Aetiology: The earliest recorded plant virus disease

Sequence variability and phylogenetic relationship of betasatellite isolates associated with yellow vein mosaic disease of mesta in India

Six betasatellite isolates associated with the yellow vein mosaic disease in mesta crops grown under three different geographical locations of India have been characterized. These six isolates and the one previously reported from eastern India could be divided into two distinct Types. The first Type, consisted of four betasatellite isolates characterized from northern and southern regions of India, was observed to be the newer isolates of Ludwigia leaf distortion betasatellite. The second Type, comprised three betasatellite isolates obtained from the eastern part of India, showed highest sequence identity with Cotton leaf curl Multan betasatellite and appeared to be the newer isolates of it. These isolates present within each of these two betasatellite species showed limited variability with respect to their individual group. The results thus indicated the association of two different betasatellite species with yellow vein mosaic disease of mesta in India and highlighted the possible adaptation of mesta crops as a newer hosts by these two betasatellite species.

Recommendations for the classification and nomenclature of the DNA-beta satellites of begomoviruses

The symptom-modulating, single-stranded DNA satellites (known as DNA-beta) associated with begomoviruses (family Geminiviridae) have proven to be widespread and important components of a large number of plant diseases across the Old World. Since they were first identified in 2000, over 260 full-length sequences (approximately 1,360 nucleotides) have been deposited with databases, and this number increases daily. This has highlighted the need for a standardised, concise and unambiguous nomenclature for these components, as well as a meaningful and robust classification system. Pairwise comparisons of all available full-length DNA-beta sequences indicate that the minimum numbers of pairs occur at a sequence identity of 78%, which we propose as the species demarcation threshold for a distinct DNA-beta. This threshold value divides the presently known DNA-beta sequences into 51 distinct satellite species. In addition, we propose a naming convention for the satellites that is based upon the system already in use for geminiviruses. This maintains, whenever possible, the association with the helper begomovirus, the disease symptoms and the host plant and provides a logical and consistent system for referring to already recognised and newly identified satellites.

Pathogenicity of a naturally occurring recombinant DNA satellite associated with tomato yellow leaf curl China virus

Recombinant DNA β molecules (RecDNA-Aβ) comprising parts of DNA A and DNA β associated with tomato yellow leaf curl China virus (TYLCCNV) have been identified in naturally infected tobacco plants. Several examples of the recombinant DNA have been cloned and characterized by sequence analysis. All are approximately half the size of TYLCCNV genomic DNA, and all contain the βC1 gene and the A-rich region from TYLCCNV DNA β as well as intergenic region sequences and the 5′ terminus of the AC1 gene from TYLCCNV DNA A. RecDNA-Aβ was detected by PCR in five of 25 TYLCCNV isolates. Co-inoculation of TYLCCNV DNA A and RecDNA-Aβ induced symptoms indistinguishable from those induced by TYLCCNV DNA A and DNA β in Nicotiana benthamiana, Nicotiana glutinosa, Solanum lycopersicum and Petunia hybrida plants, and Southern blot hybridization results showed that RecDNA-Aβ could replicate stably in N. benthamiana plants.

Ageratum yellow vein China virus Is a Distinct Begomovirus Species Associated with a DNAbeta Molecule

ABSTRACT Ageratum conyzoides plants exhibiting yellow vein symptoms, collected near Haikou, Hainan Province, China, contained begomoviral DNA-A-like molecules. The complete sequences of the molecules from two samples, Hn2 and Hn2-19, were shown to consist of 2,768 and 2,748 nucelotides (nt), respectively. These sequences have more than 97% nucleotide sequence identity, but less than 86% identity with other reported begomovirus sequences. In line with the taxonomic convention for begomoviruses, Hn2 and Hn2-19 are therefore considered to represent isolates of a distinct begomovirus species, for which the name Ageratum yellow vein China virus (AYVCNV) is proposed. Sequence alignment shows AYVCNV has arisen by recombination among viruses related to Ageratum yellow vein virus, Papaya leaf curl China virus, and an unidentified begomovirus. Southern blot analyses revealed that all plants sampled contained molecules resembling DNAbeta. DNAbeta molecules from three samples were 1,323 or 1,324 nt long and had >98% sequence identity but <81% identity with previously reported DNAbeta sequences. Infectious clones of Hn2 and its associated DNAbeta were constructed and agroinoculated to plants. Hn2 alone caused sporadic asymptomatic systemic infection of Nicotiana benthamiana, N. glutinosa, Lycopersicon esculentum, Petunia hybrida, and A. conyzoides but its accumulation was much enhanced in plants co-inoculated with DNAbeta. The co-inoculated N. benthamiana, N. glutinosa, P. hybrida, and L. esculentum plants developed leaf curling or leaf crinkling symptom; those in A. conyzoides were typical of ageratum yellow vein disease. When the DNAbeta molecules associated with four other Chinese begomoviruses were coinoculated with Hn2 to N. benthamiana and N. glutinosa, the DNAbeta molecules were replicated, and the plants developed systemic symptoms of types that were specific for each DNAbeta. This illustrates that there is less specific interaction between monopartite begomovirus and DNAbeta than between the DNA-A and DNA-B of begomoviruses with bipartite genomes.

Suppressor of RNA silencing encoded by the monopartite tomato leaf curl Java begomovirus

We previously isolated the monopartite begomovirus tomato leaf curl Java virus (ToLCJAV) and satellite DNAbeta02 from the same naturally infected tomato source in Indonesia. ToLCJAV induced mild leaf curl symptoms in Nicotiana benthamiana plants; DNAbeta02 encoded the betaC1 gene and produced severe leaf curl symptoms when co-inoculated with ToLCJAV in N. benthamiana. However, DNAbeta02mbetaC1, which contains a frame shift mutation, did not induce severe symptoms in N. benthamiana when co-inoculated with ToLCJAV. Expression of the betaC1 gene in N. benthamiana using a potato virus X (PVX) vector induced virus-like symptoms in the absence of ToLCJAV infection. When betaC1 and green fluorescent protein (GFP) genes were co-expressed in the GFP-expressing N. benthamiana line 16c from a PVX vector, betaC1 was able to suppress posttranscriptional gene silencing (PTGS) induced by GFP and eliminated the short interfering RNA (siRNA) associated with GFP expression, with a correlated increase in GFP mRNA accumulation. When C2 or C4 genes of ToLCJAV and the GFP gene were co-expressed in the GFP-expressing N. benthamiana line 16c, C2 showed a weak suppressor activity and C4 was unable to suppress PTGS induced by GFP, and siRNA associated with GFP was detected. The results of the sub-cellular localization of ToLCJAV-betaC1 in the epidermal cells of N. benthamiana and onion tissues showed that this protein is accumulated towards the periphery of the cell.

A begomovirus associated with Ageratum yellow vein disease in Indonesia: evidence for natural recombination between tomato leaf curl Java virus and Ageratum yellow vein virus-[Java]

A begomovirus (2747 nucleotides) and a satellite DNA beta component (1360 nucleotides) have been isolated from Ageratum conyzoides L. plants with yellow vein symptoms growing in Java, Indonesia. The begomovirus is most closely related to Tomato leaf curl Java virus (ToLCJV) (91 and 98% in the total nucleotide and coat protein amino acid sequences, respectively), although the products of ORFs C1 and C4 are more closely related to those of Ageratum yellow vein virus-[Java] (91 and 95% identity, respectively). For this reason, the begomovirus it is considered to be a strain of ToLCJV and is referred to as ToLCJV-Ageratum. The virus probably derives from a recombination event in which nucleotides 2389-2692 of ToLCJV have been replaced with the corresponding region of the AYVV-[Java] genome, which includes the 5' part of the intergenic region and the C1 and C4 ORFs. Infection of A. conyzoides with ToLCJV-Ageratum alone produced no symptoms, but co-infection with DNAbeta induced yellow vein symptoms. Symptoms induced in Nicotiana benthamiana by ToLCJV-Ageratum, ToLCJV and AYVV-[Java] are consistent with the exchange of pathogenicity determinant ORF C4 during recombination.

Molecular characterization of a new begomovirus infecting Sida cordifolia and its associated satellite DNA molecules

Two virus isolates Hn57 and Hn60 were obtained from Sida cordifolia showing mild upward leaf-curling symptoms in Hainan province of China. Comparison of partial sequences of DNA-A like molecule confirmed the existence of a single type of begomovirus. The complete nucleotide sequence of DNA-A of Hn57 was determined to be 2757 nucleotides, with a genomic organization typical of begomoviruses. Complete sequence comparison with other reported begomoviruses revealed that Hn57 DNA-A has the highest sequence identity (71.0%) with that of Tobacco leaf curl Yunnan virus. Consequently, Hn57 was considered to be a new begomovirus species, for which the name Sida leaf curl virus (SiLCV) is proposed. In addition to DNA-A molecule, two additional circular single-stranded satellite DNA molecules corresponding to DNAbeta and DNA1 were found to be associated with SiLCV isolates. Both DNAbeta and DNA1 were approximately half the size of their cognate genomic DNA. Sequence analysis shows that DNAbeta of Hn57 and Hn60 share 93.8% nucleotide sequence identity, and they have the highest sequence identity (58.5%) with DNAbeta associated with Ageratum leaf curl disease (AJ316027). The nucleotide sequence identity between DNA1 of Hn57 and that of Hn60 was 83.8%, they share 58.2-79.3% nucleotide sequence identities in comparison with other previously reported DNAl.

The Natural Occurrence of Two Distinct Begomoviruses Associated with DNAbeta and a Recombinant DNA in a Tomato Plant from Indonesia

ABSTRACT Two begomoviruses (Java virus-1 and Java virus-2), two satellite DNAs (DNAbeta01 and DNAbeta02), and a recombinant DNA (recDNA) were cloned from a single tomato plant from Indonesia with leaf curl symptoms, and the role of these satellite DNAs in the etiology of begomovirus disease was investigated. The genome organizations of the two viruses were similar to those of other Old World monopartite begomoviruses. Comparison of the sequences with other begomoviruses revealed that Java virus-1 was a newly described virus for which the name Tomato leaf curl Java virus (ToLCJAV) is proposed. Java virus-2 was a strain of Ageratum yellow vein virus (AYVV) (AYVV-[Java]). ToLCJAV or AYVV-[Java] alone did not induce leaf curl symptoms in tomato plants. However, in the presence of DNAbeta02, both ToLCJAV and AYVV-[Java] induced leaf curl symptoms in tomato plants. In the presence of DNAbeta01, these viruses induced mild leaf curl symptoms in tomato plants. The recDNA had a chimeric sequence, which arose from recombination among ToLCJAV, AYVV-[Java], DNAbeta01, and DNAbeta02; it was replicated only in the presence of AYVV-[Java] in tomato plants.

Geminivirus disease complexes: the threat is spreading

Symptom-modulating DNA satellites associated with geminiviruses have come to our attention only recently but have proven to be widespread, associated with many diseases throughout the Old World, and economically significant, particularly in developing countries. Recent developments are elucidating the role played by these novel molecules in pathogenicity and in overcoming host plant defense. Further investigation into the promiscuous nature of these satellites and their ability to recruit further begomoviruses indicates that regions not yet affected by such begomovirus-satellite complexes are at great risk.

Subviral agents associated with plant single-stranded DNA viruses

Begomoviruses (family Geminiviridae) are responsible for many economically important crop diseases worldwide. The majority of these diseases are caused by bipartite begomovirus infections, although a rapidly growing number of diseases of the Old World are associated with monopartite begomoviruses. With the exception of several diseases of tomato, most of these are caused by a monopartite begomovirus in association with a recently discovered essential satellite component (DNA-beta). These begomovirus/satellite disease complexes are widespread and diverse and collectively infect a wide variety of crops, weeds and ornamental plants. Non-essential subviral components (DNA-1) originating from nanoviruses are frequently associated with these disease complexes, and there are tantalizing hints that further novel satellites may also be associated with some begomovirus diseases. DNA-beta components can be maintained in permissive plants by more than one distinct begomovirus, reflecting less stringent requirements for trans-replication that will undoubtedly encourage diversification and adaptation as a consequence of component exchange and recombination. In view of their impact on agriculture, there is a pressing need to develop a more comprehensive picture of the diversity and distribution of the disease complexes. A greater understanding of how they elicit the host response may provide useful information for their control as well as an insight into plant developmental processes.

Virus infection in remnant native bunchgrasses from invaded California grasslands

This study examined the effects of infection with barley and cereal yellow dwarf viruses (BYDVs) on wild grass species in California, a region in which native perennial bunchgrasses have been largely replaced by exotic annual grasses. We sought to determine whether these widespread viruses compromise the fitness of wild hosts and thus have the potential to influence grassland dynamics. Plant viruses have been long overlooked in ecological studies, and their influence on wild hosts has often been assumed to be minimal. We examined the short-term and long-term consequences of infection on field-grown individuals from 18 different populations of wild California grasses (from seven native and one exotic species). Barley yellow dwarf virus infection was aggressive in most hosts and markedly impaired host fitness by reducing growth, survivorship, and fecundity. Previous work indicates that the presence of exotic grasses can more than double BYDV incidence in natives. Given the ubiquity of BYDVs, our results suggest that apparent competition and other virus-mediated processes may influence interactions among native and exotic grasses and potentially contribute to shifts in grassland community composition.

A Begomovirus DNAbeta-encoded protein binds DNA, functions as a suppressor of RNA silencing, and targets the cell nucleus

Our previous results demonstrated that the DNAbeta satellite (Y10beta) associated with Tomato yellow leaf curl China virus Y10 isolate (TYLCCNV-Y10) is essential for induction of leaf curl symptoms in plants and that transgenic expression of its betaC1 gene in Nicotiana plants induces virus-like symptoms. In the present study, in vitro DNA binding activity of the betaC1 proteins of Y10beta and DNAbeta (Y35beta) found in the Tobacco curly shoot virus Y35 isolate (TbCSV-Y35) were studied following their expression as six-His fusion proteins in Escherichia coli. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and UV cross-linking experiments revealed that betaC1 proteins could bind both single-stranded and double-stranded DNA without size or sequence specificity. Suppression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgene silencing was observed with the new leaves of GFP-expressing Nicotiana benthamiana plants coinoculated by TYLCCNV-Y10 plus Y10beta or by TbCSV-Y35 plus Y35beta. In a patch agroinfiltration assay, the transiently expressed betaC1 gene of Y10beta or Y35beta was able to suppress host RNA silencing activities and permitted the accumulation of high levels of GFP mRNA in the infiltrated leaf patches of GFP transgenic N. benthamiana plants. The betaC1 protein of Y10beta accumulated primarily in the nuclei of plant and insect cells when fused with beta-glucuronidase or GFP and immunogold labeling showed that the betaC1 protein is present in the nuclei of infected N. benthamiana plants. A mutant version of Y10beta carrying the mutations within the putative nuclear localization sequence of the Y10 betaC1 protein failed to induce disease symptoms, suppress RNA silencing, or accumulate in the nucleus, suggesting that nuclear localization of the betaC1 protein is a key requirement for symptom induction and silencing suppression.

Tobacco curly shoot virus DNAbeta Is Not Necessary for Infection but Intensifies Symptoms in a Host-Dependent Manner

ABSTRACT We demonstrated that only 11 isolates were associated with DNAbeta among 39 Tobacco curly shoot virus (TbCSV)-infected, field-collected samples. An infectious clone of TbCSV-[Y35], an isolate associated with DNAbeta, induced severe upward leaf curling in Nicotiana benthamiana. In the presence of its cognate DNAbeta (TbCSV-[Y35] DNAbeta), the symptom changed to a downward leaf curl. Furthermore, TbCSV-[Y35] alone was able to induce severe symptoms in tobacco and tomato plants, although co-infection with DNAbeta intensified symptom severity in tobacco plants. In contrast to other begomovirus-DNAbeta complexes, the satellite had no effect on the accumulation of TbCSV-[Y35] DNA in systemically infected host plants. The betaC1 mutant caused symptoms comparable to those induced by TbCSV-[Y35] in the absence of DNAbeta. TbCSV-[Y35] can be transmitted between plants by a whitefly vector, regardless of the presence or absence of DNAbeta. For a TbCSV isolate not associated with DNAbeta (TbCSV-[Y1]), systemic infection of N. benthamiana induced symptoms resembling those of TbCSV-[Y35]. Co-infection of TbCSV-[Y1] with TbCSV-[Y35] DNAbeta induced symptoms similar to those following infection by TbCSV-[Y35] and its DNAbeta. This indicates that TbCSV DNAbeta is not necessary for infection but intensifies symptoms in a host-dependent manner. Thus, TbCSV may represent an evolutionary intermediate between the DNAbeta requiring begomoviruses and the truly monopartite begomoviruses. The relevance of these results to our present understanding of the evolution of begomovirus-satellite disease complexes is discussed.

Stachytarpheta leaf curl virus is a novel monopartite begomovirus species

Begomovirus isolates were obtained from Stachytarpheta jamaicensis plants showing leaf curl and chlorosis symptoms collected in the Hainan province of China. The complete sequences of isolates Hn5-4, Hn6-1, Hn30 and Hn34 were determined to be 2748, 2751, 2748 and 2748 nucleotides long, respectively. The complete sequences of the four isolates share more than 94.9% nucleotide sequence identity, but all of them have less than 86% nucleotide sequence identity with other reported begomoviruses. The molecular data show that Hn5-4, Hn6-1, Hn30 and Hn34 are isolates of a distinct begomovirus species, for which the name Stachytarpheta leaf curl virus (StaLCV) is proposed. PCR and Southern blot analyses demonstrate that all the collected field samples are not associated with DNAbeta or DNA-B components. An infectious clone of StaLCV isolate Hn5-4 was constructed, and could efficiently infect Nicotiana benthamiana, N. tabacum Samsun, N. glutinosa, Lycopersicon esculentum and Petunia hybrida plants, inducing upward leaf roll and vein swelling symptoms. In addition, we illustrate that StaLCV can functionally interact with distinct DNAbeta molecules in plants.

Cotton leaf curl Gezira virus-satellite DNAs represent a divergent, geographically isolated Nile Basin lineage: predictive identification of a satDNA REP-binding motif

Cotton leaf curl Gezira virus (CLCuGV), a species of the genus Begomovirus (family Geminiviridae), was recently cloned from cotton, okra, and Sida alba plants exhibiting leaf-curling and vein-thickening symptoms in Sudan. Here, we describe a previously unknown lineage of single-stranded DNA satellite (satDNA) molecules, which are associated with CLCuGV, and are required for development of characteristic disease symptoms. Co-inoculation of cotton and Nicotiana benthamiana plants with satDNAs cloned from cotton, okra, and S. alba, together with CLCuGV as the 'helper virus' resulted in the development of characteristic leaf-curling and vein-thickening symptoms in both hosts. An anatomical study of symptomatic, virus-infected cotton leaves revealed that spongy parenchyma cells had developed instead of collenchyma cells at the sites of vein thickening. Phylogenetically, the CLCuGV-associated satDNAs from Sudan, together with their closest relatives from Egypt, form a new satDNA lineage comprising only satDNAs from the Upper and Lower Nile Basins. Analysis of satellites and their helper virus sequences identified a predicted REP-binding site consisting of the directly repeated sequence, 'CGGTACTCA', and an inverted repeated sequence, 'TGAGTACCG', which occur in the context of a 17-nucleotide motif. The conserved REP-binding motif identified herein, together with strict geographic isolation, and apparent host-restriction, may be the collective hallmark of these new satDNA-begomovirus lineages, extant in the Nile Basin.

Exploiting chinks in the plant's armor: evolution and emergence of geminiviruses

The majority of plant-infecting viruses utilize an RNA genome, suggesting that plants have imposed strict constraints on the evolution of DNA viruses. The geminiviruses represent a family of DNA viruses that has circumvented these impediments to emerge as one of the most successful viral pathogens, causing severe economic losses to agricultural production worldwide. The genetic diversity reflected in present-day geminiviruses provides important insights into the evolution and biology of these pathogens. To maximize replication of their DNA genome, these viruses acquired and evolved mechanisms to manipulate the plant cell cycle machinery for DNA replication, and to optimize the number of cells available for infection. In addition, several strategies for cell-to-cell and long-distance movement of the infectious viral DNA were evolved and refined to be compatible with the constraints imposed by the host endogenous macromolecular trafficking machinery. Mechanisms also evolved to circumvent the host antiviral defense systems. Effectively combatting diseases caused by geminiviruses represents a major challenge and opportunity for biotechnology.

A single complementary-sense transcript of a geminiviral DNA beta satellite is determinant of pathogenicity

Small circular single-stranded DNA satellites, termed DNAbeta, have recently been found associated with some geminivirus infections. The DNA beta associated with Cotton leaf curl virus is responsible for symptom expression of a devastating disease in Pakistan. Mutagenesis of DNA beta revealed that the complementary-sense open reading frame (ORF) betaC1 is required for inducing disease symptoms in Nicotiana tabacum. An ORF present on the virion-sense strand betaV1 appeared to have no role in pathogenesis. Tobacco plants transformed with a betaC1 ORF under the control of the Cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter or with a dimeric DNA beta exhibited severe disease-like phenotypes, while plants transformed with a mutated version of betaC1 appeared normal. Northern blot analysis of RNA from the transgenic plants, using strand-specific probes, identified a single complementary-sense transcript. The transcript carries the full betaC1 ORF encoding a 118-amino acid product. It maps to the DNA beta at nucleotide position 186 to 563 and contains a polyadenylation signal 18 nt upstream of the stop codon. A TATA box is located 43 nt upstream of the start codon. Our results indicate that betaC1 protein is responsible for DNA beta-induced disease symptoms.

A DNAbeta associated with Tomato yellow leaf curl China virus is required for symptom induction

We report here that all 25 isolates of Tomato yellow leaf curl China virus (TYLCCNV) collected from tobacco, tomato, or Siegesbeckia orientalis plants in different regions of Yunnan Province, China, were associated with DNAbeta molecules. To investigate the biological role of DNAbeta, full-length infectious clones of viral DNA and DNAbeta of TYLCCNV isolate Y10 (TYLCCNV-Y10) were agroinoculated into Nicotiana benthamiana, Nicotiana glutinosa, Nicotiana. tabacum Samsun (NN or nn), tomato, and petunia plants. We found that TYLCCNV-Y10 alone could systemically infect these plants, but no symptoms were induced. TYLCCNV-Y10 DNAbeta was required, in addition to TYLCCNV-Y10, for induction of leaf curl disease in these hosts. Similar to TYLCCNV-Y10, DNAbeta of TYLCCNV isolate Y64 was also found to be required for induction of typical leaf curl diseases in the hosts tested. When the betaC1 gene of TYLCCNV-Y10 DNAbeta was mutated, the mutants failed to induce leaf curl symptoms in N. benthamiana when coinoculated with TYLCCNV-Y10. However, Southern blot hybridization analyses showed that the mutated DNAbeta molecules were replicated. When N. benthamiana and N. tabacum plants were transformed with a construct containing the betaC1 gene under the control of the Cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter, many transgenic plants developed leaf curl symptoms similar to those caused by a virus, the severity of which paralleled the level of betaC1 transcripts, while transgenic plants transformed with the betaC1 gene containing a stop codon after the start codon remained symptomless. Thus, expression of a betaC1 gene is adequate for induction of symptoms of viral infection in the absence of virus.

Diversity of DNA 1: a satellite-like molecule associated with monopartite begomovirus-DNA beta complexes

DNA 1 components are satellite-like, single-stranded DNA molecules associated with begomoviruses (family Geminiviridae) that require the satellite molecule DNA beta to induce authentic disease symptoms in some hosts. They have been shown to be present in the begomovirus-DNA beta complexes causing cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD) and okra leaf curl disease (OLCD) in Pakistan as well as Ageratum yellow vein disease (AYVD) in Singapore. We have cloned and sequenced a further 17 DNA 1 molecules from a diverse range of plant species and geographical origins. The analysis shows that DNA 1 components are associated with the majority of begomovirus-DNA beta complexes, being absent from only two of the complexes examined, both of which have their origins in Far East Asia. The sequences showed a high level of conservation as well as a common organization consisting of a single open reading frame (ORF) in the virion sense, a region of sequence rich in adenine and a predicted hairpin structure. In phylogenetic analyses, there was some evidence of grouping of DNA 1 molecules according to geographic origin, but less evidence for grouping according to host plant origin. The possible origin and function of DNA 1 components are discussed in light of these findings.

The DNA beta satellite component associated with ageratum yellow vein disease encodes an essential pathogenicity protein (betaC1)

Ageratum yellow vein disease (AYVD) is caused by the geminivirus ageratum yellow vein virus (AYVV) and an associated DNA beta satellite. We have mapped a DNA beta transcript to a highly conserved open reading frame (betaC1 ORF). The most abundant transcript 5'-terminus is located 8 bases upstream of the betaC1 ORF putative initiation codon while the transcript terminates at multiple sites downstream from the putative termination codon. Disruption of betaC1 protein expression by the introduction of an internal nonsense codon prevented infection of the AYVV-satellite complex in ageratum and altered the phenotype in Nicotiana benthamiana to that produced by AYVV alone although the mutant was maintained in systemically infected tissues. Modification of the putative initiation codon to a nonsense codon produced an intermediate phenotype in N. benthamiana and a mild yellow vein phenotype in ageratum, suggesting that betaC1 protein expression could be initiated from an alternative site. N. benthamiana plants containing a dimeric DNA beta transgene produced severe developmental abnormalities, vein-greening, and cell proliferation in the vascular bundles. Expression of betaC1 protein from a potato virus X (PVX) vector also induced abnormal plant growth. Our results demonstrate that the satellite encodes at least one protein that plays a major role in symptom development and is essential for disease progression in ageratum, the natural host of the AYVD complex.

A modified viral satellite DNA that suppresses gene expression in plants

DNAbeta is a type of single-stranded (ss) circular satellite DNA found in association with monopartite-genome begomoviruses, such as Tomato yellow leaf curl China virus isolate Y10 (TYLCCNV-Y10). Y10 DNAbeta is required for symptom expression in plants but depends on TYLCCNV-Y10 genomic DNA (DNA-A) for replication and encapsidation. When we converted DNAbeta into a gene-silencing vector (modified DNAbeta (DNAmbeta)) by replacing its C1 open-reading frame (ORF) with a multiple cloning site (MCS), it was replicated but no longer induced symptoms in association with TYLCCNV-Y10 DNA-A, so allowing the effects of gene inserts to be recognized easily. Insertion into DNAmbeta of sequences from any of the three host genes (proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), phytoene desaturase (PDS), and sulfur (Su)), or from a transgene (green fluorescent protein (GFP)), resulted in silencing of the cognate gene in Nicotiana benthamiana. The silencing persisted for more than a month and was associated with decreased levels of mRNA of the gene targeted. Although DNAmbeta probably does not enter meristematic tissue, the PCNA gene could be silenced there. DNAmbeta was an effective silencing vector in tested N. glutinosa, N. tabacum Samsun (NN or nn), and Lycopersicon esculentum plants, and was able to silence two genes simultaneously. This satellite DNA vector-based form of virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) promises to be applicable to other begomovirus/DNAbeta systems, which are recently reported to occur in several dicotyledonous crop species, thereby providing a powerful approach to gene discovery and the analysis of gene function in these crops.