Molecular Interplay between whiteflies, begomoviruses and bacterial symbionts
M. GHANIM (1), P. Britto Cathrin (2), S. Kontsedalov (2), G. Lebedev (2), S. Kanakala (2), A. Kliot (2) (1) Volcani Center, Israel; (2) Volcani Center, Israel

Symbiosis is a wide term that represents complex interactions between bacterial symbionts and their hosts. The whitefly Bemisia tabaci is an extremely devastating insect pest that inflicts damage by direct feeding and by transmitting more than 100 plant viruses. Begomoviruses are trasmitted in a persistent circualtive manner. This insect harbors several symbiotic bacteria the function of which is unknown. The main objective of our studies is to unravel functions that secondary symbionts play in the biology of B. tabaci, and the molecular mechanisms that determine the insect-symbiont interactions. Specifically, the role of Hamiltonella and Rickettsia in begomovirus transmission by B. tabaci, and the role of insect proteins in maintaining proper symbiosis will be presented. B. tabaci populations that harbour different symbiont combinations and iso-female strains that differ in the content of one bacterium were used. Next generation sequencing, bioassays and molecular verifications, as well as functional validation of gene functions such as RNA interference, were used to investigate insect and symbiont proteins involved in the insect-symbiont interactions. Hamiltonella and Rickettdia play important roles in begomovirus transmission by B. tabaci, involving one known GroEL protein encoded by Hamiltonella. Other insect and symbiont proteins are under investigation. Deep sequencing analysis revealed proteins with essential roles in maintaining proper symbiosis with Rickettsia. Other proteins have roles in maintaining proper structure and function of bacteriosomes, the specialized insect cells that harbour symbiotic bacteria. 

Abstract Number: P2-24
Session Type: Poster