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Plant rhabdoviruses
M G Redinbaugh1, S A Hogenhout
1Department of Plant Pathology, ARS Corn and Soybean Research, Wooster, OH 44691, USA. redinbaugh.2@osu.edu
Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology
|June 29, 2005
Summary
Plant rhabdoviruses possess unique genome structures and replicate in both insects and plants. Recent research highlights their complex gene composition and nuclear replication, offering insights into plant virus infection and transmission.
Area of Science:
- Plant Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Insect-borne Diseases
Background:
- Plant rhabdoviruses are significant pathogens transmitted by various insect vectors.
- They infect both plant and insect hosts, replicating within both.
- Two main genera, Nucleorhabdovirus and Cytorhabdovirus, are distinguished by their replication sites.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of plant rhabdovirus biology.
- To focus on recent research and unique aspects of their structure, genome, and infection cycles.
- To discuss factors influencing virus infection and transmission in plant and insect hosts.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on plant rhabdovirus structure, taxonomy, and genome organization.
- Analysis of protein sequences to identify functional domains and localization signals.
- Comparative analysis with related viruses like vesiculoviruses.
Main Results:
- Plant rhabdoviruses have genomes encoding more than the five core genes (N, P, M, G, L) found in vesiculoviruses.
- An additional gene is typically located between the P and M genes.
- Some plant rhabdoviruses encode proteins similar to the 30K superfamily of plant virus movement proteins.
- Nuclear localization signals were identified for key proteins (N, P, M, L) in Nucleorhabdoviruses, indicating nuclear replication and morphogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Plant rhabdoviruses exhibit complex genomic and functional characteristics distinct from animal rhabdoviruses.
- Understanding their unique gene composition and nuclear replication is crucial for managing plant diseases.
- Further research into host-virus interactions and transmission factors is warranted.