Cucumber Mosaic Virus Coat Protein Sequesters Host CDPK7-Like Into Phase-Separated Condensates to Promote Viral
Lei Zhao1, Tangbing Yang1, Xingjie Zhang1
1State Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China.
Molecular Plant Pathology
|May 18, 2026
Summary
Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) coat protein hijacks host kinase CDPK7-like via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). A novel compound, D3, disrupts this interaction, offering a new strategy against plant viruses.
Area of Science:
- Plant pathology
- Molecular biology
- Virology
Background:
- Plant viruses manipulate host proteins for infection, but mechanisms are unclear.
- Host-pathogen interactions involve complex molecular signaling pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction between cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) coat protein (CP) and host kinase CDPK7-like.
- To elucidate the role of liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) in CMV infection.
- To develop a small-molecule inhibitor targeting the CMV-host interaction.
Main Methods:
- Overexpression system in Nicotiana benthamiana.
- Analysis of protein-protein interactions and LLPS.
- Virus resistance assays with diverse plant viruses.
- Development and testing of a coumarin-based LLPS modulator (D3).
Main Results:
- CMV CP interacts with host CDPK7-like, inducing LLPS and potentially affecting host immune signaling.
- Overexpression of CDPK7-like confers broad-spectrum resistance but increases susceptibility to CMV.
- The small molecule D3 selectively targets CMV CP's Thr52 residue, inhibiting LLPS.
- D3 demonstrates superior inactivating properties against CMV compared to ribavirin.
Conclusions:
- CMV hijacks host CDPK7-like through LLPS for its own benefit.
- Targeting virus-induced LLPS is a promising antiviral strategy.
- Compound D3 represents a potential therapeutic lead for managing CMV infections in plants.
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