A viral protein activates the MAPK pathway to promote viral infection by downregulating callose deposition in plants.

ABSTRACT: Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are evolutionarily conserved in both plants and animals and play critical roles in activating innate immunity to defend against various pathogens. However, the role of MAPK cascades in positively regulating or enhancing viral infections in plants is unclear. In this study, we investigate the involvement of MAPK cascades in infection by the positive-strand RNA virus tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV). Our findings reveal that ToCV infection activates MAPK cascades, promoting virus spread within plants. Specifically, ToCV P7, a pathogenicity determinant protein, localizes to the plasma membrane and recruits NbMPK3/6 from the nucleus. Subsequently, P7 is directly phosphorylated on serine 59 by NbMPK3/6. Phosphorylated P7 interacts with NbREM1.1 and

SUBMITTER: Feng L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11618657 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature