Coat protein gene duplication in a filamentous RNA virus of plants

Expansion of viral genomes with viral protein genome linked copies

Virus protein-linked genome (VPg) proteins are required for replication. VPgs are duplicated in a subset of RNA viruses however their roles are not fully understood and the extent of viral genomes containing VPg copies has not been investigated in detail. Here, we generated a novel bioinformatics approach to identify VPg sequences in viral genomes using hidden Markov models (HMM) based on alignments of dicistrovirus VPg sequences. From metagenomic datasets of dicistrovirus genomes, we identified 717 dicistrovirus genomes containing VPgs ranging from a single copy to 8 tandem copies. The VPgs are classified into nine distinct types based on their sequence and length. The VPg types but not VPg numbers per viral genome followed specific virus clades, thus suggesting VPgs co-evolved with viral genomes. We also identified VPg duplications in aquamavirus and mosavirus genomes. This study greatly expands the number of viral genomes that contain VPg copies and indicates that duplicated viral sequences are more widespread than anticipated.

Enhancing Capsid Proteins Capacity in Plant Virus-Vector Interactions and Virus Transmission

Vector transmission of plant viruses is basically of two types that depend on the virus helper component proteins or the capsid proteins. A number of plant viruses belonging to disparate groups have developed unusual capsid proteins providing for interactions with the vector. Thus, cauliflower mosaic virus, a plant pararetrovirus, employs a virion associated p3 protein, the major capsid protein, and a helper component for the semi-persistent transmission by aphids. Benyviruses encode a capsid protein readthrough domain (CP-RTD) located at one end of the rod-like helical particle, which serves for the virus transmission by soil fungal zoospores. Likewise, the CP-RTD, being a minor component of the luteovirus icosahedral virions, provides for persistent, circulative aphid transmission. Closteroviruses encode several CPs and virion-associated proteins that form the filamentous helical particles and mediate transmission by aphid, whitefly, or mealybug vectors. The variable strategies of transmission and evolutionary ‘inventions’ of the unusual capsid proteins of plant RNA viruses are discussed.

Ancient gene duplications in RNA viruses revealed by protein tertiary structure comparisons

To date only a handful of duplicated genes have been described in RNA viruses. This shortage can be attributed to different factors, including the RNA viruses with high mutation rate that would make a large genome more prone to acquire deleterious mutations. This may explain why sequence-based approaches have only found duplications in their most recent evolutionary history. To detect earlier duplications, we performed protein tertiary structure comparisons for every RNA virus family represented in the Protein Data Bank. We present a list of thirty pairs of possible paralogs with <30 per cent sequence identity. It is argued that these pairs are the outcome of six duplication events. These include the α and β subunits of the fungal toxin KP6 present in the dsRNA Ustilago maydis virus (family Totiviridae), the SARS-CoV (Coronaviridae) nsp3 domains SUD-N, SUD-M and X-domain, the Picornavirales (families Picornaviridae, Dicistroviridae, Iflaviridae and Secoviridae) capsid proteins VP1, VP2 and VP3, and the Enterovirus (family Picornaviridae) 3C and 2A cysteine-proteases. Protein tertiary structure comparisons may reveal more duplication events as more three-dimensional protein structures are determined and suggests that, although still rare, gene duplications may be more frequent in RNA viruses than previously thought. Keywords: gene duplications; RNA viruses.

Effects of life history and ecology on virus evolutionary potential

The life history traits of viruses pose many consequences for viral population structure. In turn, population structure may influence the evolutionary trajectory of a virus. Here we review factors that affect the evolutionary potential of viruses, including rates of mutation and recombination, bottlenecks, selection pressure, and ecological factors such as the requirement for hosts and vectors. Mutation, while supplying a pool of raw genetic material, also results in the generation of numerous unfit mutants. The infection of multiple host species may expand a virus' ecological niche, although it may come at a cost to genetic diversity. Vector-borne viruses often experience a diminished frequency of positive selection and exhibit little diversity, and resistance against vector-borne viruses may thus be more durable than against non-vectored viruses. Evidence indicates that adaptation to a vector is more evolutionarily difficult than adaptation to a host. Overall, a better understanding of how various factors influence viral dynamics in both plant and animal pathosystems will lead to more effective anti-viral treatments and countermeasures.

Functional diversification upon leader protease domain duplication in the Citrus tristeza virus genome: Role of RNA sequences and the encoded proteins

Viruses from the family Closteroviridae show an example of intra-genome duplications of more than one gene. In addition to the hallmark coat protein gene duplication, several members possess a tandem duplication of papain-like leader proteases. In this study, we demonstrate that domains encoding the L1 and L2 proteases in the Citrus tristeza virus genome underwent a significant functional divergence at the RNA and protein levels. We show that the L1 protease is crucial for viral accumulation and establishment of initial infection, whereas its coding region is vital for virus transport. On the other hand, the second protease is indispensable for virus infection of its natural citrus host, suggesting that L2 has evolved an important adaptive function that mediates virus interaction with the woody host.

Predicting the Stability of Homologous Gene Duplications in a Plant RNA Virus

One of the striking features of many eukaryotes is the apparent amount of redundancy in coding and non-coding elements of their genomes. Despite the possible evolutionary advantages, there are fewer examples of redundant sequences in viral genomes, particularly those with RNA genomes. The factors constraining the maintenance of redundant sequences in present-day RNA virus genomes are not well known. Here, we use Tobacco etch virus, a plant RNA virus, to investigate the stability of genetically redundant sequences by generating viruses with potentially beneficial gene duplications. Subsequently, we tested the viability of these viruses and performed experimental evolution. We found that all gene duplication events resulted in a loss of viability or in a significant reduction in viral fitness. Moreover, upon analyzing the genomes of the evolved viruses, we always observed the deletion of the duplicated gene copy and maintenance of the ancestral copy. Interestingly, there were clear differences in the deletion dynamics of the duplicated gene associated with the passage duration and the size and position of the duplicated copy. Based on the experimental data, we developed a mathematical model to characterize the stability of genetically redundant sequences, and showed that fitness effects are not enough to predict genomic stability. A context-dependent recombination rate is also required, with the context being the duplicated gene and its position. Our results therefore demonstrate experimentally the deleterious nature of gene duplications in RNA viruses. Beside previously described constraints on genome size, we identified additional factors that reduce the likelihood of the maintenance of duplicated genes.

Multiple Barriers to the Evolution of Alternative Gene Orders in a Positive-Strand RNA Virus

The order in which genes are organized within a genome is generally not conserved between distantly related species. However, within virus orders and families, strong conservation of gene order is observed. The factors that constrain or promote gene-order diversity are largely unknown, although the regulation of gene expression is one important constraint for viruses. Here we investigate why gene order is conserved for a positive-strand RNA virus encoding a single polyprotein in the context of its authentic multicellular host. Initially, we identified the most plausible trajectory by which alternative gene orders could evolve. Subsequently, we studied the accessibility of key steps along this evolutionary trajectory by constructing two virus intermediates: (1) duplication of a gene followed by (2) loss of the ancestral gene. We identified five barriers to the evolution of alternative gene orders. First, the number of viable positions for reordering is limited. Second, the within-host fitness of viruses with gene duplications is low compared to the wild-type virus. Third, after duplication, the ancestral gene copy is always maintained and never the duplicated one. Fourth, viruses with an alternative gene order have even lower fitness than viruses with gene duplications. Fifth, after more than half a year of evolution in isolation, viruses with an alternative gene order are still vastly inferior to the wild-type virus. Our results show that all steps along plausible evolutionary trajectories to alternative gene orders are highly unlikely. Hence, the inaccessibility of these trajectories probably contributes to the conservation of gene order in present-day viruses.

Mixed triple: allied viruses in unique recent isolates of highly virulent type 2 bovine viral diarrhea virus detected by deep sequencing

In February 2013, very severe acute clinical symptoms were observed in calves, heifers, and dairy cattle in several farms in North Rhine Westphalia and Lower Saxony, Germany. Deep sequencing revealed the coexistence of three distinct genome variants within recent highly virulent bovine viral diarrhea virus type 2 (BVDV-2) isolates. While the major portion (ca. 95%) of the population harbored a duplication of a 222-nucleotide (nt) segment within the p7-NS2-encoding region, the minority reflected the standard structure of a BVDV-2 genome. Additionally, unusual mutations were found in both variants, within the highly conserved p7 protein and close to the p7-NS2 cleavage site. Using a reverse genetic system with a BVDV-2a strain harboring a similar duplication, it could be demonstrated that during replication, genomes without duplication are generated de novo from genomes with duplication. The major variant with duplication is compulsorily escorted by the minor variant without duplication. RNA secondary structure prediction allowed the analysis of the unique but stable mixture of three BVDV variants and also provided the explanation for their generation. Finally, our results suggest that the variant with duplication plays the major role in the highly virulent phenotype.

IMPORTANCE

This study emphasizes the importance of full-genome deep sequencing in combination with manual in-depth data analysis for the investigation of viruses in basic research and diagnostics. Here we investigated recent highly virulent bovine viral diarrhea virus isolates from a 2013 series of outbreaks. We discovered a unique special feature of the viral genome, an unstable duplication of 222 nucleotides which is eventually deleted by viral polymerase activity, leading to an unexpectedly mixed population of viral genomes for all investigated isolates. Our study is of high importance to the field because we demonstrate that these insertion/deletion events allow another level of genome plasticity of plus-strand RNA viruses, in addition to the well-known polymerase-induced single nucleotide variations which are generally considered the main basis for viral adaptation and evolution.

Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3

Grapevine leafroll disease (GLD) is one of the most important grapevine viral diseases affecting grapevines worldwide. The impact on vine health, crop yield, and quality is difficult to assess due to a high number of variables, but significant economic losses are consistently reported over the lifespan of a vineyard if intervention strategies are not implemented. Several viruses from the family Closteroviridae are associated with GLD. However, Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3), the type species for the genus Ampelovirus, is regarded as the most important causative agent. Here we provide a general overview on various aspects of GLRaV-3, with an emphasis on the latest advances in the characterization of the genome. The full genome of several isolates have recently been sequenced and annotated, revealing the existence of several genetic variants. The classification of these variants, based on their genome sequence, will be discussed and a guideline is presented to facilitate future comparative studies. The characterization of sgRNAs produced during the infection cycle of GLRaV-3 has given some insight into the replication strategy and the putative functionality of the ORFs. The latest nucleotide sequence based molecular diagnostic techniques were shown to be more sensitive than conventional serological assays and although ELISA is not as sensitive it remains valuable for high-throughput screening and complementary to molecular diagnostics. The application of next-generation sequencing is proving to be a valuable tool to study the complexity of viral infection as well as plant pathogen interaction. Next-generation sequencing data can provide information regarding disease complexes, variants of viral species, and abundance of particular viruses. This information can be used to develop more accurate diagnostic assays. Reliable virus screening in support of robust grapevine certification programs remains the cornerstone of GLD management.

The closterovirus-derived gene expression and RNA interference vectors as tools for research and plant biotechnology

Important progress in understanding replication, interactions with host plants, and evolution of closteroviruses enabled engineering of several vectors for gene expression and virus-induced gene silencing. Due to the broad host range of closteroviruses, these vectors expanded vector applicability to include important woody plants such as citrus and grapevine. Furthermore, large closterovirus genomes offer genetic capacity and stability unrivaled by other plant viral vectors. These features provided immense opportunities for using closterovirus vectors for the functional genomics studies and pathogen control in economically valuable crops. This review briefly summarizes advances in closterovirus research during the last decade, explores the relationships between virus biology and vector design, and outlines the most promising directions for future application of closterovirus vectors.

Gene duplication is infrequent in the recent evolutionary history of RNA viruses

Gene duplication generates genetic novelty and redundancy and is a major mechanism of evolutionary change in bacteria and eukaryotes. To date, however, gene duplication has been reported only rarely in RNA viruses. Using a conservative BLAST approach we systematically screened for the presence of duplicated (i.e., paralogous) proteins in all RNA viruses for which full genome sequences are publicly available. Strikingly, we found only nine significantly supported cases of gene duplication, two of which are newly described here--in the 25 and 26 kDa proteins of Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (genus Benyvirus) and in the U1 and U2 proteins of Wongabel virus (family Rhabdoviridae). Hence, gene duplication has occurred at a far lower frequency in the recent evolutionary history of RNA viruses than in other organisms. Although the rapidity of RNA virus evolution means that older gene duplication events will be difficult to detect through sequence-based analyses alone, it is likely that specific features of RNA virus biology, and particularly intrinsic constraints on genome size, reduce the likelihood of the fixation and maintenance of duplicated genes.

Tandem leader proteases of Grapevine leafroll-associated virus-2: host-specific functions in the infection cycle

Several viruses in the genus Closterovirus including Grapevine leafroll-associated virus-2 (GLRaV-2), encode a tandem of papain-like leader proteases (L1 and L2) whose functional profiles remained largely uncharacterized. We generated a series of the full-length, reporter-tagged, clones of GLRaV-2 and demonstrated that they are systemically infectious upon agroinfection of an experimental host plant Nicotiana benthamiana. These clones and corresponding minireplicon derivatives were used to address L1 and L2 functions in GLRaV-2 infection cycle. It was found that the deletion of genome region encoding the entire L1-L2 tandem resulted in a ~100-fold reduction in minireplicon RNA accumulation. Five-fold reduction in RNA level was observed upon deletion of L1 coding region. In contrast, deletion of L2 coding region did not affect RNA accumulation. It was also found that the autocatalytic cleavage by L2 but not by L1 is essential for genome replication. Analysis of the corresponding mutants in the context of N. benthamiana infection launched by the full-length GLRaV-2 clone revealed that L1 or its coding region is essential for virus ability to establish infection, while L2 plays an accessory role in the viral systemic transport. Strikingly, when tagged minireplicon variants were used for the leaf agroinfiltration of the GLRaV-2 natural host, Vitis vinifera, deletion of either L1 or L2 resulted in a dramatic reduction of minireplicon ability to establish infection attesting to a host-specific requirement for tandem proteases in the virus infection cycle.

Complete nucleotide sequence and genome organization of pineapple mealybug wilt-associated virus-1

Pineapple mealybug wilt-associated virus-1 (PMWaV-1; family Closteroviridae, genus Ampelovirus) belongs to a complex of mealybug-transmissible viruses found in pineapple worldwide. In this study, the complete genome of PMWaV-1 was sequenced and found to be 13.1 kb in length, making it the smallest in the family. The genome encoded seven open reading frames (ORFs) and was unusual for an ampelovirus due to the lack of an intergenic region between the RdRp and p6 ORFs, an ORF encoding a relatively small coat protein (CP), and the absence of an ORF encoding a coat protein duplicate (CPd). Phylogenetic analyses placed PMWaV-1, plum bark necrosis stem pitting-associated virus and some grapevine leafroll-associated viruses in a distinct clade within the genus Ampelovirus.

Mavericks, a novel class of giant transposable elements widespread in eukaryotes and related to DNA viruses

We previously identified a group of atypical mobile elements designated Mavericks from the nematodes Caenorhabditis elegans and C. briggsae and the zebrafish Danio rerio. Here we present the results of comprehensive database searches of the genome sequences available, which reveal that Mavericks are widespread in invertebrates and non-mammalian vertebrates but show a patchy distribution in non-animal species, being present in the fungi Glomus intraradices and Phakopsora pachyrhizi and in several single-celled eukaryotes such as the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila, the stramenopile Phytophthora infestans and the trichomonad Trichomonas vaginalis, but not detectable in plants. This distribution, together with comparative and phylogenetic analyses of Maverick-encoded proteins, is suggestive of an ancient origin of these elements in eukaryotes followed by lineage-specific losses and/or recurrent episodes of horizontal transmission. In addition, we report that Maverick elements have amplified recently to high copy numbers in T. vaginalis where they now occupy as much as 30% of the genome. Sequence analysis confirms that most Mavericks encode a retroviral-like integrase, but lack other open reading frames typically found in retroelements. Nevertheless, the length and conservation of the target site duplication created upon Maverick insertion (5- or 6-bp) is consistent with a role of the integrase-like protein in the integration of a double-stranded DNA transposition intermediate. Mavericks also display long terminal-inverted repeats but do not contain ORFs similar to proteins encoded by DNA transposons. Instead, Mavericks encode a conserved set of 5 to 9 genes (in addition to the integrase) that are predicted to encode proteins with homology to replication and packaging proteins of some bacteriophages and diverse eukaryotic double-stranded DNA viruses, including a DNA polymerase B homolog and putative capsid proteins. Based on these and other structural similarities, we speculate that Mavericks represent an evolutionary missing link between seemingly disparate invasive DNA elements that include bacteriophages, adenoviruses and eukaryotic linear plasmids.

Comparative and functional genomics of closteroviruses

The largest extant RNA genomes are found in two diverse families of positive-strand RNA viruses, the animal Coronaviridae and the plant Closteroviridae. Comparative analysis of the viruses from the latter family reveals three levels of gene conservation. The most conserved gene module defines RNA replication and is shared with plant and animal viruses in the alphavirus-like superfamily. A module of five genes that function in particle assembly and transport is a hallmark of the family Closteroviridae and was likely present in the ancestor of all three closterovirus genera. This module includes a homologue of Hsp70 molecular chaperones and three diverged copies of the capsid protein gene. The remaining genes show dramatic variation in their numbers, functions, and origins among closteroviruses within and between the genera. Proteins encoded by these genes include suppressors of RNA silencing, RNAse III, papain-like proteases, the AlkB domain implicated in RNA repair, Zn-ribbon-containing protein, and a variety of proteins with no detectable homologues in the current databases. The evolutionary processes that have shaped the complex and fluid genomes of the large RNA viruses might be similar to those that have been involved in evolution of genomic complexity in other divisions of life.

Complex molecular architecture of beet yellows virus particles

Closteroviruses possess exceptionally long filamentous virus particles that mediate protection and active transport of the genomic RNA within infected plants. These virions are composed of a long "body" and short "tail" whose principal components are the major and minor capsid proteins, respectively. Here we use biochemical, genetic, and ultrastructural analyses to dissect the molecular composition and architecture of particles of beet yellows virus, a closterovirus. We demonstrate that the virion tails encapsidate the 5'-terminal, approximately 650-nt-long, part of the viral RNA. In addition to the minor capsid protein, the viral Hsp70-homolog, 64-kDa protein, and 20-kDa protein are also incorporated into the virion tail. Atomic force microscopy of virions revealed that the tail possesses a striking, segmented morphology with the tip segment probably being built of 20-kDa protein. The unexpectedly complex structure of closterovirus virions has important mechanistic and functional implications that may also apply to other virus families.

Beet yellows virus: the importance of being different

SUMMARY Taxonomic relationship: Type member of the genus Closterovirus, family Closteroviridae. A member of the alphavirus-like supergroup of positive-strand RNA viruses. Physical properties: Virions are flexuous filaments of approximately 1300 nm in length and approximately 12 nm in diameter that are made up of a approximately 15.5 kb RNA and five proteins. The major capsid protein forms virion body of helical symmetry that constitutes approximately 95% of the virion length. The short virion tail is assembled by the minor capsid protein, Hsp70-homologue, approximately 64-kDa protein, and approximately 20-kDa protein. Viral proteins: The 5'-most ORFs 1a and 1b encode leader proteinase and RNA replicase. The remaining ORFs 2-8 are expressed by subgenomic mRNAs that encode 6-kDa membrane protein, Hsp70 homologue, approximately 64-kDa protein, minor and major capsid proteins, approximately 20-kDa protein, and approximately 21-kDa protein, respectively. Hosts: The principal crop plants affected by Beet yellows virus (BYV) are sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) and spinach (Spinacea oleracea). In addition, BYV was reported to infect approximately 120 species in 15 families. Most suitable propagation species are Nicotiana benthamiana, Tetragonia expansa, and Claytonia perfoliata.

The 64-kilodalton capsid protein homolog of Beet yellows virus is required for assembly of virion tails

The filamentous virion of the closterovirus Beet yellows virus (BYV) consists of a long body formed by the major capsid protein (CP) and a short tail composed of the minor capsid protein (CPm) and the virus-encoded Hsp70 homolog. By using nano-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and biochemical analyses, we show here that the BYV 64-kDa protein (p64) is the fourth integral component of BYV virions. The N-terminal domain of p64 is exposed at the virion surface and is accessible to antibodies and mild trypsin digestion. In contrast, the C-terminal domain is embedded in the virion and is inaccessible to antibodies or trypsin. The C-terminal domain of p64 is shown to be homologous to CP and CPm. Mutation of the signature motifs of capsid proteins of filamentous RNA viruses in p64 results in the formation of tailless virions, which are unable to move from cell to cell. These results reveal the dual function of p64 in tail assembly and BYV motility and support the concept of the virion tail as a specialized device for BYV cell-to-cell movement.

Characterization of a novel envelope protein (VP281) of shrimp white spot syndrome virus by mass spectrometry

The primary structure of a novel envelope protein from shrimp white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) was characterized using a combination of SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry. The resulting amino acid sequence matched an open reading frame (ORF), ORF1050, of the WSSV genome ORF database. ORF1050 contained 843 nt, encoding 281 aa, and was termed the vp281 gene. Computer-assisted analysis showed that both the vp281 gene and its product shared no significant homology with other known viruses. However, they shared striking identity/similarity with another WSSV structural protein, VP292, at both the nucleotide and amino acid sequence level, suggesting that vp281 and vp292 might have evolved by gene duplication from a common ancestral gene. WSSV VP281 cDNA was cloned into a pET32a(+) expression vector containing a T7 RNA polymerase promoter to produce (His)(6)-tagged fusion proteins in Escherichia coli strain BL21. Specific mouse antibodies were raised using the purified fusion protein (His)(6)-VP281. Western blot analysis showed that the mouse anti-(His)(6)-VP281 antibodies bound specifically to VP281 of WSSV, without cross-reactivity with VP292. The transmission electron microscope immunogold-labelling method was used to localize VP281 in the WSSV virion as an envelope protein. The cell attachment 'Arg-Gly-Asp' motif in VP281 indicated that this protein might play an important role in mediating WSSV infectivity.

Cell-to-cell movement and assembly of a plant closterovirus: roles for the capsid proteins and Hsp70 homolog

Diverse animal and plant viruses are able to translocate their virions between neighboring cells via intercellular connections. In this work, we analyze the virion assembly and cell-to-cell movement of a plant closterovirus and reveal a strong correlation between these two processes. The filamentous virions of a closterovirus possess a long body formed by the major capsid protein (CP) and a short tail formed by the minor capsid protein (CPm). Genetic and biochemical analyses show that the functions of these virion components are distinct. A virion body is required primarily for genome protection, whereas a tail represents a specialized device for cell-to-cell movement. Furthermore, tail assembly is mediated by the viral Hsp70 homolog (Hsp70h) that becomes an integral part of the virion. Inactivation of the ATPase domain of Hsp70h results in assembly of tailless virions that are incapable of translocation. A dual role for the viral molecular chaperone Hsp70h in virion assembly and transport, combined with the previous finding of this protein in intercellular channels, allowed us to propose a model of closteroviral movement from cell to cell.

Three functionally diverged major structural proteins of white spot syndrome virus evolved by gene duplication

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is an invertebrate virus causing considerable mortality in penaeid shrimp. The oval-to-bacilliform shaped virions, isolated from infected Penaeus monodon, contain four major proteins: VP28, VP26, VP24 and VP19 (28, 26, 24 and 19 kDa, respectively). VP26 and VP24 are associated with the nucleocapsid and the remaining two with the envelope. Forty-one N-terminal amino acids of VP24 were determined biochemically allowing the identification of its gene (vp24) in the WSSV genome. Computer-assisted analysis revealed a striking similarity between WSSV VP24, VP26 and VP28 at the amino acid and nucleotide sequence level. This strongly suggests that these structural protein genes may have evolved by gene duplication and subsequently diverged into proteins with different functions in the WSSV virion, i.e. envelope and nucleocapsid. None of these three structural WSSV proteins showed homology to proteins of other viruses including baculoviruses, underscoring the distinct taxonomic position of WSSV among invertebrate viruses.

Genetic Diversity and Evolution of Closteroviruses

The family Closteroviridae comprises more than 30 plant viruses with flexuous, filamentous virions and includes representatives with either mono- or bipartite positive-strand ssRNA genomes. Closteroviruses are transmitted semipersistently by insects from three families of Homoptera, in infected plants are associated with phloem tissue, and demonstrate an astonishing genetic diversity that suggests extensive, on-going evolution. Phylogenetic analyses of their replicative genes as well as the conserved HSP70 demonstrate that closteroviruses co-evolved with their insect vectors, resulting in three major lineages, i.e. aphid-, mealybug-, and whitefly-transmitted viruses. Closteroviruses apparently represent an ancient and diverse virus family that may pose threats to agriculture and needs serious attention.

Genetic analysis of the cell-to-cell movement of beet yellows closterovirus

A beet yellows closterovirus (BYV) variant expressing green fluorescent protein and leaves of BYV local lesion host Claytonia perfoliata were used to reveal genetic requirements for BYV cell-to-cell movement in leaf epidermis and mesophyll. A series of mutations targeting genes that are not involved in amplification of the viral positive-strand RNA was analyzed. The products of genes coding for a 6-kDa hydrophobic protein (p6) and a 64-kDa protein (p64), as well as for minor and major capsid proteins, were found to be essential for intercellular translocation of BYV. In a previous work, we have demonstrated that the BYV HSP70-homolog (HSP70h) also plays a critical role in viral movement (V. V. Peremyslov, Y. Hagiwara, and V. V. Dolja, 1999, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 96, 14771-14776). Altogether, a unique protein quintet including three dedicated movement proteins (p6, p64, and HSP70h) and two structural proteins is required to potentiate the cell-to-cell movement of a closterovirus. The corresponding BYV genes are clustered in a block that is conserved among diverse representatives of the family Closteroviridae.

Nucleotide sequence and organization of ten open reading frames in the genome of grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1 and identification of three subgenomic RNAs

The genome of Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1 (GLRaV-1) was cloned and the sequence of 12394 nts determined. It contains 10 major open reading frames (ORFs) and a 3'-non-coding region lacking a poly(A) tract. The first ORF (ORF 1a) encodes a putative RNA helicase at the C-terminal portion of an apparently larger protein. The downstream ORF, 1b, overlaps ORF 1a and lacks an initiation codon. This ORF encodes an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of M(r) 59276. ORF 2 encodes a small hydrophobic protein of M(r) 6736, and ORF 3 encodes a homologue of the HSP70 family of heat shock proteins and has an M(r) of 59500. ORF 4 encodes a protein with an M(r) of 54648 that shows similarity to the corresponding proteins of other closteroviruses. ORF 5 encodes the viral coat protein (CP) with an M(r) of 35416. The identity of this ORF as the CP gene was confirmed by expression in Escherichia coli and testing with the viral antibody. ORFs 6 and 7 code for two CP-related products with M(r) of 55805 and 50164, respectively. ORFs 8 and 9 encode proteins of M(r) 21558 and 23771 with unknown functions. Using DNA probes to different regions of the GLRaV-1 sequence, three major 3'-coterminal subgenomic RNA species were identified and mapped on the GLRaV-1 genome. Phylogenetic analyses of the individual genes of GLRaV-1 demonstrated a closer relationship between GLRaV-1 and GLRaV-3 than with other closteroviruses.

Genes required for replication of the 15.5-kilobase RNA genome of a plant closterovirus

A full-length cDNA clone of beet yellows closterovirus (BYV) was engineered and used to map functions involved in the replication of the viral RNA genome and subgenomic RNA formation. Among 10 open reading frames (ORFs) present in BYV, ORFs 1a and 1b suffice for RNA replication and transcription. The proteins encoded in these ORFs harbor putative methyltransferase, RNA helicase, and RNA polymerase domains common to Sindbis virus-like viruses and a large interdomain region that is unique to closteroviruses. The papain-like leader proteinase (L-Pro) encoded in the 5'-proximal region of ORF 1a was found to have a dual function in genome amplification. First, the autocatalytic cleavage between L-Pro and the remainder of the ORF 1a product was essential for replication of RNA. Second, an additional L-Pro function that was separable from proteolytic activity was required for efficient RNA accumulation. The deletion of a large, approximately 5.6-kb, 3'-terminal region coding for a 6-kDa hydrophobic protein, an HSP70 homolog, a 64-kDa protein, minor and major capsid proteins, a 20-kDa protein, and a 21-kDa protein (p21) resulted in replication-competent RNA. However, examination of mutants with replacements of start codons in each of these seven 3'-terminal ORFs revealed that p21 functions as an enhancer of genome amplification. The intriguing analogies between the genome organization and replicational requirements of plant closteroviruses and animal coronavirus-like viruses are discussed.

Suppression of potyvirus infection by coexpressed closterovirus protein

A tobacco etch virus (TEV)-based expression vector has been used for insertion of several ORFs derived from the unrelated beet yellows virus (BYV). Hybrid TEV variants expressing the BYV capsid protein, 20-kDa protein, or HSP70 homolog systemically infected Nicotiana tabacum and stably retained BYV sequences. In contrast, insertion of the ORF encoding BYV leader proteinase (L-Pro) resulted in severely impaired systemic transport and accumulation of recombinant TEV. Progeny of this virus underwent various deletions affecting the L-Pro sequence and mitigating the defects in virus spread. Model experiments involving several spontaneous and engineered mutants indicated that the central domain of BYV L-Pro was responsible for the defect in hybrid virus accumulation, whereas full-size L-Pro was required for maximal debilitation of systemic transport. Strikingly, BYV L-Pro expression did not debilitate systemic infection of hybrid TEV in Nicotiana benthamiana plants. No major defects in replication or encapsidation of recombinant RNA were revealed in N. tabacum protoplasts. These results indicated that BYV L-Pro specifically interfered with TEV systemic transport and accumulation in a host-dependent manner and suggested a potential utility of closterovirus L-Pro as an inhibitor of potyvirus infection. In addition, it was demonstrated that the 107-amino-acid-residues-long N-terminal part of the TEV helper component proteinase is not essential for systemic infection.

Characterization of Beet Yellows Closterovirus-Specific RNAs in Infected Plants and Protoplasts

ABSTRACT Tetragonia expansa plants infected with a California isolate of beet yellows virus (BYV-60) contained multiple BYV-specific RNAs identified by Northern blot hybridization. These RNAs were identified by cDNA probes specific to six open reading frames (ORFs). One genomic RNA and five subgenomic (sg) RNAs representing the p65/p6.4, p64, p24, p22, and p21 ORFs were identified. A probe derived from the 3'-terminal ORF (p21) hybridized to each of the sgRNAs, indicating the RNAs are 3' coterminal. Hybridization with 5'- and 3'-end probes indicated that preparations of BYV particles contained the genomic RNA as well as two additional RNA molecules corresponding in size to the coat protein (CP) sgRNA and an unidentified RNA. A Chenopodium quinoa protoplast system also was used to study BYV replication. The temporal accumulation of BYV-specific RNAs and CP was investigated in protoplasts transfected with purified virion RNA. Accumulation of genomic plus-strand RNA was evident as early as 15 h postinoculation. The development of this protoplast system is significant for studies of closterovirus replication.

Mechanisms of plant virus evolution

Plant viruses utilize several mechanisms to generate the large amount of genetic diversity found both within and between species. Plant RNA viruses and pararetroviruses probably have highly error prone replication mechanisms, that result in numerous mutations and a quasispecies nature. The plant DNA viruses also exhibit diversity, but the source of this is less clear. Plant viruses frequently use recombination and reassortment as driving forces in evolution, and, occasionally, other mechanisms such as gene duplication and overprinting. The amount of variation found in different species of plant viruses is remarkably different, even though there is no evidence that the mutation rate varies. The origin of plant viruses is uncertain, but several possible theories are proposed. The relationships between some plant and animal viruses suggests a common origin, possibly an insect virus. The propensity for rapid adaptation makes tracing the evolutionary history of viruses difficult, and long term control of virus disease nearly impossible, but it provides an excellent model system for studying general mechanisms of molecular evolution.

Genome analysis of the 3'-terminal part of the little cherry disease associated dsRNA reveals a monopartite clostero-like virus

The high molecular weight dsRNA associated with little cherry disease (LCD) was extracted from infected plant tissue and cloned as cDNA. The sequence of the 3' 8337 nucleotides was determined. Computer assisted translation of the sequence portion identified six open reading frames potentially encoding proteins (from 5' to 3') with molecular masses of 70 kDa, 61 kDa, 46 kDa, 76 kDa, 21 kDa and 27 kDa respectively. A 3'-terminal non-translated region of 210 nucleotides was present. The 70 kDa protein represents a homolog of the cellular HSP70 heat shock proteins, and the 61 kDa protein showed homology to the similarly encoded products of beet yellows (BYV), citrus tristeza (CTV) and lettuce infectious yellows (LIYV) closteroviruses. The putative coat protein (CP) was found to be of 46 kDa and its diverged copy of 76 kDa. The potential coding capacity of these notably large closterovirus proteins was confirmed by their expression in vitro and immunoblotting. No proteins with significant similarity to the two C-terminal proteins were identified, but they are related in molecular mass and location to BYV. The gene arrangement as well as the alignments of the closteroviruses CPs and their diverged copies suggest that the mealybug transmissible virus associated with LCD takes an intermediate evolutionary position between the aphid- and whitefly transmissible closteroviruses.

Principles of molecular organization, expression, and evolution of closteroviruses: over the barriers

This chapter focuses on the molecular organization, evolution, and expression of closterovirus genomes, as well as on their unique particle structure. The closterovirus group combines several positive-strand RNA viruses with very flexuous filamentous particles, of which beet yellows virus (BYV) is the type virus. Closteroviruses are distinct from other RNA viruses of plants in some important phenomenological aspects. They have genomes of up to 20 kilobases (kb), a value comparable only to those of the animal coronaviruses and toroviruses, which have the largest RNA genomes of all positive-strand RNA viruses. The existence of such genomes having a coding capacity several times that of an average RNA virus genome raises questions as to the trend whereby the long genomes have evolved and the possible novel functions they have acquired. The dramatic increase in the closterovirus genome coding capacity may be linked to the distinct ecological niche they occupy. Thus, closteroviruses are the only elongated plant viruses known so far to cause phloem-limited infections in plants and to persist in their insect vectors for many hours, in contrast to only minutes.

"Rattlesnake" structure of a filamentous plant RNA virus built of two capsid proteins

Elongated particles of simple RNA viruses of plants are composed of an RNA molecule coated with numerous identical capsid protein subunits to form a regular helical structure, of which tobacco mosaic virus is the archetype. Filamentous particles of the closterovirus beet yellow virus (BYV) reportedly contain approximately 4000 identical 22-kDa (p22) capsid protein subunits. The BYV genome encodes a 24-kDa protein (p24) that is structurally related to the p22. We searched for the p24 in BYV particles by using immunoelectron microscopy with specific antibodies against the recombinant p24 protein and its N-terminal peptide. A 75-nm segment at one end of the 1370-nm filamentous viral particle was found to be consistently labeled with both types of antibodies, thus indicating that p24 is indeed the second capsid protein and that the closterovirus particle, unlike those of other plant viruses with helical symmetry, has a "rattlesnake" rather than uniform structure.

Progress towards a higher taxonomy of viruses

The current consensus view is that a higher hierarchical taxonomy of viruses cannot be established for two reasons. Firstly, viruses appear to be polyphyletic in origin, with several sets of viruses arising by different, independent routes at different times. Secondly, subsequent virus adaptation for survival in different host/vector combinations has involved the selective acquisition of additional genes by a process of cassette or modular evolution, with these additional gene modules coming from other viruses or host genetic material. Thus, depending on the gene product used for comparison, different phylogenetic relationships can be deduced. Further virus adaptation can arise by reassortment of segmented genomes, gene duplication, deletions, frameshift mutations, point mutations or de novo development of new gene products from existing, unused reading frames. The solution to the first objection is to place all viruses in a separate kingdom and assign the current viruses to several phyla that reflect these diverse origins. The solution to the second objection is to consider the core module of replication machinery as the major criterion on which to make the initial assignments to classes and orders. For RNA viruses, the major criterion is the sequence identity of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Using this criterion, the positive strand RNA viruses can be assigned to five classes that correspond to the recently recognized supergroups of RNA viruses. These five classes contain four, three, three, three and one order(s) respectively. These fourteen orders contain 31 virus families (including 17 families of plant viruses) and 48 genera (including 30 genera of plant viruses). This approach confirms the separation of the alphaviruses and flaviviruses into two families, the Togaviridae and Flaviridae, but suggests that several other current taxonomic assignments, such as the pestiviruses, hepatitis C virus, rubiviruses, hepatitis E virus and arteriviruses, may be wrong. The coronaviruses and toroviruses appear to be distinct families in distinct orders, not distinct genera of the same family as currently classified. In addition, the luteoviruses are split into two families and apple chlorotic leaf spot virus appears not to be a closterovirus but a new genus of the Potexviridae. From an analysis of the polymerase dendrograms of the dsRNA viruses, it appears that they are not closely related to each other, but belong to four additional classes (Partitiviridae, Reoviridae, Birnaviridae and Cystoviridae) and one additional order (Totiviridae) of one of the classes of positive ssRNA viruses in the same subphylum as the positive strand RNA viruses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Evolution and taxonomy of positive-strand RNA viruses: implications of comparative analysis of amino acid sequences

Despite the rapid mutational change that is typical of positive-strand RNA viruses, enzymes mediating the replication and expression of virus genomes contain arrays of conserved sequence motifs. Proteins with such motifs include RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, putative RNA helicase, chymotrypsin-like and papain-like proteases, and methyltransferases. The genes for these proteins form partially conserved modules in large subsets of viruses. A concept of the virus genome as a relatively evolutionarily stable "core" of housekeeping genes accompanied by a much more flexible "shell" consisting mostly of genes coding for virion components and various accessory proteins is discussed. Shuffling of the "shell" genes including genome reorganization and recombination between remote groups of viruses is considered to be one of the major factors of virus evolution. Multiple alignments for the conserved viral proteins were constructed and used to generate the respective phylogenetic trees. Based primarily on the tentative phylogeny for the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, which is the only universally conserved protein of positive-strand RNA viruses, three large classes of viruses, each consisting of distinct smaller divisions, were delineated. A strong correlation was observed between this grouping and the tentative phylogenies for the other conserved proteins as well as the arrangement of genes encoding these proteins in the virus genome. A comparable correlation with the polymerase phylogeny was not found for genes encoding virion components or for genome expression strategies. It is surmised that several types of arrangement of the "shell" genes as well as basic mechanisms of expression could have evolved independently in different evolutionary lineages. The grouping revealed by phylogenetic analysis may provide the basis for revision of virus classification, and phylogenetic taxonomy of positive-strand RNA viruses is outlined. Some of the phylogenetically derived divisions of positive-strand RNA viruses also include double-stranded RNA viruses, indicating that in certain cases the type of genome nucleic acid may not be a reliable taxonomic criterion for viruses. Hypothetical evolutionary scenarios for positive-strand RNA viruses are proposed. It is hypothesized that all positive-strand RNA viruses and some related double-stranded RNA viruses could have evolved from a common ancestor virus that contained genes for RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, a chymotrypsin-related protease that also functioned as the capsid protein, and possibly an RNA helicase.