Molecular Characterization of Segments S7 to S10 of a Southern Rice Black-streaked Dwarf Virus Isolate from Maize in Northern China

Southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV) is a novel Fijivirus prevalent in rice in southern and central China,and northern Vietnam. Its genome has 10 segments of double-stranded RNA named S1 to S10 according to their size. An isolate of SRBSDV,JNi4,was obtained from naturally infected maize plants from Ji'ning,Shandong province,in the 2008 maize season. Segments S7 to S10 of JNi4 share nucleotide identities of 72.6%-73.1%,72.3%-73%,73.9%-74.5% and 77.3%-79%,respectively,with corresponding segments of Rice black-streaked dwarf virus isolates,and identities of 99.7%,99.1%-99.7%,98.9%-99.5%,and 98.6%-99.2% with those of SRBSDV isolates HN and GD. JNi4 forms a separate branch with GD and HN in the phylogenetic trees constructed with genomic sequences of S7 to S10. These results confirm the proposed taxonomic status of SRBSDV as a distinct species of the genus Fijivirus and indicate that JNi4 is an isolate of SRBSDV. Shandong is so far the northernmost region where SRBSDV is found in China.

The Efficiency of Southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus Transmission by the Vector Sogatella furcifera to Different Host Plant Species

Southern rice black-streaked dwarf disease is a new rice disease that severely affects rice production in South China.To understand transmission capacity of the vector Sogatella furcifera to Southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus（SRBSDV） among different host plant species,potential host plants of SRBSDV collected from the diseased rice field and/or adjacent to the field in Hunan Province,China,were determined by RT-PCR,and the transmission rates of SRBSDV by S.furcifera among different host plant species were investigated.The results showed that host plants of SRBSDV in the rice fields were five of family Gramineae（Oryza sativa,Echinochloa crusgalli,Zea mays,Paspalum distichum,Alopecurus aequali） and two of family Cyperaceae（Juncellus serotinus and Cyperus difformis）.S.furcifera could not transmit SRBSDV between gramineous plants and cyperaceous plants,and could not transmit SRBSDV between the gramineous plants,J.serotinus and C.difformis as well.However,SRBSDV could be transmitted by S.furcifera within gramineous plants.S.furcifera could transmit SRBSDV between interspecies among three species plants（O.sativa,E.crusgalli and Z.mays）,and between P.distichum and A.aequali.At 15,20,25,30,and 35°C,both macropterous and brachypterous adult of S.furcifera could transmit SRBSDV from the plants（e.g.,E.crusgalli,Z.mays and O.sativa） infected with SRBSDV to rice seedlings.The transmission rates were first increased and then decreased with the increase of temperature.Macropterous adults transmitted SRBSDV from the viruliferous E.crusgalli,Z.may and rice plants to the healthy rice seedlings,and the infected rates of rice seedlings were 26.2,18.8 and 23.7% at 15°C,56.6,64.6 and 53.6% at 25°C,and was 11.2,10.2 and 7.3% at 35°C,respectively.Transmission capacity of brachypterous adults was significantly higher than that of macropterous adults at 15,20 and 25°C（P0.05）,while transmission capacity of brachypterous adults was relatively lower compared with that of macropterous ones at 35°C.These results offer evidence on the transmission of SRBSDV via the vector S.furcifer among different host plants,which can be helpful to control Southern rice black-streaked dwarf disease by the appropriate cultural measures in South China.

Transmission of Rice Black-Streaked Dwarf Virus from Frozen Infected Leaves to Healthy Rice Plants by Small Brown Planthopper (Laodelphax striatellus)

In order to preserve virus for identifying the resistance of rice varieties against rice black-streaked dwarf disease, a simple and reliable method was developed, through which virus-free small brown planthopper （SBPH） acquired rice black-streaked dwarf virus （RBSDV） from frozen infected leaves and the virus was transmitted to healthy rice plants. The experimental results showed that SBPH could obtain RBSDV from frozen infected rice leaves and the virus could be transmitted to a susceptible rice variety. For the ability to acquire RBSDV and transmit the virus to healthy plants by SBPH, there was no significant difference between frozen infected leaves and in vitro infected leaves. The novel method could be applied to identification of rice variety resistance to rice black-streaked dwarf disease, facilitating the breeding process for rice black-streaked dwarf disease resistance.

Resistance of Major Rice Cultivars in Hangzhou Area of China against Southern Rice Black-streaked Dwarf Virus

Resistance of 17 major rice cultivars in Hangzhou region of China against southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus was tested in the paper. The results showed that the incidence rate of southern rice black-streWed dwarf virus had certain positive correlation with quantity of white-backed planthopper （Sogatellafurci-fera） and resistance among various cultivars was significant. Two varieties, Yueyou 9113 and Tianyouhuazhan, were most susceptible ; Yongyou 8, Jiayou 2 and Xi-ushui 134 had best resistance and could be used as disease-resistant varieties to prevent the disease.

Prevalence Characteristics of Rice Black-streaked Dwarf Virus Disease and Continuous Control Strategies

Through summarizing the prevalence characteristics of rice black-streaked dwarf virus disease(RBSDVD)in Linyi City of Shandong Province,this paper analyzed its prevalence is related to changes in farming and cultivation systems,the increase in the population of venomous Laodelphax striatellus Fallén and its own migration and spread,the poor disease resistance of cultivated varieties,and inadequate time of prevention and control.Besides,based on the practice of local control,it came up with some comprehensive control measures including strengthening monitoring,early warning and forecasting,planting resistant(tolerant)rice varieties according to local conditions,appropriately delaying the sowing(planting)period,supplemented by insect nets to cover seedlings,and making scientific use of chemical control.It is expected to provide a reference for the prevention and control of RBSDVD.

Southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus:A new proposed Fijivirus species in the family Reoviridae

For the past several years, a novel dwarf disease has been observed on rice (Oryza sativa) in some regions of Guangdong Province and Hainan Province, southern China. Infected plants showed stunting, dark leaf and small enations on stem and leaf back. Typical Fijivirus viroplasma containing crystalline arrayed spherical virons approximately 70―75 nm in diameter and tubular structures were detected in ultrathin sections by an electron microscope in parenchyma phloem cells of the infected plants. The virus was transmitted to rice seedlings by white-backed planthoppers, Sogatella furcifera (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), collected in the diseased fields. Analysis of dsRNA extracts from infected plants revealed ten linear segments, which were similar to the electrophoretic profile of Rice black-streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV). RT-PCR with a single primer which matched to a linker sequence ligated to both 3′ ends of the viral genomic dsRNAs resulted in amplification of genome segments 9 (S9) and 10 (S10) cDNA products. The complete nucleotide sequences of S9 and S10 were obtained from clones of the RT-PCR amplicon exhibited characteristic properties of Fijivirus including low GC content (34.5% and 35.6%), genus conserved 5′ and 3′ termini sequences and similar genome organization. Blast searches indicated that the sequences of S9 and S10 shared 68.8%―74.9% and 67.1%―77.4% nucleotide identities with those of viruses in the Fijivirus group 2, respectively. These values were similar to those among other viruses in the Fijivirus group 2 and considerably lower than those among RBSDV isolates. Phylogenetic trees based on S9 and S10 nucleotide sequences and their putative amino acid sequences showed that this virus represented a separate branch among other Fijiviruses. The virus was also detected by a nested RT-PCR assay in corn (Zea mays), barnyard grass (Echinochloa crusgalli), Juncellus serotinus and flaccidgrass (Pennisetum flaccidum) in and/or adjacent to the infected rice fields. It is proposed that this virus be considered as a new species, Southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus, in the group 2 of the genus Fijivirus in the family Reoviridae.

Molecular Tagging of a New Resistance Gene to Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus Using Microsatellite Markers

With joint analysis based on the parents, F 1, F 2 and backcrosses, the authors found that the resistance of the maize inbred line Huangzaosi to the maize dwarf mosaic virus strain B was conditioned by a major gene and polygene, and identified a new major gene. Bulked segregate and microsatellite analysis of a F 2 progeny from the combination of Huangzaosi×Mo17 were used to identify the resistance gene, mdm1(t), on the long arm of chromosome 6. This new resistance gene is tightly linked to and located between the microsatellite markers loci, phi077 and bnlg391. The linkage distances between phi077-mdm1(t) and mdm1(t)-bnlg391 are 4.74 centiMorgan (cM) and 6.72 cM respectively.

Identification of Molecular Markers for the Thinopyrum intermedium Chromosome 2Ai-2 with Resistance to Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus

The wheat_ Thinopyrum intermedium addition lines Z1,Z2 contain a pair of Th. intermedium chromosomes 2Ai_2 carrying the gene with resistance to barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV). Genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) was used to analyze the chromosome constitution of Z1,Z2 by using genomic DNA probes from Th. intermedium and Pseudoroegneria strigosa . The results showed that the chromosome constitution of either Z1 or Z2 composes of 42 wheat chromosomes and two Th. intermedium chromosomes (2Ai_2). The 2Ai_2 chromosome is St_E intercalary translocation, in which the E genomic chromosome segment translocated into the middle region of the long arm of chromosome belonging to St genome. With the genomic DNA probe of Ps. strigosa , the GISH pattern specific to the 2Ai_2 chromosome may be used as a molecular cytogenetic marker. A detailed RFLP analysis on Z1, Z2 and their parents was carried out by using 12 probes on the wheat group 2 chromosomes. Twenty RFLP markers specific to the 2Ai_2 chromosome were identified. Two RAPD markers of OPR16 -350 and OPH09 -1580 , specific to the 2Ai_2 chromosome, were identified from 280 RAPD primers. These molecular markers could be used to assisted_select translocation lines with small segment of the 2Ai_2 chromosome and provide tools to localize the BYDV resistance.

A Rapid and Simple Method for the Detection of Rice Dwarf Virus by Aqueous Extract

Rice dwarf disease caused by rice dwarf virus （RDV） is one of the major rice virus diseases in China,which widely distributes in the rice area of China.A simple and rapid method for detection of RDV in rice plants and Nephotettix cincticeps was investigated in this study,and the whole detection only lasted for 20 min.After diseased leaves of rice （10 mg） and leaves of Nephotettix cincticeps （10 mg） both infected by RDV were ground by sterile water （100 μl）,the supernatant was analyzed by 1% agarose gel electrophoresis to steadily detect five specific electrophoretic bands with 1 000 bp to 5 000 bp.However,there was no electrophoretic band in the healthy rice leaves and aqueous extract of non-viruliferous N.cincticeps.Therefore,this method was more rapid and simple to detect RDV in rice plants and Nephotettix cincticeps,which avoided expensive reagents and tedious steps of conventional serological testing and molecular detection （RT-PCR and Western-blot）.

Screening of Rice Genes Interacting with p5b of Rice BlackStreaked Dwarf Virus

Rice black-streaked dwarf virus （RBSDV） is a recognized member of the genus Fijivirus, family Reoviridae. Its genome has ten double-stranded RNA （dsRNA） segments （$1-$10）, in which the fifth genome segment （$5） contains two open reading frames （ORFs） with a partially overlapping region. The second ORF of RBSDV S5 encodes a viral nonstructural protein named p5b with unknown function. To reveal the function of p5b, its gene was ligated into the bait plasmid pGBKT7 and an expression library containing rice cDNAs was constructed using plasmid pGADT7 for yeast two-hybrid assay. The bait protein p5b was detected in yeast by western blot, and the result of an auto-activation test showed that p5b could not autonomously activate the expression of reporter genes in yeast. Then the bait protein p5b was used for screening the cDNA expression libraries of rice. Gene fragments of some pivotal enzymes involved in photosynthesis, respiration and other important metabolic processes, were identified to interact with p5b in yeast, suggesting that these interactions may play roles in symptom development in infected plants.

The Application of Reverse Transcription-loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification for the Rapid Detection of Maize Chlorotic Dwarf Virus

Maize chlorotic dwarf virus （MCDV） is a quarantine pest as approved by Chinese government. A rapid, sensitive and specific MCDV detection method using reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification （RT-LAMP） was estab- lished in this study. Based on the sequence of MCDV coat protein coding gene, specific primers were designed and similar sensitivities were observed between RT- LAMP and RT-PCR, except that RT-LAMP was quicker, and the reaction could be finished within 1 h. In addition, the presence or absence of the fluorescent display in daylight allows naked easy detection of the amplification of MCDV genomic RNA using calcein. The RT-LAMP assay was applied successfully to detect MCDV in maize seeds, and the result by the addition of calcein was consistent with the result detected by the real time turbidimeter.

Tobacco Yellow dwarf Virus完整基因组上串联重复序列分布

利用自编计算机程序提取并展示Tobacco Yellow dwarf Virus完整基因组上串联重复序列分布特性。借助MATLAB软件和借用最优完全子图算法,提取并展示NCBI数据库中Tobacco Yellow dwarf Virus完整基因组(NC_003822.1)上串联重复序列分布特性。

The Control Effect of Prevention and Control Technology Combination against Southern Rice Black-Streaked Dwarf Disease

Objective] This study aimed to explore a better prevention and control technology combination against southern rice black-streaked dwarf disease. [Method] The control effects of seed dressing, antiviral agents and fly net along with 25%pymetrozine against southern rice black streaked dwarf disease were determined. [Result] When the seeds were dressed with 60% imidacloprid （FS, 2 g a.i./kg）, and the rice seedlings were sprayed once with 25% pymetrozine （WP, 360 g/hm2） 10 d before the transplanting and sprayed twice with 30% Dufulin （WP, 800×） at three-leaf stage and 7 d after the transplanting respectively, the control efficiency reached 88.05%. When fly net and pesticides were applied simultaneously, the fly net was lifted and 25% pymetrozine （WP） was spayed once on the rice seedlings at six-leaf stage and the seedlings were hardened for 3 d and sprayed once with 25%pymetrozine （WP） 10 d after the transplanting, the control efficiency reached 80.50%. [Conclusion] Seed dressing or applying antiviral agents alone can not better control diseases. The southern rice black-streaked dwarf disease can be better con-trol ed by seed dressing, along with spraying of planthopper-kil ing agents at two-leaf stage, 3 d before the transplanting and 7 d after the transplanting, respectively. If condition al ow, fly net can be instal ed to achieve better control effect.

Ecological Fitness of Non-vector Planthopper Sogatella furcifera on Rice Plants Infected with Rice Black Streaked Dwarf Virus

We evaluated the effects of rice black streak dwarf virus （RBSDV）-infested rice plants on the ecological parameters and its relevant defensive and detoxification enzymes of white-backed planthopper （WBPH） in laboratory for exploring the relationship between RBSDV and the non-vector planthopper. The results showed that nymph survival rate, female adult weight and fecundity, and egg hatchability of WBPH fed on RBSDV-infested rice plants did not markedly differ from those on healthy plants, whereas the female adult longevity and egg duration significantly shortened on diseased plants. Furthermore, significantly higher activities of defensive enzymes （dismutase, catalase and peroxidase） and detoxification enzymes （acetylcholinesterase, carboxylesterase and glutathione S-transferase） were found in WBPH adults fed on infected plants. Results implied that infestation by RBSDV increased the ecological fitness of non-vector planthopper population.

Expression Comparisons of Pathogenesis-Related(PR) Genes in Wheat in Response to Infection/Infestation by Fusarium, Yellow dwarf virus(YDV) Aphid-Transmitted and Hessian Fly

Expression profiles of ten pathogenesis-related （PR） genes during plant defense against Fusarium, Yellow dwarf virus （YDV） aphid-transmitted and Hessian fly （Hf） were compared temporally in both resistant and susceptible genotypes following pathogen infection or insect infestation. Quantitative real-time PCR （qRT-PCR） revealed that PR1, PR2, PR3, PR5, PR6, PR8, PR9, and PR15 appeared to be induced or suppressed independently in response to Fusarium, YDV aphid-transmitted or Hf during the interactions. The PR gene（s） essential to defense against one organism may play little or no role in defense against another pathogen or pest, suggesting the alternative mechanisms may be involved in different interactions of wheat- Fusarium, wheat-YDV aphid-transmitted and wheat-Hf. However, strong up- or down-regulation of PRl2 and PR14 encoding low molecular membrane acting protein, defensin and lipid transfer protein （LTP）, respectively, had been detected after either pathogen infection or insect infestation, therefore showed broad responses to pathogens and insects. It was postulated that low molecular proteins such as defensins and LTPs might play a role in the early stages of pathogenesis in the signaling process that informs plants about the attack from biotic stresses. In addition, a synergistic action between different PR genes might exist in plants to defense certain pathogens and insects on the basis of comprehensive expression profiling of various pathogenesis-related genes revealed by qRT-PCR in this study.

Changes in Cell Ultrastructure in Maize Leaves Infected by Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus

Ultrastructural alterations in foliar cells were studied in leaves of resistant maize variety Luyu16 and susceptible maize inbred line Luyuan92 infected by maize dwarf mosaic virus Shandong isolate (MDMV-SD), respectively. The results showed that marked cytopathological alterations were observed both in resistant plants and in susceptible plants, compared with that in healthy plants. However, some ultrastructural alterations, which observed in resistant plants, were different from those in susceptible plants. In resistant plants, which infected with the virus, the main organelles, including chloroplasts and mitochondria, were slightly destroyed, the amount of mitochondria and peroxisome were increased. A few or no plasmodesmata were observed. There were three kinds of inclusions including pinwheel, bundle and laminated aggregate, and the virus particles in the cytoplasm. In susceptible plants, which infected with the virus, the chloroplasts were heavily disrupted, including thylakoid swelling and envelope broking. The virus particles were more than those in the resistant variety. Four kinds of inclusions including pinwheel, bundle, laminated aggregate and high electon-dense body appeared in cytoplasm. Plasmodesmata and plasma membrane were abundant, and there were frequent invaginations of the plasma membrane that led to the formation of vesicles and myelin-like structures.

Sequence Analysis of Segment 8 of Five Chinese Isolates of Rice Gall Dwarf Virus and Expression of a Main Outer Capsid Protein in Escherichia coli

The rice gall dwarf disease, caused by the Rice gall dwarf virus (RGDV) is a serious disease occurring in rice in many regions of Guangdong province. As a basis to control the disease we have studied the genomic diversity of a variety of isolates from different locations. Genome segment 8(S8), encoding a main outer capsid protein (Pns8) of RGDV five isolates (BL, CH, DQ, GZ, XY) from Guangdong province was cloned and sequenced. The results revealed that all the S8 segments of the five isolates consisted of 1 578 nucleotides and had a single open reading frame (ORF) extending for 1 301 nucleotides from nucleotide 21 which encoded a polypeptide of 426 amino acids with an estimated molecular weight of 47.4 kDa. The S8 full-length sequence and the ORF sequence shared 97.3%-98.8% and 97.3%-99.1% nucleotide sequence identities within the five Chinese isolates, and shared 94.8%-95.6% and 95.0%-96.0% identities with those of the Thailand isolate respectively. The deduced amino acid sequence of Pns8 in GZ isolate was identical to that in the Thailand isolate, while the amino acid sequence variability of Pns8 within five Chinese isolates ranged from 0.5% to 2.1%. These results indicate that the S8 segment of RGDV is highly conserved in different isolates from different locations. The S8 cDNA from the XY isolate was cloned into the plasmid vector pET-28b(+) and a fused expression protein with an apparent molecular mass of 51kDa was specifically detected in an analysis of Escherichia coli Rossetta(DE3)Ⅱcells. To our knowledge, this is the first report on analysis of the RGDV segment 8 sequence and genetic comparison of different RGDV isolates and their protein expression.

Three-dimensional Structure of Rice Dwarf Virus by Electron Cryomicroscopy

The three-dimensional(3D)structure of intact rice dwarf virus(RDV)has been deter-mined to 2.6 nm resolution by 400kV electron cryomicroscopy and computer reconstructiontechniques.The intact virion of 69.8 nm in diameter was seen to be made up of an outer shellof 6.9 nm in thickness and an inner shell of 2.5 nm in thickness at a diameter of 54 nm.Theouter shell surface forms a T=13 icosahedral lattice with holes at 5-and 6-coordinated posi-tions.The 780 capsomeres at local 3-fold positions appear trimeric.The interface betweenthese two shells could be clearly delineated and the interaction was maintained by a cylindri-cal density whose upper domain connects subunits of the trimeric capsomeres by an interlock-ing mechanism.The 3D structure of inner shell was also reconstructed to 3.3 nm from100kV images of purified inner shell particles,confirming our interpretation of the multilayerstructure of intact RDV.

Two mutations in the truncated Rep gene RBR domain delayed the Wheat dwarf virus infection in transgenic barley plants

Wheat dwarf virus （WDV）, an important cereal pathogen, is closely related to Maize streak virus （MSV）, a model virus of the Mastrevirus genus. Based on its similarity to known MSV resistance strategies, a truncated part of the WDV replication- associated （RepA） gene （WDVRepA215） and the WDV RepA gene with a mutated retinoblastoma-related protein （RBR） interaction domain （WDVRepA215RBRre^t） were cloned into the plPKb002 expression vector and transformed into immature embryos of spring barley cv. Golden Promise plants through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. A detailed study of T1-generation plants infected by leafhoppers （Psammotettix alienus） fed on infection sources of variable strength was performed over a 5-week period encompassing the initial stages of virus infection. A DNA WDV TaqMan qPCR assay normalized using the DNA puroindoline-b SYBR Green qPCR assay for samples on a per week basis revealed an approximately 2-week delay in WDVRepA215RBR^mut plants to WDVRepA215 plants before significant increases in the WDV viral levels occurred. Both WDVRepA215 and WDVRepA215RBR^mut plants showed similar levels of transgenic transcripts over the screened period; however, the transgenic plants also showed increased numbers of infected plants compared to the control plants.

Ultrastructural Alteration of Maize Plants Infected with the Maize Rough Dwarf Virus

The ultrastructural alteration of maize plants infected with the maize rough dwarf virus (MRDV) was studied with transmission electron microscopy. The results revealed that aggregates of virus particles , with a diameter of 60nm, were found in the root cell, and always distributed near the vacuole membrane. However, no such particles were checked in leaf cells. Moreover, no virus was observed in choroplasts, mitochondria nuclei, plasmodesmata or intercellular canal of all kinds of infected cells of maize, either. Structures of various organelles changed in the infected leaf and root cells of maize. An inward collapse and localized splitting of the tonoplast were observed, the chloropoast structure was destroyed by MRDV, and the number of destroyed or dysplasia chloroplast in leaf cells with serious symptoms was more than that in leaves without symptoms. The matrix of mitochondria in cells infected by MRDV decreased and some of them expanded and destructed. Nuclei was abnormal and the nuclear membrane was broken. In addition, the infected cells were characterized by a voluminous cytoplasm containing hypertrophied endoplasmic reticulum, with rich ribosome content and lots of starch grain.