Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV), a bipartite begomovirus, is a major plant pathogen causing severe yield losses in tomato and other economically important crops. Like many begomoviruses, ToLCNDV overcomes the host’s antiviral RNA silencing machinery through the action of viral suppressors of RNA silencing (VSRs). This chapter provides a detailed account of three key ToLCNDV-encoded VSRs—AV2 (pre-coat protein), AC2 (transcriptional activator protein), and AC4—highlighting their structural features, mechanisms of RNA silencing suppression at both transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels, and their roles as pathogenicity determinants. AV2 primarily disrupts host RNA-dependent RNA polymerase 1 (RDR1)-mediated antiviral defense, AC2 interferes with the microRNA pathway and AGO1-associated RISC function, while AC4 targets AGO4 and modulates host DNA methylation machinery. Beyond silencing suppression, these proteins modulate host transcription, hormone signaling, and defense responses, thereby enhancing viral replication, movement, and symptom expression. The chapter also outlines experimental approaches for VSR characterization, including transient expression, reversal of silencing, and stable expression assays. Understanding the molecular arsenal of ToLCNDV provides critical insights for devising RNAi-based and genetic resistance strategies against begomovirus infections.

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Molecular Arsenal of Tomato Leaf Curl New Delhi Virus: Viral Suppressors of RNA Silencing and Their Roles in Pathogenicity

  • Mehulee Sarkar,
  • Firoz Mondal,
  • Anik Majumdar,
  • Nimmala Sree Valli,
  • Bishal Roy,
  • Namrata Verma,
  • Yeluru Mohanbabu,
  • Ravinder Kumar,
  • Anirban Roy

摘要

Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV), a bipartite begomovirus, is a major plant pathogen causing severe yield losses in tomato and other economically important crops. Like many begomoviruses, ToLCNDV overcomes the host’s antiviral RNA silencing machinery through the action of viral suppressors of RNA silencing (VSRs). This chapter provides a detailed account of three key ToLCNDV-encoded VSRs—AV2 (pre-coat protein), AC2 (transcriptional activator protein), and AC4—highlighting their structural features, mechanisms of RNA silencing suppression at both transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels, and their roles as pathogenicity determinants. AV2 primarily disrupts host RNA-dependent RNA polymerase 1 (RDR1)-mediated antiviral defense, AC2 interferes with the microRNA pathway and AGO1-associated RISC function, while AC4 targets AGO4 and modulates host DNA methylation machinery. Beyond silencing suppression, these proteins modulate host transcription, hormone signaling, and defense responses, thereby enhancing viral replication, movement, and symptom expression. The chapter also outlines experimental approaches for VSR characterization, including transient expression, reversal of silencing, and stable expression assays. Understanding the molecular arsenal of ToLCNDV provides critical insights for devising RNAi-based and genetic resistance strategies against begomovirus infections.