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A two-component RUBY reporter system to assess plant virus infection
Haritha Nunna1, Judith Lin1, Michael Koretsky1
1Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
Virology
|May 12, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a new RUBY reporter system for plant viruses. This system allows direct visualization of virus infections using a novel betalain pigment, simplifying plant virus studies.
Area of Science:
- Plant Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Plant virus vectors are crucial tools for studying virus biology.
- Existing reporter systems often require destructive sampling or specialized equipment.
- There is a need for non-invasive methods to visualize virus infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a novel visible reporter system, RUBY, for plant virus vectors.
- To adapt the RUBY system for expression in tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and turnip mosaic virus (TuMV).
- To enable non-invasive visualization of virus infection in host plants.
Main Methods:
- Engineered L-DOPA 4,5-dioxygenase (DODA) into TMV and TuMV vectors.
- Transformed Nicotiana benthamiana plants to express P450 oxygenase CYP76AD1 and glucosyltransferase (GT).
- Inoculated transgenic plants with DODA-expressing TMV and TuMV vectors.
Main Results:
- Visible red tissues were observed in infected areas of plants.
- Red coloration directly correlated with virus infection sites.
- The RUBY system produced betalain pigment from tyrosine.
Conclusions:
- The RUBY reporter system provides a robust, non-invasive method for visualizing plant virus infections.
- This system eliminates the need for destructive sampling or specialized equipment.
- It significantly advances the study of virus-host interactions and dynamics.
