Suppressors of RNA Silencing Encoded by the Components of the Cotton Leaf Curl Begomovirus-BetaSatellite Complex

• DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-01-11-0001
• Publication Date: 2011-07-13T15:36:59Z
• Authors: Imran Amin; Khadim Hussain; Rashid Akbergenov; Jitender S. Yadav; Javaria Qazi; Shahid Mansoor; Thomas Hohn; Claude M. Fauquet; Rob W. Briddon
• Keywords: Leaf curl; RNA Silencing

Begomoviruses (family Geminiviridae) are single-stranded DNA viruses transmitted by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci. Many economically important diseases in crops caused begomoviruses, particularly tropical and subtropical environments. These include betasatellite-associated begomoviruses causing cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD) that causes significant losses to a mainstay of economy Pakistan, cotton. RNA interference (RNAi) or gene silencing is natural defense response plants against invading viruses. In counter-defense, encode suppressors allow them effectively invade plants. Here, we have analyzed ability begomovirus Cotton Multan virus (CLCuMV) its associated betasatellite, β-satellite (CLCuMB) which, together, cause CLCuD, nonessential alphasatellite (Cotton [CLCuMA]) for their suppress Nicotiana benthamiana. The results showed CLCuMV itself was unable efficiently block silencing. However, presence entirely suppressed. Silencing not affected any way when infections included CLCuMA, although was, first time, shown be target silencing, inducing production planta specific small interfering RNAs, effectors Subsequently, using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assay Northern blot analysis, all proteins encoded CLCuMB were assessed RNAi relative strengths suppression activity compared. analysis V2, C2, C4, βC1 exhibited suppressor activity, with V2 showing strongest activity. addition, examined bind distinct specificities. Although each these has, other betasatellites, been previously this time geminiviruses (or begomovirus-betasatellite complex) also which four separate identified.