Differential Expression of AGO1a/AGO1b in Chilli in Response to Chilli Leaf Curl virus Infection

Author: Oinam Washington Singh, Thokchom Nepolian Singh, Vishnu Anand, Sachin Gangwar and S. Naveen Nayaka

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Abstract

RNA silencing, mediated by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs), is a defensive pathway used by plants to combat invading nucleic acids. Argonaute (AGO) proteins play a central role in orchestrating this process and are involved in antiviral defense mechanisms. While the involvement of AGO1 in response to RNA viruses has been extensively studied, its expression levels in DNA virus infections remain understudied. In this study, we investigated the expression levels AGO1a and AGO1b genes in response to chilli leaf curl virus (ChiLCV) infection, a DNA virus that infects chilli plants at different days post virus inoculation. Semi-qPCR and qPCR analysis showed a significant increase in the expression levels of both AGO1a and AGO1b transcripts in response to ChiLCV infection compared to control plants. These findings provide valuable insights into the involvement of AGO1 proteins in the plant's defense against DNA viruses and expand our understanding of the RNA silencing pathway in antiviral responses. This study could be helpful in developing strategies for viral disease management of DNA viruses through modulating the levels or activity of AGO proteins and its interacting miRNAs.

Keywords

RNAi, Argonauts, chilli leaf curl virus, differential gene expression

Conclusion

In this study, the expression level AGO1 gene, a central regulatory protein involved in inducing the first line of defense in plants against viruses was investigated in response to ChiLVC infection. Semi-qPCR and qPCR analyses revealed significant upregulation of AGO1a and AGO1b transcripts in virus-infected plants compared to control plants. The over expression of AGO1a and AGO1b suggests their crucial roles in the defense response against invading viruses. This research contributes to our understanding of the involvement of AGO1 proteins in plant antiviral defense mechanisms in chilli against chilli leaf curl virus infection.

References

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How to cite this article

Oinam Washington Singh, Thokchom Nepolian Singh, Vishnu Anand, Sachin Gangwar and S. Naveen Nayaka (2023). Differential Expression of AGO1a/AGO1b in Chilli in Response to Chilli Leaf Curl virus Infection. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(5): 99-103.