A new eriophyid mite-borne membrane-enveloped virus-like complex isolated from plants

Area of Science:

• Plant Pathology
• Virology
• Entomology

Background:

• A mite-transmitted disease, High Plains Disease (HPD), emerged a decade ago affecting wheat and maize.
• The etiological agent of HPD remained unidentified, hindering effective disease management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the causal agent of High Plains Disease (HPD) in wheat and maize.
• To characterize the molecular and structural properties of the pathogen responsible for HPD.

Main Methods:

• Established colonies of eriophyid wheat curl mites (Aceria tosichella) for pathogen transmission.
• Analyzed nucleic acids from infected plants to identify pathogen-specific RNAs.
• Isolated and characterized virus-like particles and associated proteins and RNAs.

Main Results:

• Identified HPD-specific RNAs (1.5-8 kb) not matching known viral sequences.
• Demonstrated a 32-kDa protein encoded by a small RNA (RNA-s) accumulates in infected plants.
• Isolated membranous particles containing ribonucleoprotein complexes with single-stranded RNAs, indicative of a novel virus.

Conclusions:

• High Plains Disease (HPD) is caused by a newly emerged mite-borne virus.
• Proposed the name Maize red stripe virus (MRStV) for the identified pathogen.
• The findings provide insights into the etiology and transmission of a significant plant disease.