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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #384944
Research Project: Emerging Stress Challenges and Functional Genomics of Stress Responses in Alfalfa

Location: Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory

Title: Genome-wide identification of endogenous viral sequences in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

Author
item BOUTANAEV, ALEXANDER - Russian Academy Of Sciences
item Nemchinov, Lev

Submitted to: Virology Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/26/2021
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Endogenous viral elements (EVEs) are partial or entire viral genes integrated into host chromosomes. They are instrumental in a gene flow between viruses and eukaryotes and may have a substantial role in the development, response to environment and evolution of their hosts. Prior to this work, EVEs were not identified in alfalfa, the most cultivated forage legume in the world. It is expected that this article would be of interest to government and academic researchers working in the fields of plant pathology, virology, molecular biology and evolution.

Technical Abstract: Endogenous viral elements (EVEs) have been for the most part described in animals and to a less extent in plants. The endogenization was proposed to contribute toward evolution of living organisms via horizontal gene transfer of novel genetic material and resultant genetic diversity. During the last two decades, several full-length and fragmented EVEs of pararetroviral and non-retroviral nature have been identified in different plant genomes, both monocots and eudicots. Prior to this work, no EVEs have been reported in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), the most cultivated forage legume in the world. In this study, taking advantage of the most recent developments in the field of alfalfa research, we have assessed alfalfa genome on the presence of EVEs and viral-related sequences. Our analysis revealed segmented EVEs derived from two dsDNA reverse-transcribing viruses: Soybean chlorotic mottle virus (family Caulimoviridae, genus Soymovirus) and Figwort mosaic virus (family Caulimoviridae, genus Caulimovirus). It appears that identified EVEs are stable constituents of the host genome. As a result, they could potentially acquire functional roles in alfalfa’s normal growth, organ development, metabolism, and response to environmental stresses. It cannot be ruled out that EVEs in alfalfa may also represent a source of infection.