Vector-transmission of plant viruses and constraints imposed by virus–vector interactions

Publication date: December 2018Source: Current Opinion in Virology, Volume 33Author(s): Romain Gallet, Yannis Michalakis, Stéphane BlancBecause plants are sessile and their cells protected by a cell wall, the contact transmission of plant viruses is very rare. Almost all plant viruses are transmitted by vectors, which can be insects, nematodes, mites or fungi. Although very efficient, this mode of transmission is not trivial and imposes numerous constraints on viruses. In this review we show that these constraints apply at all stages of the transmission process and at all scales, from the molecular to ecological interactions. We discuss several viral adaptations that likely reflect sophisticated means to alleviate these constraints and to maximize transmission, and we point at gaps and future directions in this field of research.Graphical abstract

Source: Current Opinion in Virology - September 15, 2018 Category: Virology Source Type: research