Interação entre o papaya meleira virus (PMeV) e o mamoeiro (Carica papaya L.)

Abstract

Papaya sticky disease' is caused by Papaya meleira virus (PMeV) which has a dsRNA molecule as genome. It induces an exudation of fluid latex from the fruits and leaves. Initially, this work aimed to establish an easy molecular diagnostic method to early virus detection. The stablished method was based on virus de dsRNA extraction from papaya latex and tissues. Afterwards, the PMeV transmission by Trialeurodes variabilis whitefly was evaluated. Our observation was that as far as the insect caried the virus, it did not transmit it to the papaya plant. We also established that PMev infection occurs only when latex from diseased plants was injected in healthy ones. The evaluation of PMeV allocation within papaya at different infecton stages demonstrated that the virus was present mainly in laticifers richly tissues. In this cell type, the virus strongly reduced the amount of latex polymers, also altering their superficial morphology. Using transmission elecron microscopy, PMeV was observed strongly linked to the polymers. The virus induced an ncrease in water and potassium and phosphorus elements levels in the latex. Also, it was observed an increase in alkaloids and calcium oxalate crystal accumation. This accumulation was positively correlated with H2O2 synthesis, which was also observed at phloem companion cells. Taken together, these results suggest the existence of papaya defense mechanism against PMeV involving the H2O2 synthesis by laticifers and phloem cells.