luteovirids

Luteovirids are a group of plant viruses in the family Luteoviridae. They are phloem-restricted, positive-sense RNA viruses that are transmitted between plants by aphids in a persistent, circulative manner. The family includes several genera, principally Luteovirus, Polerovirus and Enamovirus. Luteovirids are globally important because they cause yellowing, stunting and yield losses in a wide range of crops.

Structurally, luteovirids form non-enveloped, icosahedral virions that are typically 22–27 nanometers in diameter. Their genomes are single-stranded positive-sense RNA, generally about 5 to 6 kilobases in length, organized into multiple open reading frames that encode replication-related proteins, structural proteins and movement proteins. A notable feature of many members is a readthrough of the coat protein gene that produces a CP-RT protein, which is required for efficient aphid transmission.

In plants, replication occurs in phloem-associated cells, and movement within the plant is facilitated by viral movement proteins that enable spread from cell to cell and systemically via the vascular system. Infection commonly yields symptoms such as mosaic or chlorosis, leaf curling, stunted growth and reduced yield; severity varies with host, virus species and environmental conditions.

Transmission by aphid vectors is a defining trait of luteovirids. Aphids acquire virus during feeding and transmit it in a persistent, circulative manner, typically requiring continued feeding on an infected plant for acquisition and inoculation. Management focuses on controlling aphid populations, using resistant cultivars where available, removing infected plants, and employing integrated pest management strategies. Diagnostics rely on serological assays and molecular techniques such as RT-PCR.