Fig. 8: Overexpression of NcVg2 promoting RDV transmission by leafhoppers via suppressing H₂O₂ burst of rice plants.

a Overexpression of NcVg2 promoting RDV release, while knockout of OsGSTF12 inhibiting RDV release, as indicated by western blot assays using NcVg-, P8-, OsGSTF12-, or histone H3-specific antibody. The relative intensity of the bands is shown. b Viruliferous leafhoppers feeding caused the lowest levels of H₂O₂ burst and metabolism in NcVg2-OE lines compared to WT or OsGSTF12-KO lines. c Exposure of NcVg2-OE lines to viruliferous leafhoppers causing the lowest number of feeding holes compared to feeding on WT or OsGSTF12-KO lines, as detected by DAB or H2DCFDA staining, respectively. One leaf of rice seedling of WT, NcVg2-OE, or OsGSTF12-KO lines exposed to 5 viruliferous leafhoppers for 12 h was tested. d Exposure of NcVg2-OE lines to viruliferous leafhoppers causing the most active GST catalyzing reaction in NcVg2-OE lines, compared to WT or OsGSTF12-KO lines, as demonstrated by GST activity, GSH and GSSG contents. Data are shown from 1 leaf of WT, NcVg2-OE, or OsGSTF12-KO lines exposed to 50 viruliferous leafhoppers. e NcVg2-OE lines beneficial to RDV transmission by leafhoppers, as indicated by the transmission rate. Data are shown from 50 viruliferous leafhoppers individually feeding on 1 rice seedling of WT, NcVg2-OE, or OsGSTF12-KO lines. f The transient expression of NcVg2 significantly suppressing H₂O₂ accumulation, inducing GST activity and reducing GSH content of N. benthamiana. The leaves separately expressed NcVg1 to NcVg4 were tested for the H₂O₂ contents, GST activity and GSH content. g Injection of rice seedlings with His-Vg2 significantly reducing contents of H₂O₂, and increasing GST-catalyzing reaction in rice plants. All data represent at least 3 biological replicates. Means ( ± SD) in b, c, d, e, f, and g are analyzed using two-tailed t-test. Ns, not significant.