The mystery remains: How do potyviruses move within and between cells?

Area of Science:

• Plant virology
• Molecular biology
• Cell biology

Background:

• Potyviruses are the largest genus of plant single-stranded RNA viruses, responsible for substantial global crop losses.
• These viruses utilize the host endomembrane system for replication and cell-to-cell movement via plasmodesmata (PDs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of potyvirus transport mechanisms.
• To integrate existing data on potyvirus intercellular movement pathways.
• To highlight complexities and speculative aspects of potyvirus transport.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of published data on potyvirus movement.
• Analysis of experimental evidence supporting different transport models.
• Discussion of viral proteins and host factors involved in movement.

Main Results:

• Potyvirus movement involves complex pathways utilizing the host endomembrane system.
• Three potential non-exclusive mechanisms for potyvirus transport are proposed: endomembrane system exploitation, extracellular viral vesicles, and direct particle/complex transport through PDs.
• Experimental data supporting these models are presented and discussed.

Conclusions:

• Potyvirus intercellular movement is multifaceted, involving multiple potential strategies.
• Further research is needed to fully elucidate the speculative aspects of potyvirus transport mechanisms.
• Understanding these pathways is crucial for developing strategies to control potyvirus diseases.