Plant-mediated whitefly–begomovirus interactions: research progress and future prospects

Abstract

Plant-mediated interactions between begomoviruses and whiteflies exert important influences on the population dynamics of vectors and the epidemiology of plant diseases. In this article, we synthesize the relevant literature to identify patterns to the interactions. We then review studies on the ecological, biochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying the interactions and finally elaborate on the most interesting issues for future research. The interactions between begomoviruses and the insect vector, the whitefly Bemisia tabaci, via their shared host plants can be mutualistic, neutral or negative. However, in contrast to a pattern of improved performance of vectors on virus-infected plants that has been observed with persistently transmitted RNA viruses, the number of cases exhibiting mutualistic, neutral or negative effects in the indirect interactions between begomoviruses and whiteflies appear evenly distributed. With regard to the mechanisms of plant-mediated positive effects on whiteflies, two case studies indicate that suppression of plant defence and/or alteration in plant nutrition as a result of virus infection can be important. Our review shows that we are only just beginning to understand the tripartite interactions between begomoviruses, whiteflies and plants. Future efforts in this area should try to expand the number and diversity of pathosystems for investigation to reveal the patterns of interactions, to investigate the molecular and biochemical mechanisms of the interactions using a multidisciplinary approach, and to examine the virus-plant-vector interactions in the field and in natural plant communities.

Virulence Factors of Geminivirus Interact with MYC2 to Subvert Plant Resistance and Promote Vector Performance

“…Several animal pathogens can directly affect their vector to increase transmission rate (Hurd, 2003;Lefèvre et al, 2008). By contrast, plant pathogens have been shown mainly to modify vector behavior via their shared host plant to achieve an indirect mutualistic relationship between pathogen and vector (Casteel et al, 2014;Luan et al, 2014).…”

“…First, the pathogen causes nutritional changes in infected plants, resulting in improved fitness of the vectors. Second, the pathogen increases plant attractiveness and suitability to the vectors by overcoming plant defenses against the vector species, thereby promoting vector performance and increasing pathogen spread (Beanland et al, 2000;Eigenbrode et al, 2002;Lacroix et al, 2005;Jiu et al, 2007;Wang et al, 2012;Luan et al, 2014). To date, only a few reports have examined the host plant genes that are involved in pathogen-vector-plant interactions.…”

“…Moreover, some pathogen-infected plants have an inferior nutritional profile not optimal for the vector. To attract more vectors, pathogens can modulate host-derived olfactory cues to deceive their vectors (Eigenbrode et al, 2002;Mauck et al, 2010;Mann et al, 2012;Luan et al, 2014). To date, the precise mechanism of how a pathogen regulates host-derived olfactory cues remains poorly understood.…”

Agricultural production: assessment of the potential use of Cas9-mediated gene drive systems for agricultural pest control

“…Their impact results not only from stress and damage caused by feeding, but also from the plant pathogens they transmit while probing plant tissue and feeding. Notable examples include: Diaphorina citri, vector of the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus which causes citrus greening disease, also known as huanglongbing (Hall et al 2013); Nilaparvata lugens, one of the most important pests of rice because of its feeding damage and transmission of viruses (Bottrell and Schoenly 2012); and Bemisia tabaci, a species of whitefly known to feed on over 500 host plants, and to transmit many viruses from multiple genera, including Begomavirus, Torradovirus, Ipomovirus, and Crinivirus (Byrne and Bellows 1991;Luan et al 2014).…”

A peptidoglycan recognition protein acts in whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) immunity and involves in Begomovirus acquisition

“…Of the whitefly-transmitted virus species, approximately 90% belong to the genus Begomovirus , such as the Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), the Tomato yellow leaf curl China virus (TYLCCNV), and the Tobacco curly shoot virus (TbCSV)17. Begomoviruses are transmitted in a persistent circulative manner in which viruses move from gut into hemolymph and on to other tissues within their hosts1618. Some Begomovirus species, TYLCV, for example, may replicate within the whitefly vector, while others, such as the tomato mottle virus, probably do not1920.…”