6533b873fe1ef96bd12d5776
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Plant virus evolution under strong drought conditions results in a transition from parasitism to mutualism
Francisco José EscaraySantiago F. ElenaRubén GonzálezIzan MeleroJavier Martínez-latorrePedro CarrascoAnamarija ButkovićEnric Pérez-paretsAurelio Gómez-cadenassubject
Arabidopsis thalianamutualismvirusesDrought tolerancePotyvirusdrought tolerancehormone signalingBiologyVirusMutualismHormone signalingPlant virusexperimental evolutionSymbiosisGeneticsMutualism (biology)virus evolutionExperimental evolutionMultidisciplinaryAbiotic stressSystems BiologyfungiPotyvirusfood and beveragesBiological Sciencesbiology.organism_classificationVirus evolutionExperimental evolutionViral evolutiongene expressionGene expressiondescription
Environmental conditions are an important factor driving pathogens’ evolution. Here, we explore the effects of drought stress in plant virus evolution. We evolved turnip mosaic potyvirus in well-watered and drought conditions in Arabidopsis thaliana accessions that differ in their response to virus infection. Virus adaptation occurred in all accessions independently of watering status. Drought-evolved viruses conferred a significantly higher drought tolerance to infected plants. By contrast, nonsignificant increases in tolerance were observed in plants infected with viruses evolved under standard watering. The magnitude of this effect was dependent on the plant accessions. Differences in tolerance were correlated to alterations in the expression of host genes, some involved in regulation of the circadian clock, as well as in deep changes in the balance of phytohormones regulating defense and growth signaling pathways. Our results show that viruses can promote host survival in situations of abiotic stress, with the magnitude of such benefit being a selectable trait.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-02-01 |