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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lincoln, Nebraska » Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #408857
Research Project: Identification, Characterization, and Utilization of Priority Traits for the Genetic Improvement of Winter Wheat and Barley Germplasm Adapted to the Great Plains

Location: Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research

Title: Differential regulation of miRNAs involved in the susceptible and resistance responses of wheat cultivars to wheat streak mosaic virus and Triticum mosaic virus

Author
item SOYLU, INANC - University Of Nebraska
item Tatineni, Satyanarayana - Ts
item Lakshman, Dilip
item GALVEZ, LENY - University Of Nebraska
item MITRA, AMITAVA - University Of Nebraska

Submitted to: BMC Genomics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/15/2024
Publication Date: 2/28/2024
Citation: Soylu, I., Tatineni, S., Lakshman, D.K., Galvez, L., Mitra, A. 2024. Differential regulation of miRNAs involved in the susceptible and resistance responses of wheat cultivars to wheat streak mosaic virus and Triticum mosaic virus. BMC Genomics. 25:221. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-024-10128-1.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-024-10128-1

Interpretive Summary: Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) and Triticum mosaic virus (TriMV) cause wheat streak mosaic disease, the most economically significant wheat viral disease in the Great Plains region. Wheat curl mites commonly transmit WSMV and TriMV in growers' fields, leading to simultaneous infection of wheat by both viruses. The combined effects of these two viruses lead to exacerbated yield losses. Plant viruses rely primarily on the plant cell for disease development and to complete their life cycle. Identifying critical plant factors and understanding their role in disease development could lead to developing resistance to viruses in crops. Plants produce microRNAs to regulate plant growth, development, and environmental responses. In this study, we examined the wheat microRNAs in two wheat cultivars infected with WSMV, TriMV, or both at 27°C and 18°C. There were differences in wheat microRNAs in response to temperature and viral infection; the microRNAs were predicted to affect the wheat genes involved in defense responses and cellular regulation. This study may lead to the development of dual virus-resistant wheat by manipulating plant components targeted by these microRNAs that result from the infection of both viruses.

Technical Abstract: Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) and Triticum mosaic virus (TriMV) are components of the wheat streak mosaic virus disease complex in the Great Plains region of the U.S.A. and elsewhere. Co-infection of wheat with WSMV and TriMV causes synergistic interaction with more severe disease symptoms compared to single infections. Plants are equipped with multiple antiviral mechanisms, of which regulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) is a potentially effective constituent. In this investigation, we have analyzed the total and relative expression of miRNA transcriptome in two wheat cultivars, Arapahoe (susceptible) and Mace (temperature-sensitive-resistant), that were mock-inoculated or inoculated with WSMV, TriMV, or both at 18 °C and 27 °C.