Abstract
Begomovirus ssDNA plant virus (family Geminiviridae) replication within the Bemisia tabaci vector is controversial. Transovarial transmission, alteration to whitefly biology, or detection of viral transcripts in the vector are proposed as indirect evidence of replication of tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV). Recently, contrasting direct evidence has been reported regarding the capacity of TYLCV to replicate within individuals of B. tabaci based on quantitave PCR approaches. Time-course experiments to quantify complementary and virion sense viral nucleic acid accumulation within B. tabaci using a recently implemented two step qPCR procedure revealed that viral DNA quantities did not increase for time points up to 96 hours after acquisition of the virus. Our findings do not support a recent report claiming TYLCV replication in individuals of B. tabaci.
Highlights
Begomovirus single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) plant virus replication within the Bemisia tabaci vector is controversial
Through rolling circle replication (RCR), complementary-sense (CS) and virion-sense (VS) DNA strands are produced with the help of the plant enzyme machinery and the virus replication-associated protein (Rep)[7,8]
Our results showed that CS and VS DNA loads in whiteflies remained stable or slightly decreased post-acquisition access period (AAP), consistent with the absence of tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) replication in B. tabaci
Summary
Replication of isolates of the Israel and Mild strains of TYLCV (TYLCV-IL and TYLCV-Mld, respectively) was analyzed in individuals of MEAM1 and MED species of the B. tabaci cryptic complex[11]. Under the experimental conditions used here (virus acquisition on virion preparations and maintenance of whiteflies post-AAP on an artificial diet until VS and CS strands quantification), constant CS:VS ratios and no significant increase trend in CS or VS TYLCV DNA strands accumulation shown here suggests the persistence of acquired VS or CS molecules, with no evidence for TYLCV replication in B. tabaci individuals. A slight increase in TYLCV load in B. tabaci individuals during the first 1 to 5 days post-AAP was described by Pakkianathan et al.[16], suggesting replication No such increase was detected by Becker et al.[17] using a similar experimental procedure, nor in the present study when feeding whiteflies an artificial diet to eliminate plant factor interference. Additional experimental evidence is needed to definitively affirm or discard the replication of TYLCV in B. tabaci
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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.
