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Assembly and accumulation sites of maize mosaic virus in its planthopper vector
Abstract:
The morphology, assembly, and accumulation sites of rhabdovirus particles in Peregrinus maidis planthoppers infected with a Hawaiian isolate of maize mosaic virus (MMV) were studied. These particles were usually bullet-shaped, but were sometimes bacilliform, and averaged 234 and 247 nm, respectively, in length and 60 nm in width. They were found in most acini of the principal and accessory salivary glands and in brain, nerve ganglia, leg muscle, foregut, midgut, trachea, epidermis, and fat and connective tissues. In most tissues MMV particles accumulated mainly within intracytoplasmic, dilated cisternae that were connected to the perinuclear space. However, in the salivary glands virus particles accumulated mainly in intercellular and extracellular spaces and were found in secretion vesicles. MMV particles appeared to bud from three types of membranes: (i) inner, and rarely outer, nuclear membranes of cells in most tissues examined; (ii) intracytoplasmic membranes, e.g., endoplasmic reticulum in salivary glands; and (iii) plasma membranes of salivary gland cells and nerve axons. The plasma membrane has not been reported previously as a budding site for plant rhabdoviruses, although it is known as a major assembly site for animal rhabdoviruses.
Insights
Maize mosaic virus (MMV) rhabdovirus particles in planthoppers are bullet-shaped and found in various tissues. Notably, MMV assembles at plasma membranes, a novel finding for plant rhabdoviruses.
Area of Science:
- Plant Virology
- Insect Pathology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Maize mosaic virus (MMV) is a significant plant pathogen transmitted by planthoppers.
- Rhabdoviruses exhibit diverse morphologies and replication strategies in their hosts.
- Understanding virus assembly sites is crucial for developing control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the morphology, assembly, and accumulation sites of MMV in infected planthoppers.
- To identify the specific cellular and extracellular locations of MMV replication.
- To determine the membrane origins for MMV particle budding.
Main Methods:
- Electron microscopy was used to examine MMV-infected Peregrinus maidis.
- Ultrastructural analysis focused on salivary glands, nervous tissues, and other organs.
- Morphological characterization and localization of virus particles were performed.
Main Results:
- MMV particles were typically bullet-shaped (234x60 nm) and found in salivary glands, nervous system, muscles, and digestive tract.
- Virus particles accumulated in intracytoplasmic cisternae in most tissues, but in intercellular/extracellular spaces in salivary glands.
- MMV budding occurred from nuclear, intracytoplasmic (ER), and plasma membranes, with plasma membrane budding being a novel observation in plant rhabdoviruses.
Conclusions:
- MMV exhibits distinct accumulation patterns in different host tissues.
- The plasma membrane serves as a significant site for MMV assembly in planthoppers, similar to animal rhabdoviruses.
- These findings expand our understanding of rhabdovirus replication and host-insect interactions.