Multifaceted roles of autophagy in plant-virus-insect interactions

Autophagy, an evolutionarily conserved degradation pathway, plays a central role in cellular homeostasis. In the context of plant-virus-insect interactions, autophagy emerges as a dynamic mediator, functioning as both a defense mechanism in hosts and a pathway co-opted by viruses and insect vectors to facilitate infection and transmission. This multifaceted process significantly influences viral pathogenicity, vector competence, host fitness, and overall disease dynamics. Here, we summarize recent advances that illustrate how autophagy orchestrates the tripartite interactions among plants, viruses, and insect vectors, with a focus on its dualistic roles in antiviral immunity and viral exploitation.