Differential gene expression in Aphis gossypii after virus acquisition from cotton leafroll dwarf virus (CLRDV)-infected plants

Monday, November 14, 2022

8:48 AM – 9:00 AM PT

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Meeting Room 215/216

Presenting Author(s)

Sudeep Pandey

Graduate Research Assistant
University of Georgia
Covington, Georgia

Co-Author(s)

Michael A. Catto

Graduate Student
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia
PR

Phillip Roberts

University of Georgia
Tifton, Georgia
SB

Sudeep Bag

Assistant Professor
University of Georgia
Tifton, Georgia
Rajagopalbabu Srinivasan

Professor
University of Georgia
Griffin, Georgia
AJ

Alana Lynn Jacobson

Auburn University
Auburn, Alabama

Cotton leafroll dwarf virus (CLRDV), a polerovirus is strictly transmitted by Aphis gossypii in a persistent, non-propagative manner. Persistent virus infection in plant and acquisition by vector modulates vector behavior to enhance virus spread. These behavioral changes associated with host-virus-vector are linked to deregulation of vector genes. The RNA-seq analysis of aphids feeding on CLRDV-infected and non-infected cotton, hibiscus, okra, and prickly sida plants was conducted to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) upon virus acquisition. The number of uniquely identified DEGs were associated with the biological processes classified as: response to stimulus, developmental process, immune system process, and reproduction. Also, only four common DEGs were identified among aphids acquiring virus from different hosts. These results will provide basis for further investigations to understand the complicated mechanism of persistent, non-propagative virus transmission.