Research areas
My lab investigates the interactions of plant RNA viruses with host cell membranes during replication and cell-to-cell transport.
Plant viruses are a major threat to food security. Unlike viruses infecting animals, they need to cross the barrier of the cell wall during infection. This step constitutes a severe bottleneck in the infection process, and is therefore a promising target for the development of new antiviral crop protection strategies.
RNA viruses assemble replication complexes on membrane surfaces and extensively reorganise membrane composition and shape in the process. Membrane interactions also play a role in plant viruses intercellular transport because this occurs through cell wall-spanning nanopores called plasmodesmata that consist of two concentric membrane tubules. Recently, I discovered that in some plant viruses, the processes of replication and movement are coupled in modified membrane structures at the entrances of the plasmodesmata.
We use a combination of confocal and super-resolution microscopy of RNA and proteins, protein biochemistry, in vitro reconstitution of membrane-bound protein complexes, and lipidomics to understand how plant virus-encoded proteins modify cellular membranes for replication and movement, and how this knowledge can be translated into crop protection strategies and biotechnology applications.
PhD supervision
- Zoe Barr
Selected publications
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Cell-to-cell connectivity assays for the analysis of cytoskeletal and other regulators of plasmodesmata
Barr, Z. & Tilsner, J., 2023, The Plant Cytoskeleton: Methods and Protocols. Hussey, P. J. & Wang, P. (eds.). New York, NY: Humana Press, p. 193-202 10 p. (Methods in Molecular Biology; vol. 2604).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
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Open access
Tomato SlGSTU38 interacts with the PepMV coat protein and promotes viral infection
Méndez-López, E., Donaire, L., Gosálvez, B., Díaz-Vivancos, P., Sánchez-Pina, M. A., Tilsner, J. & Aranda, M. A., 4 Feb 2023, (E-pub ahead of print) In: New Phytologist. Early View, 17 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
Reticulons 3 and 6 interact with viral movement proteins
Tilsner, J. & Kriechbaumer, V., 20 Aug 2022, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Molecular Plant Pathology. Early View, 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Subcellular localization and interactions among TGB proteins of cowpea mild mottle virus
Carvalho, S. L., Tilsner, J., Figueira, A. R. & Carvalho, C. M., 21 Oct 2022, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Archives of Virology. 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
Creating contacts between replication and movement at plasmodesmata – a role for membrane contact sites in plant virus infections?
Levy, A. & Tilsner, J., 3 Jul 2020, In: Frontiers in Plant Science. 11, 8 p., 862.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
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RNA imaging with RNase-inactivated Csy4 in plants and filamentous fungi
Burnett, D., Lichius, A. & Tilsner, J., 2020, RNA Tagging: Methods and Protocols. Heinlein, M. (ed.). Springer, (Methods in Molecular Biology; vol. 2166).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
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Open access
Multiple C2 domains and Transmembrane region Proteins (MCTPs) tether membranes at plasmodesmata
Brault, M. L., Petit, J. D., Immel, F., Nicolas, W. J., Glavier, M., Brocard, L., Gaston, A., Fouché, M., Hawkins, T. J., Crowet, J-M., Grison, M. S., Germain, V., Rocher, M., Kraner, M., Alva, V., Claverol, S., Paterlini, A., Helariutta, Y., Deleu, M., Lins, L., & 2 others , 1 Aug 2019, In: EMBO Reports. 20, 8, 26 p., e47182.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
Efficient detection of long dsRNA in vitro and in vivo using the dsRNA binding domain from FHV B2 protein
Monsion, B., Incarbone, M., Hleibieh, K., Poignavent, V., Ghannam, A., Dunoyer, P., Daeffler, L., Tilsner, J. & Ritzenthaler, C., 1 Feb 2018, In: Frontiers in Plant Science. 9, 16 p., 70.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
Hitchhikers, highway tolls and roadworks: the interactions of plant viruses with the phloem
Folimonova, S. Y. & Tilsner, J., Jun 2018, In: Current Opinion in Plant Biology. 43, p. 82-88 7 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
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Open access
Architecture and permeability of post-cytokinesis plasmodesmata lacking cytoplasmic sleeves
Nicolas, W. J., Grison, M. S., Trépout, S., Gaston, A., Fouché, M., Cordelières, F. P., Oparka, K., Tilsner, J., Brocard, L. & Bayer, E. M., 1 Jul 2017, In: Nature Plants. 3, 7, 17082.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review