Abstract
Geminiviruses are plant-infecting viruses characterized by a single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) genome. Geminivirus-derived proteins are multifunctional and effective regulators in modulating the host cellular processes resulting in successful infection. Virus-host interactions result in changes in host gene expression patterns, reprogram plant signaling controls, disrupt central cellular metabolic pathways, impair plant’s defense system, and effectively evade RNA silencing response leading to host susceptibility. This review summarizes what is known about the cellular processes in the continuing tug of war between geminiviruses and their plant hosts at the molecular level. In addition, implications for engineered resistance to geminivirus infection in the context of a greater understanding of the molecular processes are also discussed. Finally, the prospect of employing geminivirus-based vectors in plant genome engineering and the emergence of powerful genome editing tools to confer geminivirus resistance are highlighted to complete the perspective on geminivirus-plant molecular interactions.
Highlights
Geminiviruses are plant-infecting viruses with a monopartite or bipartite single-stranded DNA encapsidated in twinned icosahedral particles
Geminiviruses are inducers of RNA silencing owing to the bidirectional transcription of their genomes [10], aberrant read-through transcription [30], and the overlapping ORFs which results in the production of double-stranded RNA—a key instigator of the RNA silencing pathways (Figure 1)
It can bind to the subunits of host DNA polymerase complex [95,96,97,98], single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) binding proteins [99,100], and recombination/repair proteins to interfere in host DNA replication process (Figure 2)
Summary
Geminiviruses are plant-infecting viruses with a monopartite or bipartite single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) encapsidated in twinned icosahedral particles. The alpha-satellites (DNA α) are characterized by self-replicating ssDNA ((~1375 nucleotides (nt)) half the size of the single DNA component of begomoviruses, and are dependent on the helper virus for movement, encapsidation and vector transmission [13]. Tomato leaf curl viruses (ToLCVs) cause annual yield losses of $140 million in Florida, USA and continue to be a constraint to tomato production worldwide [28,29].This review summarizes our current knowledge of the molecular arms race between geminiviruses and their host plants and its implications for developing engineered, virus resistant crops, with particular emphasis on the geminivirus-induced.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
