Viral vector-based imaging uncovers infection-induced re-localization of pepino mosaic virus proteins

Defining the subcellular localization of viral proteins is crucial for understanding viral pathogenesis. Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV), a significant pathogen of solanaceous crops, remains poorly characterized in terms of its protein localization and potential as a viral vector, limiting our understanding of its pathogenesis. Transient expression systems often fail to fully recapitulate PepMV infection dynamics. To address this, we developed recombinant viral vectors using the virus's own promoters, enabling a direct comparison of protein localization between transient expression and viral infection. Here, we found that viral infection dramatically altered the localization of movement proteins (TGB1, TGB2, TGB3), inducing perinuclear aggregates associated with viral replication and increasing their association with peripheral puncta. In contrast, the distribution of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) and coat protein (CP) remained relatively stable. Of note, a key technical achievement was creating a PepMV-based vector (PepMV^B) for stable TGB2 expression. By adding a subgenomic promoter downstream of the CP open reading frame to drive green fluorescent protein (sGFP)-tagged TGB2, we achieved, for the first time, stable visualization of TGB2 during systemic infection, showing its incorporation into large, stable perinuclear structures associated with viral replication. In summary, this study provides an optimized PepMV-based vector system that better captures viral protein dynamics during infection, overcoming limitations of transient expression. This platform is a valuable tool for investigating viral replication and movement, offering insights for antiviral strategy development.IMPORTANCEPepino mosaic virus (PepMV) is a major economic pathogen causing significant losses in global greenhouse tomato production. A major challenge in understanding PepMV pathogenesis has been the lack of experimental systems that accurately capture the dynamic behavior of viral proteins within living plants during infection. Conventional transient expression approaches often incompletely reflect infection-associated protein dynamics. Here, we develop a PepMV-based viral vector that, for the first time, enables visualization of key viral protein localization during active PepMV infection, including stable imaging of the movement protein TGB2 during systemic spread. Using this system, we provide new insights into the spatial organization of viral replication- and movement-associated proteins within host cells. This optimized platform offers a robust and physiologically relevant platform for future mechanistic studies and may facilitate the identification of novel antiviral strategies for tomato crops.