Arabidopsis thaliana as a model host for Brevipalpus mite-transmitted viruses

Author(s)

Arena, Gabriella Dias ; Ramos-Gonzalez, Pedro Luis ; Nunes, Maria Andreia ; Jesus, Camila Chabi ; Calegario, Renata Faier ; Kitajima, Elliot Watanabe ; Novelli, Valdenice Moreira ; Freitas-Astua, Juliana

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CIENTIA AGRICOL; v. 74, n. 1, p. 5-pg., 2017-01-01.

Abstract

Brevipalpus-transmitted viruses (BTV) are a taxonomically diverse group of plant viruses which severely affect a number of major crops. Members of the group can be sub-classified into cytoplasmic (BTV-C) or nuclear type (BTV-N) according to the accumulation sites of virions in the infected plant cells. Both types of BTV produce only local infections near the point of inoculation by viruliferous mites. Features of BTV-plant interactions such as the failure of systemic spread in their natural hosts are poorly understood. In this study we evaluated Arabidopsis thaliana, a model plant commonly used for the study of plant-virus interactions, as an alternative host for BTV. Infection of Arabidopsis with the BTV-N Coffee ringspot virus and Clerodendrum chlorotic spot virus, and the BTV-C Solanum violaefolium ringspot virus, were mediated by viruliferous Brevipalpus mites collected in the wild. Upon infestation, local lesions appeared in 7 to 10 days on leaves of, at least, 80 % of the assayed plants. Presence of viral particles and characteristic cytopathic effects were detected by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and the viral identities confirmed by specific reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and further amplicon sequencing. The high infection rate and reproducibility of symptoms of the three different viruses assayed validate A. thaliana as a feasible alternative experimental host for BTV. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/00366-8 - Arabidopsis thaliana e Citrus leprosis virus-C: a model for the plant-pathogen interaction study
• Grantee: Gabriella Dias Arena
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 12/18771-0 - Gene expression analysis of model plant in response to citrus leprosis
• Grantee: Gabriella Dias Arena
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 14/08458-9 - Plant viruses transmitted by Brevipalpus mites (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) - BTV: survey, identification, molecular characterization, phylogeny; virus/vector/host relationhip; biology, taxonomy and management of the mite
• Grantee: Elliot Watanabe Kitajima
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants