E. (Esther) Schnettler, MSc: “Viral counterdefense on RNA silencing. Analysis of RNA silencing suppressors from arthropod-borne negative strand RNA plant viruses”


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27 Sep 2010 16:00

Unit: Wageningen University

Location: Aula, building 362, Gen. Foulkesweg 1, Wageningen

Organisation: Wageningen University

Promotor: prof.dr. J.M. Vlak (Virology)

Co Promotor: Dr.ir. R.J.M. Kormelink

RNA silencing is a mechanism used by plants and insects to defend themselves against viral invasion. To achieve a succesful infection viruses counteract this mechanism by coding for specific proteins, called RNA silencing suppressor (RSS) proteins that interfere with this pathway. During this thesis research, the mode of action of the RSS protein of two different plant viruses (Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) and Rice hoja blanca virus (RHBV), both able to replicate in plants and insects (vector), has been comparitively analyzed in plants and insects. Although all investigated RNA silencing suppressor proteins interfered with the antiviral RNA silencing response in plants and insects, their mode of action differed, even in the same viral genus. The interaction between RSS proteins and another RNA silencing branch, called the microRNA pathway and known to be important for host gene regulation possibly explains the induction of viral symptoms. The ability of the RHBV RSS protein to rescue the replication of a HIV-1 mutant up to the level of wild type virus titers not only indicates the occurrence of RNA silencing as an antiviral defense mechanism in mammals, but also the conserved nature of this mechanism throughout eukaryotic organisms.

Title thesis: "Viral counterdefense on RNA silencing : Analysis of RNA silencing suppressors from arthropod-borne negative strand RNA plant viruses"

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