한빛사 인터뷰
Most plant viruses are spread by vectors such as insects, fungi, and nematodes. Elucidation of mechanism governing plant viral transmission by vector is important in understanding viral pathogenesis and developing novel control strategies for plant viral diseases. Current research trends in virus-vector interaction include identification of viral determinants controlling vector transmission, and virus translocation within vectors.
TSWV belongs to the family Bunyaviridae. The virus is transmitted by thrips, a small insect, in propagative manner. Unlike other arthropod-borne members in Bunyaviridae, old second instar larvae and adults can become transmitters of TSWV only if the virus is acquired by the thrips in the first instar larval stage. This virus-host relationship has significant consequences for the epidemiology of TSWV and the potential strategies for control. However, absence of reverse genetic system on these viruses has limited fine mapping study on primary determinants for thrips transmission using mutational analysis. Under this circumstance, we found viral determinants involved in thrips transmission using a reassortment-based genetic analysis system. TSWV has tri-segmented RNA genome. The largest RNA is of negative polarity encoding putative RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). This is why few copies of RdRp are encapsulated within TSWV virion. Reassortment refers to the packaging of whole genome segments from two or more isolates in different combinations to form a genetically distinct isolate. Tospoviruses exists as heterogeneous population in nature probably by RNA segment reassortment.
Vector transmission is very fascinating area, but there is very few research groups in worldwide. This is partly because knowledge on vector biology is absolutely needed to study virus-vector interaction. However, vector transmission has significant consequences of virus epidemiology, and understanding of mechanism underlying this interaction will be helpful in developing novel control strategies of viral diseases.
2. 연구과정에서 생긴 에피소드It almost took 3 years to get complete set of reassortants between transmissible and nontransmissible isolates. Some people, even my advisor said that the complete set is not necessarily needed. However, it would be difficult to analyze my data if I did not generate the whole reassortants.
3. 본 연구가 이루어진 기관 또는 연구소에 관한 소개를 부탁드립니다.
North Carolina State University is traditionally famous for having one of the best "College of Agriculture and Life Sciences". We have very nice facilities and human power for studying virus-vector interaction. Dr. James Moyer, my PhD advisor, has worked on the genus Tospovirus with Dr. George Kennedy at Entomology department. Current projects of Dr. Moyer's lab include 1) Genetic mechanisms utilized by Tospoviruses for diversity and adaptation. 2) Molecular genetic basis of TSWV-thrips interaction. 3) Development of reliable fingerprinting technology as an aid to cultivar identification and tools for molecular marker assisted breeding. 4) Development of reverse genetic system for Tospoviruses.
Dr. James Moyer's lab home page
http://www.cals.ncsu.edu:8050/plantpath/people/faculty/moyer/lab.html
Dr. George Kennedy's page
http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/entomology/kennedy/
4. 이 분야로 진학하려는 후배들이나 유학준비생들에게 도움이 되는 말씀을 해 주신다면?
It is not easy to study virus-vector interaction. The relationship is complex interaction among plant host, virus, and vector, rather than interaction between virus and vector. Knowledge on vector biology like entomology, mycology, and nematology is essentially needed. If you are interested in elucidating mechanism of complex natural phenomena, try this area.
Received for article March 11, 2005 |
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