Proteomic and transcriptomic analysis of the effects of SRBSDV infection on saliva secretion in WBPH

Most plant viruses rely on insect vectors for transmission, with insect saliva serving as a critical interface in tripartite virus-vector-host interactions. Southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV), a destructive pathogen transmitted by the white-backed planthopper (Sogatella furcifera, WBPH), severely threatens rice production, yet the mechanisms by which SRBSDV manipulates WBPH salivary secretion to enhance viral spread remain poorly understood. Here, integrated proteomic and transcriptomic analyses revealed that SRBSDV infection significantly reduces salivary protein diversity and abundance in WBPH, including digestive enzymes, redox regulators, and effector proteins critical for suppressing plant defenses. LC-MS/MS-based quantification demonstrated a marked decline in secreted protein types and altered abundance profiles in SRBSDV-infected WBPH compared to SRBSDV-free counterparts. Transcriptomic profiling identified 1803 differentially expressed genes in SRBSDV-infected salivary glands, with transmembrane transport-related pathways being prominently downregulated. Crucially, cross-omics integration revealed minimal correlation between salivary protein secretion and transcriptional changes, suggesting that SRBSDV primarily disrupts salivary function by impairing transmembrane transport capacity rather than directly suppressing protein synthesis. This secretory defect likely attenuates the insect's ability to neutralize plant defenses, driving behavioral shifts toward frequent probing that enhance viral inoculation efficiency. Our study unveils a novel strategy whereby SRBSDV hijacks vector secretory machinery to optimize transmission, advancing understanding of virus-vector coevolution and providing a foundation for effector-targeted interventions to block viral spread.