Recent Advances in Virus-host Coevolution and Protective Mechanisms against Plant Viruses

Abstract

In plant pathology, the study of the interaction between the plant host and the viral pathogen has been a very active area of research in the last few decades. The infection process of a plant pathogen usually begins with the exchange of molecular signals. With particular emphasis on plant virus evolution, and focusing on quantitative and population genetics, plant virus-host interactions and coevolution allow understanding of the major factors favoring disease emergence. The exploitation of viral interaction phenomena will improve established genetic engineering strategies for viral cross-protection in plants. Also, the study of plant immunity against viral infection, both innate and adaptive (e.g. RNA silencing), has helped in the development of resistant varieties to several plant viruses based on genetic engineering. This review summarizes the recent advances in plant-virus interactions and co-evolution as well as current developments in resistant crop investigations.