Transgenic expression of pectin methylesterase inhibitors limits tobamovirus spread in tobacco and Arabidopsis.

ABSTRACT: Plant infection by a virus is a complex process influenced by virus-encoded factors and host components which support replication and movement. Critical factors for a successful tobamovirus infection are the viral movement protein (MP) and the host pectin methylesterase (PME), an important plant counterpart that cooperates with MP to sustain viral spread. The activity of PME is modulated by endogenous protein inhibitors (pectin methylesterase inhibitors, PMEIs). PMEIs are targeted to the extracellular matrix and typically inhibit plant PMEs by forming a specific and stable stoichiometric 1:1 complex. PMEIs counteract the action of plant PMEs and therefore may affect plant susceptibility to virus. To test this hypothesis, we overexpressed genes encoding two well-characterized PMEIs in tobac

SUBMITTER: Lionetti V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6638747 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature