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Poster

Session: Session 2 Presenting Authors at Posters (Evens)

P-058 - Investigating the mechanistic roles of DNA polymerase delta subunit 1 in plant resistance to Begomoviruses

Thursday, July 17, 2025
13:30 - 15:15  
Location: Confex Hall 3
Crop resistance genetics and genomics

    Presenting Author(s)

  • RV

    Rhiannon C. Vargas, PhD (she/her/hers)

    Postdoctoral Associate
    Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
    Olivette, Missouri, United States

    • Author(s)

  • KG

    Kerrigan Gilbert

    Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
    Saint Louis, Missouri, United States

  • JG

    Jackson Gehan

    Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
    St. Louis, Missouri, United States

  • NN

    Narayanan Narayanan

    Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
    St. Louis, Missouri, United States

  • GD

    Getu Duguma

    Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
    St. Louis, Missouri, United States

  • NT

    Nigel Taylor

    Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
    St. Louis, Missouri, United States

  • RB

    Rebecca Bart

    Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
    St. Louis, Missouri, United States

Viral pathogens are one of the major causes of agricultural crop loss worldwide, threatening global resource availability and food security. Short-term efforts to mediate viral spread with the diversification of agricultural practices have shown limited success. A promising long-term strategy involves investigation of the molecular characteristics of naturally resistant crop cultivars. Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) has caused disastrous consequences for cassava, especially in Africa where it is largely produced and relied on for caloric energy. CMD is caused by several Begomovirus in the family Geminiviridae. The two most common are African Cassava Mosaic Virus and East African Cassava Mosaic Virus. Recently, it has been revealed that the CMD2 resistant loci includes the DNA polymerase delta 1 (MePOLD1) gene. Further genetic investigation revealed that resistant varieties contain a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the dominant, heterozygous POLD1 allele. While the role of POLD1 in CMD2 resistance has provided a seminal insight into genetic characteristics of resistance, the mechanisms of resistance are not yet clear. To further investigate mechanisms of CMD2 resistance, I seek to complement what is known about CMD2 genetic resistance by investigating the transcriptome of resistant and susceptible cassava varieties. Further, I aim to establish tractable in vivo systems to study POLD1-mediated resistance in both a model plant and non-model plant system.