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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Subtropical Insects and Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #151485
Title: BEGOMOVIRUS REPLICATION IN BEMISIA TABACI

Author
item McKenzie, Cindy
item SINISTERRA, XIOMARA - UNIV. OF FLORIDA
item Hunter, Wayne
item Shatters, Robert - Bob

Submitted to: Florida Entomological Society Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/17/2003
Publication Date: 7/25/2003
Citation: Mckenzie, C.L., Sinisterra, X., Hunter, W.B., Shatters, R.G. 2003. Begomovirus replication in bemisia tabaci. Florida Entomological Society Annual Meeting.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Begomoviruses have a complex association with their whitefly (WF) vector. Aspects concerning virus molecular activity (genome replication and gene transcription) in the WF remain highly controversial. In order to address this controversy, we quantified selected gene transcripts of Tomato mottle virus (ToMoV) and Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) in WF after feeding on virus infected tomato plants and after subsequent transfer to, and feeding on, cotton (virus nonhost). Real time rt-PCR was performed using specific primers for 3 ToMoV and 3 TYLCV genes. The ToMoV gene transcripts were detected in WF collected directly from infected tomato plants, but not from WF collected 4 or 7 days after feeding on cotton. On the other, TYLCV transcripts were detected in WF collected directly from infected plants, and in WF that were transferred and allowed to feed on cotton for up to 7 days. Real time PCR analysis showed ToMoV DNA concentration in viruliferous WF decreased rapidly following 4 and 7 days of feeding on cotton, while TYLCV DNA concentration remained constant over time. Our results indicate that only the TYLCV genome is transcriptionally active in the WF host signifying very different virus-vector interactions between these two begomoviruses.