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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Salinas, California » Crop Improvement and Protection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #418058
Research Project: Biological and Biotechnological Approaches for Management of Insect Vectors and Vector-borne Viruses Affecting Vegetable Crops

Location: Crop Improvement and Protection Research

Title: Engineering a robust infectious clone and gene silencing vector from blackberry yellow vein associated virus

Author
item SIERRA MEJIA, ANDREA - University Of Arkansas
item VILLAMOR, DAN - University Of Arkansas
item Rocha, Aaron
item Wintermantel, William
item TZANETAKIS, IOANNIS - University Of Arkansas

Submitted to: Virus Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/18/2024
Publication Date: 12/18/2024
Citation: Sierra-Mejia, A., Villamor, D.E.V., Rocha, A., Wintermantel, W.M., Tzanetakis, I.E. 2024. Engineering a robust infectious clone and gene silencing vector from blackberry yellow vein associated virus. Virus Research. 350. Article 199488. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.virusres.2024.199488.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.virusres.2024.199488

Interpretive Summary: As the area for blackberry production increases, so do pathogens and diseases. Such is the case with blackberry yellow vein disease (BYVD), a major threat to production in the southeastern United States. BYVD is caused by a combination of viruses, with blackberry yellow vein associated virus (BYVaV) being one of the most prevalent virus in the complex. However, its role in disease development is yet to be determined. Aiming to better understand BYVaV biology and its role in BYVD development, we developed a BYVaV infectious clone and virus-induced gene silencing vector (VIGS). The infectious clone induced systemic infection and symptom development in the common tobacco relative, Nicotiana benthamiana. The ability of the cloned virus to be transmitted by its natural vector, the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) was demonstrated, as was transmission by dodder, a parasitic plant that connects vascular system of plants. The infectious clone was successfully developed into a stable VIGS vector and was shown to retain an insert for over 6 months. This work provides the tools to further study the biology of BYVaV, its role in BYVD development and to conduct functional genomic studies on virus hosts.

Technical Abstract: As the area for blackberry production increases, so do pathogens and diseases. Such is the case with blackberry yellow vein disease (BYVD), a major threat to production in the southeastern United States. BYVD is caused by a combination of viruses, with blackberry yellow vein associated virus (BYVaV) being one of the most prevalent virus in the complex. However, its role in disease development is yet to be determined. Aiming to better understand BYVaV biology and its role in BYVD development, we developed a BYVaV infectious clone and virus-induced gene silencing vector (VIGS). The infectious clone induced systemic infection and symptom development in Nicotiana benthamiana. Transmission of the recombinant virus was subsequently demonstrated using the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, the natural vector of BYVaV, as well as through bridging with dodder (Cuscuta campestris). The infectious clone was successfully developed into a stable VIGS vector and was shown to retain an insert for over 6 months. This work provides the tools to further study the biology of BYVaV, its role in BYVD development and to conduct functional genomic studies on virus hosts.