The impact of potato cysteine proteinases in plant growth and development

The role of cysteine proteinases in the growth and development of healthy and PVY^NTN infected potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. ‘Désirée’) and the subcellular localization of a particular potato leaf cysteine proteinase PLCP-2 were studied in tissue culture. The immunolocalization of PLCP-2 on the ultrathin sections of potato plants was examined by electron microscopy. PLCP-2 was found in protein bodies in vacuoles, in cytoplasm and in cell walls of shoot tips, leaves, stems and root tips. PLCP-2 was observed at all locations where its endogenous inhibitors PCPI 6·6 and multicystatin were localized, which indicates the possible regulation of PLCP-2 by these inhibitorsin vivo . In order to study the physiological role of cysteine proteinases in potato plants, their total activity was diminished by introducing Ep-475 into the growth media and further into the plant through root absorption. The morphological characteristics of healthy and PVY^NTN infected plants grown on media with added Ep-475 were followed. The results suggest that cysteine proteinases are involved in the synthesis and transport of plant metabolites and in processes that lead to organogenesis. Observations also indicate that the ratio between cysteine proteinases and their endogenous inhibitors in potato plants is altered after infection with PVY^NTN.     

Spread of potato virus Y in potato cultivars (Solanum tuberosum L.) with different levels of sensitivity

The aim of this work was to correlate the appearance of the symptoms, multiplication and spread of virus after mechanical inoculation of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars showing different levels of susceptibility and sensitivity to Potato virus Y^NTN (PVY^NTN). The potato cultivars used were the resistant cultivar Sante and susceptible cultivars Igor, Pentland squire and Désirée. The spread of the virus PVY^NTN in infected plants was monitored using different methods: DAS-ELISA, tissue printing, immuno-serological electron microscopy and real-time PCR. In all three susceptible cultivars, the virus was detected in the inoculated leaves 4–5 days after inoculation. From there virus spread rapidly, first into the stem, then more or less simultaneously to the upper leaves and roots. Real-time PCR was shown to be very sensitive and enabled viral RNA to be detected in non-inoculated leaves of susceptible cultivar Igor earlier than other methods. Therefore, for exact studies of plant–virus interaction, a combination of methods which detect viruses on the basis of their different properties (coat protein, morphology or RNA) should be used to monitor the spread of viruses.     

The movement of potato virus Y (PVY) in the vascular system of potato plants

Potato virus Y (PVY) is responsible for major viral diseases in most potato seed areas. It is transmitted by aphids in a non-persistent manner, and it is spread in potato fields by the winged aphids flying from an infected source plant to a healthy one. Six different PVY strains groups affect potato crops: PVY^C, PVY^N, PVY^O, PVY^N:O, PVY^NTN, and PVY^N-Wi. Nowadays, PVY^NTN and PVY^N-Wi are the predominant strains in Europe and the USA. After the infection of the leaf and accumulation of the virus, the virus is translocated to the progeny tubers. It is known that PVY^N is better translocated than PVY^O, but little is known about the translocation of the other PVY strains. The translocation of PVY occurs faster in young plants than in old plants; this mature plant resistance is generally explained by a restriction of the cell-to-cell movement of the virus in the leaves. The mother tuber may play an important role in explaining mature plant resistance. PVY is able to pass from one stem to the other stems of the same plant through the vascular system of the mother tuber, but it is unknown whether this vascular link between stems is permanent during the whole life of the plant. Two greenhouse trials were set up to study the spread of PVY in the vascular system of the potato plant. The PVY-susceptible cultivar Charlotte was used for both trials. It was demonstrated that all stems growing from a PVY-infected tuber will become infected sooner or later, and that PVY^N-Wi translocates more efficiently to progeny tubers than PVY^NTN. It was also demonstrated that the progressive decay of the mother tuber in the soil reduces the possibility for virus particles to infect healthy stems through the vascular system of the mother tuber. This new element contributes to a better understanding of the mechanism of mature plant resistance.     

Characteristics of a resistance-breaking isolate of potato virus Y causing potato tuber necrotic ringspot disease

An Austrian isolate of potato virus Y^NTN, the causal agent of potato tuber necrotic ringspot disease (PTNRD), was serologically compared with seven Dutch PVY^N isolates. Using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, it was found indistinguishable from PVY^N. Determination of the nucleotide sequence of the coat protein cistron and comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence with coat protein sequences of other potyviruses revealed a high level of homology with PVY^N coat protein sequences. This confirmed the close taxonomic relationship of PVY^NTN with the PVY^N subgroup of potato virus Y. PVY^NTN is able to overcome all resistance genes known so far in commercial potato cultivars. Remarkably, transgenic PVY-protected tobacco plants are also resistant to PVY^NTN infection upon mechanical and aphid-mediated inoculation. These experiments indicate that genetically engineered resistance offers great potential in protection of potato to new aggressive strains of PVY^N.     

Potato Virus Y from Petunia can cause Symptoms of Potato Tuber Necrotic Ringspot Disease (PTNRD)

A potyvirus known to be an important agent involved in causing a disease of trailing petunias, was identified as being a member of the necrotic strain of potato virus Y (PVY) using a number of monoclonal antibodies. The sequence of the coat protein gene for the PVY isolate was determined and when compared with sequences for other PVY strains it was shown to cluster closely with isolates of PVY^NTN and to have a recombination point present within the coat protein common with other isolates of PVY^NTN. When inoculated onto potato tuber necrotic ringspot disease (PTNRD) susceptible potato cultivars the petunia isolate was found to be capable of causing necrotic tuber symptoms, consistent with those caused by other isolates of PVY^NTN. Due to the number of similarities it is thought the petunia isolate belongs to the PVY^NTN group of isolates. Out of 24 species of bedding and pot plant crops tested, 19 were shown by mechanical inoculation to be susceptible to PVY, highlighting not only a clear risk to a number of commercially important plant species from PVY^NTN infected trailing petunias, but also other susceptible crops grown in these areas.     

Occurrence of Potato virus Y strain PVYNTN in foundation seed potatoes in Japan,and screening for symptoms in Japanese potato cultivars

In 2008 and 2009 seasons, a sudden increase in Potato virus Y (PVY) incidence was recorded in foundation seed potatoes in Hokkaido, northern Japan. This increase was obvious during the field inspection and the postharvest indexing. Molecular typing revealed that besides the previously reported strains of PVY^O and PVY^NA‐N, the most common strain identified was the recombinant PVY^NTN, with three characteristic recombinant junctions at the HC‐Pro, VPg and CP regions. No potato tuber necrotic ringspot disease (PTNRD) was observed in foundation seed potatoes in correlation with the presence of PVY^NTN. Moreover, an isolate with a typical PVY^NTN recombinant genome, namely Eu‐12Jp, did not induce PTNRD in 62 Japanese potato cultivars tested in both primarily and secondarily infected plants. Two cultivars carrying the extreme resistance gene Ry_chc were resistant to the infection with Eu‐12Jp, which presents potential sources of resistance to PVY^NTN. Eu‐12Jp induced systemic mottle in potato cultivars Desiree and King Edward carrying resistance genes Ny and Nc, respectively, but induced a hypersensitive reaction in potato cultivar Maris Bard, with the Nz hypothetical resistance gene typical of the PVY^Z strain group. Therefore, based on the genome structure and the reaction of the potato N resistance genes, Eu‐12Jp should be classified as PVY^Z‐NTN, as described for isolates from Idaho, USA recently. This is the first report of PVY^Z‐NTN in Japan and the sudden and increased occurrence of PVY^NTN/PVY^Z‐NTN represents a potential risk of PTNRD developing and increases the significance of PVY in Japan.     

Incidence of potato viruses and characterisation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Potato virus Y</Emphasis> variability in late season planted potato crops in Northern Tunisia

Surveys were conducted of symptomatic potato plants in late season crops, from the major potato production regions in Northern Tunisia, for infection with six common potato viruses. The presence of Potato leafroll virus (PLRV), Potato virus Y (PVY), Potato virus X (PVX), Potato virus A (PVA), Potato virus S (PVS) and Potato virus M (PVM) was confirmed serologically with virus infection levels up to 5.4, 90.2, 4.3, 3.8, 7.1 and 4.8%, respectively. As PVY was prevalent in all seven surveyed regions, further biological, serological and molecular typing of 32 PVY isolates was undertaken. Only one isolate was shown to induce PVY^O-type symptoms following transmission to tobacco and to react only against anti-PVY^O-C antibodies. Typical vein necrosis symptoms were obtained from 31 samples, six of which reacted against both anti-PVY^N and anti-PVY^O-C antibodies showing they contained mixed isolates, while 25 of them reacted only with anti-PVY^N antibodies. An immunocapture RT-PCR molecular test using a PVY^NTN specific primer pair set in the 5’NTR/P1 genomic region and examination of recombinant points in three genomic regions (HC-Pro/P3, CI/NIa and CP/3’NTR) showed that all 25 serotype-N PVY isolates were PVY^NTN variants with similar recombinations to the standard PVYNTN-H isolate. This is the first report of the occurrence of the PVY^NTN variant and its high incidence in late season potatoes in Tunisia.     

Effect of temperature on resistance to Potato virus Y in potato cultivars carrying the resistance gene Rychc

The effect of cultivation temperatures on the resistance reaction to three Potato virus Y strains (PVY^O, PVY^N and PVY^NTN) in potato cultivars carrying Ry_chc was examined. When potato plants carrying Ry_chc were cultivated at 22 °C, a few small necrotic spots developed on inoculated leaves by 5 days after mechanical inoculation (dpi), and systemic infection of a few symptomless plants was confirmed at 28 dpi by IC‐RT‐PCR. At 28 °C, distinct necrotic spots developed on inoculated leaves by 5 dpi, and systemic symptoms occasionally appeared at 28 dpi. Thus, high temperature weakens Ry_chc‐conferred resistance. However, the incidence of systemic infection and the titre of virus in resistant cultivars at 28 °C were lower than in a susceptible cultivar. In graft inoculation under high summer temperatures, some plants developed necrosis on the leaves and stem, but PVY was barely detected by RT‐PCR in leaves on potato carrying Ry_chc. When seedlings from progeny tubers of plants that were inoculated with PVY and grown in a greenhouse at >30 °C in the daytime were examined by ELISA and IC‐RT‐PCR, PVY was not detected in cultivars carrying Ry_chc. These results show that Ry_chc confers an extreme resistance to PVY strains occurring in Japan.     

Uneven distribution of two potyviruses (feathery mottle virus and sweet potato latent virus) in sweet potato plants and its implication on virus indexing of meristem derived plants

Abstract

The distribution of two sweet potato potyviruses, FMV and SPLV, was assessed in three plants infected with both viruses and in one plant infected with FMV only. All leaves, the top and basal sections of the main stem, and branch sections were tested by ELISA. Both symptomless leaves and leaves showing symptoms including purple rings, chlorotic spots, mottle or discoloration were found to contain the viruses. However, neither could be detected in every leaf or stem piece. SPLV was found in a lower proportion of leaf and stem samples than FMV. This indicates that the two viruses are either very unevenly distributed within sweet potato plants or that the virus concentration in some parts is below the detectable level. Testing of each leaf is recommended for reliable virus indexing of small, meristem‐derived sweet potato plantlets, if the ELISA method is used. Additional indexing of all ELISA‐negative materials by grafting to susceptible indicator plants is nevertheless still necessary.     

The effects of co‐infection by different Potato virus Y (PVY) isolates on virus concentration in solanaceous hosts and efficiency of transmission

The influence of co‐infection on concentration and accumulation of genetically different isolates of Potato virus Y (PVY) in potato and tobacco plants and the efficiency of transmission by Myzus persicae of PVY isolates from doubly versus singly infected plants were evaluated. The vector ability to simultaneously transmit two virus isolates was examined. Eight PVY isolates represented three strain groups: PVY^O (pathotype and serotype O), PVY^NW (pathotype N and serotype O), and PVY^NTN (pathotype and serotype N). Different diagnostic methods, including DAS‐ELISA, multiplex RT‐PCR, aphid transmission tests and bioassays, were applied to detect the presence of PVY isolates in source and assay plants. Significant reductions in concentrations of certain PVY isolates during co‐infection with other isolates were found both in potato and tobacco plants. The observed effects were both isolate‐ and host‐dependent in form. The highest rates of virus transmission by single aphids were recorded with PVY^NTN isolates, and the lowest ones with PVY^O isolates. Individual aphids of M. persicae were able to simultaneously transmit two PVY isolates. The frequency of transmission was generally low, but it reached as high as 20% for one of the isolate combinations. The findings presented in the work provide proof for antagonistic within‐plant interactions between isolates of PVY, with some implications of these interactions for virus transmission by aphid vectors. Consequently, this research contributes to a better understanding of the epidemiology of the disease caused by PVY.     

Acquisition of potato virus YN by Myzus persicae from primarily infected ‘Bintje’ potato plants

When ‘Bintje’ potato plants were inoculated mechanically with potato virus Y^N (PVY^N),Myzus persicae acquired PVY^N from both the inoculated and non-inoculated leaves about one week earlier than when plants were inoculated byM. persicae. Only when young plants of about four weeks after planting were inoculated byM. persicae, this aphid acquired PVY^N from the non-inoculated top leaves within a fortnight. When plants later than four weeks after planting were inoculated byM. persicae it generally took at least four weeks for this aphid to acquire PVY^N from non-inoculated top and other leaves of such plants. A number of leaves situated on the potato stems near to the inoculated ones did not serve as a PVY^N-source forM. persicae within the experimental period of 38 days. The results indicate that it is possible that in seed potato growing areas primarily infected PVY^N-infected plants, not yet showing symptoms, can act as virus sources for further spread. This is especially true in the beginning of the season.     

Aggressive and mild Potato virus Y isolates trigger different specific responses in susceptible potato plants

Differences in the early responses of two potato cultivars, Igor and Nadine, to two isolates of Potato virus Y (PVY), the aggressive PVY^NTN and the mild PVY^N, were monitored. Microarray and quantitative real‐time PCR analyses were carried out to identify differentially expressed genes after inoculation with each virus isolate. Additionally, symptom severity and development was observed and the amount of virus isolate accumulated in systemically infected leaves was evaluated, where a significantly higher amount of PVY^NTN was detected. Microarray analysis revealed 572, 1288 and 1706 differentially expressed genes at 0·5, 12 and 48 h post‐inoculation, respectively in cv. Igor, with a similar pattern observed in cv. Nadine. Microarray and quantitative real‐time PCR results implied an earlier accumulation of sugars and lower photosynthesis in leaves inoculated with the aggressive isolate than in leaves inoculated with the mild isolate. The PVY^NTN isolate did not activate early differential expression of the Fe‐superoxide dismutase and pectin methylesterase inhibitor (PMEI) genes, indicating a delay in plant response relative to that following PVY^N inoculation. Differences in the expression of the β‐glucanase‐I gene were also observed in early plant responses to inoculation with each virus isolate.     

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of potato viruses A and Y in potato leaves and sprouts

With the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) potato virus A (PVA) could be detected reliably in potato sprouts, especially when these were young and sappy. The detection of this virus in leaves of glasshouse-grown potato plants was less reliable. The tobacco veinal necrosis strain of potato virus Y (PVY^N) was readily demonstrated in foliage of glass-house-grown potato plants using an antiserum to this strain. Plants infected with the common strain (PVY^O) did not react in ELISA with this antiserum. In young sappy sprouts, using the PVY^N antiserum, PVY^N could be detected reliably when samples with PVY^O were excluded, as the reaction of samples infected with the latter virus was intermediate between PVY^N-diseased and PVY-free samples. PVY was also detected in plants inadvertently infected during the experiments.     

A novel type of Potato virus Y recombinant genome,determined for the genetic strain PVYE

Two Potato virus Y (PVY) isolates collected in Brazil, PVY‐AGA and PVY‐MON, were identified as recombinants between two parent genomes, PVY^NTN and PVY‐NE‐11, with a novel type of genomic pattern. The new recombinants had an ordinary PVY^NTN genome structure for approximately 6·7‐kb from the 5′‐end of the genome whereas the 3′‐terminal 3·0‐kb segment had two fragments of NE‐11‐like sequence separated by another small PVY^NTN‐like fragment. PVY strains are defined based on the hypersensitive resistance (HR) response in potato indicators. Both PVY‐AGA and PVY‐MON isolates did not induce the HR in potato cultivars carrying Ny, Nc, or (putative) Nz genes and thus were able to overcome all known resistance genes to PVY. Only one of the two isolates, PVY‐AGA, induced a vein necrosis reaction in tobacco. The biological responses of the potato indicators and tobacco defined PVY‐MON as an isolate of the PVY^E strain. To distinguish PVY‐AGA and PVY‐MON from other PVY^NTN isolates, an RT‐PCR test was developed utilizing new specific primers from the capsid protein gene area and producing a characteristic 955‐bp band. Serological profiling of these PVY isolates with three monoclonal antibodies revealed an unusual reactivity, where one of the two commercial PVY^N‐specific monoclonal antibodies did not recognize PVY‐AGA. The ability of these new PVY recombinants to overcome resistance genes in potato producing mild or no symptoms, combined with the lack of serological reactivity towards at least one PVY^N‐specific antibody may present a significant threat posed by these isolates to seed potato production areas.     

Characterization of potato potyvirus Y (PVY) isolates from seed potato batches. Situation of the NTN, Wilga and Z isolates

A collection of 38 PVY isolates from seed potato batches, originating from several Western European countries, was characterized by using current biological, serological and molecular tools differentiating PVY strains and groups. The correlation between the three kinds of tests was good but not absolute. No single serological or PCR method was able to discriminate among the five isolate groups found. Twenty-nine isolates belonged to the PVY^N strain and six to the PVY^O strain. No PVY^C was found. Two other isolates reacted serologically like PVY^O, but were unable to elicit a hypersensitive response from the Ny_tbr gene and probably represent the PVY^Z group. At the molecular level, these two isolates showed a combination of both PVY^O and PVY^N and could be recombinants of these strains. Another isolate reacted serologically like PVY^O, but induced vein necrosis in tobacco, like PVY^N-Wilga. Some PVY^N isolates caused tuber ring necrosis in glasshouse conditions. These might belong to the PVY^NTN group. The PVY^NTN, PVY^N-Wilga and PVY^Z groups probably represent pathotypes within strains PVY^N and PVY^O, respectively. The present study also confirms previous reports showing a high genetic variation at the 5 end within the PVYN strain.     

Problems associated with potyviruses in potato certification-field inspection and serological testing1

In UK, the tobacco veinal necrosis strain of potato virus Y (PVY^N), potato virus A (PVA) and potato virus V (PVV) each occur in the field only in limited ranges of potato cultivars in which they mostly cause mild symptoms or even symptomless infection; little is known about incidence of strain C of PVY (PVY^C). The ordinary strain of PVY (PVY°), however, is widespread causing symptoms ranging in severity from very severe through to very mild, depending on cultivar sensitivity/tolerance. During field inspections, very mild potyvirus symptoms may be missed, so inspectors are trained to be particularly vigilant when examining problem cultivars which react in this way. PVA is almost invariably treated, along with PVX, as a mild kind of virus infection, but infections with PVY°, PVY^N and PVV are treated as severe with stricter tolerances being applied for them (especially for PVY^N) regardless of symptom severity. Wide variation within the same cultivar in the behaviour of variants within the PVY° strain group also sometimes causes difficulties in interpretation at inspection. To detect PVY, PVA and PVV in routine serological testing on potato certification samples, it is necessary to employ specific antisera to each of them. PVY^N-specific monoclonal antibodies can be used in ELISA to distinguish PVY^N from PVY°.     

Determination of the infection pressure of potato virus YN

In 1976 consecutive series of plants ofNicotiana tabacum ‘White Burley’ replaced weekly, were used as bait plants to determine the infection pressure of potato virus Y^N (PVY^N) in a crop of ware potatoes in the centre of the Netherlands. The first PVY^N-infected tobacco plants were found mid May. The course of infection of the tobacco plants was not correlated with the flight ofMyzus persicae, which started towards the end of June. Aphid species other thanMyzus persicae presumably are responsible for the infection observed early.Rhopalosiphum padi andAcyrthosiphon pisum flew much earlier thanMyzus persicae and are vectors of PVY^N.