Fig. 8. A proposed working model showing the role of the identified viral proteins in disturbing the SLR1-mediated broad-spectrum antiviral network in rice.

Under normal conditions, stabilized SLR1 protein physically competes with OsMYC2/3 for binding to OsJAZ proteins, achieving the dynamic balance that adapts plants to survive in these conditions, thereby facilitating the downstream expression of JA-responsive genes involved in host growth and development. When challenged by the viruses, SLR1 triggers antiviral JA signaling cascades, but these in turn are counteracted by the independently evolved viral effectors. These viral effectors suppress the JA antiviral response by blocking the association of SLR1 and OsJAZ repressors, and enhancing the affinity of SLR1 with the GA receptor OsGID1, leading to a progressive compromise of host immunity by intercepting the OsMYC-mediated systemic antiviral resistance.