Cis-acting element (SL1) of Potato virus X controls viral movement by interacting with the NbMPB2Cb and viral proteins

A number of candidate tobacco proteins that bind to cis-acting elements (SL1 RNAs) of Potato virus X (PVX) have been identified in previous studies. We further characterized TMV-MP30 binding protein 2C (MPB2C) homologous protein. We isolated NbMPB2Cb from Nicotiana benthamiana and confirmed the interaction of NbMPB2Cb with SL1 RNAs in vitro. The mRNA level of NbMPB2Cb was increased upon infection by PVX and Tobacco mosaic virus. The movement of PVX was reduced by overexpression of NbMPB2Cb and increased by silenced of NbMPB2Cb. In contrast, PVX RNA accumulation was not significantly altered in protoplasts. Protein–protein interaction assays showed that NbMPB2Cb interacts with PVX movement-associated proteins. PVX infection altered the subcellular localization of NbMPB2Cb from microtubules to endoplasmic reticulum. These data suggest that the NbMPB2Cb negatively affects PVX movement by interacting with SL1 RNAs and movement-associated proteins of PVX and by re-localizing in response to PVX infection.