RNA-Binding Proteome-Wide Analysis Reveals Rice RNA-Binding Proteins Enriched After Sobemovirus Rice Yellow Mottle Virus Infection.

RNA-binding protein interactions with viral RNA are crucial in the context of viral infections, as viral RNAs can recruit and reprogram host RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) during disease progression. Despite their significance, the repertoire of RBPs involved in most viral infections remains inadequately characterized. In Africa, Sobemovirus Rice yellow mottle virus (Sobemovirus RYMV) is the most prevalent virus infecting rice, and its devastating impact has led to extensive research efforts worldwide. Comprehensive identification of host RBPs that are enriched under Sobemovirus RYMV-infected conditions through RNA-bound proteome (RBPome)-wide studies could provide novel strategies for developing Sobemovirus RYMV resistance. In this study, a silica-based acidic phase separation approach was employed to elucidate changes in the RBPome following Sobemovirus RYMV infection. The analysis demonstrated that Sobemovirus RYMV infection remodels the RBPome, with 11 non-viral RBPs identified as significantly enriched and two non-viral RBPs that were significantly less abundant following infection. This study provides a snapshot of the landscape of RBPome changes in response to Sobemovirus RYMV. Validating these RBPs to understand their biological involvement in Sobemovirus RYMV infection is crucial to developing Sobemovirus RYMV-resistant rice varieties.