A rice plant expressing viral glycoprotein NSvc2-NS reduces the transmission of rice stripe virus by the small brown planthopper

BACKGROUND

Plant viruses transmitted by arthropod vectors threaten crop health worldwide. Rice stripe virus (RSV) is one of the most important rice viruses in East Asia and is transmitted by the small brown planthopper (SBPH). Previously, it was demonstrated that the viral glycoprotein NSvs2-N could mediate RSV infection of the vector midgut. Therefore, NSvc2-N protein could potentially be used to reduce RSV transmission by competitively blocking midgut receptors.

RESULTS

Here, we report that transgenic rice plants expressing viral glycoprotein can interfere with RSV acquisition and transmission by SBPH. The soluble fraction (30-268 amino acids, designated NSvs2-N_S ) of NSvs2-N was transformed into rice calli, which produced plants harboring the exogenous gene. When SBPH was fed on transgenic plants prior to RSV-infected rice (sequential feeding) and when insects were fed on RSV-infected transgenic plants (concomitant feeding), virus acquisition by the insect vector was inhibited, and subsequent viral titers were reduced. Immunofluorescence labeling also indicated that viral infection of the insect midgut was inhibited after SBPH was fed on transgenic plants. The system by which RSV infected insect cells in vitro was used to corroborate the role of NSvc2-N_S in reducing viral infection. After the cells were incubated with transgenic rice sap, the virus infection rate of the cells decreased significantly, and viral accumulation in the cells was lower than that in the control group.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrated the negative effect of NSvs2-N_S transgenic plants on RSV transmission by insect vectors, which provides a novel and effective way to control plant viral diseases. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.