Zinc finger protein 330 regulates Ramie mosaic virus infection in the whitefly Bemisia tabaciMED

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is one of the most economically important pests that cause serious damage to agricultural production by transmitting plant pathogenic viruses. Approximately 90% of the virus species transmitted by the whitefly are members of the genus begomovirus. Ramie mosaic virus (RaMoV) is a new bipartite begomovirus that causes severe damage to ramie and several other economic crops in China. In previous studies, we have demonstrated that RaMoV had no obvious direct or indirect effects on B. tabaci. However, whether B. tabaci affects RaMoV infection and the molecular mechanisms of their interaction remain unclear.RESULTS: Here, we identified a zinc finger protein 330 (ZNF330) in B. tabaci MED interacted with the coat protein (CP) of RaMoV by the yeast two-hybrid assay. Then the interaction between ZNF330 and RaMoV CP was further verified by glutathione Stransferase (GST) pull-down assay. The expression of ZNF330 gene was continuously induced after RaMoV infection. ZNF330 negatively regulated RaMoV replication in the B. tabaci MED. Furthermore, the longevity and fecundity of RaMoV-infected female adults were significantly decreased after silencing of ZNF330. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that the ZNF330 protein was involved in the negative regulation of RaMoV replication in the B. tabaci MED. High viral accumulation caused by ZNF330 silencing is detrimental to fecundity and longevity of the B. tabaci MED. These findings provided a new insight into identifying the binding partners in whitefly with viral CP and fully understanding the complex interactions between begomoviruses and their whitefly vector.

Deciphering the Role of Virus Receptors in Plant–Virus–Vector Interactions

“…Silencing of the vezf gene of B. tabaci led to the increased retention of mono or bipartite begomoviruses, TYLCV, cucurbit leaf crumple virus (CuLCrV), and sida golden mosaic virus (SiGMV), suggesting an inhibitory role of vezf during begomoviruses transmission [67]. Another transcription factor, zinc finger 330 (ZNF330), was involved in B. tabaci and a bipartite begomovirus ramie mosaic virus (RaMoV) pathogenesis [68]. Silencing ZNF300 resulted in a significant reduction in longevity and fecundity of RaMoV-infected female adults.…”

“…CPm [66] Zinc finger 330 (ZNF330) --Antiviral response CP [68] CP = coat protein, and CPm = coat protein minor.…”