Analysis of the host MAPK pathways in plant-virus interactions

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21H02198
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 39040:Plant protection science-related
• Research Institution: Okayama University
• Principal Investigator: Hyodo Kiwamu 岡山大学, 資源植物科学研究所, 准教授 (80757881)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 植物RNAウイルス / ゲノムRNA複製 / MAPK

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Plant viruses are significant phytopathogens that cause substantial crop losses worldwide. Due to their limited number of encoded proteins, plant viruses need to exploit the host cell machinery to support their functions, ultimately creating a cellular environment favorable to infection. To achieve this, plant viruses co-opt a range of host-derived factors, known as proviral host factors, to establish infection. These viruses remodel the functions of these proviral host factors to facilitate every step of their life cycle. Understanding the global landscape of plant-virus interactions at the molecular level enhances our knowledge of the viral infection process and may aid in developing novel antiviral strategies. This study aims to investigate the role of the host MAPK pathways in plant-virus interactions.

Free Research Field

植物ウイルス学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

植物ウイルスが感染に利用する宿主因子の同定・機能解析はウイルス感染の分子メカニズム解明に必須であり、ひいては、ウイルス感染に対する新規防除法開発に向けた分子基盤整備に貢献する。本研究では、植物の抗細菌/糸状菌免疫において重要なMAPK経路の一部が、red clover necrotic mosaic virusを含むいくつかの植物ウイルス増殖をむしろ促進することを見出した。本知見は、植物－ウイルス間相互作用におけるMAPK経路の新たな役割を示唆する。今後、ウイルスがどのようにして植物MAPK経路を利用しウイルス増殖を促進するのか、その分子メカニズムの詳細を明らかにする必要がある。