Functional analysis of the leaky pelota allele pepy-1 from Capsicum reveals partial geminivirus resistance in Arabidopsis.

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conclusionA genetic complementation test using the Arabidopsis Pelota1 knock-out mutant revealed that pepy-1 derived from the begomovirus-resistant Capsicum is a leaky pelota allele with partial loss of function. We previously identified pepy-1, a begomovirus (family Geminiviridae) resistance gene in Capsicum, as a putative loss-of-function allele of pelota. Here, we performed a genetic complementation assay using the Arabidopsis Pelota1 knockout mutant SALK_124403, which is resistant to beet curly top virus (BCTV; family Geminiviridae, genus Curtovirus). Introduction of the susceptible allele (Pepy-1) restored susceptibility, whereas expression of the resistant allele (pepy-1) slightly compromised resistance, allowing limited viral replication but still conferring higher resistance than in Col-0. Thus, pepy-1 functions as a leaky allele that confers partial susceptibility, thereby diminishing-but not abolishing-resistance to BCTV. The delicate balance of this leaky allele confers virus resistance with minimal impact on growth, making it well-suited for use in breeding programs.