REPercussions: how geminiviruses recruit host factors for replication

Abstract

Circular single-stranded DNA viruses of the family Geminiviridae encode replication-associated protein (Rep), which is a multifunctional protein involved in virus DNA replication, transcription of virus genes, and suppression of host defense responses. Geminivirus genomes are replicated through the interaction between virus Rep and several host proteins. The Rep also interacts with itself and the virus replication enhancer protein (REn), which is another essential component of the geminivirus replicase complex that interacts with host DNA polymerases α and δ. Recent studies revealed the structural and functional complexities of geminivirus Rep, which is believed to have evolved from plasmids containing a signature domain (HUH) for single-stranded DNA binding with nuclease activity. The Rep coding sequence encompasses the entire coding sequence for AC4, which is intricately embedded within it, and performs several overlapping functions like Rep, supporting virus infection. This review investigated the structural and functional diversity of the geminivirus Rep.

Circular Single-Stranded DNA: Discovery, Biological Effects, and Applications

“…In geminiviruses, the first difference is that they initiate infection though the different hemipterous insects, which keep the primary target of viruses as differentiated cells. − Most viruses cannot replicate in these host insect cells, but Pakkianathan et al reported for the first time that the single-stranded DNA plant virus-like Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) can replicate in its whitefly vector. Whether in plant cells or insect cells, there is a huge challenge of transporting CssDNA into the nucleus.…”