Degree of RNA silencing and the ability of a viral suppressor vary depending on the cell species in a protoplast system

RNA silencing is a sequence-specific defense mechanism against viruses. As a counterdefense, viruses evolved silencing suppressors to interfere with host silencing. In analyses using protoplasts prepared from cultured cells (BY-2) and mesophyll cells of Nicotiana tabacum and N. benthamiana, viral suppressors differentially functioned in different cell types. This phenomenon has not been discussed in earlier papers on protoplast systems and RNA silencing. In investigations of the cellular activities of viral suppressors and their role in the RNA-silencing pathway, assays with host protoplasts offer many advantages and can complement other in planta assays such as Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression.     

RNA silencing against viruses: molecular arms race between Cucumber mosaic virus and its host

Plants have developed RNA silencing as an antiviral defense mechanism. To escape from the plant host’s defenses, viruses have countered their host’s antiviral silencing by producing RNA silencing suppressor proteins (RSSs). Although the mode of action of the majority of viral RSSs has been found to be through double-stranded RNA-binding, viruses have different strategies to counteract the host’s antiviral silencing pathways. The 2b protein of Cucumber mosaic virus, which is one of the most extensively studied viral RSSs, is reviewed here to provide insights on the molecular arms race between viruses and their host plants.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">White clover mosaic virus</Emphasis>-induced gene silencing in pea

Double-stranded RNAs formed in secondary structures and replicative intermediates of viral genomes are thought to strongly elicit RNA silencing. This phenomenon is known as virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS). VIGS is a powerful tool for modifying gene expression in host plants. We constructed a virus vector based on White clover mosaic virus (WClMV) and demonstrated VIGS of phytoene desaturase (PDS) in pea. Photobleaching of tissues, caused by VIGS of PDS, was observed in restricted areas of upper leaves and stems. We confirmed that the PDS mRNA and subgenomic RNAs of WClMV were reduced in the photobleached tissues.     

Positional effect of gene insertion on genetic stability of a clover yellow vein virus-based expression vector

The stability of the inserted genes in the viral expression vector varied depending on the sequence introduced and the position of insertion. Infectious cDNA to Clover yellow vein virus (pClYVV) was modified to insert a foreign gene at two independent sites: one, along with a polylinker, between the NIb and CP genes (pClYVV/CP/W) and the other between P1 and HC-Pro (pClYVV-Pst/CP). The green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene was inserted into either pClYVV/CP/W or pClYVV-Pst/CP. GFP gene was stably maintained and expressed in both vectors following serial passages in plants. Progeny viruses from both constructs accumulated in similar amounts and at rates of 70%–80% of that of the wild-type virus. On the other hand, progeny viruses carrying the human interferon- (hIFN) gene cloned in pClYVV-Pst/CP were genetically unstable owing to frequent deletions of the cloned gene during passage through plants. In contrast, the hIFN sequence cloned in pClYVV/CP/W was stably maintained in viruses after several passages in broad bean plants, and the progeny virus accumulated at the rate of about 50%–100% of that of the wild-type virus. The nucleotide sequence analyses indicated that the genetic instability of the inserted sequence results from homologous recombination of viral vector and inserted DNA sequences; it is not due to the inserted sequence alone.     

Influence of an m-type thioredoxin in maize on potyviral infection

Expression of many host genes can be altered during virus infection. In a previous study of sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) infection in maize (Zea mays), we observed that expression of ZmTrm2, a gene encoding thioredoxin m, was up-regulated at about 10 days post-inoculation (dpi). In this present study we determined that ZmTrm2 silencing in maize by virus-induced gene silencing significantly enhanced systemic SCMV infection. In contrast transient over-expression of ZmTrm2 in maize protoplasts inhibited accumulation of SCMV viral RNA. Furthermore, we found that in inoculated Nicotiana tabacum leaves transient expression of ZmTrm2 inhibited accumulation of the RNA of tobacco vein-banding mosaic virus (TVBMV), a potyvirus infecting dicotyledonous plants. Interestingly in ZmTrm2 transiently expressed N. tabacum leaves, we detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR a reduced level of the mRNA of class I beta-1, 3-glucanase (GluI), a protein known to have a role in cell wall callose deposition and viral movement. Our data indicate that the maize ZmTrm2 plays an inhibitory role during infection of plants by SCMV and TVBMV.     

高温激活RNA沉默介导的心叶烟抗病毒防御反应

 在真核细胞内,RNA沉默是一种保守的抵抗病毒及外源基因等寄生分子的防御机制。温度可以明显地影响植物体与病毒之间的相互作用。在常温状态下,常常会伴随病毒病的爆发,但在较高温度下,症状则会减轻,甚至有些感病植株新生叶片可以较快地恢复健康。目前这类现象的内在机制还不完全清楚。本文通过定量分析不同温度下马铃薯X病毒(Potato virus X,PVX)和马铃薯Y病毒(Potato virus Y,PVY)侵染的心叶烟(Nicotiana glutinosa)植株体内病毒蛋白含量,结合症状观察,确定30℃左右是PVX和PVY在心叶烟上引起症状消失即发生系统性RNA沉默的临界温度,此时的感病植株上部新生展开叶片呈现无症状态,下部已发病叶片症状不变。在常温时,由病毒激发的RNA沉默会受到抑制,病毒来源的小分子干涉RNA (small interfering RNAs,siRNAs)含量极少或根本检测不到,植株对于病毒的敏感性较强。当温度达到30或32℃时,感病植株下部症状保持叶片中,病毒起源的siRNAs含量明显增加,而上部新生健康叶片中却检测不到siRNAs的存在。这说明高温激活了RNA沉默介导的植物抗病毒防御反应,导致病毒症状减轻甚至消失。     

感染大麦黄矮病毒的小麦中vsiRNA特征分析

 RNA沉默是植物中一种保守的抗病毒机制,其以大量病毒来源的小干扰RNA(virus-derived small interfering RNAs,vsiRNAs)的产生为标志,病毒在侵染寄主过程中可通过vsiRNAs靶向寄主转录本以对抗这种防御机制。BYDV-GAV引起的小麦黄矮病导致小麦黄化和矮化症状,对小麦生产构成严重威胁。通过深度测序技术,分析了感染BYDV-GAV的感病小麦品种‘小偃6号’中vsiRNAs的特征,共得到11 384个vsiRNAs,并预测到37 784个寄主靶基因。发现来源于BYDV-GAV基因组的正义和反义链的vsiRNAs的数量分布大致相等,在5’末端具有A和C偏好性,长度主要在21nt~22nt。靶基因的功能分析表明这些靶基因参与了广泛的生物学功能,尤其是在寄主-病原物互作中占的比重最大。选取25个参与寄主-病原互作的抗性相关基因进行定量验证,发现接种BYDV-GAV后有15个明显下调,6个上调,4个微弱下调,表明测序结果和靶基因预测可靠。推测BYDV-GAV可以通过vsiRNAs干扰寄主抗性基因表达和信号转导,从而实现对感病寄主的侵染。研究结果对揭示BYDV-GAV与小麦互作的分子机制具有重要意义。     

感染大麦黄矮病毒的小麦中vsiRNA特征分析

 RNA沉默是植物中一种保守的抗病毒机制,其以大量病毒来源的小干扰RNA(virus-derived small interfering RNAs,vsiRNAs)的产生为标志,病毒在侵染寄主过程中可通过vsiRNAs靶向寄主转录本以对抗这种防御机制。BYDV-GAV引起的小麦黄矮病导致小麦黄化和矮化症状,对小麦生产构成严重威胁。通过深度测序技术,分析了感染BYDV-GAV的感病小麦品种‘小偃6号’中vsiRNAs的特征,共得到11 384个vsiRNAs,并预测到37 784个寄主靶基因。发现来源于BYDV-GAV基因组的正义和反义链的vsiRNAs的数量分布大致相等,在5’末端具有A和C偏好性,长度主要在21nt~22nt。靶基因的功能分析表明这些靶基因参与了广泛的生物学功能,尤其是在寄主-病原物互作中占的比重最大。选取25个参与寄主-病原互作的抗性相关基因进行定量验证,发现接种BYDV-GAV后有15个明显下调,6个上调,4个微弱下调,表明测序结果和靶基因预测可靠。推测BYDV-GAV可以通过vsiRNAs干扰寄主抗性基因表达和信号转导,从而实现对感病寄主的侵染。研究结果对揭示BYDV-GAV与小麦互作的分子机制具有重要意义。     

Argonaute1敲除前后尖孢镰刀菌转录组分析比较

 Argonaute蛋白(AGO)介导的沉默复合体在RNA干扰(RNAi)中起着至关重要的作用。为了探究AGO1在尖孢镰刀菌RNAi中的作用机制,本文以粘团专化型尖孢镰刀菌生理1号小种FOX-A8野生型和其AGO1缺失突变体(FOX-A8-△Ago1)的菌丝和孢子为材料,分别进行了RNA提取、Illumina HiSeq 2000高通量转录组测序、差异表达基因(DEGs)的显著富集分析;选择菌丝和孢子中的DEGs 进行实时荧光定量PCR(Quantitative real-time PCR, qRT-PCR)验证。GO通路注释结果显示,相对于野生型菌株,AGO1缺失突变体菌丝中的醇脱氢酶(NADP⁺)、孢子中的CAMK / CAMKL / CHK 1蛋白激酶均显著上调;KEGG通路注释结果显示,相对于野生型菌株,AGO1缺失突变体菌丝中与 MAPK信号通路相关的基因、孢子中与PLD信号通路相关的基因均显著下调;另外,相对于野生型菌株,编码AGO2的基因下调,但是下调不显著。qRT-PCR检测DEGs的表达模式与RNA-Seq分析结果一致,证实了RNA-Seq结果的可靠性。     

Argonaute1敲除前后尖孢镰刀菌转录组分析比较

 Argonaute蛋白(AGO)介导的沉默复合体在RNA干扰(RNAi)中起着至关重要的作用。为了探究AGO1在尖孢镰刀菌RNAi中的作用机制,本文以粘团专化型尖孢镰刀菌生理1号小种FOX-A8野生型和其AGO1缺失突变体(FOX-A8-△Ago1)的菌丝和孢子为材料,分别进行了RNA提取、Illumina HiSeq 2000高通量转录组测序、差异表达基因(DEGs)的显著富集分析;选择菌丝和孢子中的DEGs 进行实时荧光定量PCR(Quantitative real-time PCR, qRT-PCR)验证。GO通路注释结果显示,相对于野生型菌株,AGO1缺失突变体菌丝中的醇脱氢酶(NADP⁺)、孢子中的CAMK / CAMKL / CHK 1蛋白激酶均显著上调;KEGG通路注释结果显示,相对于野生型菌株,AGO1缺失突变体菌丝中与 MAPK信号通路相关的基因、孢子中与PLD信号通路相关的基因均显著下调;另外,相对于野生型菌株,编码AGO2的基因下调,但是下调不显著。qRT-PCR检测DEGs的表达模式与RNA-Seq分析结果一致,证实了RNA-Seq结果的可靠性。     

Macroarray Detection of Plant RNA Viruses Using Randomly Primed and Amplified Complementary DNAs from Infected Plants

ABSTRACT Membrane-based macroarrays provide a relatively inexpensive technology with the potential to detect hundreds of pathogens in a single assay. For the simultaneous detection of a large number of pathogens, it is necessary to obtain sufficient nucleic acids for labeling, and any amplification reactions need to be performed using unbiased, pathogen-non-specific primers. A nonradioactive macroarray system is described to test for plant RNA viruses using 70-mer oligonucleotide probes immobilized on nylon membranes. Starting with a total plant RNA extract, complementary DNA (cDNA) and second-strand syntheses were carried out using an anchor primer sequence with random pentamers coupled at the 3' end. Subsequent synthesis by polymerase chain reaction using the anchor primer alone resulted in a relatively unbiased amplification of plant and viral RNAs. These cDNAs were chemically labeled and the product used as a target in hybridization analyses. The system was validated using RNA extracts from plants infected with Cucumber mosaic virus, Potato virus Y, and Potato leaf roll virus (PLRV). Despite the relative excess of host-derived nonviral sequences, viral RNAs were amplified between 100- and 1,000-fold and were detected in single and mixed infections. The macroarray sensitivity was comparable to that of double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, with PLRV being detected in sap dilutions of 1:100. The potential for the development of a relatively inexpensive multipathogen detection system is discussed.     

马铃薯Y病毒复制酶基因不同位置cDNA区段介导对PVY的不同抗性

为探究靶序列位置对RNA介导的病毒抗性产生的影响,利用聚合酶链式反应(polymerase chain reaction,PCR)技术扩增马铃薯Y病毒(Potato virus Y,PVY)复制酶基因(nuclear inclusion b,NIb)不同位置的cDNA区段,反向插入双元载体pROKII中,构建了发夹RNA(hairpin RNA,hpR-NA)结构的植物表达载体。将构建的植物表达载体采用冻融法转入农杆菌LBA4404,叶盘法转化烟草NC89,获得转基因植株。攻毒试验表明:PVYNIb基因不同位置cDNA区段介导的对PVY的抗性存在显著差异;3′端1/2处和中间位置的序列可介导高水平的病毒抗性,抗性植株的比例在50%以上,而5′端、5′端1/2处和3′端的序列介导的抗性效率较低,抗性植株的比例仅为10%~30%。Northern杂交显示:抗病植株中RNA的积累量明显低于同类型的感病植株,抗性与RNA积累量呈负相关;抗病转基因植株中有siRNA存在,表明病毒抗性是由RNA介导的。     

植物小RNA在病毒致病过程中的作用研究进展

目前,我国正遭受多种外来有害生物的入侵,给我国的农业生产以及生态环境造成了严重影响。其中检疫性植物病毒危害大、隐蔽性强,是重要的外来生物。掌握病毒致病的相关机制是有效防控入侵病毒病害的基础。微小RNA(microRNA,miRNA)以及病毒小干扰RNA(small interfering RNA,siRNA)是植物体内重要的非编码小RNA,在病毒致病过程中扮演着重要角色。病毒在侵染过程中,可以利用植物抗病毒免疫反应产生的siRNA进行致病,同时可以直接或间接干扰miRNA的代谢途径,导致相关症状的产生。本文根据植物小RNA的近期研究进展,对miRNA和病毒siRNA的产生途径、生物学特性以及作用分子机制进行了综述,并对其在病毒侵染过程中的作用进行了探讨,初步从小RNA的角度阐述了植物病毒的致病机制,以期为检疫性病毒病害的防控提供理论基础。