Abstract
The family Geminiviridae includes the members of plant-infecting viruses that contain ssDNA of ~2.7kb as their genome. It is one of the largest virus families, causing disease in monocots as well as dicots. These viruses are transmitted by insect vectors, and have limited coding potential by encoding six to eight proteins. Virus-encoded proteins are multifunctional in nature to assist in this plant–virus–vector tritrophic interaction. Plants have employed several multilayered defense mechanisms to defend against these devastating disease complexes. However, to establish successful infection, these virus-encoded proteins have evolved to counter host-derived defense responses by manipulating/hijacking several plant and insect factors/pathways. Geminiviruses are known to efficiently subvert plant/insect-mediated defense signaling events, and are masters in reprogramming defense gene expressions at multiple stages. This molecular arms race between the plants and viruses are never ending by employing various defensive and counterdefensive approaches. This chapter discusses the types of defense strategies employed by the hosts and the way these viruses counteract them to successfully complete their life cycle.
Published Version
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