Transmission specificity and coinfection of mastrevirus with begomovirus

Abstract

Coat protein (CP) of geminivirus is not requisite for replication of viral DNA yet it is multifunctional and have crucial role in virus transmission by insect vector, systemic infection and virion development. Although in geminivirus, systemic infection rely both on function of CP and specific host-geminivirus-vector interaction but in bipartite begomoviruses CP is dispensable for systemic infection and progression of symptoms. Nevertheless its role in spreading systemic infection cannot be neglected in monopartite viruses' viz. mastrevirus, begomoviruses and curtoviruses, therefore any alteration in CP gene upshot in a new epidemiological adaptation hence worth to study. So the study was designed to present a better picture to view regarding coinfection within different Geminiviruses belonging to mastrevirus and begomovirus particularly due to vector inspecificity consequently resulted in revolutionary recombination events, which ultimately yield new viruses, have more drastic affects on crops. Moreover, co-evolution of both genera may open new horizons in understanding the complexity of cotton leaf curl disease and then to chalk out strategies to counter this emerging threat in Pakistan.