Cucumber Mosaic Virus and RNA Silencing
Why in News?
- Cucumber Mosaic Virus and RNA Silencing, The Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV) has been causing significant damage to tomato crops in Maharashtra, India. This outbreak has brought attention to the virus’s interaction with plant defense mechanisms, particularly RNA silencing, a vital antiviral response in plants.
Important Key Points:
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Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV):
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CMV is a plant pathogen with a tripartite RNA genome, infecting over 1,200 plant species, including economically important crops like tomatoes and cucumbers.
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The virus is primarily transmitted through aphid vectors and contaminated seeds.
. RNA Silencing Mechanism:
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RNA silencing is a natural defense mechanism in plants that degrades viral RNA, preventing virus replication.
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It involves the production of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that guide the degradation of complementary viral RNA sequences.
. CMV’s Suppression of RNA Silencing:
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CMV produces a 2b protein, a viral suppressor of RNA silencing (VSR), which binds to and inhibits key components of the RNA silencing pathway, such as Argonaute proteins.
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This suppression allows the virus to evade plant defenses, leading to successful infection and symptom development.
. Agricultural Impact:
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The suppression of RNA silencing by CMV results in significant crop losses, affecting food security and farmers’ livelihoods.
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Understanding this interaction is crucial for developing CMV-resistant plant varieties and implementing effective disease management strategies.
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