Investigation of differential virus transmission efficiency in aphid strains: from biological to proteomic assays

Aphids are well known for their variable efficiency in virus transmission to host plant.
Not only aphid species but also aphid strain is an important factor to consider in the plant-aphid-virus interactions. In order to investigate these relations, different approaches should be developped from biological observations assessing the virus transmission efficiency to molecular tasks to better know the involved mechanisms in the aphid vector. After a period of virus acquisition on an artificial diet (depending on the kind of transmission, permanent or non permanent ways), the virus transmission rate were assayed and followed by the determination of the presence of virus in the aphid by PCR or immudetection. The aphids were then collected to investigate the variation of aphid proteome and potential involvement in virus interactions. Changes in protein expressions were investigated using a 2D-DIGE approach comparing most and least efficient aphid strains selecting different aphid – virus models (PVY and PLRV in potato, BYDV in wheat, CMV on tobacco) . The proteome changes were analysed using the samespot software. Protein spots with significant up- and down expressions were then mechanically picked, trypsin digested and analysed by Maldi-Tof-Tof. Significantly changed proteins were classify according to metablic pathways and biological functions. Interesting proteins found to probably interact with virus were not only detected from aphid but also from related bacterial symbionts. Theses results were discussed in order to better understand virus – vector relations and potentially promote new ways to control virus transmitted by hemipteran pest.