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Chen B, Cao G, Chen Y, Zhang T, Zhou G, Yang X. Reduced cold tolerance of viral-infected leafhoppers attenuates viral persistent epidemics. mBio 2024:e0321123. [PMID: 38564693 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03211-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Most arthropod-borne viruses produce intermittent epidemics in infected plants. However, the underlying mechanisms of these epidemics are unclear. Here, we demonstrated that rice stripe mosaic virus (RSMV), a viral pathogen, significantly increases the mortality of its overwintering vector, the leafhopper species Recilia dorsalis. Cold-stress assays indicated that RSMV reduces the cold tolerance of leafhoppers, a process associated with the downregulation of leafhopper cuticular protein genes. An RSMV-derived small RNA (vsiR-t00355379) was found to facilitate the downregulation of a leafhopper endocuticle gene that is mainly expressed in the abdomen (named RdABD-5) and is conserved across dipteran species. The downregulation of RdABD-5 expression in R. dorsalis resulted in fewer and thinner endocuticle lamellae, leading to decreased cold tolerance. This effect was correlated with a reduced incidence rate of RSMV in early-planted rice plants. These findings contribute to our understanding of the mechanism by which viral pathogens reduce cold tolerance in arthropod vectors and suggest an approach to managing the fluctuating prevalence of arboviruses. IMPORTANCE Increasing arthropod vector dispersal rates have increased the susceptibility of crop to epidemic viral diseases. However, the incidence of some viral diseases fluctuates annually. In this study, we demonstrated that a rice virus reduces the cold tolerance of its leafhopper vector, Recilia dorsalis. This effect is linked to the virus-derived small RNA-mediated downregulation of a gene encoding a leafhopper abdominal endocuticle protein. Consequently, the altered structural composition of the abdominal endocuticle reduces the overwinter survival of leafhoppers, resulting in a lower incidence of RSMV infection in early-planted rice plants. Our findings illustrate the important roles of RNA interference in virus-vector insect-environment interactions and help explain the annual fluctuations of viral disease epidemics in rice fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biao Chen
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Gehui Cao
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yulu Chen
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guohui Zhou
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Yang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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Zhang R, Zhang XF, Chi Y, Xu Y, Chen H, Guo Z, Wei T. Nucleoprotein of a Rice Rhabdovirus Serves as the Effector to Attenuate Hemolymph Melanization and Facilitate Viral Persistent Propagation in its Leafhopper Vector. Front Immunol 2022; 13:904244. [PMID: 35655780 PMCID: PMC9152149 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.904244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanization in the hemolymph of arthropods is a conserved defense strategy against infection by invading pathogens. Numerous plant viruses are persistently transmitted by insect vectors, and must overcome hemolymph melanization. Here, we determine that the plant rhabdovirus rice stripe mosaic virus (RSMV) has evolved to evade the antiviral melanization response in the hemolymph in leafhopepr vectors. After virions enter vector hemolymph cells, viral nucleoprotein N is initially synthesized and directly interacts with prophenoloxidase (PPO), a core component of the melanization pathway and this process strongly activates the expression of PPO. Furthermore, such interaction could effectively inhibit the proteolytic cleavage of the zymogen PPO to active phenoloxidase (PO), finally suppressing hemolymph melanization. The knockdown of PPO expression or treatment with the PO inhibitor also suppresses hemolymph melanization and causes viral excessive accumulation, finally causing a high insect mortality rate. Consistent with this function, microinjection of N into leafhopper vectors attenuates melanization and promotes viral infection. These findings demonstrate that RSMV N serves as the effector to attenuate hemolymph melanization and facilitate viral persistent propagation in its insect vector. Our findings provide the insights in the understanding of ongoing arms race of insect immunity defense and viral counter-defense.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Taiyun Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Institute of Plant Virology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
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Wang Z, Chen B, Zhang T, Zhou G, Yang X. Rice Stripe Mosaic Disease: Characteristics and Control Strategies. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:715223. [PMID: 34394065 PMCID: PMC8358444 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.715223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Rice stripe mosaic disease (RSMD) is caused by the rice stripe mosaic virus (RSMV; genus Cytorhabdovirus, family Rhabdoviridae). In recent years, significant progress has been made in understanding several aspects of the disease, especially its geographical distribution, symptoms, vectors, gene functions, and control measures. Since RSMD was first detected in southern China in 2015, it has been found in more and more rice growing areas and has become one of the most important rice diseases in southern China. RSMV is transmitted by the leafhopper Recilia dorsalis in a persistent-propagative manner, inducing yellow stripes, a slight distortion of leaves, increased tillers, and empty grains in rice plants. The virus has a negative-sense single-strand RNA genome of about 12.7 kb that encodes seven proteins: N, P, P3, M, G, P6, and L. Several molecular and serological tests have been developed to detect RSMV in plants and insects. The disease cycle can be described as follows: RSMV and its vector overwinter in infected plants; viruliferous R. dorsalis adults transmit the virus to spring rice and lay eggs on the infected seedlings; the next generation of R. dorsalis propagate on infected seedlings, become viruliferous, disperse, and cause new disease outbreaks. Control measures include monitoring and accurate forecasting, selecting disease-resistant varieties, improving cultivation systems, covering rice seedling nurseries with insect-proof nets, and using pesticides rationally. Inappropriate cultivation systems, pesticide overuse, and climatic conditions contribute to epidemics by affecting the development of vector insects and their population dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyi Wang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Biao Chen
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guohui Zhou
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Yang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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Zhao P, Sun X, Li P, Sun J, Yue Y, Wei J, Wei T, Jia D. Infection Characteristics of Rice Stripe Mosaic Virus in the Body of the Vector Leafhoppers. Front Microbiol 2019; 9:3258. [PMID: 30671049 PMCID: PMC6331539 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.03258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rice stripe mosaic virus (RSMV), a novel species of Cytorhabdovirus, is transmitted by the leafhopper Recilia dorsalis in a persistent-propagative manner. In this study, we firstly confirmed that N protein of RSMV is a component of viroplasm and virion in vector culture cells of R. dorsalis. Confocal microscopy revealed that RSMV initially accumulated in epithelial cells of the filter chamber of R. dorsalis, from where it proceeded to the visceral muscles surrounding the filter chamber. Subsequently, RSMV spread quickly throughout the suspensory ligament to the salivary glands. Meanwhile, RSMV spread from the filter chamber to midgut, hindgut, esophagus, hemolymph, and central nervous system. We further observed that RSMV particles displayed as non-enveloped form when propagating in cytoplasm of different tissues, and became enveloped when spread within insect body by electron microscopy. Additionally, we found that the leafhopper Nephotettix virescens was also able to acquire and transmit RSMV. These results clarified the infection characteristics of RSMV in its leafhopper vectors, which will help guide the formulation of RSMV prevention and control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Dongsheng Jia
- Fujian Province Key Laboratory of Plant Virology, Institute of Plant Virology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
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Yang X, Chen B, Zhang T, Li Z, Xu C, Zhou G. Geographic Distribution and Genetic Diversity of Rice Stripe Mosaic Virus in Southern China. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:3068. [PMID: 30619153 PMCID: PMC6295562 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.03068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Rice stripe mosaic virus (RSMV) transmitted by the leafhopper Recilia dorsalis is a tentative new species in the genus Cytorhabdovirus identified recently in South China. To explore its geographic distribution and genetic diversity, field investigation and viral whole-genome sequencing were conducted in this study. The results indicated that RSMV was present in the rice samples collected across southern China. Twelve representative samples from different geographical regions were selected for viral whole-genome sequencing and the viral genome variation was analyzed in combination with a previously reported RSMV isolate. Identity analysis showed that the genome sequences of 13 RSMV isolates were highly conserved with nucleotide identities over 99.4%. There was a strong negative selection pressure during the evolution of RSMV with more transitions (72.08%) than transversions (27.92%) found between the RSMV isolates. Among the seven genes encoded by RSMV, the P gene was the most variable, followed by N, M, L, and G; the P3 and P6 amino acid sequences were not found to be mutated and no mutations were found in the non-coding region. A phylogenetic tree based on the RSMV whole-genome nucleotide sequences revealed that all RSMV isolates clustered in two groups based on geographical origin. Notably, the L proteins of the Guangxi and Hainan isolates had five and one specific amino acid sites, respectively, suggesting that the L gene has undergone environmental adaptive variation during the dispersal of RSMV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Biao Chen
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhanbiao Li
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chenhui Xu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guohui Zhou
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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Yang X, Zhang T, Chen B, Zhou G. Transmission Biology of Rice Stripe Mosaic Virus by an Efficient Insect Vector Recilia dorsalis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). Front Microbiol 2017; 8:2457. [PMID: 29312171 PMCID: PMC5732235 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rice stripe mosaic virus (RSMV) is a newly discovered species of cytorhabdovirus infecting rice plants that is transmitted by the leafhopper Recilia dorsalis. In this study, the transmission characteristics of RSMV by R. dorsalis were investigated. Under suitable growth conditions for R. dorsalis, the RSMV acquisition rate reached 71.9% in the second-generation population raised on RSMV-infected rice plants. The minimum acquisition and inoculation access periods of R. dorsalis were 3 and 30 min, respectively. The minimum and maximum latent transmission periods of RSMV in R. dorsalis were 6 and 18 d, respectively, and some R. dorsalis intermittently transmitted RSMV at 2-6 d intervals. Our findings revealed that the virus can replicate in the leafhopper body, but is likely not transovarially transmitted to offspring. These transmission characteristics will help guide the formulation of RSMV prevention and control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Guohui Zhou
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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