Subcellular localization of the stripe disease-specific protein encoded by rice stripe virus (RSV) in its vector,the small brown planthopper,Laodel-phax striatellus

The stripe disease-specific protein (SP) encoded by the rice stripe virus (RSV) was successfully used as a localization signal of the virus in its vector, the small brown lanthopper, Laodelphax striatellus Fallen. Immunogold particles in large numbers were detected in various parts of the viruliferous females: the ovum, surface of chorion, the mid-gut lumen, and the columnar cells. Whereas there was noneof these particles in the non-viruliferous females and males, and testis of viruliferous males. Endosymbionts (mycetocytes) were abundant, harboring ovaries of both viruliferous and non-viruliferous females, but none in the testis of males. The results provided us with the direct proof that RSV is a ciruculative and propagative plant virus and it was transovarially transmitted alongside with endosymbionts of its vector. Therefore, we deem it a nice lead for future studies on the mechanism of RSV transmission and functioning of its viral proteins.