Host Factors in Tobacco Interacting with N Protein of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus

  Objective  Host factors in Nicotiana benthamiana that interact with the N protein of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), a representative member of plant negative stranded RNA viruses, were identified in preparation for further analysis on the regulation mechanism and in search for effective prevention and control of TSWV-induced disease on plants.

  Method  Using the yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) method, proteins in N. benthamiana that interacted with the bait N protein of TSWV were screened.

  Result   Fifteen host proteins were identified.

  Conclusion  These identified proteins are known to be associated with pigment biosynthesis, thylakoid membrane assembly, plant defense response, ribosome biogenesis, lipid metabolism, and cellular functions in plants. Being upregulated in N. benthamiana infected by TSWV, these proteins might also act as auxiliary proteins in translating the regulation playing an important role in the development and response to abiotic stress of the plant.