Virologie
MENUNepovirus transmission by longidorid nematodes Volume 11, issue 4, Juillet-Août 2007
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- Key words: Longidoridae, Nepovirus, transmission, virus-vector specificity
- DOI : 10.1684/vir.2007.0102
- Page(s) : 309-21
- Published in: 2007
Transmission of plant viruses in nature often involves vectors which are usually plant pests. A class of soil borne invertebrates acts in this way. Ectoparasitic nematodes belonging to the Longidoridae family are responsible for the transmission of viruses from the Nepovirus genus using a semipersistant, non circulative mechanism. This passive transmission occurs during the feeding process of the nematodes on actively growing roots. However, only a few longidorid nematodes are able to acquire and subsequently transmit 12 of the 32 known Nepovirus. This singularity reflects a highly specific and strong association between the virus and the vector likely via a putative receptor on the cuticular lining of the oesophageal tract. Using a reverse genetics approach, investigations on the Grapevine fanleaf virus/Xiphinema index virus-vector association showed that the transmission specificity is solely determined by the coat protein.