Targeted expression of single-chain antibody inhibits the accumulation of Beet necrotic yellow vein virus in Nicotiana benthamiana

Abstract

Rhizomania is one of the most damaging sugar beet diseases and is caused by Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV). In order to interfere with viral propagation, the expression of recombinant antibody strategy was employed. The coding sequence of a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) specific to the main BNYVV coat protein, P21, was targeted to the cytosol, apoplast or outer membrane of mitochondrion of Nicotiana benthamiana plants. Also, an endoplasmic reticulum retention signal peptide, KDEL, was added at the C-terminal of the scFv protein which presumably stabilizes it in cytoplasm. Although the accumulation levels of scFv could not be correlated to the levels of the inhibition of viral accumulation, the titer of the virus in all groups of transgenic plants was significantly lower than the wild type ones when grown in BNYVV-infested soil. No significant differences were found in the number of resistant plants targeting P21-scFv in either putative subcellular locations. ARTICLE HISTORY

RNAi silencing of rice black-streaked dwarf virus P10 and two insect vector genes to reduce virus transmission protects rice plants against RBSDV

“…For example, using dsRNA produced by an in-vitro expression system ingested into insects to silence the genes of insect vectors or virus could efficiently interfere with viral infection (Shi et al 2019). In addition, transgenic plants could be engineered to express a single hairpin dsRNA targeting virusbinding protein genes from insects or virus-related protein genes from virus to enhance their resistance to viruses (Zaidi et al 2016;Jafarzade et al 2019). Many strategies to engineer RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated plant viral resistance have met with varying degrees of success, including attenuated and delayed symptoms, immunity and absence of resistance (Mansoor et al 2006;Guo et al 2018).…”