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M.S. Thesis Writing Final.pdf (63.73 MB)

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The Roles of RNA Dependent RNA Polymerase 1, 2, and 6 Against Geminiviruses

Schaffer, Kirsten Nichole
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1398944694

Abstract Details

2014, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Biochemistry.
Beet curly top virus (BCTV), a single stranded DNA-containing geminivirus, has plagued the United States since the late ninetieth century, frequently destroying entire fields of vital crops. Since it’s discovery, two main RNA silencing-based host defenses have been proposed to inhibit BCTV replication. Through transcriptional gene silencing (TGS) and post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS), Arabidopsis thaliana inhibits transcription and translation of the invading virus. According to previous literature, RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase (RDR) 2, but not RDRs 1 or 6, are required for methylation-mediated transcriptional gene silencing, a pathway that is also required for host recovery from geminivirus infection. By infecting rdr1, rdr6, and rdr1,2,6 mutants with BCTV, we found that these RDRs do not play important roles in geminivirus defense during initial, primary infection. However, rdr1 and rdr6 (and likely rdr2), are independently required for eventual host recovery from infection. Further, and contrary to previous findings with RNA viruses, the absence of RDRs 1, 2, and 6 did not abolish amplification of BCTV-derived small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). We conclude that RDR 1, 2, and 6 are not essential for RNA-silencing defense against during initial geminivirus infection, but are vital for amplification of the siRNA silencing signal necessary for recovery of the plant. We hypothesize that the uncharacterized RDRs 3, 4, and 5 may have a larger impact on the antiviral pathway than previously reported.
David Bisaro (Advisor)
Claudia Turro (Committee Member)
64 p.
Biochemistry; Virology
Geminiviruses, BCTV, RNA Dependent RNA Polymerase

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Schaffer, K. N. (2014). The Roles of RNA Dependent RNA Polymerase 1, 2, and 6 Against Geminiviruses [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1398944694

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Schaffer, Kirsten. The Roles of RNA Dependent RNA Polymerase 1, 2, and 6 Against Geminiviruses. 2014. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1398944694.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Schaffer, Kirsten. "The Roles of RNA Dependent RNA Polymerase 1, 2, and 6 Against Geminiviruses." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1398944694

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1398944694
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© 2014, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.