In silico analyses of molecular interactions between groundnut bud necrosis virus and its vector, Thrips palmi

Groundnut bud necrosis virus (GBNV) is an economically important tospovirus transmitted by Thrips palmi (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). The current understanding of thrips-tospovirus interactions is largely based on the tomato spotted wilt virus-Frankliniella occidentalis relationship. Only limited information is available for the GBNV-T. palmi system. In the present study, available genome data of T. palmi and GBNV were used to predict the protein partners that may play a crucial role in the internalization of GBNV virions into thrips cells. Computational analyses showed that the GBNV precursor glycoprotein bears a signal peptide of 24 amino acids and a secondary cleavage site at position 434-435 separates the amino-terminal mature glycoprotein (G_N) from the carboxyl-terminal glycoprotein (G_C). Potential interactions of GBNV glycoproteins were predicted with T. palmi enolase, cathepsin, C-type lectin, clathrin and vacuolar ATP synthase subunit E. The in silico analyses suggested that C-type lectin is the primary cellular receptor to interact with GBNV-G_N. After receptor binding, virus particles probably enter vector cells by clathrin-mediated endocytosis. This is the first in silico evidence of GBNV-T. palmi protein interaction.