A plant virus satellite RNA directly accelerates wing formation in its insect vector for spread

The cucumber mosaic virus is accompanied by short RNA molecules, satellite RNAs. This study shows that leaves infected with Y-satellite RNA preferentially attract aphids and manipulate aphid physiology to promote their spread to neighbouring plants. Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) often accompanies a short RNA molecule called a satellite RNA (satRNA). When infected with CMV in the presence of Y-satellite RNA (Y-sat), tobacco leaves develop a green mosaic, then turn yellow. Y-sat has been identified in the fields in Japan. Here, we show that the yellow leaf colour preferentially attracts aphids, and that the aphids fed on yellow plants, which harbour Y-sat-derived small RNAs (sRNAs), turn red and subsequently develop wings. In addition, we found that leaf yellowing did not necessarily reduce photosynthesis, and that viral transmission was not greatly affected despite the low viral titer in the Y-sat-infected plants. Y-sat-infected plants can therefore support a sufficient number of aphids to allow for efficient virus transmission. Our results demonstrate that Y-sat directly alters aphid physiology via Y-sat sRNAs to promote wing formation, an unprecedented survival strategy that enables outward spread via the winged insect vector.

Automated summary

The cucumber mosaic virus, along with short RNA molecules called satellite RNAs, can manipulate aphid physiology to promote their spread. Yellowing leaves infected with Y-satellite RNA attract aphids and induce wing formation, aiding efficient virus transmission.