Plant Virus–Insect Vector Interactions: Current and Potential Future Research Directions

Abstract

Acquisition and transmission by an insect vector is central to the infection cycle of the majority of plant pathogenic viruses. Plant viruses can interact with their insect host in a variety of ways including both non-persistent and circulative transmission; in some cases, the latter involves virus replication in cells of the insect host. Replicating viruses can also elicit both innate and specific defense responses in the insect host. A consistent feature is that the interaction of the virus with its insect host/vector requires specific molecular interactions between virus and host, commonly via proteins. Understanding the interactions between plant viruses and their insect host can underpin approaches to protect plants from infection by interfering with virus uptake and transmission. Here, we provide a perspective focused on identifying novel approaches and research directions to facilitate control of plant viruses by better understanding and targeting virus–insect molecular interactions. We also draw parallels with molecular interactions in insect vectors of animal viruses, and consider technical advances for their control that may be more broadly applicable to plant virus vectors.

Priming Melon Defenses with Acibenzolar-S-methyl Attenuates Infections by Phylogenetically Distinct Viruses and Diminishes Vector Preferences for Infected Hosts

“…Although it is difficult to measure the exact impact plant viruses have on agricultural production, it is estimated that they are responsible for upwards of USD 30 billion in crop losses each year [3]. Furthermore, the vast majority of characterized plant pathogenic viruses are insect transmitted [4], and climate change and global trade are predicted to alter the distribution of insect vectors in ways that will only increase the number of emerging insect-borne viruses threatening crops in the future [5]. Thus, we urgently need new solutions for plant virus management that are both sustainable and adaptable to multiple virus threats.…”

Gelsolin of insect vectors negatively regulates actin-based tubule motility of plant reoviruses

“…From an evolutionary standpoint, successful virus infection can be attributed to the balance achieved by the coevolution of the virus and the insect vector (Dietzgen et al 2016;Wei and Li 2016). During the process of infection, the virus exploits various resources in the insect, including insect proteins, cellular machinery, and metabolic or immunity pathways for viral propagation and expansion (Wei et al 2011;Wang et al 2012;Tang et al 2014;Liu et al 2015).…”

The microbiome of pest insects: it is not just bacteria

“…Many plant viruses also rely on insect vectors to transmit them to other plants, and these interactions can be rather specific, with members of a particular genus of plant viruses (e.g., Potyvirus) being transmitted mostly by a particular insect taxon (e.g., aphids) (Whitfield et al, 2015). The mechanisms for this specificity, and for the transmission of the virus from the insect to the plant, have been studied in detail for many plant-virus-insect interactions (Whitfield et al, 2015;Dietzgen et al, 2016). Some insect species can transmit many different viruses.…”