Induction and suppression of antiviral RNA silencing by Tomato spotted wilt virus

Authors

Stella Uiterwaal, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Aaron Knapp, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Sergio M. Gabriel Peralta, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Nicole Bacheller, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Hernan Garcia-Ruiz, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

Spring 4-11-2016

Document Type

Poster

Citation

UCARE Poster session, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Research Fair, April 2016, Lincoln, NE.

Comments

Copyright © 2016 Stella Uiterwaal, Aaron Knapp, Sergio M. Gabriel Peralta, Nicole Bacheller, and Hernan Garcia Ruiz

Abstract

RNA silencing is an essential antiviral defense system in plants. Triggered by doublestranded RNA, silencing results in degradation or translational repression of target RNA. Viruses are inducers and targets of RNA silencing. To condition susceptibility, most plant viruses encode silencing suppressor proteins that interfere with RNA silencing. Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) NSs protein is an RNA silencing suppressor. The mechanism of RNA silencing suppression by NSs and its role in virus infection and movement remain to be determined. We cloned NSs from the Hawaii isolate of TSWV. Using two independent assays, we show that NSs restored pathogenicity and supported the formation of local infection foci by suppressor-deficient Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) and Turnip crinkle virus (TCV). Suppression of silencing directed against heterologous viruses establishes the foundation to determine the mechanism of antiviral RNA silencing suppression by NSs.