The cucumber mosaic virus 1a protein regulates interactions between the 2b protein and ARGONAUTE 1 while maintaining the silencing suppressor activity of the 2b protein.

ABSTRACT: The cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) 2b viral suppressor of RNA silencing (VSR) is a potent counter-defense and pathogenicity factor that inhibits antiviral silencing by titration of short double-stranded RNAs. It also disrupts microRNA-mediated regulation of host gene expression by binding ARGONAUTE 1 (AGO1). But in Arabidopsis thaliana complete inhibition of AGO1 is counterproductive to CMV since this triggers another layer of antiviral silencing mediated by AGO2, de-represses strong resistance against aphids (the insect vectors of CMV), and exacerbates symptoms. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and co-immunoprecipitation assays we found that the CMV 1a protein, a component of the viral replicase complex, regulates the 2b-AGO1 interaction. By

SUBMITTER: Watt LG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7738167 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature