Open AccessTransgenic expression of pectin methylesterase inhibitors limits tobamovirus spread in tobacco and A rabidopsis
Author(s) -
Lionetti Vincenzo,
Raiola Alessandro,
Cervone Felice,
Bellincampi Daniela
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
molecular plant pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.945
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1364-3703
pISSN - 1464-6722
DOI - 10.1111/mpp.12090
Subject(s) - tobamovirus , tobacco mosaic virus , biology , movement protein , virus , virology , cucumovirus , plant virus , viral replication , cucumber mosaic virus , gene , genetics , coat protein , rna
Summary Plant infection by a virus is a complex process influenced by virus‐encoded factors and host components which support replication and movement. Critical factors for a successful tobamovirus infection are the viral movement protein ( MP ) and the host pectin methylesterase ( PME ), an important plant counterpart that cooperates with MP to sustain viral spread. The activity of PME is modulated by endogenous protein inhibitors (pectin methylesterase inhibitors, PMEIs ). PMEIs are targeted to the extracellular matrix and typically inhibit plant PMEs by forming a specific and stable stoichiometric 1:1 complex. PMEIs counteract the action of plant PMEs and therefore may affect plant susceptibility to virus. To test this hypothesis, we overexpressed genes encoding two well‐characterized PMEIs in tobacco and A rabidopsis plants. Here, we report that, in tobacco plants constitutively expressing a PMEI from A ctinidia chinensis ( AcPMEI ), systemic movement of T obacco mosaic virus ( TMV ) is limited and viral symptoms are reduced. A delayed movement of T urnip vein clearing virus ( TVCV ) and a reduced susceptibility to the virus were also observed in A rabidopsis plants overexpressing AtPMEI ‐2. Our results provide evidence that PMEIs are able to limit tobamovirus movement and to reduce plant susceptibility to the virus.