Expression of Middle-Component RNA of Cowpea Mosaic Virus: In Vitro Generation of a Precursor to Both Capsid Proteins by a Bottom-Component RNA-Encoded Protease from Infected Cells

The expression of the middle-component (M) RNA of cowpea mosaic virus was studied by means of in vitro translation. In both the wheat germ extract and the rabbit reticulocyte lysate, M RNA was translated into two overlapping polypeptides of 95 and 105 kilodaltons. Incubation of these polypeptides with 30,000 x g supernatant fractions from cowpea mesophyll protoplasts inoculated with complete virus or with separate bottom (B) components alone resulted in extensive processing, yielding polypeptides of 60, 58, 48, and 47 kilodaltons. Similar proteolytic activity was found associated with the in vitro translation products from the bottom-component RNA, demonstrating that the protease present in infected cells is encoded by B RNA. Using antisera raised against the separate capsid proteins VP23 and VP37, it was shown that the 60-kilodalton cleavage product is the precursor to both capsid proteins. Cleavage of nascent 95- and 105- kilodalton polypeptides by the in vivo protease demonstrated that this capsid protein precursor is located C terminally within both polypeptides and that the synthesis of these two overlapping polypeptides is the result of two initiation sites on middle-component RNA. In addition, a second virus-induced proteolytic activity, capable of releasing VP23 from the 95- and 105-kilodalton polypeptides, was detected in leaves of infected plants, but not in infected mesophyll protoplasts. A model for the expression of the middle-component RNA is presented.

Evidence That the 32,000-Dalton Protein Encoded by Bottom-Component RNA of Cowpea Mosaic Virus is a Proteolytic Processing Enzyme

Translation of middle-component RNA of cowpea mosaic virus in vitro produced two polypeptides of 95 and 105 kilodaltons (95K and 105K, respectively) with overlapping amino acid sequences, which were specifically cleaved by a protease encoded by the bottom-component RNA. The proteolytic cleavage was studied by the addition of antibodies raised against various bottom-component RNA-encoded proteins to extracts prepared from bottom-component RNA-inoculated cowpea protoplasts. Since antiserum to the 32K polypeptide efficiently inhibited the proteolytic activity of such extracts, although antiserum to VPg or to the 170K polypeptide did not, evidence was obtained which indicates that the 32K polypeptide represents the protease involved. Fractionation of proteolytically active extract by glycerol gradient centrifugation demonstrated that 32K polypeptides do not exist as free proteins but are aggregated to the bottom-component RNA-encoded 170K, 84K, 60K, or 58K polypeptides. Maximal proteolytic activity was observed for 32K polypeptides associated with 170K polypeptides, suggesting that the activity was unstable and confined to newly synthesized molecules.

Molecular and biological comparison of two Tomato yellow ring virus (TYRV) isolates: challenging the Tospovirus species concept

Two strains of Tomato yellow ring virus (TYRV, genus Tospovirus), one from tomato (referred to as TYRV-t) and the other from soybean and potato (denoted TYRV-s), collected from different geographical regions in Iran, were compared. Their genomic S RNA segments differed in size by 55 nucleotides. Comparison of the S RNA intergenic regions revealed the absence of a stretch of 115 nucleotides within the S RNA segment of TYRV-s and, conversely, of 56 nts in that of TYRV-t, apparently a stable genetic difference as it was also found in another isolate of TYRV-s collected from potato. Sequence comparison of the N protein ORFs revealed an identity of 92% between the N proteins of both strains, and the observed strong cross-reaction of TYRV-s in DAS-ELISA with a polyclonal antiserum directed against the TYRV-t N protein confirmed this high identity. Host range analysis revealed several differences, e.g. TYRV-s, but not TYRV-t, being able to systemically infect Nicotiana species, and TYRV-s being localised in tomato. The observed molecular and biological differences of both viruses call into question the currently used criteria for Tospovirus species demarcation.

Microsatellites reveal extensive geographical, ecological and genetic contacts between invasive and indigenous whitefly biotypes in an insular environment

Human-mediated bioinvasions provide the opportunity to study the early stages of contact between formerly allopatric, divergent populations of a species. However, when invasive and resident populations are morphologically similar, it may be very difficult to assess their distribution in the field, as well as the extent of ecological overlap and genetic exchanges between invasive and resident populations. We here illustrate the use of data obtained from a set of eight microsatellite markers together with Bayesian clustering methods to document invasions in a group of major tropical pests, Bemisia tabaci, which comprises several morphologically indistinguishable biotypes with different agronomic impacts. We focus on the island of La Réunion, where an invasive biotype (B) has recently been introduced and now interacts with the resident biotype (Ms). The temporal and spatial distribution, host-plant range and genetic structure of both biotypes are investigated. We showed (i) that, without prior information, clustering methods separate two groups of individuals that can safely be identified as the B and Ms biotypes; (ii) that the B biotype has invaded all regions of the island, and showed no signs of genetic founder effect relative to the Ms biotype; (iii) that the B and Ms biotypes coexist in sympatry throughout most of their geographical ranges, although they tend to segregate into different host plants; and finally (iv) that asymmetrical and locus-specific introgression occurs between the two biotypes when they are in syntopy.

Nucleotide sequence analyses of genomic RNAs of Peanut stunt virus Mi, the type strain representative of a novel PSV subgroup from China

The complete nucleotide sequence of Peanut stunt virus strain Mi (PSV-Mi) from China was determined and compared to other viruses of the genus Cucumovirus. The tripartite genome of PSV-Mi encoded five open reading frames (ORFs) typical of cucumoviruses. Distance analyses of four ORFs indicated that PSV-Mi differed sufficiently in nucleotide sequence from other PSV strains of subgroups I and II to warrant establishment of a third subgroup of PSV.

A new silverleaf-inducing biotype Ms of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) indigenous to the islands of the south-west Indian Ocean

Following the first detection of tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) from Reunion (700 km east of Madagascar) in 1997 and the upsurge of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) on vegetable crops, two genetic types of B. tabaci were distinguished using RAPD-PCR and cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene sequence comparisons. One type was assigned to biotype B and the other was genetically dissimilar to the populations described elsewhere and was named Ms, after the Mascarenes Archipelago. This new genetic type forms a distinct group that is sister to two other groups, one to which the B biotype is a member and one to which the Q biotype belongs. The Ms biotype is thought to be indigenous to the region as it was also detected in Mauritius, the Seychelles and Madagascar. Both B and Ms populations of B. tabaci induced silverleaf symptoms on Cucurbita sp., and were able to acquire and transmit TYLCV. Taken together these results indicate that the Ms genetic type should be considered a new biotype of B. tabaci.

Genetic organisation of Iris yellow spot virus M RNA: indications for functional homology between the G(C) glycoproteins of tospoviruses and animal-infecting bunyaviruses

The complete nucleotide sequence (4838 nucleotides) of Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV) M RNA indicates, typical for tospoviruses, the presence of two genes in ambisense arrangement. The vRNA ORF codes for the potential cell-to-cell movement (NSm) protein (34.8 kDa) and the vcRNA ORF for the viral glycoprotein (G1/G2) precursor (128.6 kDa). Multiple sequence alignment of the NSm and G1/G2 precursor proteins of IYSV with those of other tospoviruses, showed highest homologies to Peanut bud necrosis virus (PBNV) and Watermelon silver mottle virus (WSMV). The potential cell-to-cell movement protein of tospoviruses is highly conserved (40-70% identity), with the exception of the first 60 N terminal amino acids, a domain that clearly diverged. For the G1 and G2 viral glycoproteins, blast searches revealed a significant homology between the C-terminally located tospoviral G1 (G(C)) protein with the counterpart of the animal-infecting bunyaviruses, suggesting a functional homology for these proteins.

High sequence conservation among cucumber mosaic virus isolates from lily

For classification of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) isolates from ornamental crops of different geographical areas, these were characterized by comparing the nucleotide sequences of RNAs 4 and the encoded coat proteins. Within the ornamental-infecting CMV viruses both subgroups were represented. CMV isolates of Alstroemeria and crocus were classified as subgroup II isolates, whereas 8 other isolates, from lily, gladiolus, amaranthus, larkspur, and lisianthus, were identified as subgroup I members. In general, nucleotide sequence comparisons correlated well with geographic distribution, with one notable exception: the analyzed nucleotide sequences of 5 lily isolates showed remarkably high homology despite different origins.

Identification and characterization of a novel tospovirus species using a new RT-PCR approach

A novel tospovirus serologically distinct from all established tospovirus species was found in Thailand in Physalis minima L. The S RNA of this virus was cloned by a new RT-PCR approach revealing a nucleotide sequence of 3257 nucleotides. The ambisense RNA segment encoded a nonstructural protein (NSs) of 469 amino acids, with a predicted Mr of 53.2 kDa, and a nucleoprotein (N) of 279 amino acids and a Mr of 31.0 kDa, so far the largest N protein known for any tospovirus species. N protein sequence comparisons revealed closet relationship to the species Watermelon bud necrosis virus (58% identity), Watermelon silver mottle virus and Peanut bud necrosis virus (57%) and a distant relationship to Peanut yellow spot virus (23%) and Peanut chlorotic fanspot virus (22%).

Tomato spotted wilt virus glycoproteins exhibit trafficking and localization signals that are functional in mammalian cells

The glycoprotein precursor (G1/G2) gene of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) was expressed in BHK cells using the Semliki Forest virus expression system. The results reveal that in this cell system, the precursor is efficiently cleaved and the resulting G1 and G2 glycoproteins are transported from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi complex, where they are retained, a process that could be blocked by tunicamycin. Expression of G2 alone resulted in transport to and retention in the Golgi complex, albeit less efficient, suggesting that G2 contains a Golgi retention signal. G1 alone was retained in the ER, irrespective of whether it contained the precursor's signal sequence or its own N-terminal hydrophobic sequence. Coexpression of G1 and G2 from separate gene constructs resulted in rescue of efficient G1 transport, as the proteins coaccumulated in the Golgi complex, indicating that their interaction is essential for proper targeting to this organelle. The results demonstrate that transport and targeting of the plant TSWV glycoproteins in mammalian BHK cells are strikingly similar to those of animal-infecting bunyavirus glycoproteins in mammalian cells. The observations are likely to reflect the dual tropism of TSWV, which replicates both in its plant host and in its animal (thrips) vector.

Impeded Thrips Transmission of Defective Tomato spotted wilt virus Isolates

Two defective RNA-containing isolates (Pe-1 and 16-2) and an envelope-deficient (env ) isolate of Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) were tested for their transmissibility by Frankliniella occidentalis. The Pe-1 isolate contained a truncated L RNA segment that barely interfered with symptom expression and replication of the wild-type (wt) L RNA segment. This isolate was transmitted with an efficiency of 51%, a value comparable to that found for wt TSWV (54%). Isolate 16-2, which contained a genuine defective interfering L RNA as concluded from its ability to suppress wt L RNA synthesis and attenuation of symptom expression, was not transmitted at all. The midguts of all larvae that ingested Pe-1 became infected, whereas limited midgut infections were found in 24% of the larvae that ingested 16-2. This difference in infection could be explained by the presence of a low number of infectious units in the inoculum ingested from plants as demonstrated in infection experiments and verified by northern blot analysis. The env isolate failed to infect the midgut after ingestion and could not be transmitted by any thrips stage. This isolate also cannot infect primary thrips cell cultures. Taken together, these results suggest that the envelope of TSWV contains the determinants required for binding and subsequent infection of thrips cells.

Mutational analysis of the cowpea mosaic virus movement protein

Cowpea mosaic virus moves from cell-to-cell in a virion form through tubular structures that are assembled in modified plasmodesmata. Similar tubular structures are formed on the surface of protoplasts inoculated with cowpea mosaic virus. The RNA 2-encoded movement protein (MP) is responsible for the induction and formation of these structures. To define functional domains of the MP, an alanine-substitution mutagenesis was performed on eight positions in the MP, including two conserved sequence motifs, the LPL and D motifs. Results show that these two conserved motifs as well as the central region of the MP are essential for cell-to-cell movement. Several viruses carrying mutations in the N- or C-terminal parts of their MP retained infectivity on cowpea plants. Coexpression studies revealed that mutant MPs did not interfere with the activity of wild-type MP and could not mutually complement their defects.

Infection of barley protoplasts with rice hoja blanca tenuivirus. Brief report

A barley protoplast system has been established that supports replication of Rice hoja blanca tenuivirus (RHBV). Following polyethylene glycol-mediated RHBV inoculation of barley protoplasts, newly synthesized viral RNAs and proteins could be detected. Time course analyses revealed de novo synthesis of genome length viral RNA4, as well as subgenomic-sized RNA4 molecules of both polarities. Two proteins, N and NS4, encoded by viral complementary RNA3 and viral RNA4 respectively, were detected by Western immunoblot analysis. The barley protoplast system thus constitutes a promising tool for in vivo studies of the sequential steps involved in the multiplication cycle of RHBV.

Alfalfa mosaic virus RNAs serve as cap donors for tomato spotted wilt virus transcription during coinfection of Nicotiana benthamiana

Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) was shown to use alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) RNAs as cap donors in vivo during a mixed infection in Nicotiana benthamiana. By use of nested reverse transcription-PCR, TSWV N and NSs mRNAs provided with capped leader sequences derived from all four AMV RNAs could be cloned and sequenced. The sequence specificity of the putative TSWV endonuclease involved is discussed.

Tomato spotted wilt virus particle morphogenesis in plant cells

A model for the maturation of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) particles is proposed, mainly based on results with a protoplast infection system, in which the chronology of different maturation events could be determined. By using specific monoclonal and polyclonal antisera in immunofluorescence and electron microscopy, the site of TSWV particle morphogenesis was determined to be the Golgi system. The viral glycoproteins G1 and G2 accumulate in the Golgi prior to a process of wrapping, by which the viral nucleocapsids obtain a double membrane. In a later stage of the maturation, these doubly enveloped particles fuse to each other and to the endoplasmic reticulum to form singly enveloped particles clustered in membranes. Similarities and differences between the maturation of animal-infecting (bunya)viruses and plant-infecting tospoviruses are discussed.

Tissue tropism related to vector competence of Frankliniella occidentalis for tomato spotted wilt tospovirus

The development of tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (TSWV) infection in the midgut and salivary glands of transmitting and non-transmitting thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, was studied to elucidate tissue tropism and the virus pathway within the body of this vector. Immunohistological techniques used in this study showed that the midgut, foregut and salivary glands were the only organs in which virus accumulated. The first signals of infection, observed as randomly distributed fluorescent granular spots, were found in the epithelial cells of the midgut, mainly restricted to the anterior region. The virus subsequently spread to the circular and longitudinal midgut muscle tissues, a process which occurred late in the larval stage. In the adult stage, the infection occurred in the visceral muscle tissues, covering the whole midgut and foregut, and was abolished in the midgut epithelium. The infection of the salivary glands was first observed 72 h post-acquisition, and simultaneously in the ligaments connecting the midgut with these glands. The salivary glands of transmitting individuals appeared heavily or completely infected, while no or only a low level of infection was found in the glands of non-transmitting individuals. Moreover, the development of an age-dependent midgut barrier against virus infection was observed in second instar larvae and adults. The results show that the establishment of TSWV infection in the various tissues and the potential of transmission seems to be regulated by different barriers and processes related to the metamorphosis of thrips.

Molecular characterization of tomato spotted Wilt virus defective interfering RNAs and detection of truncated L proteins

Junction sites of 25 different defective interfering (DI) RNAs of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) were characterized. The DI RNAs varied in size from 2.0 to 5.2 kilobases (kb) and contained a single internal deletion. The absence of DI RNAs smaller than 2 kb suggested a size constraint for the survival of TSWV DI RNAs. This hypothesis was reinforced by the finding of a dimeric DI RNA formed by two 1.6-long monomers linked head to tail. Three types of junction sites were found, one type originating from a simple deletion; the second type contained a few extra nucleotides of unknown origin; and the third type contained a stretch of three to five nucleotides, originally occurring at both sides of the deletion and of which one was deleted. In 19 of the 25 DI RNAs studied, the original reading frame was maintained, suggesting a selective preference of DI RNAs with translational potency. Truncated proteins encoded by these DI RNAs were indeed detected in the nucleocapsid preparations. Folding studies of the complete L RNA revealed that the calculated minimal energy of folding was at 16 degreesC lower than at 23 degrees, indicating a higher stability of this molecule at low temperatures. The results suggest an involvement of locally folded secondary structures in the process of deletion, rather than the requirement of certain sequences around the deletion point. The DI RNA generation in TSWV is essentially, as discussed, similar to the process of RNA recombination described in many viruses.

Postnatal development of muscarinic autoreceptors modulating acetylcholine release in the septohippocampal cholinergic system. I. Axon terminal region: hippocampus

We studied the postnatal development of the release of acetylcholine (ACh) and of presynaptic, release-inhibiting muscarinic autoreceptors in the rat hippocampus. To this end, hippocampal slices (350 microns thick) from rats of various postnatal ages (postnatal day 3 [P3] to P16) were preincubated with [3H]choline and stimulated twice (S1, S2: 360 pulses, 2 ms, 3 Hz, 60 mA) during superfusion with physiological buffer containing hemicholinium-3 (10 microM). In parallel, the activities of hemicholinium-sensitive high-affinity choline uptake (HACU, in synaptosomes) and of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT, in crude homogenates) were determined as markers for the cholinergic ingrowth. In hippocampal slices preincubated with [3H]choline, the electrically evoked overflow of 3H at S1 increased from 0.11 (P3) to 0.81% of tissue 3H (P16), the latter value being still much lower than that of hippocampal slices from adult rats (2.89% of tissue 3H). Already at P3 the evoked overflow of 3H was Ca(2+)-dependent and sensitive to tetrodotoxin, indicating an action potential-evoked exocytotic mechanism of ACh release. The muscarinic agonist oxotremorine (1 microM) significantly inhibited the evoked ACh release in hippocampal slices with increasing effectivity from P4 to P16; no significant effect was detectable at P3. The ACh esterase inhibitor physostigmine and the muscarinic antagonist atropine (1 microM, each) exhibited significant inhibitory and facilitatory effects, respectively, only at P15-16. The specific activities of both hippocampal HACU (pmoles/mg protein/min) and ChAT (nmoles/mg protein/min) continuously increased from P3 to P16. It is concluded (1) that cholinergic nerve terminals arriving at the hippocampal formation during postnatal ingrowth are already endowed with the apparatus for action potential-induced, Ca(2+)-sensitive (exocytotic) ACh release; (2) that, in contrast, the expression of presynaptic muscarinic autoreceptors on these cholinergic axon terminals is delayed; and (3) that autoinhibition due to endogenous ACh develops even later, probably when the density of presynaptic terminals in the hippocampus and hence, the concentration of released ACh has reached a suprathreshold value.

RNA-mediated virus resistance in transgenic plants

In recent years the concept of pathogen-derived resistance (PDR) has been successfully exploited for conferring resistance against viruses in many crop plants. Starting with coat protein-mediated resistance, the range has been broadened to the use of other viral genes as a source of PDR. However, in the course of the efforts, often no clear correlation could be made between expression levels of the transgenes and observed virus resistance levels. Several reports mentioned high resistance levels using genes incapable of producing protein, but in these cases, even plants accumulating high amounts of transgene RNA were not most resistant. To accommodate these unexplained observations, a resistance mechanism involving specific breakdown of viral RNAs has been proposed. Recent progress towards understanding the RNA-mediated resistance mechanism and similarities with the co-suppression phenomenon will be discussed.

Binding of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus to a 94-kDa Thrips Protein

ABSTRACT Using protein blot assays, a 94-kDa thrips protein was identified that exhibited specific binding to tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) particles. Renaturation of the 94-kDa protein, which is conserved among the two major vector species of TSWV, Frankliniella occidentalis and Thrips tabaci, was crucial for its virus-binding properties, whereas under the same conditions no specific binding was observed with aphid (Myzus persicae) proteins. The 94-kDa protein species was present in all developmental stages of both vectoring thrips, whereas it was present mainly in the adult stage of a nonvectoring thrips species, Parthenothrips dracenae. Using antibodies against the different TSWV structural proteins, the G2 envelope glycoprotein was identified as the viral determinant involved. Because the virus-binding protein is present throughout the thrips body, but not in the gut, it may represent a receptor protein involved during circulation of the virus through its vector but probably not during viral uptake in the midgut.

The emerging problem of tospovirus infection and nonconventional methods of control

The emergence of tospoviruses as a significant problem in the cultivation of many crops around the world makes it vital to develop strategies to restrain these viruses. So far, only a few natural resistance genes suitable for introduction into plant breeding programs have been identified, prompting the exploitation of alternative ways of introducing virus resistance into crop plants, such as genetic modifications.

Effects of Temperature and Host on the Generation of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus Defective Interfering RNAs

ABSTRACT The generation of defective interfering (DI) RNA molecules of tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (TSWV) was studied by serially passaging in-ocula from plant to plant under different controlled conditions. DI RNAs were generated at higher rates in plants at 16 degrees C than in plants incubated at higher temperatures. Another factor promoting the TSWV DI RNA generation was the use of high virus concentrations in the inocula. The solanaceous species Capsicum annuum, Datura stramonium, Lycopersicon esculentum, Nicotiana benthamiana, and N. rustica supported the generation of DI RNAs, whereas the virus recovered from the inoculated composite species, Emilia sonchifolia, remained free of any DI RNA under all conditions tested. This study resulted in a strategy to maintain DI RNA-free TSWV isolates, as well as in an efficient way to produce a large population of different DI RNA species. A single DI RNA species usually became dominant in an isolate after a few rounds of serial inoculations. The possible mechanisms involved in TSWV DI RNA generation under different inoculation circumstances are discussed.

A protoplast system for studying tomato spotted wilt virus infection

A plant protoplast system for studying tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (TSWV) infection was established and tested. Using polyethylene glycol-mediated inoculation with highly infectious TSWV particles, generally 50% or more of Nicotiana rustica protoplasts were infected. In these cells viral RNA and viral protein synthesis became detectable at 16 h post-inoculation (p.i.) and continued at least until 90 h p.i. Both the structural viral proteins [nucleoprotein (N) and the envelope glycoproteins G1 and G2] and the nonstructural viral proteins NSs and NSm accumulated to amounts sufficient for detection and immunocytological analysis. Local lesion tests on petunia leaves and electron microscopical analysis confirmed the production of mature, infectious virus particles, underlining the conclusion that a full infection cycle was completed in this system. Upon inoculation of Vigna unguiculata (cowpea) protoplasts with TSWV particles, comparable proportions of infected cells and amounts of NSs, NSm and N protein were obtained, but much lower amounts of viral glycoproteins were detected than in N. rustica protoplasts, and progeny virus particles were less abundant. With the N. rustica-based protoplast system, a powerful synchronized single-cell infection system has now become available for more precise in vivo studies of the processes occurring during tospovirus infection.

Multiplication of tomato spotted wilt virus in primary cell cultures derived from two thrips species

Primary cell cultures prepared from embryos of the thrips species Frankliniella occidentalis and Thrips tabaci were tested for their potential to support replication of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). Using polyclonal antibodies against the viral nucleocapsid protein (N) and indirect immunofluorescent staining, discrete spots with strong signals were observed in the cytoplasm at 48 h post-inoculation in the cell cultures of a F. occidentalis, and a T. tabaci population which failed to transmit the virus. The infection was found in approximately 40% of the monolayer cells. Using antibodies against a nonstructural protein (NSs) of TSWV, uniform and more diffused staining was observed throughout the cytoplasm of these cells, underlying active genome replication. The NSs protein accumulated slower than the N protein in the cells of both thrips species. No multiplication of TSWV was observed in a heterologous insect cell line, i.e. from Spodoptera frugiperda, suggesting the existence of specific host factors in the thrips-derived cells.

Characterization of the in vitro activity of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase associated with the ribonucleoproteins of rice hoja blanca tenuivirus

An RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) activity associated with the ribonucleoproteins of rice hoja blanca tenuivirus (RHBV) was detected and analyzed. Conditions for in vitro RNA synthesis and for coupled RNA synthesis-translation of RHBV were established. In both cases, synthesis of the viral and viral complementary genomic and subgenomic RNA3 and RNA4 were observed, demonstrating that both transcription and replication occurred. Though coupling of RNA synthesis to translation allowed efficient translation of the newly synthesized subgenomic RNAs, studies of the effect of various inhibitors of protein synthesis revealed that RNA synthesis was independent of translation. Primer extension experiments demonstrated that in the presence of capped exogenous RNAs, a stretch of 10 to 16 nonviral nucleotides was added to the 5' end of a population of newly synthesized viral complementary RNA4. It appears that in addition to RdRp activity, RHBV-associated protein(s) also possessed cap-snatching capacity.

Completion of the impatiens necrotic spot virus genome sequence and genetic comparison of the L proteins within the family Bunyaviridae

The nucleotide sequence of the large (L) genome segment of impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV) has been determined, and herewith the complete nucleotide sequence of the whole, tripartite genome of this important tospovirus has been elucidated. The L RNA is 8776 nucleotides long and of negative polarity, containing one large ORF on the viral complementary strand. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of the INSV L RNA primary translation product (330.3 kDa) with those of the L RNAs of other members of the family Bunyaviridae reveals that this protein represents the putative viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. A cluster dendrogram of the (putative) RNA polymerases indicates that the genera Tospovirus and Tenuivirus, though both encompassing ambisense plant-infecting viruses, have different affinities to the animal-infecting Bunyaviridae, tospoviruses being most closely related to the genus Bunyavirus, and tenuiviruses to the genus Phlebovirus.

Expression of the potato leafroll virus ORF0 induces viral-disease-like symptoms in transgenic potato plants

The role of the open reading frame 0 (ORF0) of luteoviruses in the viral infection cycle has not been resolved, although the translation product (p28) of this ORF has been suggested to play a role in host recognition. To investigate the function of the potato leafroll luteovirus (PLRV) p28 protein, transgenic potato plants were produced containing the ORF0. In the lines in which the ORF0 transcripts could be detected by Northern (RNA) analysis, the plants displayed an altered phenotype resembling virus-infected plants. A positive correlation was observed between levels of accumulation of the transgenic transcripts and severity of the phenotypic aberrations observed. In contrast, potato plants transformed with a modified, untranslatable ORF0 sequence were phenotypically indistinguishable from wild-type control plants. These results suggest that the p28 protein is involved in viral symptom expression. Southern blot analysis showed that the transgenic plants that accumulated low levels of ORF0 transcripts detectable only by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, contained methylated ORF0 DNA sequences, indicating down-regulation of the transgene provoked by the putatively unfavorable effects p28 causes in the plant cell.

Serological comparison of tospoviruses with polyclonal antibodies produced against the main structural proteins of tomato spotted wilt virus

A new purification procedure for the tospoviruses of serogroups II and III was developed. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of purified tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV; serogroup I), groundnut ringspot virus (GRSV: serogroup II), tomato chlorotic spot virus (TCSV; serogroup II) and impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV; serogroup III) showed that the glycoprotein G2 of serogroup II members differs significantly in size from that of the serogroup I virus. Western immunoblot analysis using polyclonal antisera produced against purified glycoproteins TSWV-G1 and G2 as well as peptides of hydrophilic sequences of TSWV-G1 and G2 expressed in Escherichia coli demonstrated a higher homology amongst G1 of different serogroups than for G2. These results are supported by comparing the glycoprotein gene sequences of different serogroups.

Characterization of RNA-mediated resistance to tomato spotted wilt virus in transgenic tobacco plants expressing NS(M) gene sequences

Transgenic Nicotiana tabacum plants expressing RNA sequences of the tomato spotted wilt virus NS(M) gene, which encodes the putative viral movement protein, were found to be highly resistant to infection with the virus. Expression of untranslatable as well as anti-sense RNA of the NS(M) gene resulted in resistance levels as high as those in plants expressing translatable RNA sequences. For all three types of transgenic plants resistance levels of up to 100% were reached in the S2 progeny. These results indicate that the resistance mediated by the NS(M) gene is accomplished by expression of transcripts rather than protein in transgenic plants, similar to previously observed N gene-mediated resistance. Protoplast inoculations revealed that resistant plants expressing NS(M) are, in contrast to N transgenic resistant plants, not resistant at the cellular level. This suggests the RNA-mediated resistance mechanism against TSWV targets viral mRNAs rather than the viral genome.

Distinct functional domains in the cowpea mosaic virus movement protein

Cell-to-cell movement of cowpea mosaic virus particles in plants takes place with the help of tubules that penetrate presumably modified plasmodesmata. These tubules, which are built up by the virus-encoded 48-kDa movement protein (MP), are also formed on single protoplast cells. To determine whether the MP contains different functional domains, the effect of mutations in its coding region was studied. Mutations between amino acids 1 and 313 led to complete abolishment of the tubule-forming capacity, while a deletion in the C-terminal region resulted in tubules that could not take up virus particles. From these observations, it is concluded that the MP contains at least two distinct domains, one that is involved in tubule formation and that spans amino acids 1 and 313 and a second that is probably involved in the incorporation of virus particles in the tubule and that is located in the C terminus between amino acids 314 and 331.

Engineered RNA-mediated resistance to tomato spotted wilt virus is sequence specific

Transgenic plants were produced that expressed a wide range of randomly chosen sequences of the tripartite tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) RNA genome or its complement. Testing the progenies of these plants revealed that only transgenic expression of N or NS(M) gene sequences resulted in resistance to TSWV.

Sequence analysis of the 5' ends of tomato spotted wilt virus N mRNAs

Messenger RNAs transcribed from the tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) RNA genome have characteristic extra non-templated heterogeneous sequences at their 5' ends which may be the result of a cap-snatching event involving cellular mRNAs. In order to investigate the genetic origin of these extra sequences and to gain more insight in the process of cap-snatching as performed by TSWV, nucleocapsid protein (N) mRNAs derived from the TSWV S RNA were cloned and sequenced. Twenty clones were obtained which contained 5'-proximal sequences of non-viral origin, ranging in length from 12 to 21 nucleotides. None of the sequences analyzed were identical and no base preference at the endonucleolytic site was observed.

Broad resistance to tospoviruses in transgenic tobacco plants expressing three tospoviral nucleoprotein gene sequences

Transgenic tobacco plants have been obtained expressing nucleoprotein (N) gene sequences of three different tospoviruses known to affect vegetable crops: tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), tomato chlorotic spot virus (TCSV), and groundnut ringspot virus (GRSV). The chimeric plant transformation vector used comprised the three viral N gene sequences, each with a copy of the CaMV 35S promoter and the nos terminator. Despite the high levels of homology between the different N gene sequences (74-82%) and the presence of repeated promoter and terminator sequences in this construct, unrearranged copies of this triple N gene construct were stably maintained in both Escherichia coli and Agrobacterium tumefaciens plasmids used during the cloning process, as well as in several generations of transgenic tobacco plants. A transgenic tobacco line was obtained that exhibited high levels of resistance to all three tospoviruses, showing the possibility of producing transgenic plants with a broad resistance to tospoviruses by introducing tandemly cloned viral N gene sequences. DNA analysis of this transgenic plant line shows that the multivirus resistance trait is confined to a single genetic locus, which is very convenient for further breeding purposes.

Expression and subcellular location of the NSM protein of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), a putative viral movement protein

The 33.6-kDa nonstructural (NSM) protein gene, located on the ambisense M RNA segment of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), was cloned and expressed using the Escherichia coli pET-11t expression system. The protein thus produced was purified and used for the production of a polyclonal antiserum. Western immunoblot analyses of TSWV-infected Nicotiana rustica plants showed NSM synthesis only during a short period early in systemic infection. Although NSM was found associated with cytoplasmic nucleocapsid preparations, it was absent from purified virus particles. Analyses of subcellular fractions from young, systemically infected leaves showed the presence of NSM in fractions enriched for cell walls and cytoplasmic membranes, respectively. Furthermore, immunogold labeling of tissue sections of TSWV-infected N. rustica plants showed that this protein was found associated with nucleocapsid aggregates in the cytoplasm and in close association with plasmodesmata. The data obtained provide evidence that NSM represents the viral movement protein of TSWV, involved in cell-to-cell movement of nonenveloped ribonucleocapsid structures.

Adaptation of positive-strand RNA viruses to plants

The vast majority of positive-strand RNA viruses (more than 500 species) are adapted to infection of plant hosts. Genome sequence comparisons of these plant RNA viruses have revealed that most of them are genetically related to animal cell-infecting counterparts; this led to the concept of "superfamilies". Comparison of genetic maps of representative plant and animal viruses belonging to the same superfamily (e.g. cowpea mosaic virus [CPMV] versus picornaviruses and tobacco mosaic virus versus alphaviruses) have revealed genes in the plant viral genomes that appear to be essential adaptations needed for successful invasion and spread through their plant hosts. The best studied example represents the "movement protein" gene that is actively involved in cell-to-cell spread of plant viruses, thereby playing a key role in virulence and pathogenesis. In this paper the host adaptations of a number of plant viruses will be discussed, with special emphasis on the cell-to-cell movement mechanism of comovirus CPMV.

Detection of the L protein of tomato spotted wilt virus

The 5'-terminal and 3'-terminal parts of the single open reading frame (ORF) in the L RNA of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) were expressed using a prokaryotic expression system. Using antibodies raised against the translational products obtained a 330-kDa protein could be specifically detected in preparations of purified virions and in nucleocapsid preparations from TSWV-infected leaf tissue. The results obtained indicate that the L protein of TSWV, though much larger than that of the animal-infecting bunyaviruses, is present in virus particles in an unprocessed, intact form.

Sequence data to settle the taxonomic position of bean common mosaic virus and blackeye cowpea mosaic virus isolates

The nucleotide sequences of the coat protein genes and 3' non-translated regions (3'-NTRs) of three isolates of bean common mosaic virus (NL1, NL3 and NY15) and one isolate of blackeye cowpea mosaic virus (W) were determined. Comparison of these sequences revealed that the coat proteins of NL1, NY15 and W were identical in size (287 amino acids) and exhibited an overall sequence similarity (94 to 97%), and 84 to 98% in their N-terminal regions. Furthermore, their 3'-NTRs were very similar in length [253 to 256 nucleotides (nt)] and sequence (93 to 96% similarity). In contrast, the coat protein of NL3 had only 261 amino acids and showed 87 to 89% similarity with NL1, NY15 and W whereas its N-terminal region revealed only 46 to 61% similarity. The 3'-NTR of NL3 also displayed appreciable differences, both in length (240 nt) and sequence (56 to 63% similarity). These results, in combination with earlier serological findings, justify the conclusion that NL1, NY15 and W should be considered strains of the same virus, i.e. bean common mosaic virus, and that NL3 is a strain of a different potyvirus for which the name 'bean black root virus' is proposed.

RNA sequence of potato virus X strain HB

The genomic RNA of the potato virus X (PVX) strain HB, isolated in Bolivia and able to overcome all known resistance genes, has been cloned and sequenced. The PVXHB RNA sequence is 6432 nucleotides long and contains, similarly to the RNAs of other PVX strains, five open reading frames encoding proteins of M(r)s 165.1K, 24.5K, 12.4K, 7.6K and 25.1K (coat protein), respectively. Multiple amino acid sequence alignments of the coat proteins of four PVX strains identified eight amino acid residues unique for PVXHB. Structural prediction comparisons of the coat proteins of PVXHB and of the other strains suggest a general structural similarity. However, two of the eight amino acid residues unique for strain HB gave rise to a change in the predicted coat protein structure, suggesting a possible involvement in the resistance-breaking activity of PVXHB.

Taxonomic relationships between distinct potato virus Y isolates based on detailed comparisons of the viral coat proteins and 3'-nontranslated regions

Detailed comparisons were made of the sequences of the coat protein (CP) cistrons and 3'-nontranslated regions (3'-NTR) of 21 (geographically) distinct isolates of potato virus Y (PVY) and a virus isolate initially described as pepper mottle virus (PepMoV). Multiple sequence alignments and phylogenetic relationships based on these alignments resulted into a subgrouping of virus isolates which largely corresponded with the historical strain differentiation based on biological criteria as host range, symptomatology and serology. Virus isolates belonging to the same subgroup shared a number of characteristic CP amino acid and 3'-NTR nucleotide residues indicating that, by using sequences from the 3'-terminal region of the potyvirus genome, a distinction could be made between different isolates of one virus species as well as between different virus species. RNA secondary structure analysis of the 3'-NTR of twelve PVY isolates revealed four major stem-loop structures of which, surprisingly, the loop sequences gave a similar clustering of isolates as resulting from the overall comparisons of CP and 3'-NTR sequences. This implies a biological significance of these structural elements.

The involvement of cowpea mosaic virus M RNA-encoded proteins in tubule formation

On the surface of cowpea protoplasts inoculated with cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV), tubular structures containing virus particles have been found. Such tubular structures are thought to be involved in cell-to-cell movement of CPMV in cowpea plants. To study the involvement of the 58K/48K and capsid proteins of CPMV in the formation of the tubular structures, mutations were introduced into M cDNA clones from which infectious transcripts could be derived. No tubules were found on protoplasts inoculated with a mutant that fails to produce the 48K protein nor with a mutant that has a deletion in the 48K coding region, suggesting that the 48K protein is essential for this process. However, a possible role of the 58K protein in tubule formation could not be excluded. A mutant that fails to produce the capsid proteins did produce tubules and therefore the capsid proteins are not involved in the formation of the tubular structures. Electron microscopic analysis revealed that the tubules produced by this mutant are, apart from the absence of virus particles, morphologically identical to the tubules formed by the wild-type virus.

Multiplication of tomato spotted wilt virus in its insect vector, Frankliniella occidentalis

The accumulation of two proteins, the nucleocapsid (N) protein and a non-structural (NSs) protein both encoded by the S RNA of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), was followed in larvae during development and in adults of Frankliniella occidentalis after ingesting the virus for short periods on infected plants. The amounts of both proteins increased, as shown by ELISA and Western blot analysis, within 2 days above the levels ingested, indicating multiplication of TSWV in these insects. Accumulation of these proteins and of virus particles was further confirmed by in situ immunolabelling of the salivary glands and other tissues of adult thrips. The accumulation of large amounts of N and NSs protein, the occurrence of several vesicles with virus particles in the salivary glands and the massive numbers of virus particles in the salivary gland ducts demonstrate that the salivary glands are a major site of TSWV replication. The occurrence of virus particles in the salivary vesicles is indicative of the involvement of the Golgi apparatus in the maturation of the virus particles and its transport to the salivary ducts.

Complex formation determines the activity of ribozymes directed against potato virus YN genomic RNA sequences

A ribozyme was synthesized against a conserved region in the RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase encoding cistron of the important plant pathogen potato virus Y (PVY). This ribozyme was shown to cleave PVY-specific RNA-transcripts efficiently in vitro, with up to 95% of the substrate RNA being cleaved within 2 h incubation at 37 degrees C. A second ribozyme, designed with much shorter viral complementary arms in an attempt to optimize the efficiency of the cleavage reaction, surprisingly failed to cleave the substrates previously cleaved by the longer ribozyme. A much shorter PVY specific RNA-transcript of only 37 nucleotides (nt), however, was cleaved by this short ribozyme proving its ribozymic activity and indicating that the cleavage activity of the ribozyme is, in part, determined by the substrate involved. Analysis of cleavage reactions on non-denaturing polyacrylamide (PAA) gels indicated that incorrect basepairing, interfering with correct formation of the hammerhead structure, was likely to be responsible for the absence of detectable cleavage of the larger substrates by the short ribozyme.

The nucleotide sequence of the M RNA segment of tomato spotted wilt virus, a bunyavirus with two ambisense RNA segments

The complete sequence of the tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) M RNA segment has been determined. The RNA is 4821 nucleotides long and has an ambisense coding strategy similar to that of the S RNA segment. The M RNA segment contains two open reading frames (ORFs), one in the viral sense which encodes a protein with a predicted size of 33.6K, and one in the viral complementary sense which encodes the precursor to the G1 and G2 glycoproteins, with a predicted size of 127.4K. Both ORFs are expressed via the synthesis of subgenomic mRNAs that possibly terminate at a stable hairpin structure, located in the intergenic region. The precursor for the glycoproteins contains a sequence motif (RGD) which is characteristic of cellular attachment domains. Significant sequence homology was found between the G1 glycoproteins of members of the genus Bunyavirus and a corresponding region in the glycoprotein precursor of TSWV, indicating a close evolutionary relationship between these viruses. With the elucidation of the M RNA sequence, the complete nucleotide sequence of TSWV has been determined. TSWV represents the first member of the Bunyaviridae shown to contain two ambisense RNA segments.

Evidence for sense RNA-mediated protection to PVYN in tobacco plants transformed with the viral coat protein cistron

The coat protein (CP) cistron of the tobacco veinal necrosis strain of potato virus Y (PVYN), supplemented with translational start signals, was cloned into an Agrobacterium tumefaciens Ti transformation vector. Transformation of tobacco leaf discs resulted in 99 transgenic lines which were subsequently analysed for the presence and expression, at both the transcriptional and translational level, of the CP-gene. Although CP-specific RNA transcripts were produced in all plants no CP could be detected by several sensitive immunological techniques. Upon mechanical inoculation of progeny lines of self-pollinated original transformants (S1) with PVYN, protection levels of 20 and 95%, respectively, could be observed in two out of ten lines tested. This level of protection increased to 100% in the S2 progeny obtained from self-pollination of virus-protected S1 plants. Transformation of tobacco leaf discs with a PVYN CP construct from which the ATG start codon had been removed by site-directed mutagenesis resulted in 57 transgenic lines that all produced CP-specific transcripts. Mechanical inoculation with PVYN of S1 progeny plants of several of these lines resulted in resistance to a similar level and extent as in the S1 progeny of plants transformed with the intact CP cistron. The results obtained strongly suggest that the resistance observed in the transgenic plants is principally based on the presence of PVYN CP RNA sequences rather than on the accumulation of viral coat protein.

Defective interfering L RNA segments of tomato spotted wilt virus retain both virus genome termini and have extensive internal deletions

Defective interfering (DI) RNA molecules derived from the genomic L RNA segment of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) were generated during sequential passage of the virus at high multiplicity. Characterization of DI RNAs from four distinct isolates by Northern blot analysis and sequence determination revealed that both the 5' and 3' genomic termini were retained in these molecules. Each DI RNA contained a single internal deletion of approximately 60% to 80% of the L RNA segment. All DI RNAs studied maintain an open reading frame (ORF) which suggests that these defective molecules should be translatable by ribosomes. Detection of only defective molecules with ORFs indicates either that association with ribosomes or translation is a prerequisite for the selection and maintenance of replicating DI RNAs, or that the truncated proteins produced play a role in their selection or replication. Analysis of the junction sites in the DI RNAs showed that short nucleotide sequences are repeated, one at the release and another at the reinitiation point on the L RNA. One of these is lost during the generation of the DI molecules. The presence of repeated sequences at the junction sites seems to be unique for tospovirus DI L RNAs; they have not been described for other DI systems of either positive- or negative-strand RNA viruses. A model for TSWV DI RNA generation is proposed in which the viral polymerase can 'jump' across the internal sequences from one secondary structure to another containing the repeated sequences, during the replication of the viral complementary L RNA segment.

Characterization of RNA-mediated resistance to tomato spotted wilt virus in transgenic tobacco plants

Recently high levels of protection against tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), a negative-strand RNA virus infecting plants, have been obtained by transforming tobacco with viral nucleoprotein (N) gene sequences. Here we demonstrate that this protection is primarily due to the presence of N gene transcripts in the cells of transgenic plants, and hence appears to be RNA-mediated. Further, transgenic tobacco plants are only protected to isolates and strains of TSWV and not to other tospoviruses that share considerable nucleotide sequence homology in their N genes to TSWV. In addition to being protected after mechanical inoculation, the transgenic tobacco plants are also resistant to inoculation using viruliferous thrips, i.e. Frankliniella occidentalis (Perg.), one of the most important natural vector species.

Non-viral heterogeneous sequences at the 5' ends of tomato spotted wilt virus mRNAs

Subgenomic messenger RNAs transcribed from the tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) S RNA segment were partially purified from total RNA extracts of TSWV-infected Nicotiana rustica and analysed by primer extension analysis. The data obtained show the presence of non-viral sequences, 12 to 20 nucleotides in length, at the 5' ends of the N and NSs mRNAs, indicating a cap-snatching mechanism for the initiation of transcription. This is the first report of a plant virus using such a mechanism for transcription of the viral genome.