A geminivirus-related DNA mycovirus that confers hypovirulence to a plant pathogenic fungus

Mycoviruses are viruses that infect fungi and have the potential to control fungal diseases of crops when associated with hypovirulence. Typically, mycoviruses have double-stranded (ds) or single-stranded (ss) RNA genomes. No mycoviruses with DNA genomes have previously been reported. Here, we describe a hypovirulence-associated circular ssDNA mycovirus from the plant pathogenic fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. The genome of this ssDNA virus, named Sclerotinia sclerotiorum hypovirulence-associated DNA virus 1 (SsHADV-1), is 2166 nt, coding for a replication initiation protein (Rep) and a coat protein (CP). Although phylogenetic analysis of Rep showed that SsHADV-1 is related to geminiviruses, it is notably distinct from geminiviruses both in genome organization and particle morphology. Polyethylene glycol-mediated transfection of fungal protoplasts was successful with either purified SsHADV-1 particles or viral DNA isolated directly from infected mycelium. The discovery of an ssDNA mycovirus enhances the potential of exploring fungal viruses as valuable tools for molecular manipulation of fungi and for plant disease control and expands our knowledge of global virus ecology and evolution.

Differential roles of AC2 and AC4 of cassava geminiviruses in mediating synergism and suppression of posttranscriptional gene silencing

Posttranscriptional gene silencing (PTGS) in plants is a natural defense mechanism against virus infection. In mixed infections, virus synergism is proposed to result from suppression of the host defense mechanism by the viruses. Synergistic severe mosaic disease caused by simultaneous infection with isolates of the Cameroon strain of African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV-[CM]) and East African cassava mosaic Cameroon virus (EACMCV) in cassava and tobacco is characterized by a dramatic increase in symptom severity and a severalfold increase in viral-DNA accumulation by both viruses compared to that in singly infected plants. Here, we report that synergism between ACMV-[CM] and EACMCV is a two-way process, as the presence of the DNA-A component of ACMV-[CM] or EACMCV in trans enhanced the accumulation of viral DNA of EACMCV and ACMV-[CM], respectively, in tobacco BY-2 protoplasts. Furthermore, transient expression of ACMV-[CM] AC4 driven by the Cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter (p35S-AC4) enhanced EACMCV DNA accumulation by approximately 8-fold in protoplasts, while p35S-AC2 of EACMCV enhanced ACMV-[CM] DNA accumulation, also by approximately 8-fold. An Agrobacterium-based leaf infiltration assay determined that ACMV-[CM] AC4 and EACMCV AC2, the putative synergistic genes, were able to suppress PTGS induced by green fluorescent protein (GFP) and eliminated the short interfering RNAs associated with PTGS, with a correlated increase in GFP mRNA accumulation. In addition, we have identified AC4 of Sri Lankan cassava mosaic virus and AC2 of Indian cassava mosaic virus as suppressors of PTGS, indicating that geminiviruses evolved differently in regard to interaction with the host. The specific and different roles played by these AC2 and AC4 proteins of cassava geminiviruses in regulating anti-PTGS activity and their relation to synergism are discussed.

A DNAbeta associated with Tomato yellow leaf curl China virus is required for symptom induction

We report here that all 25 isolates of Tomato yellow leaf curl China virus (TYLCCNV) collected from tobacco, tomato, or Siegesbeckia orientalis plants in different regions of Yunnan Province, China, were associated with DNAbeta molecules. To investigate the biological role of DNAbeta, full-length infectious clones of viral DNA and DNAbeta of TYLCCNV isolate Y10 (TYLCCNV-Y10) were agroinoculated into Nicotiana benthamiana, Nicotiana glutinosa, Nicotiana. tabacum Samsun (NN or nn), tomato, and petunia plants. We found that TYLCCNV-Y10 alone could systemically infect these plants, but no symptoms were induced. TYLCCNV-Y10 DNAbeta was required, in addition to TYLCCNV-Y10, for induction of leaf curl disease in these hosts. Similar to TYLCCNV-Y10, DNAbeta of TYLCCNV isolate Y64 was also found to be required for induction of typical leaf curl diseases in the hosts tested. When the betaC1 gene of TYLCCNV-Y10 DNAbeta was mutated, the mutants failed to induce leaf curl symptoms in N. benthamiana when coinoculated with TYLCCNV-Y10. However, Southern blot hybridization analyses showed that the mutated DNAbeta molecules were replicated. When N. benthamiana and N. tabacum plants were transformed with a construct containing the betaC1 gene under the control of the Cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter, many transgenic plants developed leaf curl symptoms similar to those caused by a virus, the severity of which paralleled the level of betaC1 transcripts, while transgenic plants transformed with the betaC1 gene containing a stop codon after the start codon remained symptomless. Thus, expression of a betaC1 gene is adequate for induction of symptoms of viral infection in the absence of virus.

Evidence that DNA-A of a geminivirus associated with severe cassava mosaic disease in Uganda has arisen by interspecific recombination

Geminivirus isolates associated with the epidemic of severe cassava mosaic disease in Uganda were studied and compared with virus isolates from the part of Uganda outside the epidemic area, and with African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) and East African cassava mosaic virus (EACMV). Isolates of a novel type [the Uganda variant (UgV)] were detected in severely affected plants from the epidemic area, whereas those from plants outside the epidemic area were typical of ACMV. The complete nucleotide sequences of DNA-A of UgV (2799 nt) and of a Tanzanian isolate of EACMV (2801 nt) were determined and are extremely similar, except for the coat protein (CP) gene. The CP gene of UgV has three distinct regions: the 5' 219 nt are 99% identical to EACMV (only 79% to ACMV); the following 459 nt are 99% identical to ACMV (75% to EACMV); and the 3' 93 nt are 98% identical to EACMV (76% to ACMV). UgV DNA-A therefore is considered to have arisen by interspecific recombination of EACMV and ACMV. Despite the hybrid nature of their CP, UgV isolates were indistinguishable from ACMV in tests with 20 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), including seven which reacted with ACMV but not EACMV. The discontinuous epitopes detected by these seven MAbs must involve amino acids which lie in the central part of the CP (residues 74-226) and which differ in ACMV and EACMV. UgV isolates were detected in severely mosaic-affected plants from all 11 widely separated locations sampled. The probable role of recombination in geminivirus evolution in the short to medium term is discussed.

Suppression of RNA silencing by a geminivirus nuclear protein, AC2, correlates with transactivation of host genes

Bipartite geminiviruses encode a small protein, AC2, that functions as a transactivator of viral transcription and a suppressor of RNA silencing. A relationship between these two functions had not been investigated before. We characterized both of these functions for AC2 from Mungbean yellow mosaic virus-Vigna (MYMV). When transiently expressed in plant protoplasts, MYMV AC2 strongly transactivated the viral promoter; AC2 was detected in the nucleus, and a split nuclear localization signal (NLS) was mapped. In a model Nicotiana benthamiana plant, in which silencing can be triggered biolistically, AC2 reduced local silencing and prevented its systemic spread. Mutations in the AC2 NLS or Zn finger or deletion of its activator domain abolished both these effects, suggesting that suppression of silencing by AC2 requires transactivation of host suppressor(s). In line with this, in Arabidopsis protoplasts, MYMV AC2 or its homologue from African cassava mosaic geminivirus coactivated >30 components of the plant transcriptome, as detected with Affymetrix ATH1 GeneChips. Several corresponding promoters cloned from Arabidopsis were strongly induced by both AC2 proteins. These results suggest that silencing suppression and transcription activation by AC2 are functionally connected and that some of the AC2-inducible host genes discovered here may code for components of an endogenous network that controls silencing.

Geminivirus AL2 and L2 proteins suppress transcriptional gene silencing and cause genome-wide reductions in cytosine methylation

Geminiviruses replicate single-stranded DNA genomes through double-stranded intermediates that associate with cellular histone proteins. Unlike RNA viruses, they are subject to RNA-directed methylation pathways that target viral chromatin and likely lead to transcriptional gene silencing (TGS). Here we present evidence that the related geminivirus proteins AL2 and L2 are able to suppress this aspect of host defense. AL2 and L2 interact with and inactivate adenosine kinase (ADK), which is required for efficient production of S-adenosyl methionine, an essential methyltransferase cofactor. We demonstrate that the viral proteins can reverse TGS of a green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgene in Nicotiana benthamiana when overexpressed from a Potato virus X vector and that reversal of TGS by geminiviruses requires L2 function. We also show that AL2 and L2 cause ectopic expression of endogenous Arabidopsis thaliana loci silenced by methylation in a manner that correlates with ADK inhibition. However, at one exceptional locus, ADK inhibition was insufficient and TGS reversal required the transcriptional activation domain of AL2. Using restriction-sensitive PCR and bisulfite sequencing, we showed that AL2-mediated TGS suppression is accompanied by reduced cytosine methylation. Finally, using a methylation-sensitive single-nucleotide extension assay, we showed that transgenic expression of AL2 or L2 causes global reduction in cytosine methylation. Our results provide further evidence that viral chromatin methylation is an important host defense and allow us to propose that as a countermeasure, geminivirus proteins reverse TGS by nonspecifically inhibiting cellular transmethylation reactions. To our knowledge, this is the first report that viral proteins can inhibit TGS.

Adenosine kinase inhibition and suppression of RNA silencing by geminivirus AL2 and L2 proteins

Most plant viruses are initiators and targets of RNA silencing and encode proteins that suppress this adaptive host defense. The DNA-containing geminiviruses are no exception, and the AL2 protein (also known as AC2, C2, and transcriptional activator protein) encoded by members of the genus Begomovirus has been shown to act as a silencing suppressor. Here, a three-component, Agrobacterium-mediated transient assay is used to further examine the silencing suppression activity of AL2 from Tomato golden mosaic virus (TGMV, a begomovirus) and to determine if the related L2 protein of Beet curly top virus (BCTV, genus Curtovirus) also has suppression activity. We show that TGMV AL2, AL2(1-100) (lacking the transcriptional activation domain), and BCTV L2 can all suppress RNA silencing directed against a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene when silencing is induced by a construct expressing an inverted repeat GFP RNA (dsGFP). We previously found that these viral proteins interact with and inactivate adenosine kinase (ADK), a cellular enzyme important for adenosine salvage and methyl cycle maintenance. Using the GFP-dsGFP system, we demonstrate here that codelivery of a construct expressing an inverted repeat ADK RNA (dsADK), or addition of an ADK inhibitor (the adenosine analogue A-134974), suppresses GFP-directed silencing in a manner similar to the geminivirus proteins. In addition, AL2/L2 suppression phenotypes and nucleic acid binding properties are shown to be different from those of the RNA virus suppressors HC-Pro and p19. These findings provide strong evidence that ADK activity is required to support RNA silencing, and indicate that the geminivirus proteins suppress silencing by a novel mechanism that involves ADK inhibition. Further, since AL2(1-100) is as effective a suppressor as the full-length AL2 protein, activation and silencing suppression appear to be independent activities.

Geminiviruses subvert ubiquitination by altering CSN-mediated derubylation of SCF E3 ligase complexes and inhibit jasmonate signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana

Viruses must create a suitable cell environment and elude defense mechanisms, which likely involves interactions with host proteins and subsequent interference with or usurpation of cellular machinery. Here, we describe a novel strategy used by plant DNA viruses (Geminiviruses) to redirect ubiquitination by interfering with the activity of the CSN (COP9 signalosome) complex. We show that geminiviral C2 protein interacts with CSN5, and its expression in transgenic plants compromises CSN activity on CUL1. Several responses regulated by the CUL1-based SCF ubiquitin E3 ligases (including responses to jasmonates, auxins, gibberellins, ethylene, and abscisic acid) are altered in these plants. Impairment of SCF function is confirmed by stabilization of yellow fluorescent protein-GAI, a substrate of the SCF(SLY1). Transcriptomic analysis of these transgenic plants highlights the response to jasmonates as the main SCF-dependent process affected by C2. Exogenous jasmonate treatment of Arabidopsis thaliana plants disrupts geminivirus infection, suggesting that the suppression of the jasmonate response might be crucial for infection. Our findings suggest that C2 affects the activity of SCFs, most likely through interference with the CSN. As SCFs are key regulators of many cellular processes, the capability of viruses to selectively interfere with or hijack the activity of these complexes might define a novel and powerful strategy in viral infections.

Adenosine kinase is inactivated by geminivirus AL2 and L2 proteins

AL2 and L2 are related proteins encoded by geminiviruses of the Begomovirus and Curtovirus genera, respectively. Both are pathogenicity determinants that cause enhanced susceptibility when expressed in transgenic plants. To understand how geminiviruses defeat host mechanisms that limit infectivity, we searched for cellular proteins that interact with AL2 and L2. Here, we present evidence that the viral proteins interact with and inactivate adenosine kinase (ADK), a nucleoside kinase that catalyzes the salvage synthesis of 5'-AMP from adenosine and ATP. We show that the AL2 and L2 proteins inactivate ADK in vitro and after coexpression in Escherichia coli and yeast. We also demonstrate that ADK activity is reduced in transgenic plants expressing the viral proteins and in geminivirus-infected plant tissues. By contrast, ADK activity is increased after inoculation of plants with diverse RNA viruses or a geminivirus lacking a functional L2 gene. Consistent with its ability to interact with multiple cellular kinases, we also demonstrate that AL2 is present in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm of infected plant cells. These data indicate that ADK is targeted by viral pathogens and provide evidence that this "housekeeping" enzyme might be a part of host defense responses. In previous work, we showed that AL2 and L2 also interact with and inactivate SNF1 kinase, a global regulator of metabolism that is activated by 5'-AMP. Together, these observations suggest that metabolic alterations mediated by SNF1 are an important component of innate antiviral defenses and that the inactivation of ADK and SNF1 by the geminivirus proteins represents a dual strategy to counter this defense. AL2 proteins also have been shown to act as suppressors of RNA silencing, an adaptive host defense response. A possible relationship between ADK inactivation and silencing suppression is discussed.

A natural recombinant between the geminiviruses Tomato yellow leaf curl Sardinia virus and Tomato yellow leaf curl virus exhibits a novel pathogenic phenotype and is becoming prevalent in Spanish populations

This work provides evidence of the significant contribution of recombination to the genetic diversification of emerging begomovirus populations. In southern Spain, Tomato yellow leaf curl Sardinia virus (TYLCSV) and Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) are distinct geminivirus species that coexist in the field and contribute to the tomato yellow leaf curl disease epidemic. A natural recombinant between TYLCSV and TYLCV has been detected and an infectious clone of a recombinant isolate (ES421/99) was obtained and characterized. Analysis of its genome showed that the recombination sites are located in the intergenic region in which a conserved stem-loop structure occurs and at the 3'-end of the replication enhancer protein open reading frame. ES421/99 exhibited a novel pathogenic phenotype that might provide it with a selective advantage over the parental genotypes. This agrees with results from field studies which revealed that the recombinant strain is becoming prevalent in the region in which it was detected.

Characterization of DNAbeta associated with begomoviruses in China and evidence for co-evolution with their cognate viral DNA-A

Eighteen samples of begomoviruses isolated from tobacco, tomato and weed species in Yunnan, China were found to be associated with DNAbeta molecules, for which the complete nucleotide sequences were found to contain 1333-1355 nt. The 18 DNAbeta molecules identified consist of three main types, each associated with a different begomovirus species: 72-99 % nucleotide identity was found within one type, but only 39-57 % identity was found between types. All the DNAbeta molecules reported here and elsewhere contain a 115 nt conserved region that has 93-100 % identity with a consensus sequence, and have a common ORF encoding 118 amino acids on the complementary strand (designated C1). Co-agroinoculation of the DNA-A component of Tomato yellow leaf curl China virus tobacco isolate Y10, with its associated DNAbeta (Y10beta), shows this DNAbeta to be involved in symptom induction in tobacco and tomato. The in-frame ATG mutation of C1 of Y10beta caused much milder symptoms as compared with wild Y10beta, indicating a functional role for this ORF. Pairwise nucleotide sequence identity comparisons of DNAbeta molecules and their cognate viral DNA-A molecules indicate that DNAbeta molecules have co-evolved with their cognate helper viruses. Recombination between DNAbeta molecules is documented and a DNAbeta species concept is proposed and discussed.

Cassava mosaic geminiviruses: actual knowledge and perspectives

SUMMARY Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) caused by cassava mosaic geminiviruses (CMGs) is one of the most devastating crop diseases and a major constraint for cassava cultivation. CMD has been reported only from the African continent and Indian subcontinent despite the large-scale cultivation of cassava in Latin America and several South-East Asian countries. Seven CMG species have been reported from Africa and two from the Indian subcontinent and, in addition, several strains have been recognized. Recombination and pseudo-recombination between CMGs give rise not only to different strains, but also to members of novel virus species with increased virulence and a new source of biodiversity, causing severe disease epidemics. CMGs are known to trigger gene silencing in plants and, in order to counteract this natural host defence, geminiviruses have evolved suppressor proteins. Temperature and other environmental factors can affect silencing and suppression, and thus modulate the symptoms. In the case of mixed infections of two or more CMGs, there is a possibility for a synergistic interaction as a result of the presence of differential and combinatorial suppressor proteins. In this article, we provide the status of recent research findings with regard to the CMD complex, present the molecular biology knowledge of CMGs with reference to other geminiviruses, and highlight the mechanisms by which CMGs have exploited nature to their advantage.

The geminivirus nuclear shuttle protein is a virulence factor that suppresses transmembrane receptor kinase activity

Despite the large number of leucine-rich-repeat (LRR) receptor-like-kinases (RLKs) in plants and their conceptual relevance in signaling events, functional information is restricted to a few family members. Here we describe the characterization of new LRR-RLK family members as virulence targets of the geminivirus nuclear shuttle protein (NSP). NSP interacts specifically with three LRR-RLKs, NIK1, NIK2, and NIK3, through an 80-amino acid region that encompasses the kinase active site and A-loop. We demonstrate that these NSP-interacting kinases (NIKs) are membrane-localized proteins with biochemical properties of signaling receptors. They behave as authentic kinase proteins that undergo autophosphorylation and can also phosphorylate exogenous substrates. Autophosphorylation occurs via an intermolecular event and oligomerization precedes the activation of the kinase. Binding of NSP to NIK inhibits its kinase activity in vitro, suggesting that NIK is involved in antiviral defense response. In support of this, infectivity assays showed a positive correlation between infection rate and loss of NIK1 and NIK3 function. Our data are consistent with a model in which NSP acts as a virulence factor to suppress NIK-mediated antiviral responses.

Geminivirus disease complexes: the threat is spreading

Symptom-modulating DNA satellites associated with geminiviruses have come to our attention only recently but have proven to be widespread, associated with many diseases throughout the Old World, and economically significant, particularly in developing countries. Recent developments are elucidating the role played by these novel molecules in pathogenicity and in overcoming host plant defense. Further investigation into the promiscuous nature of these satellites and their ability to recruit further begomoviruses indicates that regions not yet affected by such begomovirus-satellite complexes are at great risk.

A GroEL homologue from endosymbiotic bacteria of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci is implicated in the circulative transmission of tomato yellow leaf curl virus

Evidence for the involvement of a Bemisia tabaci GroEL homologue in the transmission of tomato yellow leaf curl geminivirus (TYLCV) is presented. A approximately 63-kDa protein was identified in B. tabaci whole-body extracts using an antiserum raised against aphid Buchnera GroEL. The GroEL homologue was immunolocalized to a coccoid-shaped whitefly endosymbiont. The 30 N-terminal amino acids of the whitefly GroEL homologue showed 80% homology with that from different aphid species and GroEL from Escherichia coli. Purified GroEL from B. tabaci exhibited ultrastructural similarities to that of the endosymbiont from aphids and E. coli. In vitro ligand assays showed that tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) particles displayed a specific affinity for the B. tabaci 63-kDa GroEL homologue. Feeding whiteflies anti-Buchnera GroEL antiserum before the acquisition of virions reduced TYLCV transmission to tomato test plants by >80%. In the haemolymph of these whiteflies, TYLCV DNA was reduced to amounts below the threshold of detection by Southern blot hybridization. Active antibodies were recovered from the insect haemolymph suggesting that by complexing the GoEL homologue, the antibody disturbed interaction with TYLCV, leading to degradation of the virus. We propose that GroEL of B. tabaci protects the virus from destruction during its passage through the haemolymph.

A single complementary-sense transcript of a geminiviral DNA beta satellite is determinant of pathogenicity

Small circular single-stranded DNA satellites, termed DNAbeta, have recently been found associated with some geminivirus infections. The DNA beta associated with Cotton leaf curl virus is responsible for symptom expression of a devastating disease in Pakistan. Mutagenesis of DNA beta revealed that the complementary-sense open reading frame (ORF) betaC1 is required for inducing disease symptoms in Nicotiana tabacum. An ORF present on the virion-sense strand betaV1 appeared to have no role in pathogenesis. Tobacco plants transformed with a betaC1 ORF under the control of the Cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter or with a dimeric DNA beta exhibited severe disease-like phenotypes, while plants transformed with a mutated version of betaC1 appeared normal. Northern blot analysis of RNA from the transgenic plants, using strand-specific probes, identified a single complementary-sense transcript. The transcript carries the full betaC1 ORF encoding a 118-amino acid product. It maps to the DNA beta at nucleotide position 186 to 563 and contains a polyadenylation signal 18 nt upstream of the stop codon. A TATA box is located 43 nt upstream of the start codon. Our results indicate that betaC1 protein is responsible for DNA beta-induced disease symptoms.

Tomato leaf curl geminivirus from India has a bipartite genome and coat protein is not essential for infectivity

Genomes of two isolates of tomato leaf curl geminivirus from India (ToLCV-India) have been sequenced. ToLCV-India contains A and B components, both of which are required for systemic movement and symptom development. The two isolates have 94% sequence identify but one isolate gave mild symptoms in Nicotiana benthamiana and tomato. The genome organization of ToLCV-India is similar to other whitefly-transmitted geminiviruses (WTGs) with bipartite genomes. However, it contains an additional ORF, AV3, that has not been reported for other WTGs. Its coat protein (CP) sequence is highly homologous to that of Indian cassava mosaic virus (90%). Two mutations that truncated the CP after amino acids 65 or 172 did not affect systemic movement and symptom development in either N. benthamiana or tomato. However, the symptoms caused by mutant viruses were different from those in plants infected with unmodified viruses, and plants infected with the mutants had markedly reduced amounts of single-stranded viral DNA. Comparison of sequences and other biological features of ToLCV-India with other geminiviruses showed that ToLCV-India is a distinct virus and is related to the WTGs from the Old World. It is similar to African cassava mosaic virus in its requirement for B component and dispensability of coat protein for symptom development, unlike other geminiviruses that infect tomato in the Old World. It is proposed that ToLCV-India evolved more recently as compared to other geminiviruses that infect tomato in the Old World.

A nanovirus-like DNA component associated with yellow vein disease of Ageratum conyzoides: evidence for interfamilial recombination between plant DNA viruses

Yellow vein disease of Ageratum conyzoides, a weed species that is widely distributed throughout Asia, has been attributed to infection by the geminivirus Ageratum yellow vein virus (AYVV). In addition to a single AYVV genomic component (DNA A), we have previously demonstrated that infected plants contain chimeric defective viral components, comprising DNA A and nongeminiviral sequences, that act as defective interfering DNAs. A database search has revealed that the nongeminiviral sequences of one such defective component (def19) show significant homology with sequences of nanovirus components that encode replication-associated proteins (Reps). Primers designed to hybridise to the nongeminiviral DNA were used to PCR-amplify a full-length nanovirus-like component, referred to as DNA 1, from an extract of infected A. conyzoides. DNA 1 is unrelated to AYVV DNA A but resembles nanovirus components that encode Reps and is most closely related (73% identity) to a nanovirus-like DNA recently isolated from geminivirus-infected cotton. DNA 1 is dependent on AYVV DNA A for systemic infection of A. conyzoides and Nicotiana benthamiana and can systemically infect N. benthamiana in the presence of the bipartite geminivirus African cassava mosaic virus. A. conyzoides plants coinfected with AYVV DNA A and DNA 1 remain asymptomatic, indicating that additional factors are required to elicit yellow vein disease. Our results provide direct evidence for recombination between distinct families of plant single-stranded DNA viruses and suggest that coinfection by geminivirus and nanovirus-like pathogens may be a widespread phenomenon. The ability of plant DNA viruses to recombine in this way may greatly increase their scope for diversification.

Tomato SlSnRK1 protein interacts with and phosphorylates βC1, a pathogenesis protein encoded by a geminivirus β-satellite

The βC1 protein of tomato yellow leaf curl China β-satellite functions as a pathogenicity determinant. To better understand the molecular basis of βC1 in pathogenicity, a yeast two-hybrid screen of a tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) cDNA library was carried out using βC1 as bait. βC1 interacted with a tomato SUCROSE-NONFERMENTING1-related kinase designated as SlSnRK1. Their interaction was confirmed using a bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay in Nicotiana benthamiana cells. Plants overexpressing SnRK1 were delayed for symptom appearance and contained lower levels of viral and satellite DNA, while plants silenced for SnRK1 expression developed symptoms earlier and accumulated higher levels of viral DNA. In vitro kinase assays showed that βC1 is phosphorylated by SlSnRK1 mainly on serine at position 33 and threonine at position 78. Plants infected with βC1 mutants containing phosphorylation-mimic aspartate residues in place of serine-33 and/or threonine-78 displayed delayed and attenuated symptoms and accumulated lower levels of viral DNA, while plants infected with phosphorylation-negative alanine mutants contained higher levels of viral DNA. These results suggested that the SlSnRK1 protein attenuates geminivirus infection by interacting with and phosphorylating the βC1 protein.

Genetic analysis of the monopartite tomato yellow leaf curl geminivirus: roles of V1, V2, and C2 ORFs in viral pathogenesis

Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) is a whitefly-transmitted geminivirus with a monopartite genome. We have investigated the functions of the V1, V2, and C2 ORFs by mutational analysis. We analyzed the ability of TYLCV mutants containing disrupted ORFs V1, V2, or C2 to replicate, spread, and cause symptoms in Nicotiana benthamiana and tomato plants. All the mutants retained the capability of autonomous replication in protoplast-derived cells of tomato and leaf discs of N. benthamiana, although both V1 and V2 gene products appeared to play a role in the accumulation of viral single-stranded DNA. In contrast, none of the mutants was able to systemically infect tomato plants, demonstrating that the V1, V2, and C2 gene products are all required for a successful infection process in this host. The effect of the mutation in ORF C2 appeared to be host-specific, since N. benthamiana plants were systemically infected, although symptom development was attenuated.

Amino acids in the capsid protein of tomato yellow leaf curl virus that are crucial for systemic infection, particle formation, and insect transmission

A functional capsid protein (CP) is essential for host plant infection and insect transmission in monopartite geminiviruses. We studied two defective genomic DNAs of tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), Sic and SicRcv. Sic, cloned from a field-infected tomato, was not infectious, whereas SicRcv, which spontaneously originated from Sic, was infectious but not whitefly transmissible. A single amino acid change in the CP was found to be responsible for restoring infectivity. When the amino acid sequences of the CPs of Sic and SicRcv were compared with that of a closely related wild-type virus (TYLCV-Sar), differences were found in the following positions: 129 (P in Sic and SicRcv, Q in Sar), 134 (Q in Sic and Sar, H in SicRcv) and 152 (E in Sic and SicRcv, D in Sar). We constructed TYLCV-Sar variants containing the eight possible amino acid combinations in those three positions and tested them for infectivity and transmissibility. QQD, QQE, QHD, and QHE had a wild-type phenotype, whereas PHD and PHE were infectious but nontransmissible. PQD and PQE mutants were not infectious; however, they replicated and accumulated CP, but not virions, in Nicotiana benthamiana leaf discs. The Q129P replacement is a nonconservative change, which may drastically alter the secondary structure of the CP and affect its ability to form the capsid. The additional Q134H change, however, appeared to compensate for the structural modification. Sequence comparisons among whitefly-transmitted geminiviruses in terms of the CP region studied showed that combinations other than QQD are present in several cases, but never with a P129.

RKP, a RING finger E3 ligase induced by BSCTV C4 protein, affects geminivirus infection by regulation of the plant cell cycle

The C4 protein from Curtovirus is known as a major symptom determinant, but the mode of action of the C4 protein remains unclear. To understand the mechanism of involvement of C4 protein in virus-plant interactions, we introduced the C4 gene from Beet severe curly top virus (BSCTV) into Arabidopsis under a conditional expression promoter; the resulting overexpression of BSCTV C4 led to abnormal host cell division. RKP, a RING finger protein, which is a homolog of the human cell cycle regulator KPC1, was discovered to be induced by BSCTV C4 protein. Mutation of RKP reduced the susceptibility to BSCTV in Arabidopsis and impaired BSCTV replication in plant cells. Callus formation is impaired in rkp mutants, indicating a role of RKP in the plant cell cycle. RKP was demonstrated to be a functional ubiquitin E3 ligase and is able to interact with cell-cycle inhibitor ICK/KRP proteins in vitro. Accumulation of the protein ICK2/KRP2 was found increased in the rkp mutant. The above results strengthen the possibility that RKP might regulate the degradation of ICK/KRP proteins. In addition, the protein level of ICK2/KRP2 was decreased upon BSCTV infection. Overexpression of ICK1/KRP1 in Arabidopsis could reduce the susceptibility to BSCTV. In conclusion, we found that RKP is induced by BSCTV C4 and may affect BSCTV infection by regulating the host cell cycle.

Increased pathogenicity in a pseudorecombinant bipartite geminivirus correlates with intermolecular recombination

Most whitefly-transmitted geminiviruses possess bipartite DNA genomes, and this feature may facilitate viral evolution through pseudorecombination and/or recombination. To test this hypothesis, the DNA-A and DNA-B components of the geminiviruses bean dwarf mosaic virus (BDMV) and tomato mottle virus (ToMoV) were exchanged, and the resultant pseudorecombinants were serially passaged through plants. Both pseudorecombinants were infectious in Nicotiana benthamiana but induced attenuated symptoms and had reduced DNA-B levels. Serial passage experiments revealed that the BDMV DNA-A plus ToMoV DNA-B pseudorecombinant could not be maintained beyond three passages. In contrast, the ToMoV DNA-A plus BDMV DNA-B pseudorecombinant was maintained during serial passage through N. benthamiana and Phaseolus vulgaris and, after three to five passages, became highly pathogenic. Furthermore, the increased pathogenicity of this pseudorecombinant was consistently associated with an increased level of DNA-B, which eventuated in equivalent levels of both components. Sequence analysis of the DNA-B component of the more pathogenic pseudorecombinant revealed that intermolecular recombination had taken place in which most of the BDMV DNA-B common region was replaced with the ToMoV DNA-A common region. This recombinant DNA-B component, which contained the ToMoV origin of replication, was the predominant DNA-B component associated with the more pathogenic pseudorecombinant. These results provide the first demonstration of recombination between distinct bipartite geminiviruses and establish that the bipartite genome can facilitate viral evolution through pseudorecombination and intermolecular recombination.

ORF C4 of tomato leaf curl geminivirus is a determinant of symptom severity

A tomato leaf curl virus (TLCV) mutant has been constructed in vitro that contains T-to-C replacements at nucleotides 2457 and 2463 within the C4 open reading frame (ORF). The mutations destroy the two possible initiator AUG codons for the C4 ORF without disrupting the coding capacity of the C1 ORF which entirely overlaps the C4 ORF. Agroinoculation of the C4 mutant TLCV into three alternative experimental hosts for the virus (Datura stramonium, Lycopersicon esculentum, and Nicotiana tabacum) gives rise to infections which show dramatically reduced symptoms when compared to a wild-type infection, while retaining wild-type levels of all viral DNA species. In most cases the mutations were stably inherited by progeny virus. However, a single tomato plant inoculated with the mutant developed phenotypically wild-type symptoms and was subsequently shown to contain progeny virus in which the mutation at position 2457 had reverted to wild-type sequence, indicating that this AUG may be the site of initiation of translation of the C4 product in the wild-type virus. The results suggest that the C4 ORF encodes a polypeptide which is not required by TLCV to replicate or to spread through the host plant, but is involved in symptom development.

Interaction between a geminivirus replication protein and the plant sumoylation system

Geminiviruses are small DNA viruses that replicate in nuclei of infected plant cells after accumulation of host replication machinery. Tomato golden mosaic virus (TGMV) and Tomato yellow leaf curl Sardinia virus (TYLCSV) encode a protein, RepAC1 (or Rep), that is essential for viral replication. Rep/RepAC1 is an oligomeric protein that binds to double-stranded DNA, catalyzes cleavage and ligation of single-stranded DNA, and is sufficient for host induction. It also interacts with several host proteins, including the cell cycle regulator, retinoblastoma, and essential components of the cell DNA replication machinery, like proliferating nuclear cell antigen (PCNA) and RFC-1. To identify other cellular proteins that interact with Rep/RepAC1 protein, a Nicotiana benthamiana cDNA library was screened with a yeast two-hybrid assay. The host cell sumoylation enzyme, NbSCE1 (N. benthamiana SUMO-conjugating enzyme, homolog to Saccharomyces cerevisiae UBC9), was found to interact specifically with RepAC1. Mapping studies localized the interaction to the N-terminal half of RepAC1. Effects on geminivirus replication were observed in transgenic plants with altered levels of SUMO, the substrate for UBC9.