Rhizomania: Hide and Seek of Polymyxa betae and the Beet Necrotic Yellow Vein Virus with Beta vulgaris.

The molecular interactions between Polymyxa betae, the protist vector of sugar beet viruses, beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV), the causal agent of rhizomania, and Beta vulgaris have not been extensively studied. Here, the transmission of BNYVV to sugar beet by P. betae zoospores was optimized using genetically characterized organisms. Molecular interactions of aviruliferous and viruliferous protist infection on sugar beet were highlighted by transcriptomic analysis. P. betae alone induced limited gene expression changes in sugar beet, as a biotrophic asymptomatic parasite. Most differentially expressed plant genes were down-regulated and included resistance gene analogs and cell wall peroxidases. Several enzymes involved in stress regulation, such as the glutathione-S-transferases, were significantly induced. With BNYVV, the first stages of the P. betae life cycle on sugar beet were accelerated with a faster increase of relative protist DNA level and an earlier appearance of sporangia and sporosori in plants roots. A clear activation of plant defenses and the modulation of genes involved in plant cell wall metabolism were observed. The P. betae transcriptome in the presence of BNYVV revealed induction of genes possibly involved in the switch to the survival stage. The interactions were different depending on the presence or absence of the virus. P. betae alone alleviates plant defense response, playing hide-and-seek with sugar beet and allowing for their mutual development. Conversely, BNYVV manipulates plant defense and promotes the rapid invasion of plant roots by P. betae. This accelerated colonization is accompanied by the development of thick-walled resting spores, supporting the virus survival. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

[Hit two birds with one stone: the multiple properties of (viral) RNA silencing suppressors]. / D'une pierre deux coups : les multiples caractéristiques des suppresseurs (viraux) de l'interférence par l'ARN.

In any organism, gene expression regulation is provided by multiple factors to maintain a harmonious development of individuals. Discovered in the late 1990s, RNA interference (RNAi) completely remodelled the way in which gene expression regulations were initially apprehended. RNAi provides fine regulation at the cellular level and allows organisms to control their development, maintain their genomic integrity and fight against different stresses like viral infection. Exogenous or endogenous double-stranded RNAs initiate RNAi and are recognized and cleaved by Dicer protein in about 20 nucleotide duplexes small RNAs (sRNAs). One strand of the duplex is loaded into a ribonucleoproteic complex, named RISC (RNA-induced silencing complex), composed of at least one ARGONAUTE protein and a sRNA. Therefore, the expression of any RNA possessing the complementary siRNA sequence of the small RNA will be specifically silenced either at the transcriptional or post-transcriptional level. RNAi plays a prominent role in the defence against viral infection and the last two decades of research have refined our knowledge of proteins involved in this pathway. Many viruses counteract the antiviral action of RNAi through the expression of factors (viral suppressor of RNA silencing [VSR]) that were first identified on virally infected plants. However, in mammals, the antiviral role of RNAi remains controversial. Indeed, viral infections are controlled by the interferon response and the antiviral action of RNAi has not been clearly demonstrated in vivo. In this review, the main modes of defence suppression used by VSR and endogenous RNAi suppressors will be presented. Finally, the role of viral non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) acting as suppressors of RNAi will be discussed.

Hit two birds with one stone: the multiple properties of (viral) RNA silencing suppressors.

In any organism, gene expression regulation is provided by multiple factors to maintain a harmonious development of individuals. Discovered in the late 1990s, RNA interference (RNAi) completely remodelled the way in which gene expression regulations were initially apprehended. RNAi provides fine regulation at the cellular level and allows organisms to control their development, maintain their genomic integrity and fight against different stresses like viral infection. Exogenous or endogenous double-stranded RNAs initiate RNAi and are recognized and cleaved by Dicer protein in about twenty nucleotide duplexes small RNAs (sRNAs). One strand of the duplex is loaded into a ribonucleoproteic complex, named RISC (RNA induced silencing complex), composed of at least one ARGONAUTE protein and a sRNA. Therefore, the expression of any RNA possessing the complementary siRNA sequence will be specifically silenced either at the transcriptional or post-transcriptional level. RNAi plays a prominent role in the defence against viral infection and the last two decades of research have refined our knowledge of proteins involved in this pathway. Many viruses counteract the antiviral action of RNAi through the expression of factors (VSR, Viral suppressor of RNA silencing) that were first identified on virally infected plants. However, in mammals the antiviral role of RNAi remains controversial. Indeed, viral infections are controlled by the interferon response and the antiviral action of RNAi has not been clearly demonstrated in vivo. In this review, the main modes of defence suppression used by VSR and endogenous RNAi suppressors will be presented. Finally, the role of viral non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) acting as suppressors of RNAi will be discussed.

[17th plant virology meeting report]. / Compte rendu des 17es Rencontres de virologie végétale.

RVV Plant virology meeting (January 27-31, 2019, Aussois, France) allows researchers, engineers, technicians, students and post-docs to exchange around oral and poster presentations. These convivial meetings are 30 years old and have a nice future.

Long-distance movement of helical multipartite phytoviruses: keep connected or die?

All living organisms have to preserve genome integrity to ensure the survival of progeny generations. Viruses, though often regarded as 'non living', protect their nucleic acids from biotic and abiotic stresses, ranging from nuclease action to radiation-induced adducts. When the viral genome is split into multiple segments, preservation of at least one copy of each segment is required. While segmented and monopartite viruses use an all-in-one strategy, multipartite viruses have to address in the cell at least one of each viral particle in which the split positive stranded RNA genome is individually packaged. Here, we review and discuss the biology of multipartite helical RNA phytoviruses to outline our current hypothesis on a coordinated genomic RNA network RNP complex that preserves an all-in-one strategy and genome integrity.

Massive up-regulation of LBD transcription factors and EXPANSINs highlights the regulatory programs of rhizomania disease.

Rhizomania of sugar beet, caused by Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV), is characterized by excessive lateral root (LR) formation leading to dramatic reduction of taproot weight and massive yield losses. LR formation represents a developmental process tightly controlled by auxin signaling through AUX/IAA-ARF responsive module and LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES DOMAIN (LBD) transcriptional network. Several LBD transcription factors play central roles in auxin-regulated LR development and act upstream of EXPANSINS (EXPs), cell wall (CW)-loosening proteins involved in plant development via disruption of the extracellular matrix for CW relaxation and expansion. Here, we present evidence that BNYVV hijacks these auxin-regulated pathways resulting in formation LR and root hairs (RH). We identified an AUX/IAA protein (BvAUX28) as interacting with P25, a viral virulence factor. Mutational analysis indicated that P25 interacts with domains I and II of BvAUX28. Subcellular localization of co-expressed P25 and BvAUX28 showed that P25 inhibits BvAUX28 nuclear localization. Moreover, root-specific LBDs and EXPs were greatly upregulated during rhizomania development. Based on these data, we present a model in which BNYVV P25 protein mimics action of auxin by removing BvAUX28 transcriptional repressor, leading to activation of LBDs and EXPs. Thus, the evidence highlights two pathways operating in parallel and leading to uncontrolled formation of LRs and RHs, the main manifestation of the rhizomania syndrome.

Beet Necrotic Yellow Vein Virus Noncoding RNA Production Depends on a 5'→3' Xrn Exoribonuclease Activity.

The RNA3 species of the beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV), a multipartite positive-stranded RNA phytovirus, contains the 'core' nucleotide sequence required for its systemic movement in Beta macrocarpa. Within this 'core' sequence resides a conserved "coremin" motif of 20 nucleotides that is absolutely essential for long-distance movement. RNA3 undergoes processing steps to yield a noncoding RNA3 (ncRNA3) possessing "coremin" at its 5' end, a mandatory element for ncRNA3 accumulation. Expression of wild-type (wt) or mutated RNA3 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae allows for the accumulation of ncRNA3 species. Screening of S.cerevisiae ribonuclease mutants identified the 5'-to-3' exoribonuclease Xrn1 as a key enzyme in RNA3 processing that was recapitulated both in vitro and in insect cell extracts. Xrn1 stalled on ncRNA3-containing RNA substrates in these decay assays in a similar fashion as the flavivirus Xrn1-resistant structure (sfRNA). Substitution of the BNYVV-RNA3 'core' sequence by the sfRNA sequence led to the accumulation of an ncRNA species in yeast in vitro but not in planta and no viral long distance occurred. Interestingly, XRN4 knockdown reduced BNYVV RNA accumulation suggesting a dual role for the ribonuclease in the viral cycle.

Biological properties of Beet soil-borne mosaic virus and Beet necrotic yellow vein virus cDNA clones produced by isothermal in vitro recombination: Insights for reassortant appearance.

Two members of the Benyviridae family and genus Benyvirus, Beet soil-borne mosaic virus (BSBMV) and Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV), possess identical genome organization, host range and high sequence similarity; they infect Beta vulgaris with variable symptom expression. In the US, mixed infections are described with limited information about viral interactions. Vectors suitable for agroinoculation of all genome components of both viruses were constructed by isothermal in vitro recombination. All 35S promoter-driven cDNA clones allowed production of recombinant viruses competent for Nicotiana benthamiana and Beta macrocarpa systemic infection and Polymyxa betae transmission and were compared to available BNYVV B-type clone. BNYVV and BSBMV RNA1 + 2 reassortants were viable and spread long-distance in N. benthamiana with symptoms dependent on the BNYVV type. Small genomic RNAs were exchangeable and systemically infected B. macrocarpa. These infectious clones represent a powerful tool for the identification of specific molecular host-pathogen determinants.

ICTV Virus Taxonomy Profile: Virgaviridae.

The family Virgaviridae is a family of plant viruses with rod-shaped virions, a ssRNA genome with a 3'-terminal tRNA-like structure and a replication protein typical of alpha-like viruses. Differences in the number of genome components, genome organization and the mode of transmission provide the basis for genus demarcation. Tobacco mosaic virus (genus Tobamovirus) was the first virus to be discovered (in 1886); it is present in high concentrations in infected plants, is extremely stable and has been extensively studied. This is a summary of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) Report on the taxonomy of the Virgaviridae, which is available at www.ictv.global/report/virgaviridae.

ICTV Virus Taxonomy Profile: Benyviridae.

The Benyviridae is a family of multipartite plant viruses with rod-shaped virions. Genomes are segmented and comprised of single-stranded, positive-sense RNAs, each with a 5' m7G cap. Unlike rod-shaped viruses classified in the Virgaviridae family, the genome segments have a 3' polyA tract and there is post-translational cleavage of the viral replicase. The better-known members are transmitted by root-infecting vectors in the Plasmodiphorales family, once described as fungi but now classified as Cercozoa. The family has a single genus. This is a summary of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) Report on the taxonomy of Benyviridae, which is available at www.ictv.global/report/benyviridae.