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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #413221
Research Project: Integrated Crop Disease Mitigation through Improved Understanding of Relationships between Genetics, Environment, and Management

Location: Soil Dynamics Research

Title: Characterization of the proteins encoded by a recently emerged cotton-infecting Polerovirus

Author
item AKINYUWA, MARY - Auburn University
item PRICE, BAILEE - Auburn University
item KANG, SUNG-HWAN - Auburn University

Submitted to: Virus Genes
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/6/2024
Publication Date: 6/21/2024
Citation: Akinyuwa, M., Price, B., Kang, S. 2024. Characterization of the proteins encoded by a recently emerged cotton-infecting Polerovirus. Virus Genes. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11262-024-02086-3.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11262-024-02086-3

Interpretive Summary: Cotton leafroll dwarf virus (CLRDV) causes one of the major diseases of cotton. Although CLRDV presents a potential threat to economically significant cotton crops, research and understanding into the functions of CLRDV-encoded proteins have been limited, with the exception of the P0 protein, a viral suppressor of RNA silencing, which plays a role in the counter-mechanism against the plant defense system. However, a more comprehensive investigation into CLRDV-encoded proteins is warranted to better understand their pathogenicity and facilitate successful pest management for cotton disease in the future. As an initial step toward this goal, collaborators from Auburn Univ. of a ARS cotton disease project in Auburn, AL investigated the molecular and cellular characteristics of five proteins produced by CLRDV. Using three different clones containing individual CLRDV ORFs, we conducted experiments to assess hypersensitive response (HR)-like lesion elicitation, intracellular localization, and protein-protein interactions among CLRDV-encoded proteins. Results from this study could pave the way for the development of effective strategies aimed at protecting hosts from virus infections, thereby promoting sustainable CLRDV management in cotton crops.

Technical Abstract: Cotton leafroll dwarf virus (CLRDV), a significant viral pathogen affecting cotton crops, has recently been identified in the United States. CLRDV encodes several proteins that are commonly produced by other members of the genus Polerovirus. In this study, each protein encoded by CLRDV was expressed and analyzed for its intracellular localization using fluorescence protein fusion, investigated for protein-protein interactions via yeast two-hybrid assays, and evaluated for plant responses including hypersensitive response-like necrosis and the generation of reactive oxygen species. Overall, the proteins encoded by CLRDV exhibited comparable localization patterns and protein-protein interactions, as well as triggering similar robust plant responses as observed in cognate protein from other viruses within the genus Polerovirus.