Outbreak of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (Family Geminiviridae) in Georgia

Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) of the family Geminiviridae is a serious production constraint to tomato (3). In the southeastern United States the virus has been largely confined to Florida. The disease appeared in the southern most Georgia county (Decatur) in 1998, at an incidence rate of less than 1% (2). During the fall of 1999, tomato plants showing symptoms indicative of TYLCV were observed in commercial fields in Grady, Colquitt, and Lowndes counties and the experimental plots of the Coastal Plain Experiment Station in two locations in Tift County, GA. The 12-acre commercial field in Grady County had a disease incidence of 15%. In Tift County, in both experimental plots (≈5 miles apart), TYLCV incidence ranged from 15 to 20%. Bemisia argentifolii populations in southern Georgia, based on the observed high incidence of silverleaf symptoms in squash and the intensity of adult migrations during August and September, were the highest in more than 5 years. TYLCV infection was verified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification with degenerate primers (5'-GCC CAC ATY GTC TTY CCN GT-3' and 5' -GGC TTY CTR TAC ATR GG-3') specific to the DNA A component (4). A simplified and faster DNA extraction procedure was used to obtain PCR-ready templates. Leaf tissue was homogenized in 300 μl of extraction buffer (1), followed by one phenol and one chloroform/ isoamyl alcohol (24:1) extraction. The supernatant was purified using a QiaPrep MiniPrep purification kit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA) and was used in PCR amplification. The procedure yielded highly consistent PCR-quality template. The resulting ≈1.3-kb PCR product was cloned in pGEM-T vector (Promega Corp., Madison, WI) and completely sequenced. Sequence comparisons indicated 98% identity with known TYLCV isolates from Spain (GenBank Accession no. AJ223505), the Dominican Republic (GenBank Accession no. AF024715), and Israel (GenBank Accession no. X15656). Using PCR followed by restriction digestion analysis, three symptomatic plants from one field each in Colquitt and Lowndes counties were TYLCV positive. The higher incidence of TYLCV in the Georgia counties of Tift and Grady and its concurrent occurrence in Colquitt and Lowndes counties indicates its rapid spread in the southeastern United States. References:(1) I. B. Dry et al. J. Gen. Virol. 74:147, 1993. (2) M. T. Momol et al. Plant Dis. 83:487, 1999. (3) J. E. Polston et al. Plant Dis. 83:984, 1999. (4) M. R. Rojas et al. Plant Dis. 77:340, 1993.

Nucleocapsid Gene-Mediated Transgenic Resistance Provides Protection Against Tomato spotted wilt virus Epidemics in the Field

ABSTRACT Transformation of plants with the nucleocapsid (N) gene of Tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (TSWV) provides resistance to disease development; however, information is lacking on the response of plants to natural inoculum in the field. Three tobacco cultivars were transformed with the N gene of a dahlia isolate of TSWV (TSWV-D), and plants were evaluated over several generations in the greenhouse. The resistant phenotype was more frequently observed in 'Burley 21' than in 'KY-14' or 'K-326', but highly resistant 'Burley 21' transgenic lines were resistant to only 44% of the heterologous TSWV isolates tested. Advanced generation (R(3) and R(4)) transgenic resistant lines of 'Burley 21' and a 'K-326' F(1) hybrid containing the N genes of two TSWV isolates were evaluated in the field near Tifton, GA, where TSWV is endemic. Disease development was monitored by symptom expression and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis. Whereas incidence of TSWV infection in 'Burley 21' susceptible controls was 20% in 1996 and 62% in 1997, the mean incidence in transgenic lines was reduced to 4 and 31%, respectively. Three transgenic 'Burley 21' lines were identified that had significantly lower incidence of disease than susceptible controls over the two years of the study. In addition, the rate of disease increase at the onset of the 1997 epidemic was reduced for all the 'Burley 21' transgenic lines compared with the susceptible controls. The 'K-326' F(1) hybrid was as susceptible as the 'K-326' nontransformed control. ELISA analysis demonstrated that symptomless plants from the most resistant 'Burley 21' transgenic lines accumulated detectable nucleocapsid protein, whereas symptomless plants from more susceptible lines did not. We conclude that transgenic resistance to TSWV is effective in reducing incidence of the disease in the field, and that accumulation of transgene protein may be important in broad-spectrum resistance.

Outbreak of Potato Y potyvirus and Tobacco mosaic tobamovirus in Georgia's Flue-Cured Tobacco

Flue-cured tobacco is an economically important crop in Georgia. During the 1999 growing season, tobacco plants showing various degrees of mottling (mild to severe), mosaic, and vein clearing were observed in most counties in Georgia. In most cases, symptoms were not clearly those associated with Potato Y potyvirus (PVY) or Tobacco mosaic tobamovirus (TMV). The incidence of symptomatic plants in individual fields ranged from 0 to 90%. A survey was conducted in several tobacco-growing counties to ascertain the causal agent(s) of the disease. Symptomatic plants were collected from 11 counties: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Berrien, Coffee, Colquitt, Echols, Grady, Lowndes, Tattnall, and Ware. Leaf samples were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for Cucumber mosaic cucumovirus (CMV), PVY, TMV, Tobacco etch potyvirus (TEV) and Tobacco vein mottling potyvirus. On the basis of ELISA, TMV and PVY were the most prevalent viruses, followed by CMV. From a total of 50 samples tested, 28 were doubly infected with TMV and PVY, 3 were positive for only TMV, and 5 were positive for only PVY. Eight samples were infected only with CMV, and one sample was doubly infected with PVY and TEV. The causal agent(s) in the remaining five samples could not be determined. Although PVY, TMV, TEV, and CMV occur to some degree every year, they have not been economically important in the past few years. It is interesting that the recent epidemic on tobacco and pepper in northern Florida was associated with CMV (1). Considering the predominance of double infections observed, diagnosis of virus-like symptoms in tobacco may require use of ELISA or other specific detection methods. Reference: (1) T. A. Kucharek et al. Plant Dis. 82:1172, 1998.

First Report of Natural Infection of Peanut (Groundnut) by Impatiens Necrotic Spot Tospovirus (Family Bunyaviridae)

Impatiens necrotic spot tospovirus (INSV) of the family Bunyaviridae is an important viral pathogen of ornamentals and a major constraint in the greenhouse industry (2). Evidence of natural infection of peanut (groundnut, Arachis hypogaea L.) by INSV was found in samples collected from three sites in Frio County, TX, and one site each in Mitchell and Tift counties, GA, during October 1998. Roots from several plants were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (TSWV) and INSV. Symptoms on individual mature plants positive for INSV were the same as those associated with late-season TSWV infections: plants appeared yellow and wilted, internal taproot and crown were necrotic, and plant death resulted (1). At one Texas site, three of five composite samples were positive only for INSV. One composite sample at a second Texas site was positive for both TSWV and INSV. Double infections were found in three of four TSWV-positive samples at a third Texas site. In Mitchell County, GA, three of four samples tested were positive only for TSWV, and one was positive for both TSWV and INSV. In Tift County, GA, 11 of 23 samples tested were positive only for INSV, whereas 4 were positive only for TSWV. Double infections were found in 5 of 23 samples. The presence of INSV in the sample from Mitchell County was verified by immunocapture-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (4). The apparently low titer of INSV in the doubly infected plant necessitated two cycles of PCR for detection of INSV sequences. A primer pair that can amplify most tospoviruses was used for the first PCR cycle (3). Using the PCR product obtained, a second PCR cycle was performed with one tospovirus-specific and one INSV-specific primer. This approach resulted in a product of the expected size (≈298 bp). The PCR product was cloned in a pGEM-T vector and sequenced. Comparisons indicated the sequence obtained from the infected peanut sample from Georgia was 99% identical to the respective S RNA region from known INSV isolates. Serological and molecular sequence data suggest the peanut samples were infected by INSV. Future surveys and screenings of peanut plants for spotted wilt disease should include a test for INSV. References: (1) A. K. Culbreath et al. Plant Dis. 75:863, 1991. (2) M. Daughtrey et al. Plant Dis. 81:1220, 1997. (3) R. Dewey et al. Virus Genes 13:255, 1996. (4). R. K. Jain et al. Plant Dis. 82:900, 1998.

Occurrence of Five Thrips Species on Flue-Cured Tobacco and Impact on Spotted Wilt Disease Incidence in Georgia

Thrips-vectored tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (TSWV) infection is a major constraint on tobacco production in Georgia. Flue-cured tobacco fields were surveyed throughout the season from 1989 to 1991 and 1996 to 1998 to determine spotted wilt disease incidence and seasonal abundance and species composition of thrips populations. Five species were commonly found that accounted for more than 95% of the 17,000 thrips collected, including Frankliniella fusca, F. occidentalis, F. bispinosa, F. tritici, and Limothrips cerealium. F. fusca, F. occidentalis, and F. bispinosa are vectors of TSWV. F. fusca was the most common foliage thrips collected during all years, except 1989, when L. cerealium was the most abundant species. During 1989 to 1991, 22 to 68% of the foliage and flower thrips identified were TSWV vector species. The 1996 to 1998 foliage collections had much higher percentages of vector species (95 to 97%). The 1996 flower samples also had a very high percentage of vector species (94%); however, the percentages were much lower in 1997 (3%) and 1998 (32%). A trend toward higher incidence of TSWV occurred during the last three seasons studied, when thrips vector species were more abundant.

First Report of the Green Rosette Variant of Groundnut Rosette Disease in Kenya

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important food crop in sub-Saharan Africa. One of the major production constraints is groundnut rosette disease, which is caused by a complex of two viruses, groundnut rosette assistor luteovirus (GRAV) and groundnut rosette umbravirus (GRV) together with the associated satellite RNA (satRNA) (1). Two main forms of the disease have been described: chlorotic and the green rosette. Variants of the satRNA have been shown to be largely responsible for the different forms of the disease (1). Chlorotic rosette has been the predominant form in all of sub-Saharan Africa while green rosette has been reported in the western and southern regions of Africa (2). During the 1997-1998 crop season, disease surveys conducted in Kenya showed the incidence of the rosette disease in farmers' fields to be 24 to 40% in a total of 23 fields surveyed in the western regions of the country (Homabay, Kendubay, Kisumu) and 30% in 8 fields sampled in the Rift Valley (Cheplamus, Marigat) regions. Representative peanut plants showing rosette symptoms were analyzed for the presence of GRV by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). With primers specific to a portion of ORF4 of GRV RNA (3), RT-PCR gave a product of expected size (approximately 300 bp). The PCR product was cloned in pGEM-T vector and sequenced. The sequenced region showed 89% nucleotide sequence identity with published GRV sequences. Green rosette was observed on groundnut cultivars Nyaela Red and Homabay Local in the Kendu Bay region. The incidence of the green rosette was 5.3% of the plants with rosette symptoms. References: (1) A. F. Murant and I. K. Kumar. Ann. Appl. Biol. 117:85, 1990. (2) R. A. Naidu et al. Ann. Appl. Biol. 132:525, 1998. (3). M. E. Taliansky et al. J. Gen. Virol. 77:2335, 1996.

Analysis of the intergenic region of tomato spotted wilt Tospovirus medium RNA segment

The intergenic region (IGR) of the medium (M) RNA of tomato spotted wilt Tospovirus (TSWV) isolates naturally infecting peanut (groundnut), pepper, potato, stokesia, tobacco and watermelon in Georgia (GA) and a peanut isolate from Florida (FL) was cloned and sequenced. The IGR sequences were compared with one another and with respective M RNA IGRs of TSWV isolates from Brazil and Japan and other tospoviruses. The length of M IGR of GA and FL isolates varied from 271 to 277 nucleotides. The M IGRs of TSWV from potato and stokesia, and tobacco and watermelon were identical with each other in their length and sequence. IGR sequences were more conserved (95-100%) among the populations of TSWV from GA and FL, than when compared with those of TSWV isolates from other countries (83-94%). The conserved motif (CAAACTTTGG) present in the IGRs of both M and small (S) RNAs of a Brazilian isolate of TSWV was also conserved in the isolates studied. Cluster analysis of the IGR sequences showed that all GA and FL isolates are closely clustered and are distinct from the TSWV isolates from other countries as well as from other tospoviruses.

First Report on the Multiplication of Tomato Spotted Wilt Tospovirus in Tobacco Thrips, Frankliniella fusca

In Georgia, tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (TSWV) causes significant losses in peanut, tobacco, tomato, and pepper. Transmission of TSWV in Georgia primarily is by tobacco thrips (TT), Frankliniella fusca (Hinds), and western flower thrips, F. occidentalis (Pergande), with TT being the predominant vector species in peanut (2). TSWV must be acquired at the larval stage for the adult to transmit the virus. Detection of NSs (a non-structural TSWV protein present only following virus replication) in thrips by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is a reliable indicator that the virus had multiplied in the vector and thus the vector is competent to transmit TSWV. While this has been accomplished with F. occidentalis (1), information is lacking for F. fusca, the predominant vector in Georgia and other states in the Southeast. Thus, the nature of the TSWV-TT association was investigated and the proportion of transmitters in a field population determined in 1,436 individual adult TT collected from sticky cards positioned in selected peanut fields in south Georgia. Additionally, 650 larvae collected from volunteer peanut plants were reared to adults in the laboratory and the resulting 295 adult TT were individually evaluated by ELISA. Of those collected from the sticky cards, NSs was detected in 8% of the adult insects, indicating that the virus had multiplied in TT. NSs was not detected in control TT that had no access to the virus. Of the adult TT that emerged from larvae collected from volunteer peanuts, 6.1% were positive for NSs. Our study provides the first immunological evidence that TSWV multiplies in TT. References: (1) M. D. Bandla et al. Phytopathology 84:1427, 1994. (2) J. R. Chamberlin et al. J. Econ. Entomol. 86:40, 1993.

Differentiation of Biologically Distinct Peanut Stripe Potyvirus Strains by a Nucleotide Polymorphism-Based Assay

A necrotic strain of peanut stripe potyvirus (PStV-Ts) was used to design and test strain-differentiating oligonucleotides. The 3' region of PStV-Ts, including a part of the NIb region, the complete coat protein (CP) gene, and the 3'-untranslated region, was cloned and sequenced. PStV-Ts had a high degree of sequence identity (92 to 95%) to the known non-necrotic (blotch) strains both at the nucleotide and amino acid sequence levels. Nucleotide sequence differences unique to the necrotic strain were identified when compared to the available non-necrotic isolates of PStV. Nucleotide polymorphism in the CP gene sequences was utilized in designing oligonucleotides that were specific to the necrotic strain, and were employed in an assay to differentiate the necrotic strain from non-necrotic. The 3' end mismatch in the oligonucleotides contributed in particular to the differentiation of the strains. This approach facilitated rapid, sensitive, and reliable detection and differentiation of PStV strains.

Watermelon bud necrosis tospovirus is a distinct virus species belonging to serogroup IV

The nucleocapsid protein gene of a tospovirus infecting watermelon in India was cloned and sequenced. Sequence analyses showed that the gene was most closely related to those of watermelon silver mottle tospovirus (WSMV) from Taiwan and peanut bud necrosis tospovirus (PBNV) from India, the two definitive species of serogroup IV. Amino acid sequence similarity was 84% and 82% with WSMV and PBNV, respectively. On the basis of the sequence divergence and the previously determined host range differences, the watermelon tospovirus, designated as watermelon bud necrosis tospovirus, should be considered as a distinct species belonging to serogroup IV.

Molecular Diagnosis of Tomato Spotted Wilt Tospovirus Infection of Peanut and Other Field and Greenhouse Crops

Tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (TSWV) is a major disease constraint to peanut, tomato, pepper, and tobacco production in Georgia. Rapid molecular diagnosis of TSWV infection in peanut and its molecular studies were severely hampered by the lack of practical and rapid procedures for the extraction and amplification of the genomic nucleic acid. To circumvent this technical constraint, we adapted an immunocapture-procedure (ICP) for enriching the peanut tissue extracts for TSWV, and combined the ICP with a single-buffer, one-tube reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to achieve rapid and reliable amplification of TSWV sequences from peanut. Both leaf and root tissue of peanut provided PCR-quality templates. Immunocapture, RT, and PCR were done in the same tube, allowing higher throughput. The technique was applicable to a wide range of TSWV-susceptible crops such as tomato, pepper, tobacco, gloxinia, and impatiens. Primers derived from the nucleocapsid protein gene as well as from the large RNA of the viral genome were able to amplify the target sequences in a highly specific and reproducible manner. This approach facilitated rapid molecular typing of natural populations of TSWV in Georgia.

Molecular characterization and interviral homologies of a potyvirus infecting sesame (Sesamum indicum) in Georgia

Phylogenetic analyses of the 3' terminal region of a potyvirus naturally infecting sesame (Sesamum indicum) in Georgia indicated that the virus belongs to the passionfruit woodiness potyvirus subgroup, and is most closely related to cowpea aphid-borne mosaic potyvirus (CABMV) and South African passiflora potyvirus. Based on the sequence identity, this virus is a strain of CABMV. Use of degenerate primers, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, cloning and sequence analysis allowed us to rapidly determine the taxonomic status of this potyvirus.

Characteristics of a Latent Potyvirus Seedborne in Guar and of Guar Green-Sterile Virus

A symptomless, seedborne potyvirus was isolated from guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) germ plasm in Griffin, Georgia. The host range and serology were similar to those reported for guar green-sterile virus (GGSV) and guar symptomless virus. Biological, serological, and molecular comparisons of the Georgia isolate and the South African GGSV indicate they are similar and are closely related to bean common mosaic potyvirus (BCMV). The Georgia isolate is seed-transmitted at a rate of up to 94% in guar line PI 340385. Sequence analysis of the capsid protein (CP) gene and the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) showed that both isolates are 96% homologous. GenBank searches indicate that both are related to various strains of BCMV. The highest CP nucleotide sequence and 3'-UTR identities of 91 and 93%, respectively, were with those of BCMV-NL4. On this basis, both isolates from guar should be considered as strains of BCMV.

First Report of Tomato Spotted Wilt Tospovirus Infection of Watermelon in Georgia

In 1996, volunteer watermelon plants in a tobacco field in Coffee County, GA, exhibited foliar symptoms that included necrotic ring spots and veinal necrosis. Watermelon plants from experimental plots of the Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, GA, similarly showed necrotic lesions, often resulting in necrotic ring spots during the late summer of 1997. Out of 16 samples tested for the presence of tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (TSWV) with a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit (Agdia, Elkhart, IN), six were positive for TSWV. Primers specific to the nucleocapsid gene of TSWV were used in a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay (RT-PCR) (1) to verify the presence of TSWV. RT-PCR gave an expected PCR product of approximately 350 bp. The amplicon was cloned in pGEM-T vector and the recombinant clone was sequenced. The sequence of the cloned PCR product confirmed the identity of TSWV, thus verifying TSWV infection of watermelon. The potential impact of TSWV on watermelon crop in Georgia will be investigated. This is the first report of natural infection of watermelon by TSWV in Georgia. Reference: (1) H. R. Pappu et al. Tobacco Sci. 40:74, 1996.

Field Response of New Peanut Cultivar UF 91108 to Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus

Epidemics of spotted wilt, caused by tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (TSWV), were monitored in field plots of the new runner-type peanut (Arachis hypogaea) cv. UF 91108, in advanced breeding line F 84 × 9B-4-2-1-1-2-b2-B, in runner-type peanut cvs. Southern Runner and Florunner, and in Virginia-type cv. NC-V11 at two locations in 1994 and 1995. Epidemics of spotted wilt were suppressed in UF 91108 compared to the standard runner-type cv. Florunner. Final disease incidence, standardized area under the disease progress curve values, and final disease intensity ratings were lower in UF 91108 than in Florunner and were similar to those in the moderately resistant cv. Southern Runner. Results indicate that new cv. UF 91108 represents a new potential tool for management of spotted wilt in peanut production areas of the southeastern United States. UF 91108 is the first peanut cultivar in which an oil composition of approximately 65% oleic acid is combined with a moderate level of field resistance to TSWV. Epidemics of spotted wilt also were suppressed in breeding line F 84 × 9B-4-2-1-1-2-b2-B. Across the four tests, the effects of NC-V11 on epidemic development, final incidence, and spotted wilt intensity ratings were not consistent relative to the other genotypes. Use of final disease intensity ratings provided separation of the genotypes similar to use of final incidence of spotted wilt. Assessment values by these two methods were highly correlated. In three of four experiments, final disease intensity ratings were more closely correlated with pod yield than was final incidence. The new intensity rating method described in this paper requires much less time and effort than determining disease incidence and may be a practical alternative to individual plant assessment for characterization of genotype responses to TSWV.

Characterization of the 3' proximal gene of the citrus tristeza closterovirus genome

The 3' proximal open reading frame (ORF 11) in the citrus tristeza virus (CTV) genome potentially encodes a protein of 209 amino acids with an estimated molecular weight of 23 kDa (p23). The p23 ORF from the severe Florida strain T36 of CTV was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the expressed protein was used to raise polyclonal antibodies in a rabbit. Using these antisera on a Western blot, a protein of expected size (23 kDa) was detected in tissue extracts from CTV-infected citrus but not from uninfected citrus. Most of the p23 protein was found in the soluble, cytoplasmic fraction. Comparison of the sequence of p23 genes from several biologically and geographically diverse CTV isolates indicated a high degree of conservation for this gene and for the RNA binding motif in particular. A cluster dendrogram of the deduced amino acid sequences correlated with the biological properties of the isolates, forming distinct groups of mild, quick decline on stem pitting-inducing isolates. Therefore it is possible that, in addition to the capsid protein gene, the p23 gene also may serve as an indicator for disease severity.

Characterization of citrus tristeza virus subgenomic RNAs in infected tissue

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) specific RNAs extracted from infected citrus tissue were analyzed by Northern blot hybridization. RNAs were characterized by size and identified using cDNA probes specific to nine open reading frames (ORFs) identified by the analysis of sequence obtained from cDNA clones of the T36 isolate of CTV. Sequence specific cDNA probes identified the genomic RNA as well as subgenomic RNAs representing the p33, p65, p61, p27, p25, p18, p13, p20, and p23 ORFs in extracts of total or double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) isolated from infected tissue. A probe derived from the 3' terminal ORF (p23) hybridized to each of these subgenomic RNAs, indicating that the RNAs are 3' coterminal. The relative amounts of the different subgenomic RNAs varied widely. The RNAs for the p20 and p23 ORFs were the most abundant and surpassed the amount of the p25 or capsid protein specific subgenomic RNA. The number and sizes of the CTV subgenomic RNAs were the same in total RNA and dsRNA preparations. Propagation of T36 in seven different citrus hosts did not alter the pattern of subgenomic RNAs.

Variability in the length of the amino terminal sequence contributes to the capsid protein diversity among dasheen mosaic potyvirus isolates

Western blot analysis of several dasheen mosaic virus isolates revealed molecular weight differences among their capsid proteins (CPs). Sequence analysis of the CP gene showed that the CP of isolate TEN was 15 amino acids shorter than that of isolate LA due to a 57-base deletion and a 12-base insertion into the 5' end of the TEN CP gene. Our data suggest that frequent deletions and insertions are responsible for the CP size diversity among DMV isolates.

The diverged copy of the citrus tristeza virus coat protein is expressed in vivo

Nucleotide sequence analysis of a portion of the citrus tristeza closterovirus (CTV) genome revealed an open reading frame immediately upstream of the coat protein gene that can encode a protein with a calculated M(r) of 27,360 (p27). The deduced amino acid sequence indicated that this putative nonstructural gene product is highly homologous to the coat protein. To investigate whether p27 was expressed in CTV-infected plants, a fusion protein of p27 produced in Escherichia coli was used to raise polyclonal antibodies. Western blot analysis using the p27 antibodies indicated that p27 is expressed in CTV-infected citrus, but not in uninfected plants. Tissue fractionation studies revealed that p27 accumulates in cell wall enriched fractions.

Nucleotide sequence and organization of eight 3' open reading frames of the citrus tristeza closterovirus genome

The citrus tristeza closterovirus (CTV) RNA genome was cloned as cDNA generated from both CTV-specific double-stranded RNA and genomic RNA, and the sequence of the 3' 7292 nucleotides was determined. The sequenced portion contained eight open reading frames potentially encoding, in the 5' to 3' direction, proteins with the apparent molecular weights of 65, 61, 27, 25 (capsid protein, CP), 18, 13, 20, and 23 kDa, and a potential noncoding region of 277 nucleotides. The 65-kDa protein is a viral homolog of cellular hsp70 heat shock proteins (hsp), the 61-kDa protein is distantly related to the hsp90 proteins, and the 27-kDa protein is a diverged copy of the CP. Database searches did not identify any protein sequences of significant similarity to the remaining four ORFs downstream of the CP. A specific four-gene module consisting of the hsp70 protein, the hsp90-related protein, the diverged copy of the CP, and the CP itself was found to be common in organization between CTV and beet yellows closterovirus. All four proteins in this module were highly conserved, indicating that these viruses probably have evolved from a common ancestor.

Unusual amino-terminal sequence repeat characterizes the capsid protein of dasheen mosaic potyvirus

The 3'-terminal region of a Florida isolate of dasheen mosaic potyvirus (DMV-LA) genome including the coat protein (CP) gene was cloned and sequenced. Protease digestion was predicted to occur between the glutamine and alanine residues at positions 79 and 80 of the 408 residue long polypeptide to produce a CP of 329 amino acids with an estimated M(r) of 36,229. Following the putative protease recognition site is a DAG sequence, which is conserved among aphid-transmitted potyviral CPs. There is an unusual and unique stretch of 52 amino acids after the DAG that is repetitive and rich in threonine and asparagine. A sequence of 10 residues (GNNTNTNTSNT) was repeated three times in tandem within this stretch and was followed by six proline residues. Several potential glycosylation sites were found clustered within this region. Expression in Escherichia coli and Western blotting of the CP confirmed its size and serological identity. Sequence comparisons and phylogenetic reconstructions indicated that DMV is a distinct potyvirus within the passionfruit woodiness virus subgroup cluster.

Molecular characterization of a structural epitope that is largely conserved among severe isolates of a plant virus

Direct molecular evidence was obtained for the critical role of a single amino acid residue in a structural epitope distinguished by the monoclonal antibody MCA-13, which reacts selectively with severe isolates of citrus tristeza virus (CTV). Different CTV isolates cause a wide range of symptoms in the diverse citrus species they affect. Severe symptoms include decline, stem pitting, and seedling yellows. Plants infected by mild isolates are essentially symptomless. The monoclonal antibody MCA-13, which discriminates severe isolates from mild isolates of the virus, was used to map its epitope on the coat protein of CTV. A diverse group of coat protein genes of geographically and biologically distinct CTV isolates which are either MCA-13-reactive or MCA-13-nonreactive was cloned and sequenced. A series of mutant coat protein genes was constructed through oligonucleotide-directed, site-specific mutagenesis. The reactivity of the wild-type and mutant coat proteins expressed in Escherichia coli was evaluated by Western blotting using MCA-13 and polyclonal antibody prepared to CTV-coat protein. A single nucleotide alteration resulting in a Phe-->Tyr mutation at position 124 of the coat protein abolished the MCA-13 reactivity of a severe isolate, whereas a Tyr-->Phe mutation at the same site conferred MCA-13 reactivity on the coat protein of a previously nonreactive mild isolate of CTV.

A polymerase chain reaction method adapted for selective amplification and cloning of 3' sequences of potyviral genomes: application to dasheen mosaic virus

'Universal' degenerate oligonucleotide primers were used to amplify cDNA sequences containing the 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) and a portion of the coat protein gene sequence of dasheen mosaic potyvirus (DMV). These primers were based on the conserved WCIEN and QMKAAA 'boxes' of the potyviral coat protein and the poly-A tail found at the 3' end of the genome. The forward genome-sense primers were designed taking into consideration the codon degeneracy of the WCIEN and QMKAAA residues for several potyviruses. The anti-sense reverse primer has 21 T residues followed by either A, C or G at the 3' end to ensure specific priming at the end of the 3' UTR and beginning of the poly-A tail. The specificity of amplification was verified using the known potyviruses (watermelon mosaic 2 and soybean mosaic viruses). To demonstrate the applicability of this method, the 3' UTR of the unsequenced DMV was amplified, cloned and sequenced. Sequence comparisons with other potyviral 3' UTRs revealed DMV to be quite distinct: nucleotide sequence similarities of only 34% to 44% were found with sequenced viruses indicating no close affinities with any other potyvirus. The potyvirus 3' sequence amplification procedure is simple and rapid, is potentially useful in developing virus specific probes and may be used to differentiate strains and species of potyviruses on the basis of the 3' UTR sequences.