Characterisation of different GLRaV-3 variant infections by determining virus concentration ratios and miRNA expression profiles
Date
2019
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Bundesanstalt fur Zuchtungsforschung an Kulturpflanzen
Abstract
Grapevine leafroll disease (GLD) is present in all grape-growing regions of the world and is considered the most significant grapevine viral disease. Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3) is considered the primary cause of GLD and in South African vineyards five genetic variant groups (I, II, III, VI and VII) have been confirmed. Biological distinctions between GLRaV-3 variants have not been fully validated. By characterising virus concentration and stress-responsive microRNA expression in GLRaV-3 infected plants, this study aimed to glean a better understanding of the possible biological distinctions between GLRaV-3 variants. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR was utilised for virus concentration ratio (VCR) determination and miRNA quantitation in GLRaV-3 positive and negative grapevines grown under greenhouse and field conditions. This study found statistically significant differences in VCRs in plants singly infected with different GLRaV-3 variants. Interestingly, no difference in mean VCRs were observed between data sets, despite notable differences in plant age, duration of GLRaV-3 infection, scion/rootstock combination and growing conditions. Several miRNAs showed statistically significant expression modulation between infected and healthy samples. miRNA expression between data sets varied substantially and a greater overall miRNA response was observed in plants with more established GLRaV-3 infections. The lack of significant differences in mean VCRs between data sets, coupled with the consistent modulation of certain miRNAs in plants that have likely been infected for longer is a promising result. This finding could indicate that successful inhibition of further virus replication by plant defence mechanisms occurred, and that these miRNAs are implicated in this response.
Description
CITATION: Aldrich, D. J., et. al. 2019. Characterisation of different GLRaV-3 variant infections by determining virus concentration ratios and miRNA expression profiles. Vitis: Journal of Grapevine Research, 58:79–86, doi:10.5073/vitis.2019.58.79-86.
The original publication is available at https://ojs.openagrar.de/index.php/VITIS
The original publication is available at https://ojs.openagrar.de/index.php/VITIS
Keywords
Grapevine leafroll disease, Grapevine leafroll virus -- South Africa, Grapes -- Disease and pest resistance -- Genetic aspects, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet (Wine), Wine and wine making, MicroRNA -- Analysis
Citation
Aldrich, D. J., et. al. 2019. Characterisation of different GLRaV-3 variant infections by determining virus concentration ratios and miRNA expression profiles. Vitis: Journal of Grapevine Research, 58:79–86, doi:10.5073/vitis.2019.58.79-86