The C-terminal 33 amino acids of the cucumber mosaic virus 3a protein affect virus movement, RNA binding and inhibition of infection and translation

An Evolved 5' Untranslated Region of Alfalfa Mosaic Virus Allows the RNA Transport of Movement-Defective Variants

Although the coat protein (CP) has a relevant role in the long-distance movement of alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) and brome mosaic virus (BMV), its precise function is not fully understood. Previous results showed that a specific interaction between the C termini of the movement protein (MP) and the cognate CP is required for systemic transport. Thus, we have performed a compensatory evolution experiment using an AMV RNA3 derivative defective in long-distance transport that carries a BMV MP lacking the C-terminal 48 residues and unable to interact with the AMV CP. After several passages, five independent evolution lineages were able to move long distance. The analysis of the viral RNA of these lineages showed the presence of three different modifications located exclusively at the 5' untranslated region (5' UTR). The three evolved 5' UTR variants accumulated comparable levels of viral RNA and CP but reduced the accumulation of virus particles and the affinity between the 5' UTR and the AMV CP. In addition, the evolved 5' UTR increased cell-to-cell transport for both the AMV RNA3 carrying the BMV MP and that carrying the AMV MP. Finally, the evolved 5' UTRs allowed the systemic transport of an AMV RNA3 carrying a CP mutant defective in virus particles and increased the systemic transport of several AMV RNA3 derivatives carrying different viral MPs associated with the 30K superfamily. Altogether, our findings indicate that virus particles are not required for the systemic transport of AMV but also that BMV MP is competent for the short- and long-distance transport without the interaction with the CP. IMPORTANCE The results obtained in the present work could challenge the view of the role of the virus particle in the systemic transport of plant viruses. In this sense, we show that two different MPs are competent to systemically transport the AMV genome without the requirement of the virus particles, as reported for viruses lacking a CP (e.g., Umbravirus). The incapability of the viral MP to interact with the CP triggered virus variants that evolved to reduce the formation of virus particles, probably to increase the accessibility of the MP to the viral progeny. Our results point to the idea that virus particles would not be necessary for the viral systemic transport but would be necessary for vector virus transmission. This idea is reinforced by the observation that heterologous MPs also increased the systemic transport of the AMV constructs that have reduced encapsidation capabilities.

Peanut stunt virus movement protein is the limiting factor in Capsicum annuum infection

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is one of the most devastating plant viruses, with more than 1,200 species of host plants. The host range and economic importance of peanut stunt virus (PSV) are mostly limited to legumes, despite the similar taxonomy and genome structure with CMV. Since no data are available on the background of the limited host range of PSV, RNA 3 recombinant and reassortant viruses were generated (C12P3, P12C3, C12CP3, C12PC3, C12PΔC3) to study their infection phenotype on a common host (Nicotiana benthamiana) and on a selective host (Capsicum annuum cv. Brody). The PSV movement protein (MP) was not able to function with the coat protein (CP) of CMV unless the C-terminal 42 amino acids were deleted from the PSV MP. As a result of the inoculation experiments, MP was considered the protein influencing symptom phenotypes on N. benthamiana and responsible for the host range difference on the pepper. Since plasmodesmata (PD) localization of viral MPs is essential for cell-to-cell movement, subcellular localization of GFP-tagged MPs (CMV-MP-eGFP, PSV-MP-eGFP) was observed. In the case of CMV-MP-eGFP, clear colocalization with PD was detected in both hosts, but PSV-MP-eGFP was not tightly connected to the PD in N. benthamiana and barely localized to the PD in C. annuum epidermal cells. Measuring Pearson correlation coefficients (PCCs) also supported the visual observation.

Unravelling the involvement of cilevirus p32 protein in the viral transport

Citrus leprosis (CL) is a severe disease that affects citrus orchards mainly in Latin America. It is caused by Brevipalpus-transmitted viruses from genera Cilevirus and Dichorhavirus. Currently, no reports have explored the movement machinery for the cilevirus. Here, we have performed a detailed functional study of the p32 movement protein (MP) of two cileviruses. Citrus leprosis-associated viruses are not able to move systemically in neither their natural nor experimental host plants. However, here we show that cilevirus MPs are able to allow the cell-to-cell and long-distance transport of movement-defective alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV). Several features related with the viral transport were explored, including: (i) the ability of cilevirus MPs to facilitate virus movement on a nucleocapsid assembly independent-manner; (ii) the generation of tubular structures from transient expression in protoplast; (iii) the capability of the N- and C- terminus of MP to interact with the cognate capsid protein (p29) and; (iv) the role of the C-terminus of p32 in the cell-to-cell and long-distance transport, tubule formation and the MP-plasmodesmata co-localization. The MP was able to direct the p29 to the plasmodesmata, whereby the C-terminus of MP is independently responsible to recruit the p29 to the cell periphery. Furthermore, we report that MP possess the capacity to enter the nucleolus and to bind to a major nucleolar protein, the fibrillarin. Based on our findings, we provide a model for the role of the p32 in the intra- and intercellular viral spread.

The 28 Ser Amino Acid of Cucumber Mosaic Virus Movement Protein Has a Role in Symptom Formation and Plasmodesmata Localization

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV, Cucumovirus, Bromoviridae) is an economically significant virus infecting important horticultural and field crops. Current knowledge regarding the specific functions of its movement protein (MP) is still incomplete. In the present study, potential post-translational modification sites of its MP were assayed with mutant viruses: MP/S28A, MP/S28D, MP/S120A and MP/S120D. Ser28 was identified as an important factor in viral pathogenicity on Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi, Cucumis sativus and Chenopodium murale. The subcellular localization of GFP-tagged movement proteins was determined with confocal laser-scanning microscopy. The wild type movement protein fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP) (MP-eGFP) greatly colocalized with callose at plasmodesmata, while MP/S28A-eGFP and MP/S28D-eGFP were detected as punctate spots along the cell membrane without callose colocalization. These results underline the importance of phosphorylatable amino acids in symptom formation and provide data regarding the essential factors for plasmodesmata localization of CMV MP.

Key checkpoints in the movement of plant viruses through the host

Plant viruses cannot exploit any of the membrane fusion-based routes of entry described for animal viruses. In addition, one of the distinctive structures of plant cells, the cell wall, acts as the first barrier against the invasion of pathogens. To overcome the rigidity of the cell wall, plant viruses normally take advantage of the way of life of different biological vectors. Alternatively, the physical damage caused by environmental stresses can facilitate virus entry. Once inside the cell and taking advantage of the characteristic symplastic continuity of plant cells, viruses need to remodel and/or modify the restricted pore size of the plasmodesmata (channels that connect plant cells). In a successful interaction for the virus, it can reach the vascular tissue to systematically invade the plant. The connections between the different cell types in this path are not designed to allow the passage of molecules with the complexity of viruses. During this process, viruses face different cell barriers that must be overcome to reach the distal parts of the plant. In this review, we highlight the current knowledge about how plant RNA viruses enter plant cells, move between them to reach vascular cells and overcome the different physical and cellular barriers that the phloem imposes. Finally, we update the current research on cellular organelles as key regulator checkpoints in the long-distance movement of plant viruses.

Large-Scale Synonymous Substitutions in Cucumber Mosaic Virus RNA 3 Facilitate Amino Acid Mutations in the Coat Protein

The effect of large-scale synonymous substitutions in a small icosahedral, single-stranded RNA viral genome on virulence, viral titer, and protein evolution were analyzed. The coat protein (CP) gene of the Fny stain of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) was modified. We created four CP mutants in which all the codons of nine amino acids in the 5' or 3' half of the CP gene were replaced by either the most frequently or the least frequently used synonymous codons in monocot plants. When the dicot host (Nicotiana benthamiana) was inoculated with these four CP mutants, viral RNA titers in uninoculated symptomatic leaves decreased, while all mutants eventually showed mosaic symptoms similar to those for the wild type. The codon adaptation index of these four CP mutants against dicot genes was similar to those of the wild-type CP gene, indicating that the reduction of viral RNA titer was due to deleterious changes of the secondary structure of RNAs 3 and 4. When two 5' mutants were serially passaged in N. benthamiana, viral RNA titers were rapidly restored but competitive fitness remained decreased. Although no nucleic acid changes were observed in the passaged wild-type CMV, one to three amino acid changes were observed in the synonymously mutated CP of each passaged virus, which were involved in recovery of viral RNA titer of 5' mutants. Thus, we demonstrated that deleterious effects of the large-scale synonymous substitutions in the RNA viral genome facilitated the rapid amino acid mutation(s) in the CP to restore the viral RNA titer.IMPORTANCE Recently, it has been known that synonymous substitutions in RNA virus genes affect viral pathogenicity and competitive fitness by alteration of global or local RNA secondary structure of the viral genome. We confirmed that large-scale synonymous substitutions in the CP gene of CMV resulted in decreased viral RNA titer. Importantly, when viral evolution was stimulated by serial-passage inoculation, viral RNA titer was rapidly restored, concurrent with a few amino acid changes in the CP. This novel finding indicates that the deleterious effects of large-scale nucleic acid mutations on viral RNA secondary structure are readily tolerated by structural changes in the CP, demonstrating a novel part of the adaptive evolution of an RNA viral genome. In addition, our experimental system for serial inoculation of large-scale synonymous mutants could uncover a role for new amino acid residues in the viral protein that have not been observed in the wild-type virus strains.

Rapid transient protein production by the coat protein-deficient cucumber mosaic virus vector: non-packaged CMV system, NoPaCS

KEY MESSAGE

We developed a non-packaged CMV system (NoPaCS) for CMV-agroinfection with a virus-inescapable transgenic plant platform, enabling rapid, high production of a large-sequence target protein. For rapidly producing high levels of a desirable protein, many plant virus vectors have been developed. However, there is always a concern that such recombinant viruses may escape into the environment. Especially for insect-transmissible viruses, certain measures must be taken. We here developed a new cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) RNA 3-based vector that is not transmitted by aphids because we deleted the coat protein (CP) gene responsible for aphid transmission and replaced it with a foreign gene. Transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana plants expressing CMV RNA 1 (CR1Tg) were found to be the most suitable platform for producing a recombinant protein using the CMV vector. By agroinfiltrating CR1Tg plants with the RNA 2 construct and the CMV vector harboring the green fluorescence protein (GFP) gene instead of the CP gene, we achieved a high yield of GFP (e.g., ~ 750 mg/kg FW) throughout the bacteria-infiltrated tissues at 2-3 days after infiltration. Furthermore, with this CMV-agroinfection system, a large gene such as the β-glucuronidase (GUS) gene can be expressed because the viral RNAs are not necessarily encapsidated for replication. The system is designated "non-packaged CMV system (NoPaCS)".

Molecular Modeling for Better Understanding of Cucumovirus Pathology

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is a small RNA virus capable of infecting a wide variety of plant species. The high economic losses due to the CMV infection made this virus a relevant subject of scientific studies, which were further facilitated by the small size of the viral genome. Hence, CMV also became a model organism to investigate the molecular mechanism of pathogenesis. All viral functions are dependent on intra- and intermolecular interactions between nucleic acids and proteins of the virus and the host. This review summarizes the recent data on molecular determinants of such interactions. A particular emphasis is given to the results obtained by utilizing molecular-based planning and modeling techniques.

Identification and characterization of privet leaf blotch-associated virus, a novel idaeovirus

A novel virus has been identified by next-generation sequencing (NGS) in privet (Ligustrum japonicum L.) affected by a graft-transmissible disease characterized by leaf blotch symptoms resembling infectious variegation, a virus-like privet disease with an unclear aetiology. This virus, which has been tentatively named 'privet leaf blotch-associated virus' (PrLBaV), was absent in non-symptomatic privet plants, as revealed by NGS and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Molecular characterization of PrLBaV showed that it has a segmented genome composed of two positive single-stranded RNAs, one of which (RNA1) is monocistronic and codes for the viral replicase, whereas the other (RNA2) contains two open reading frames (ORFs), ORF2a and ORF2b, coding for the putative movement (p38) and coat (p30) proteins, respectively. ORF2b is very probably expressed through a subgenomic RNA starting with six nucleotides (AUAUCU) that closely resemble those found in the 5'-terminal end of genomic RNA1 and RNA2 (AUAUUU and AUAUAU, respectively). The molecular signatures identified in the PrLBaV RNAs and proteins resemble those of Raspberry bushy dwarf virus (RBDV), currently the only member of the genus Idaeovirus. These data, together with phylogenetic analyses, are consistent with the proposal of considering PrLBaV as a representative of the second species in the genus Idaeovirus. Transient expression of a recombinant PrLBaV p38 fused to green fluorescent protein in leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana, coupled with confocal laser scanning microscopy assays, showed that it localizes at cell plasmodesmata, strongly supporting its involvement in viral movement/trafficking and providing the first functional characterization of an idaeovirus encoded protein.

The functional analysis of distinct tospovirus movement proteins (NSM) reveals different capabilities in tubule formation, cell-to-cell and systemic virus movement among the tospovirus species

The lack of infectious tospovirus clones to address reverse genetic experiments has compromised the functional analysis of viral proteins. In the present study we have performed a functional analysis of the movement proteins (NS_M) of four tospovirus species Bean necrotic mosaic virus (BeNMV), Chrysanthemum stem necrosis virus (CSNV), Tomato chlorotic spot virus (TCSV) and Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), which differ biologically and molecularly, by using the Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) model system. All NS_M proteins were competent to: i) support the cell-to-cell and systemic transport of AMV, ii) generate tubular structures on infected protoplast and iii) transport only virus particles. However, the NS_M of BeNMV (one of the most phylogenetically distant species) was very inefficient to support the systemic transport. Deletion assays revealed that the C-terminal region of the BeNMV NS_M, but not that of the CSNV, TCSV and TSWV NS_M proteins, was dispensable for cell-to-cell transport, and that all the non-functional C-terminal NS_M mutants were unable to generate tubular structures. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation analysis revealed that the C-terminus of the BeNMV NS_M was not required for the interaction with the cognate nucleocapsid protein, showing a different protein organization when compared with other movement proteins of the '30K family'. Overall, our results revealed clearly differences in functional aspects among movement proteins from divergent tospovirus species that have a distinct biological behavior.

Movement Protein of Cucumber Mosaic Virus Associates with Apoplastic Ascorbate Oxidase

Plant viral movement proteins facilitate virion movement mainly through interaction with a number of factors from the host. We report the association of a cell wall localized ascorbate oxidase (CsAO4) from Cucumis sativus with the movement protein (MP) of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). This was identified first in a yeast two-hybrid screen and validated by in vivo pull down and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays. The BiFC assay showed localization of the bimolecular complexes of these proteins around the cell wall periphery as punctate spots. The expression of CsAO4 was induced during the initial infection period (up to 72 h) in CMV infected Nicotiana benthamiana plants. To functionally validate its role in viral spread, we analyzed the virus accumulation in CsAO4 overexpressing Arabidopsis thaliana and transiently silenced N. benthamiana plants (through a Tobacco rattle virus vector). Overexpression had no evident effect on virus accumulation in upper non-inoculated leaves of transgenic lines in comparison to WT plants at 7 days post inoculation (dpi). However, knockdown resulted in reduced CMV accumulation in systemic (non-inoculated) leaves of NbΔAO-pTRV2 silenced plants as compared to TRV inoculated control plants at 5 dpi (up to 1.3 fold difference). In addition, functional validation supported the importance of AO in plant development. These findings suggest that AO and viral MP interaction helps in early viral movement; however, it had no major effect on viral accumulation after 7 dpi. This study suggests that initial induction of expression of AO on virus infection and its association with viral MP helps both towards targeting of the MP to the apoplast and disrupting formation of functional AO dimers for spread of virus to nearby cells, reducing the redox defense of the plant during initial stages of infection.

Four sequence positions of the movement protein of Cucumber mosaic virus determine the virulence against cmv1-mediated resistance in melon

The resistance to a set of strains of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) in the melon accession PI 161375, cultivar 'Songwhan Charmi', is dependent on one recessive gene, cmv1, which confers total resistance, whereas a second set of strains is able to overcome it. We tested 11 strains of CMV subgroups I and II in the melon line SC12-1-99, which carries the gene cmv1, and showed that this gene confers resistance to strains of subgroup II only and that restriction is not related to either viral replication or cell-to-cell movement. This is the first time that a resistant trait has been correlated with CMV subgroups. Using infectious clones of the CMV strains LS (subgroup II) and FNY (subgroup I), we generated rearrangements and viral chimaeras between both strains and established that the determinant of virulence against the gene cmv1 resides in the first 209 amino acids of the movement protein, as this region from FNY is sufficient to confer virulence to the LS clone in the line SC12-1-99. A comparison of the sequences of the strains of both subgroups in this region shows that there are five main positions shared by all strains of subgroup II, which are different from those of subgroup I. Site-directed mutagenesis of the CMV-LS clone to substitute these residues for those of CMV-FNY revealed that a combination of four of these changes [the group 64-68 (SNNLL to HGRIA), and the point mutations R81C, G171T and A195I] was required for a complete gain of function of the LS MP in the resistant melon plant.

In vitro properties of hordeivirus TGB1 protein forming ribonucleoprotein complexes

Hordeivirus movement protein encoded by the first gene of the triple gene block (TGB1 protein, TGBp1) interacts in vivo with viral genomic and subgenomic RNAs to form ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particles that are considered to be a form of viral genome (non-virion transport form) capable of cell-to-cell and long-distance transport in infected plants. The structures of these RNPs have not been elucidated. The poa semilatent virus (PSLV) TGBp1 contains a structured C-terminal NTPase/helicase domain and an N-terminal extension region consisting of two domains - a completely intrinsically disordered extreme N-terminal domain and an internal domain (ID) with structure resembling a partially disordered molten globule. Here, we characterized the structures assembled in vitro by the full-length PSLV TGBp1 alone or in the presence of viral RNA. The PSLV TGBp1 was capable of multimerization and self-assembly into extended high-molecular-mass complexes. These complexes disassembled to apparent monomers upon incubation with ATP. Upon incubation with viral RNA, the PSLV TGBp1 in vitro formed RNP structures that appeared as filamentous particles resembling virions of helical filamentous plant viruses in morphology and dimensions. By comparing the biophysical characteristics of PSLV TGBp1 and its domains in the presence and absence of RNA, we show that the ID plays the main structural role in the self-interactions and RNA interactions of TGBp1 leading to the assembly of virus-like RNP particles.

Plasmodesmata: channels for viruses on the move

The symplastic communication network established by plasmodesmata (PD) and connected phloem provides an essential pathway for spatiotemporal intercellular signaling in plant development but is also exploited by viruses for moving their genomes between cells in order to infect plants systemically. Virus movement depends on virus-encoded movement proteins (MPs) that target PD and therefore represent important keys to the cellular mechanisms underlying the intercellular trafficking of viruses and other macromolecules. Viruses and their MPs have evolved different mechanisms for intracellular transport and interaction with PD. Some viruses move from cell to cell by interacting with cellular mechanisms that control the size exclusion limit of PD whereas other viruses alter the PD architecture through assembly of specialized transport structures within the channel. Some viruses move between cells in the form of assembled virus particles whereas other viruses may interact with nucleic acid transport mechanisms to move their genomes in a non-encapsidated form. Moreover, whereas several viruses rely on the secretory pathway to target PD, other viruses interact with the cortical endoplasmic reticulum and associated cytoskeleton to spread infection. This chapter provides an introduction into viruses and their role in studying the diverse cellular mechanisms involved in intercellular PD-mediated macromolecular trafficking.

Two basic (hydrophilic) regions in the movement protein of Parietaria mottle virus have RNA binding activity and are required for cell-to-cell transport

The movement protein (MP) of parietaria mottle virus (PMoV) is required for virus cell-to-cell movement. Bioinformatics analysis identified two hydrophilic non-contiguous regions (R1 and R2) rich in the basic amino acids lysine and arginine and with the predicted secondary structure of an α-helix. Different approaches were used to determine the implication of the R1 and R2 regions in RNA binding, plasmodesmata (PD) targeting and cell-to-cell movement. EMSA (Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay) showed that both regions have RNA-binding activity whereas that mutational analysis reported that either deletion of any of these regions, or loss of the basic amino acids, interfered with the viral intercellular movement. Subcellular localization studies showed that PMoV MP locates at PD. Mutants designed to impeded cell-to-cell movement failed to accumulate at PD indicating that basic residues in both R1 and R2 are critical for binding the MP at PD.

Host and viral RNA-binding proteins involved in membrane targeting, replication and intercellular movement of plant RNA virus genomes

Many plant viruses have positive-strand RNA [(+)RNA] as their genome. Therefore, it is not surprising that RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play important roles during (+)RNA virus infection in host plants. Increasing evidence demonstrates that viral and host RBPs play critical roles in multiple steps of the viral life cycle, including translation and replication of viral genomic RNAs, and their intra- and intercellular movement. Although studies focusing on the RNA-binding activities of viral and host proteins, and their associations with membrane targeting, and intercellular movement of viral genomes have been limited to a few viruses, these studies have provided important insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the replication and movement of viral genomic RNAs. In this review, we briefly overview the currently defined roles of viral and host RBPs whose RNA-binding activity have been confirmed experimentally in association with their membrane targeting, and intercellular movement of plant RNA virus genomes.

The molecular biology of ilarviruses

Ilarviruses were among the first 16 groups of plant viruses approved by ICTV. Like Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), bromoviruses, and cucumoviruses they are isometric viruses and possess a single-stranded, tripartite RNA genome. However, unlike these other three groups, ilarviruses were recognized as being recalcitrant subjects for research (their ready lability is reflected in the sigla used to create the group name) and were renowned as unpromising subjects for the production of antisera. However, it was recognized that they shared properties with AMV when the phenomenon of genome activation, in which the coat protein (CP) of the virus is required to be present to initiate infection, was demonstrated to cross group boundaries. The CP of AMV could activate the genome of an ilarvirus and vice versa. Development of the molecular information for ilarviruses lagged behind the knowledge available for the more extensively studied AMV, bromoviruses, and cucumoviruses. In the past 20 years, genomic data for most known ilarviruses have been developed facilitating their detection and allowing the factors involved in the molecular biology of the genus to be investigated. Much information has been obtained using Prunus necrotic ringspot virus and the more extensively studied AMV. A relationship between some ilarviruses and the cucumoviruses has been defined with the recognition that members of both genera encode a 2b protein involved in RNA silencing and long distance viral movement. Here, we present a review of the current knowledge of both the taxonomy and the molecular biology of this genus of agronomically and horticulturally important viruses.

Cucumber mosaic virus

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is an important virus because of its agricultural impact in the Mediterranean Basin and worldwide, and also as a model for understanding plant-virus interactions. This review focuses on those areas where most progress has been made over the past decade in our understanding of CMV. Clearly, a deep understanding of the role of the recently described CMV 2b gene in suppression of host RNA silencing and viral virulence is the most important discovery. These findings have had an impact well beyond the virus itself, as the 2b gene is an important tool in the studies of eukaryotic gene regulation. Protein 2b was shown to be involved in most of the steps of the virus cycle and to interfere with several basal host defenses. Progress has also been made concerning the mechanisms of virus replication and movement. However, only a few host proteins that interact with viral proteins have been identified, making this an area of research where major efforts are still needed. Another area where major advances have been made is CMV population genetics, where contrasting results were obtained. On the one hand, CMV was shown to be prone to recombination and to show high genetic diversity based on sequence data of different isolates. On the other hand, populations did not exhibit high genetic variability either within plants, or even in a field and the nearby wild plants. The situation was partially clarified with the finding that severe bottlenecks occur during both virus movement within a plant and transmission between plants. Finally, novel studies were undertaken to elucidate mechanisms leading to selection in virus population, according to the host or its environment, opening a new research area in plant-virus coevolution.

Phosphorylation of bamboo mosaic virus satellite RNA (satBaMV)-encoded protein P20 downregulates the formation of satBaMV-P20 ribonucleoprotein complex

Bamboo mosaic virus (BaMV) satellite RNA (satBaMV) depends on BaMV for its replication and encapsidation. SatBaMV-encoded P20 protein is an RNA-binding protein that facilitates satBaMV systemic movement in co-infected plants. Here, we examined phosphorylation of P20 and its regulatory functions. Recombinant P20 (rP20) was phosphorylated by host cellular kinase(s) in vitro, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and mutational analyses revealed Ser-11 as the phosphorylation site. The phosphor-mimic rP20 protein interactions with satBaMV-translated mutant P20 were affected. In overlay assay, the Asp mutation at S11 (S11D) completely abolished the self-interaction of rP20 and significantly inhibited the interaction with both the WT and S11A rP20. In chemical cross-linking assays, S11D failed to oligomerize. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay and subsequent Hill transformation analysis revealed a low affinity of the phospho-mimicking rP20 for satBaMV RNA. Substantial modulation of satBaMV RNA conformation upon interaction with nonphospho-mimic rP20 in circular dichroism analysis indicated formation of stable satBaMV ribonucleoprotein complexes. The dissimilar satBaMV translation regulation of the nonphospho- and phospho-mimic rP20 suggests that phosphorylation of P20 in the ribonucleoprotein complex converts the translation-incompetent satBaMV RNA to messenger RNA. The phospho-deficient or phospho-mimicking P20 mutant of satBaMV delayed the systemic spread of satBaMV in co-infected Nicotiana benthamiana with BaMV. Thus, satBaMV likely regulates the formation of satBaMV RNP complex during co-infection in planta.

Cellular pathways for viral transport through plasmodesmata

Plant viruses use plasmodesmata (PD) to spread infection between cells and systemically. Dependent on viral species, movement through PD can occur in virion or non-virion form, and requires different mechanisms for targeting and modification of the pore. These mechanisms are supported by viral movement proteins and by other virus-encoded factors that interact among themselves and with plant cellular components to facilitate virus movement in a coordinated and regulated fashion.

Transient expression systems for plant-derived biopharmaceuticals

In the molecular farming area, transient expression approaches for pharmaceutical proteins production, mainly recombinant monoclonal antibodies and vaccines, were developed almost two decades ago and, to date, these systems basically depend on Agrobacterium-mediated delivery and virus expression machinery. We survey here the current state-of-the-art of this research field. Several vectors have been designed on the basis of DNA- and RNA-based plant virus genomes and viral vectors are used both as single- and multicomponent expression systems in different combinations depending on the protein of interest. The obvious advantages of these systems are ease of manipulation, speed, low cost and high yield of proteins. In addition, Agrobacterium-mediated expression also allows the production in plants of complex proteins assembled from subunits. Currently, the transient expression methods are preferential over any other transgenic system for the exploitation of large and unrestricted numbers of plants in a contained environment. By designing optimal constructs and related means of delivery into plant cells, the overall technology plan considers scenarios that envisage high yield of bioproducts and ease in monitoring the whole spectrum of upstream production, before entering good manufacturing practice facilities. In this way, plant-derived bioproducts show promise of high competitiveness towards classical eukaryotic cell factory systems.

Implication of the C terminus of the Prunus necrotic ringspot virus movement protein in cell-to-cell transport and in its interaction with the coat protein

The movement protein (MP) of Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) is required for viral transport. Previous analysis with MPs of other members of the family Bromoviridae has shown that the C-terminal part of these MPs plays a critical role in the interaction with the cognate coat protein (CP) and in cell-to-cell transport. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation and overlay analysis confirm an interaction between the C-terminal 38 aa of PNRSV MP and its cognate CP. Mutational analysis of the C-terminal region of the PNRSV MP revealed that its C-terminal 38 aa are dispensable for virus transport, however, the 4 aa preceding the dispensable C terminus are necessary to target the MP to the plasmodesmata and for the functionality of the protein. The capacity of the PNRSV MP to use either a CP-dependent or a CP-independent cell-to-cell transport is discussed.

Capsid protein of cowpea chlorotic mottle virus is a determinant for vector transmission by a beetle

Cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV) is a bromovirus transmitted by species of chrysomelid beetles, including the spotted cucumber beetle, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardii Barber. An experimental system was set up to identify the viral determinant(s) of the beetle transmission of CCMV. Nicotiana clevelandii was selected as an experimental plant host because it supports the replication and accumulation of both CCMV and a second member of the family Bromoviridae, cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). Using a reverse genetic system for CMV, a cDNA copy of the CCMV capsid protein (CP) gene was substituted for that of the CMV CP gene. The resulting 'CMV-hybrid' consisted of wild-type CMV RNA1, RNA2, and a chimeric CMV RNA3 expressing the CCMV structural protein. The CMV-hybrid replicated and formed virions in N. clevelandii; in electron micrographs the hybrid virus was indistinguishable from CCMV. In beetle feeding assays, both CCMV and the CMV-hybrid were transmitted by D. undecimpunctata, while beetle transmission of CMV was not observed. Conversely, only CMV was observed to be transmitted by the aphid Myzus persicae. Surprisingly, the CMV-hybrid was transmitted more efficiently than the parental CCMV, and a virus-induced alteration in beetle feeding behaviour is proposed to account for the difference. These results indicate that the CCMV CP is a viral determinant for beetle vector transmission.

A self-interacting carmovirus movement protein plays a role in binding of viral RNA during the cell-to-cell movement and shows an actin cytoskeleton dependent location in cell periphery

The p7A of Melon necrotic spot virus has been described to be a RNA-binding movement protein essential for cell-to-cell movement but its role in this process is still unknown. Here, we found that primary and secondary structure elements on p7A appear to form a composite RNA-binding site required for both RNA interaction and cell-to-cell movement in plants indicating a direct correlation between these activities. Furthermore, we found that fluorescent-tagged p7A was distributed in punctuate structures at the cell periphery but also in motile cytoplasmic inclusion bodies which were in close association with the actin MFs and most likely generated by self-interacting p7A molecules as shown by BiFC assays. Consistently, the p7A subcellular distribution was revealed to be sensitive to the actin inhibitor, latrunculin B. The involvement of the RNA-binding capabilities and the subcellular location of the p7A in the intracellular and intercellular virus movement is discussed.

Induction of necrosis via mitochondrial targeting of Melon necrotic spot virus replication protein p29 by its second transmembrane domain

The virulence factor of Melon necrotic spot virus (MNSV), a virus that induces systemic necrotic spot disease on melon plants, was investigated. When the replication protein p29 was expressed in N. benthamiana using a Cucumber mosaic virus vector, necrotic spots appeared on the leaf tissue. Transmission electron microscopy revealed abnormal mitochondrial aggregation in these tissues. Fractionation of tissues expressing p29 and confocal imaging using GFP-tagged p29 revealed that p29 associated with the mitochondrial membrane as an integral membrane protein. Expression analysis of p29 deletion fragments and prediction of hydrophobic transmembrane domains (TMDs) in p29 showed that deletion of the second putative TMD from p29 led to deficiencies in both the mitochondrial localization and virulence of p29. Taken together, these results indicated that MNSV p29 interacts with the mitochondrial membrane and that p29 may be a virulence factor causing the observed necrosis.

Development of a new cucumber mosaic virus-based plant expression vector with truncated 3a movement protein

We have developed a Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV)-based expression vector for the production of heterologous proteins in plants. Cell-to-cell movement of CMV is dependent on the presence of coat protein (CP). Previous studies have shown that deletion of 33 amino acids (aa) from the carboxy-terminus of the 3a movement protein facilitates cell-to-cell movement that is independent of CP. The CMV-based expression vector that we have designed utilizes this truncated 3a protein, allowing the expression of target genes from the strong CP subgenomic promoter and without the need for providing CP in trans for cell-to-cell spread. Using this vector we achieved expression levels of ~450 mg/kg leaf tissue of green fluorescent protein (GFP) when the vector was delivered into Nicotiana benthamiana plants by agroinfiltration. Human growth hormone (hGH), on the other hand, accumulated to ~170 mg/kg of leaf tissue when the same approach was used to deliver the vector.

Genetic diversity of the movement and coat protein genes of South American isolates of Prunus necrotic ringspot virus

Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) is distributed worldwide, but no molecular data have been previously reported from South American isolates. The nucleotide sequences corresponding to the movement (MP) and coat (CP) proteins of 23 isolates of PNRSV from Chile, Brazil, and Uruguay, and from different Prunus species, have been obtained. Phylogenetic analysis performed with full-length MP and CP sequences from all the PNRSV isolates confirmed the clustering of the isolates into the previously reported PV32-I, PV96-II and PE5-III phylogroups. No association was found between specific sequences and host, geographic origin or symptomatology. Comparative analysis showed that both MP and CP have phylogroup-specific amino acids and all of the motifs previously characterized for both proteins. The study of the distribution of synonymous and nonsynonymous changes along both open reading frames revealed that most amino acid sites are under the effect of negative purifying selection.

Role of plant virus movement proteins

Plant viruses spread from the initially infected cells to the rest of the plant in several distinct stages. First, the virus (in the form of virions or nucleic acid protein complexes) moves intracellularly from the sites of replication to plasmodesmata (PD, plant-specific intercellular membranous channels), the virus then transverses the PD to spread intercellularly (cell-to-cell movement). Long-distance movement of virus occurs through phloem sieve tubes. The processes of plant virus movement are controlled by specific viral movement proteins (MPs). No extensive sequence similarity has been found in MPs belonging to different plant virus taxonomic groups. Moreover, different MPs were shown to use different pathways and mechanisms for virus transport. Some viral transport systems require a single MP while others require additional virus-encoded proteins to transport viral genomes. In this review, we focus on the functions and properties of different classes of MPs encoded by RNA containing plant viruses.

Potato virus X RNA-mediated assembly of single-tailed ternary ‘coat protein–RNA–movement protein’ complexes

Different models have been proposed for the nature of the potexvirus transport form that moves from cell to cell over the infected plant: (i) genomic RNA moves as native virions; or (ii) in vitro-assembled non-virion ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes consisting of viral RNA, coat protein (CP) and movement protein (MP), termed TGBp1, serve as the transport form in vivo. As the structure of these RNPs has not been elucidated, the products assembled in vitro from potato virus X (PVX) RNA, CP and TGBp1 were characterized. The complexes appeared as single-tailed particles (STPs) with a helical, head-like structure composed of CP subunits located at the 5′-proximal region of PVX RNA; the TGBp1 was bound to the terminal CP molecules of the head. Remarkably, no particular non-virion RNP complexes were observed. These data suggest that the CP–RNA interactions resulting in head formation prevailed over TGBp1–RNA binding upon STP assembly from RNA, CP and TGBp1. STPs could be assembled from the 5′ end of PVX RNA and CP in the absence of TGBp1. The translational ability of STPs was characterized in a cell-free translation system. STPs lacking TGBp1 were entirely non-translatable; however, they were rendered translatable by binding of TGBp1 to the end of the head. It is suggested that the RNA-mediated assembly of STPs proceeds via two steps. Firstly, non-translatable CP–RNA STPs are produced, due to encapsidation of the 5′-terminal region. Secondly, the TGBp1 molecules bind to the end of a polar head, resulting in conversion of the STPs into a translatable form.

Adaptive covariation between the coat and movement proteins of prunus necrotic ringspot virus

The relative functional and/or structural importance of different amino acid sites in a protein can be assessed by evaluating the selective constraints to which they have been subjected during the course of evolution. Here we explore such constraints at the linear and three-dimensional levels for the movement protein (MP) and coat protein (CP) encoded by RNA 3 of prunus necrotic ringspot ilarvirus (PNRSV). By a maximum-parsimony approach, the nucleotide sequences from 46 isolates of PNRSV varying in symptomatology, host tree, and geographic origin have been analyzed and sites under different selective pressures have been identified in both proteins. We have also performed covariation analyses to explore whether changes in certain amino acid sites condition subsequent variation in other sites of the same protein or the other protein. These covariation analyses shed light on which particular amino acids should be involved in the physical and functional interaction between MP and CP. Finally, we discuss these findings in the light of what is already known about the implication of certain sites and domains in structure and protein-protein and RNA-protein interactions.

Protein-protein- and protein-RNA-binding properties of the movement protein and VP25 coat protein of Apple latent spherical virus

To elucidate the mechanism of Apple latent spherical virus (ALSV) movement, various properties of its cell-to-cell movement protein (MP) were analyzed. ELISA and blot overlay assays demonstrated that the MP bound specifically to ALSV virions and in particular to one of the three coat proteins (VP25) but not to the other two coat proteins (VP20 and VP24). Mutational analyses have revealed that the MP contains two domains with independent VP25-binding activity (amino acid residues 1-188 and 189-281). Furthermore, nucleotide-binding experiments showed that the MP and VP25 bound to single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) and ssDNA without any sequence specificity, but these two proteins did not bind to double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and dsDNA. The MP contains three potentially independent single-stranded nucleic acid-binding domains between amino acid residues 95-188, 189-281 and 277-376. The MP demonstrated cooperative and VP25 demonstrated non-cooperative binding to ssRNA in gel-retardation analyses. The cooperative RNA binding of the MP became non-cooperative when MP and VP25 were tested together in competition binding experiments, even though a sufficient amount of the MP for fully cooperative RNA binding the MP was supplied. The roles of the MP and VP25 interactions and nucleic acid binding activities in ALSV movement are discussed.

Capsid protein gene and the type of host plant differentially modulate cell-to-cell movement of cowpea chlorotic mottle virus

A study was undertaken to measure the rate of coat protein (CP) independent cell-to-cell movement of cowpea chlorotic mottle bromovirus (CCMV) in three different host plants. A CCMV RNA3 variant in which the CP gene was substituted with enhanced green fluorescent protein (C3/DeltaCP-EGFP) was coinoculated to three different host plants with transcripts of wild type RNAs 1 and 2. Comparative analysis of cell-to-cell movement monitored by the EGFP expression at various days post inoculation revealed that the rate of spread varied with the type of host species inoculated: fastest movement was observed in Nicotiana benthamiana while the rate spread was significantly slower in the natural host cowpea. When CP was expressed as EGFP fusion (C3/CP:EGFP) the rate of spread in N. benthamiana and C. quinoa was slower than that was observed in the absence of CP and remained subliminal in cowpea. Analysis of infection foci by confocal laser scanning microscope revealed that localization of CP:EGFP fusion was distinct in N. benthamiana and C.quinoa and accumulated as fluorescent inclusions at the cell periphery. Additional experiments involving coinoculation of either C3/DeltaCP-EGFP or C3/CP:EGFP with heterologous brome mosaic bromovirus (BMV) genomic RNAs 1 and 2 revealed that, in addition to movement protein and CP, viral replicase also influences cell-to-cell spread. The significance of these results in relation to the mechanism of bromovirus movement is discussed.

The cysteine–histidine-rich region of the movement protein of Cucumber mosaic virus contributes to plasmodesmal targeting, zinc binding and pathogenesis

Viral movement proteins (MPs) are central to the establishment of viral pathogenesis, and yet relatively little is understood about the structural and functional aspects of MPs or about the host factors on which they depend. Through chemical mutagenesis of transgenic Arabidopsis expressing Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) MP fused with the green fluorescent protein, we have studied the function of a central region of the MP, defined by a number of conserved cysteine and histidine residues (Cys-His-rich region), which potentially functions as a zinc-binding domain. Transient expression of mutant MPs identified through an in planta screen for altered MP function or constructed with altered putative zinc ligands through site-directed mutagenesis showed that mutations in the Cys-His-rich region affected localization to and trafficking through plasmodesmata. In vitro zinc-binding analysis revealed that wild type (wt) CMV MP had the ability to bind zinc and that movement-defective mutants bound zinc with less affinity than wt MP. Furthermore, a correlation between the association of the MP with plasmodesmata and virus pathogenesis was shown. We discuss roles of the Cys-His region in biochemical and biological functions of the MP during virus movement.

Cell-to-cell movement of Alfalfa mosaic virus can be mediated by the movement proteins of Ilar-, bromo-, cucumo-, tobamo- and comoviruses and does not require virion formation

RNA 3 of Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) encodes the movement protein (MP) and coat protein (CP). Chimeric RNA 3 with the AMV MP gene replaced by the corresponding MP gene of Prunus necrotic ringspot virus, Brome mosaic virus, Cucumber mosaic virus or Cowpea mosaic virus efficiently moved from cell-to-cell only when the expressed MP was extended at its C-terminus with the C-terminal 44 amino acids of AMV MP. MP of Tobacco mosaic virus supported the movement of the chimeric RNA 3 whether or not the MP was extended with the C-terminal AMV MP sequence. The replacement of the CP gene in RNA 3 by a mutant gene encoding a CP defective in virion formation did not affect cell-to-cell transport of the chimera's with a functional MP. A GST pull-down technique was used to demonstrate for the first time that the C-terminal 44 amino acids of the MP of a virus belonging to the family Bromoviridae interact specifically with AMV virus particles. Together, these results demonstrate that AMV RNA 3 can be transported from cell-to-cell by both tubule-forming and non-tubule-forming MPs if a specific MP-CP interaction occurs.

Plant viral movement proteins: Agents for cell-to-cell trafficking of viral genomes

Plants viruses spread throughout their hosts using a number of pathways, the most common being movement cell to cell through plasmodesmata (PD), unique intercellular organelles of the plant kingdom, and between organs by means of the vascular system. Pioneering studies on plant viruses revealed that PD allow the cell-to-cell trafficking of virally encoded proteins, termed the movement proteins (MPs). This non-cell-autonomous protein (NCAP) pathway is similarly employed by the host to traffic macromolecules. Viral MPs bind RNA/DNA in a sequence nonspecific manner to form nucleoprotein complexes (NPC). Host proteins are then involved in the delivery of MPs and NPC to the PD orifice, and a role for the cytoskeleton has been implicated. Trafficking of NCAPs through the PD structure involves three steps in which the MP: (a) interacts with a putative PD docking complex, (b) induces dilation in the PD microchannels, and (c) binds to an internal translocation system for delivery into the neighboring cytoplasm. Viral genera that use this NCAP pathway have evolved a combination of a MP and ancillary proteins that work in concert to enable the formation of a stable NPC that can compete with endogenous NCAPs for the PD trafficking machinery. Incompatible MP-host protein interactions may underlie observed tissue tropisms and restricted infection domains. These pivotal discoveries are discussed in terms of the need to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the (a) three-dimensional structure of MPs, (b) PD supramolecular complex, and (c) host proteins involved in this cell-to-cell trafficking process.

Evidence for interaction between the 2a polymerase protein and the 3a movement protein of Cucumber mosaic virus

The genome of Cucumber mosaic virus consists of three single-stranded RNA molecules, RNAs 1, 2 and 3. RNAs 1 and 2 encode the 1a and 2a proteins, respectively, which are necessary for replication of the viral genome and have been implicated in movement of the viral RNAs in plants. The 3a movement protein (MP), encoded by RNA 3, is essential for transferring the RNA genomes from infected cells to adjacent cells across the plasmodesmata. Far-Western analysis demonstrated that bacterially expressed 2a polymerase protein directly interacted with the MP. Interaction was confirmed in a yeast two-hybrid assay, and co-immunoprecipitation analysis showed that the MP interacted only with the 2a polymerase protein. A yeast three-hybrid assay showed that the 1a–2a protein interaction relevant for replicase complex formation was not affected by the MP. Although the MP has no affinity for the 1a protein, it interacted indirectly with the 1a protein via the 2a polymerase protein. These results suggest that the replicase complex may be involved in movement through its interaction with the MP.

Mutational analysis of the RNA-binding domain of the Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) movement protein reveals its requirement for cell-to-cell movement

The movement protein (MP) of Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) is required for cell-to-cell movement. MP subcellular localization studies using a GFP fusion protein revealed highly punctate structures between neighboring cells, believed to represent plasmodesmata. Deletion of the RNA-binding domain (RBD) of PNRSV MP abolishes the cell-to-cell movement. A mutational analysis on this RBD was performed in order to identify in vivo the features that govern viral transport. Loss of positive charges prevented the cell-to-cell movement even though all mutants showed a similar accumulation level in protoplasts to those observed with the wild-type (wt) MP. Synthetic peptides representing the mutants and wild-type RBDs were used to study RNA-binding affinities by EMSA assays being approximately 20-fold lower in the mutants. Circular dichroism analyses revealed that the secondary structure of the peptides was not significantly affected by mutations. The involvement of the affinity changes between the viral RNA and the MP in the viral cell-to-cell movement is discussed.

Natural isolates of Brome mosaic virus with the ability to move from cell to cell independently of coat protein

Brome mosaic virus (BMV) requires encapsidation-competent coat protein (CP) for cell-to-cell movement and the 3a movement protein (MP) is involved in determining the CP requirement for BMV movement. However, these conclusions have been drawn by using BMV strain M1 (BMV-M1) and a related strain. Here, the ability of the MPs of five other natural BMV strains to mediate the movement of BMV-M1 in the absence of CP was tested. The MP of BMV M2 strain (BMV-M2) efficiently mediated the movement of CP-deficient BMV-M1 and the MPs of two other strains functioned similarly to some extent. Furthermore, BMV-M2 itself moved between cells independently of CP, demonstrating that BMV-M1 and -M2 use different movement modes. Reassortment between CP-deficient BMV-M1 and -M2 showed the involvement of RNA3 in determining the CP requirement for cell-to-cell movement and the involvement of RNAs 1 and 2 in movement efficiency and symptom induction in the absence of CP. Spontaneous BMV MP mutants generated in planta that exhibited CP-independent movement were also isolated and analysed. Comparison of the nucleotide differences of the MP genes of BMV-M1, the natural strains and mutants capable of CP-independent movement, together with further mutational analysis of BMV-M1 MP, revealed that single amino acid differences at the C terminus of MP are sufficient to alter the requirement for CP in the movement of BMV-M1. Based on these findings, a possible virus strategy in which a movement mode is selected in plant viruses to optimize viral infectivity in plants is discussed.

Subcellular distribution of mutant movement proteins of Cucumber mosaic virus fused to green fluorescent proteins

The subcellular distribution of the movement proteins (MPs) of nine alanine-scanning mutants of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), fused to the green fluorescent protein (GFP) and expressed from CMV, was determined by confocal microscopy of infected epidermal cells of Nicotiana tabacum and Nicotiana benthamiana, as well as infected N. benthamiana protoplasts. Only those mutant MPs that were functional for movement in all host species tested localized to plasmodesmata of infected epidermal cells and to tubules extending from the surface of infected protoplasts, as for wild-type CMV 3a MP. Various mutant MPs that were either conditionally functional for movement or dysfunctional for movement did not localize to plasmodesmata and did not form tubules on the surface of infected protoplasts. Rather, they showed distribution to different extents throughout the infected cells, including the cytoplasm, nucleus or the plasma membrane. The CMV 3a MP also did not associate with microtubules.

Host-specific encapsidation of a defective RNA 3 of Cucumber mosaic virus

Defective (D) RNAs were generated in tobacco upon passage of two isolates of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) initially derived from RNA transcripts of cDNA clones. In both cases, the D RNA was derived by a single in-frame deletion of either 339 or 411 nt within the 3a gene of Fny-CMV RNA 3 or M-CMV RNA 3, respectively. The generation of D RNAs was rare and occurred with two CMV isolates, the virions of which were known to differ in physico-chemical properties. The Fny-CMV D RNA 3, designated D RNA 3-1, was maintained by passage together with Fny-CMV in tobacco, but was lost by passage in squash. D RNA 3-1 accumulated in the inoculated squash cotyledons but not in upper, systemically infected leaves. Virions purified from infected squash cotyledons or leaf mesophyll protoplasts did not contain D RNA 3-1. Therefore, the failure of D RNA 3-1 to accumulate in squash leaves systemically infected by CMV was due to a lack of encapsidation of the D RNA 3-1 and movement out of the inoculated leaves.

Molecular Interactions Between a Plant Virus Movement Protein and RNA: Force Spectroscopy Investigation

RNA-protein interactions are fundamental for different aspects of molecular biology such as gene expression, assembly of biomolecular complexes or macromolecular transport. The 3a movement protein (MP) of a plant virus, Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), forms ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes with viral RNA, capable of trafficking from cell-to-cell throughout the infected plant only in the presence of the CMV capsid protein (CP). However, deletion of the C-terminal 33 amino acid residues of the CMV MP (in the mutant designated 3aDeltaC33 MP) resulted in CP-independent cell-to-cell movement. The biological differences in the behaviour of CMV wild type (wt) 3a MP and 3aDeltaC33 MP could have been a consequence of differences in the RNA-binding properties of the two MPs detected previously using biochemical assays on ensembles of molecules. To investigate the physical mechanisms of MP-RNA interactions at a single molecule level, we applied atomic force microscopy to measure for the first time unbinding forces between these individual binding partners. Minimal unbinding forces determined for individual interaction of the CMV RNA molecule with the CMV wt or truncated MPs were estimated to be approximately 45 pN and approximately 90 pN, respectively, suggesting that the distinct differences in the strength of MP-RNA interactions for the wt MP and truncated MP are attributable to the molecular binding mechanism. We also demonstrated that molecules of both CMV 3a MP and 3aDeltaC33 MP were capable of self-interaction with minimal unbinding forces of approximately 50 pN and approximately 70 pN, respectively, providing a physical basis for the cooperative mechanism of the RNA binding. The significance of intermolecular force measurements for understanding the structural and functional aspects of viral RNP formation and trafficking is discussed.