AUTHOR=Sun Zhenqi , Liu Dongyang , Li Bin , Yan Fangfang , Wang Yuhu , Yang Tianqi , Wang Haijuan , Xu Jiaxin , Zhou Hongyou , Zhao Mingmin TITLE=3'UTR of tobacco vein mottling virus regulates downstream GFP expression and changes in host gene expression JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology VOLUME=15 YEAR=2024 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1477074 DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2024.1477074 ISSN=1664-302X ABSTRACT=Introduction

Tobacco vein mottling virus (TVMV) is a member of the family Potyviridae. The 3’ untranslated region (3’UTR) of viral genomic RNA has been reported to significantly impact viral infection. Nevertheless, the role of the TVMV 3’UTR during viral infection remains unknown.

Methods

Here, a 3’UTR-GFP expression vector was transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana, in which the 3’UTR of TVMV was introduced upstream of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene. Transcriptome sequencing was performed to analyze the genes associated with plant resistance. The effect of the TVMV 3’UTR on GFP expression was studied using an Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression assay, revealing that the TVMV 3’UTR significantly inhibited GFP expression. Transcriptome analysis of differentially expressed genes in 3’UTR-GFP in N. benthamiana was performed to elucidate the why the TVMV 3’UTR inhibited GFP expression.

Results

Eighty genes related to plant disease resistance were differentially expressed, including 29 upregulated and 51 downregulated genes. Significantly upregulated genes included those encoding the calcium-binding protein CML24, leucine-rich repeat receptor-like tyrosine-protein kinase, and respiratory burst oxidase homolog protein E. The significantly downregulated genes included calcium-binding protein 7, ethylene-responsive transcription factor 10, endoglucanase 5, and receptor-like protein kinase.

Discussion

These findings indicate that the 3’UTR of TVMV may inhibit the expression of GFP gene by inducing the expression of plant resistance genes. This study provides a theoretical basis for further research on the function and mechanism of the TVMV 3’UTR.