The α-tubulin of Laodelphax striatellus mediates the passage of rice stripe virus (RSV) and enhances horizontal transmission

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008710
• Publication Date: 2020-08-20T17:24:13Z
• Authors: Yao Li; Danyu Chen; Jia Hu; Kun Zhang; Lin Kang; Yan Chen; Lijun Huang; Lu Zhang; Yin Xiang; Qisheng Song; Fang Liu
• Keywords: Brown planthopper; Horizontal transmission; RNA Silencing; NS3

Rice stripe virus (RSV, genus Tenuivirus, family Phenuiviridae) is the causal agent of rice disease transmitted by small brown planthopper (SBPH, Laodelphax striatellus) in a persistent propagative manner. The midgut and salivary glands SBPH are first last barriers to viral circulation transmission processes, respectively; however, precise mechanisms used RSV cross these organs transmit plants have not been fully elucidated. We obtained full-length cDNA sequence L. striatellus α-tubulin 2 (LsTUB) found that infection increased level LsTUB vivo. Furthermore, was shown co-localize with nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) vivo bound NS3 at positions 74–76 80–82 vitro. Transient gene silencing expression caused significant reduction detectable loads levels, but had no effect on suppressor activity replication insect cells. However, suppression attenuated spread bodies SBPHs decreased rates plants. Electrical penetration graphs (EPG) showed knockdown RNAi did impact feeding; therefore, likely decrease inside planthopper. These findings suggest mediates passage through leads successful horizontal transmission.