Differential tropism in roots and shoots infected by Citrus tristeza virus

•We describe the differential distribution of CTV in different host species.•The requirements for infection are not uniform within or between individual host species.•The roots are more susceptible to, and more permissive of CTV infection than the shoots.

Virus tropism is a result of interactions between virus, host and vector species, and determines the fate of an infection. In this study, we examined the infection process of Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) in susceptible and resistant species, and found that the tropism of CTV is not simply phloem limited, but tissue specific. In resistant species, virus infection was not prevented, but mostly restricted to the roots. This phenomenon was also observed after partial replacement of genes of one CTV strain from another, despite both parental strains being capable of systemic infection. Finally, the roots remained susceptible in the absence of viral gene products needed for systemic infection of shoots. Our results suggest that all phloem cells within a plant are not equally susceptible and that changes in host or virus may produce a novel tropism: restriction by the host to a location where further virus spread is prevented.