Role of betasatellite in the pathogenesis of a bipartite begomovirus affecting tomato in India

Arch Virol. 2012 Jun;157(6):1081-92. doi: 10.1007/s00705-012-1261-7. Epub 2012 Mar 15.

Abstract

Betasatellites are commonly associated with tomato leaf curl disease caused by begomoviruses in India. This study demonstrates the role of a betasatellite in the pathogenesis of tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV), a bipartite begomovirus affecting tomato in India. For infection, accumulation, systemic movement and disease induction by ToLCNDV, co-infection by the associated betasatellite was not essential, as the DNA A alone of ToLCNDV could infect tomato and Nicotiana benthamiana and induce mild symptoms, but DNA B or Cotton leaf curl Multan betasatellite (CLCuMB) was required for development of typical leaf curl symptoms. The symptoms were most severe in plants infected with all three components, indicating a role of the betasatellite in the pathogenesis of ToLCNDV. The plants infected with ToLCNDV DNA A alone had limited accumulation of viral DNA, which increased by many times in plants co-infected with DNA B or/and betasatellite. However, the plants infected with all three components accumulated 20 times less betasatellite DNA than the plants infected with DNA A and betasatellite. The increase in the amount of viral DNAs was also reflected in the commensurate increase in symptom severity and transmissibility by whitefly, Bemisia tabaci.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Begomovirus / genetics
  • Begomovirus / isolation & purification
  • Begomovirus / pathogenicity*
  • Begomovirus / physiology
  • DNA, Satellite / genetics
  • DNA, Satellite / metabolism*
  • DNA, Viral / genetics
  • DNA, Viral / metabolism*
  • India
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny
  • Plant Diseases / virology*
  • Plant Leaves / virology
  • Solanum lycopersicum / virology*
  • Virulence

Substances

  • DNA, Satellite
  • DNA, Viral