Discovery of novel whitefly vector proteins that interact with a virus capsid component mediating virion retention and transmission.

Specificity and efficiency of plant virus transmission depend largely on protein-protein interactions of vectors and viruses. Cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus (CCYV), transmitted specifically by tobacco whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, in a semi-persistent manner, has caused serious damage on cucurbit and vegetable crops around the world. However, the molecular mechanism of interaction during CCYV retention and transmission are still lacking. CCYV was proven to bind particularly to the whitefly foregut, and here, we confirmed that the minor coat protein (CPm) of CCYV is participated in the interaction with the vector. In order to identify proteins of B. tabaci that interact directly with CPm of CCYV, the immunoprecipitation (IP) assay and DUALmembrane cDNA library screening technology were applied. The cytochrome c oxidase subunit 5A (COX), tubulin beta chain (TUB) and keratin, type I cytoskeletal 9-like (KRT) of B. tabaci shown strong interactions with CPm and are closely associated with the retention within the vector and transmission of CCYV. These findings on whitefly protein-CCYV CPm interactions are crucial for a much better understanding the mechanism of semi-persistent plant virus transmission by insect vectors, as well as for implement new strategies for effective management of plant viruses and their vector insects.

The Mitogenome of Aleuroclava Psidii (Singh, 1931) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and Increased Number of Mitochondrial Gene Rearrangements in Whiteflies.

BACKGROUND: In this study, the entire mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Aleuroclava psidii (Singh, 1931) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) was sequenced. The species A. psidii is currently classified in the subfamily Aleyrodinae. This mitogenome is the first representative from the genus Aleuroclava. METHODS: Next-generation sequencing was used to obtain the molecular data. We conducted phylogenetic analyses with 18 existing mitogenomes of whiteflies and three outgroups of psyllids, under the Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference criteria. RESULTS: The arrangement of genes differed between the mitogenome of A. psidii and the putative ancestral insect mitogenome, and also differed from the mitogenomes of other whiteflies. Mitochondrial gene rearrangements involved the transpositions of trnQ, trnY, and the protein-coding gene nad1. Most hemipteran mitogenomes have the same mitochondrial gene order as that inferred to be ancestral for insects. However, there are an increased number of gene rearrangements in the mitogenomes of whiteflies. Phylogenetic reconstructions supported Aleurodicinae and Aleyrodinae as being monophyletic. CONCLUSIONS: Comparison of the gene order of mitogenomes revealed a clade-specific evolutionary trend in whiteflies. This study demonstrates the potential of using structural rearrangements to resolve major phylogenetic relationships within Aleyrodidae.