Unravelling dynamics of potato virus Y-plant cell interaction network

Potato virus Y (PVY) is the most economically devastating plant virus affecting the potato production worldwide. To accomplish its infection cycle, which includes entry, translation, replication, cell-to-cell movement and encapsidation, the virus relies on the molecular machinery of the infected host cell. Each viral process engages several viral factors, both nucleic acid and/or proteins, and host plant proteins to ensure an optimal virus infection. Thus, within the infection cycle, a complex interacting network, which is dynamic in time and space, and includes viral and plant components, is established. To address the dynamic nature of the interaction, we need an innovative and interdisciplinary approach. We will combine structural analysis and in planta functional studies, using pull-down assay coupled to mass spectrometry and live cell imaging, to explore the interaction network of viral and host components involved in different stages of the PVY infection. The generated data, including novel interactions as well as additional kinetic and structural data, will be fed into a model of plant defence signalling. In summary, the proposed project will strongly provide a breakthrough in understanding the protein interactions that occur during the PVY infection and will shed light into the mechanism of action of this important virus, enabling new strategies of virus control. On the other hand, it will provide us with potential host targets for crop breeding programmes. In addition, the project will contribute to the field with new valuable research tools to monitor changes of the interactome established within other viral pathosystems. The extensive expertise that the involved partners, National Institute of Biology, National Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology Faculty, have in PVY-plant interaction, molecular interactions, and protein structure, will ensure a successful outcome of the proposed project.