Discovery of novel whitefly vector proteins that interact with a virus capsid component mediating virion retention and transmission

• Published in: International journal of biological macromolecules Vol. 226; pp. 1154 - 1165
• Main Authors: He, Hai-Fang, Zhao, Chen-Chen, Zhu, Chao-Qiang, Yan, Wei-Li, Yan, Ming-Hui, Zhang, Ze-Long, Liu, Jia-Lei, Shi, Bao-Zheng, Bai, Run-E, Li, Jing-Jing, Yan, Feng-Ming
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 31.01.2023
• Subjects: Animals; Bemisia tabaci; Capsid - metabolism; Capsid Proteins - genetics; Capsid Proteins - metabolism; Coat protein; Crinivirus; Crinivirus - genetics; Crinivirus - metabolism; Hemiptera - metabolism; Plant Diseases; Receptor; RNA interference; Virion; Virus-vector interactions; Crinivirus; Coat protein; RNA interference; Virus-vector interactions; Receptor; Bemisia tabaci
• ISSN: 0141-8130; 1879-0003
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.11.229

Specificity and efficiency of plant virus transmission depend largely on protein-protein interactions of vectors and viruses. Cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus (CCYV), transmitted specifically by tobacco whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, in a semi-persistent manner, has caused serious damage on cucurbit and vegetable crops around the world. However, the molecular mechanism of interaction during CCYV retention and transmission are still lacking. CCYV was proven to bind particularly to the whitefly foregut, and here, we confirmed that the minor coat protein (CPm) of CCYV is participated in the interaction with the vector. In order to identify proteins of B. tabaci that interact directly with CPm of CCYV, the immunoprecipitation (IP) assay and DUALmembrane cDNA library screening technology were applied. The cytochrome c oxidase subunit 5A (COX), tubulin beta chain (TUB) and keratin, type I cytoskeletal 9-like (KRT) of B. tabaci shown strong interactions with CPm and are closely associated with the retention within the vector and transmission of CCYV. These findings on whitefly protein-CCYV CPm interactions are crucial for a much better understanding the mechanism of semi-persistent plant virus transmission by insect vectors, as well as for implement new strategies for effective management of plant viruses and their vector insects. •The minor coat protein (CPm) of CCYV is a binding protein with vector Bemisia tabaci.•Six proteins in the foregut of B. tabaci (COX, TUB, KRT, ZFP, BTF and BTB) can directly interact with CPm.•RNAi-mediated knockdown of COX, TUB and KRT inhibits transmission of CCYV.