Molecular Plant Pathology (2014) 15, 31-43

Alessandra Lucioli, Alessandra Berardi, Francesca Gatti, Raffaela Tavazza, Daniele Pizzichini and Mario Tavazza (2014)
Tomato yellow leaf curl Sardinia virus-resistant tomato plants expressing the multifunctional N-terminal domain of the replication-associated protein show transcriptional changes resembling stress-related responses
Molecular Plant Pathology 15 (1), 31-43
Abstract: The N-terminal domain (amino acids 1-130) of the replication-associated protein (Rep₁₃₀) of Tomato yellow leaf curl Sardinia virus (TYLCSV) retains the ability of full-length Rep to localize to the nucleus and to down-regulate C1 transcription when ectopically expressed in plants, both functions being required to inhibit homologous viral replication. In this study, we analysed the effect of Rep₁₃₀ expression on virus resistance and the plant transcriptome in the natural and agronomically important host species of TYLCSV, Solanum lycopersicum. Tomato plants accumulating high levels of Rep₁₃₀ were generated and proved to be resistant to TYLCSV. Using an in vitro assay, we showed that plant-expressed Rep₁₃₀ also retains the catalytic activity of Rep, thus supporting the notion that this protein domain is fully functional. Interestingly, Rep₁₃₀-expressing tomatoes were characterized by an altered transcriptional profile resembling stress-related responses. Notably, the serine-type protease inhibitor (Ser-PI) category was over-represented among the 20 up-regulated genes. The involvement of Rep₁₃₀ in the alteration of host mRNA steady-state levels was confirmed using a distinct set of virus-resistant transgenic tomato plants expressing the same TYLCSV Rep₁₃₀, but from a different, synthetic, gene. Eight genes were found to be up-regulated in both types of transgenic tomato and two encoded Ser-PIs. Four of these eight genes were also up-regulated in TYLCSV-infected wild-type tomato plants. Implications with regard to the ability of this Rep domain to interfere with viral infections and to alter the host transcriptome are discussed.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Mario Tavazza

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
resistance/tolerance/defence of host

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Tomato yellow leaf curl Sardinia virus	Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)