How do they do it? The infection biology of potyviruses.

Potyviruses form a large and widespread group of plant viruses. The positive sense (+)RNA genome of potyviruses has evolved to infect a wide variety of both cultivated and wild plants. We urgently need more information and understanding of host responses involved in the development of devastating potyvirus diseases. In this review, we discuss the factors that have contributed to the widespread distribution of potyviruses and what is now known about the infection-induced changes in the host during potyvirus infection. Potyviruses have shown great versatility in their past, and continued adaptation to their hosts. This versatility is revealed as we better understand the interplay between potyviruses and host's immune responses, gene expression, metabolic pathways, cell organelles, autophagy, and cell membrane transport. We highlight examples of molecular interactions and aim to identify the key factors which enable infection. These investigations pave the way for organizing integrated pest management strategies and designing potyvirus-resistant crops.