Live Cell Imaging Reveals the Relocation of dsRNA Binding Proteins Upon Viral Infection
Deborah A Barton1, Elke F Roovers1,2, Quentin Gouil1,3
11 University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions : MPMI
|March 16, 2017
Summary
Plant double-stranded RNA binding (DRB) proteins DRB2, DRB3, and DRB5 act as invasion sensors. These proteins relocate to viral replication complexes, bind viral RNA, and inhibit virus replication, enhancing plant defense.
Area of Science:
- Plant virology
- Molecular biology
- Plant immunity
Background:
- Viral infections activate plant RNA interference (RNAi) pathways for defense.
- Double-stranded RNA binding (DRB) proteins are key components of the RNAi pathway.
- DRB3 and DRB4 specifically target DNA and RNA viruses, respectively.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of DRB proteins in plant antiviral defense.
- To determine the subcellular localization and function of DRB2, DRB3, and DRB5 during viral infection.
Main Methods:
- Live cell imaging to track DRB protein dynamics.
- Gene inactivation using T-DNA insertion in Arabidopsis.
- Analysis of viral replication in genetically modified plants.
Main Results:
- DRB2, DRB3, and DRB5 proteins translocate to viral replication complexes (VRC) upon RNA virus invasion.
- Inactivation of DRB3 impairs the plant's ability to suppress RNA viral replication.
- DRB proteins accumulate in VRCs, indicating a role in early antiviral responses.
Conclusions:
- DRB2, DRB3, and DRB5 function as invasion sensors in plant antiviral immunity.
- These DRB proteins are recruited to VRCs to bind viral RNA and inhibit replication.
- A model is proposed where DRB proteins are crucial for early-stage virus defense.
