IPB Presents Experts to Introduce the Interaction of Insect Endosymbionts with Plant Viruses (Kumparan)

Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, IPB University invited Dr Susanti M Lestari from Kyungpook National University, South Korea to the Guest Lecture Series, 25/2. On this occasion, Dr Susanti conveyed about Insect Endosymbiont and Plant Virus Interaction.

On this occasion, Dr Susanti said that almost all insects are associated with endosymbiotic bacteria through a symbiotic relationship, both mutualism and parasitism. He explained that endosymbionts were able to manipulate host insects and plant viruses.

"One of the roles of endosymbionts is to protect plant viruses from degradation while in the insect's body during the transmission process through a protein called GroEl," said Dr Susanti.

He continued, several studies have proven the effectiveness of endosymbionts against plant viruses. One of them is the successful transfer of Wolbachia endosymbionts to brown planthoppers. These endosymbionts play a role in inhibiting infection and transmission of Rice Ragged Stunt Virus (RRSV) and reducing viral symptoms in rice plants.

"Another strategy is to stop the production of GroEl protein in bacteria through gene editing," added Dr Susanti.

Seeing the big role of endosymbionts in influencing host insects and plant viruses, controlling plant viruses through endosymbionts is a very prospective opportunity at present and in the future. (*)

*This news is published on kumparan.com