as two species. Complementary base changes found within the BSBMV RNA-3 5' UTR made it resemble to BNYVV 5' RNA-3 structure whereas the 3' UTRs of both species were more conserved. cDNA clones were obtained, and allowed complete copies of BSBMV RNA-3 to be trans-replicated, trans-encapsidated by the BNYVV viral machinery. Long-distance movement was observed indicating that BSBMV RNA-3 could substitute BNYVV RNA-3 for systemic spread, even though the p29 encoded by BSBMV RNA-3 is much closer to the RNA-5-encoded p26 than to BNYVV RNA-3-encoded p25. Competition occurred when BSBMV RNA-3-derived replicons were used together with BNYVV-derived RNA-3 but not when the RNA-5-derived component was used. Exploitation of the similarities and divergences between BSBMV and BNYVV should lead to a better understanding of molecular interactions between Benyviruses and their hosts.

The first 17 amino acids of the beet necrotic yellow vein virus RNA-5-encoded p26 protein are sufficient to activate transcription in a yeast one-hybrid system

The beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) RNA-5-encoded p26 protein is involved in the accentuation of symptoms expression of infected Chenopodium quinoa plants and is capable of transcription activation (TA) in yeast. TA was previously localized within the first 55 residues of the p26 protein. Interestingly, TA did not occur when C-terminally deleted forms of p26 were used. We used a genetic screen in the yeast one-hybrid system to select restored TA from randomly generated mutants. The TA domain was found to be located within the first 17 residues. Alanine replacement of aspartic acids 11, 16, and 17 within the full-length p26 prevented TA but did not impair subcellular localization and the symptom expression.

Progress towards the understanding and control of sugar beet rhizomania disease

Rhizomania is a soil-borne disease that occurs throughout the major sugar beet growing regions of the world, causing severe yield losses in the absence of effective control measures. It is caused by Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV), which is transmitted by the obligate root-infecting parasite Polymyxa betae. BNYVV has a multipartite RNA genome with all natural isolates containing four RNA species, although some isolates have a fifth RNA. The larger RNA1 and RNA2 contain the housekeeping genes of the virus and are always required for infection, whereas the smaller RNAs are involved in pathogenicity and vector transmission. RNA5-containing isolates are restricted to Asia and some parts of Europe, and these isolates tend to be more aggressive. With no acceptable pesticides available to restrict the vector, the control of rhizomania is now achieved almost exclusively through the use of resistant cultivars. A single dominant resistance gene, Rz1, has been used to manage the disease worldwide in recent years, although this gene confers only partial resistance. More recently, new variants of BNYVV have evolved (both with and without RNA5) that are able to cause significant yield penalties on resistant cultivars. These isolates are not yet widespread, but their appearance has resulted in accelerated searches for new sources of resistance to both the virus and the vector. Combined virus and vector resistance, achieved either by conventional or transgenic breeding, offers the sugar beet industry a new approach in its continuing struggle against rhizomania.

Identification of differentially expressed root genes upon rhizomania disease

Rhizomania is one of the most devastating sugar beet diseases. It is caused by Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV), which induces abnormal rootlet proliferation. To understand better the physiological and molecular basis of the disorder, transcriptome analysis was performed by restriction fragment differential display polymerase chain reaction (RFDD-PCR), which provided differential gene expression profiles between non-infected and infected sugar beet roots. Two distinct viral isolates were used to detect specific or general virus-induced genes. Differentially expressed genes were selected and identified by sequence analysis, followed by reverse Northern and reverse transcriptase PCR experiments. These latter analyses of different plants (Beta vulgaris and Beta macrocarpa) infected under distinct standardized conditions revealed specific and variable expressions. Candidate genes were linked to cell development, metabolism, defence signalling and oxidative stress. In addition, the expression of already characterized genes linked to defence response (pathogenesis-related protein genes), auxin signalling and cell elongation was also studied to further examine some aspects of the disease. Differential expression was retrieved in both B. vulgaris and B. macrocarpa. However, some candidate genes were found to be deregulated in only one plant species, suggesting differential response to BNYVV or specific responses to the BNYVV vector.

Identification of amino acids of the beet necrotic yellow vein virus p25 protein required for induction of the resistance response in leaves of Beta vulgaris plants

The RNA3-encoded p25 protein of beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) is responsible for the production of rhizomania symptoms of sugar beet roots (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris). Here, it was found that the presence of the p25 protein is also associated with the resistance response in rub-inoculated leaves of sugar beet and wild beet (Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima) plants. The resistance phenotype displayed a range of symptoms from no visible lesions to necrotic or greyish lesions at the inoculation site, and only very low levels of virus and viral RNA accumulated. The susceptible phenotype showed large, bright yellow lesions and developed high levels of virus accumulation. In roots after Polymyxa betae vector inoculation, however, no drastic differences in virus and viral RNA accumulation levels were found between plants with susceptible and resistant phenotypes, except at an early stage of infection. There was a genotype-specific interaction between BNYVV strains and two selected wild beet lines (MR1 and MR2) and sugar beet cultivars. Sequence analysis of natural BNYVV isolates and site-directed mutagenesis of the p25 protein revealed that 3 aa residues at positions 68, 70 and 179 are important in determining the resistance phenotype, and that host-genotype specificity is controlled by single amino acid changes at position 68. The mechanism of the occurrence of resistance-breaking BNYVV strains is discussed.

Changes in the intraisolate genetic structure of Beet necrotic yellow vein virus populations associated with plant resistance breakdown

The causal agent of rhizomania disease, Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV), typically produces asymptomatic root-limited infections in sugar beets (Beta vulgaris) carrying the Rz1-allele. Unfortunately, this dominant resistance has been recently overcome. Multiple cDNA clones of the viral pathogenic determinant p25, derived from populations infecting susceptible or resistant plants, were sequenced to identify host effects on the viral population structure. Populations isolated from compatible plant-virus interactions (susceptible plant-wild type virus and resistant plant-resistant breaking variants) were large and relatively homogeneous, whereas those from the incompatible interaction (resistant plant-avirulent type virus) were small and highly heterogeneous. All populations from susceptible plants had the same dominant haplotype, whereas those from resistant cultivars had a different haplotype surrounded by a spectrum of mutants. Selection and diversification analyses suggest an evolutionary trajectory of BNYVV with positive selection for changes required to overcome resistance, followed by elimination of hitchhiking mutations through purifying selection.