Characterisation of cauliflower mosaic virus DNA sequences which encode major polyadenylated transcripts

A model for the expression of CaMV nucleic acid

Analysis of the sequence of CaMV full-length 35S transcript reveals two features which may relate to the translation of open regions I-V. There is a region in the 5' leader sequence which could act as a ribosome binding site. This is followed by a sequence, which is complementary to sequences which are found just upstream to the open regions. The singificance of these sequences is discussed.

Intracellular forms of viral DNA consistent with a model of reverse transcriptional replication of the cauliflower mosaic virus genome

Five unencapsidated, intracellular forms of cauliflower mosaic virus DNA which accumulate in infected turnip leaves are described. The forms are double stranded (or partially double stranded), and one (form iv) is a covalently-closed circular form of the full-length genome. Form i is an open form composed of full-length genome strands (7.6 kilobases) similar to encapsidated viral DNA. Form iii appears as a diffuse band on gels and is composed of two approximately half length strands (approximately 3.8 kb) spanning the region of the genome between the two site-specific DNA breaks (delta 1 and delta 2). Form ii is composed of a full length strand and an approximately half-length strand as described for form iii DNA. Form v is a small form (approximately 0.7 kilobase in undenatured form) that maps adjacent to the alpha-strand break (delta 1) and may be a foldback form. These forms appear to be intermediates in cauliflower mosaic virus DNA replication and the properties of these forms are consistent with possible intermediates in a model of reverse transcriptional replication of the viral genome.

RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity in cauliflower mosaic virus-infected plant leaves

Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) is a plant DNA with an 8-kb circular double-stranded genome. CaMV-specific DNA and RNA molecules present in infected Brassica cells share some structural features with DNAs and RNAs of retroviruses and hepatitis B virus. This led to the hypothesis that CaMV replication occurs via reverse transcription of an RNA intermediate. Here we report the first characterization of a new DNA polymerase activity, specific to CaMV-infected tissues. A subcellular fraction of infected cells shows capacity to copy poly(C) and the heteropolymeric regions of natural mRNAs. Chromatographic isolation of the poly(C)-dependent activity clearly establishes that it is distinct from the classical gamma-like DNA polymerases previously described in plant cells. The significant homology observed between defined regions of the Moloney murine leukemia virus (MMLV) polymerase and CaMV unassigned gene V product favours the idea that the reverse transcriptase-like DNA polymerase detected in infected cells is a virus-encoded enzyme.

Differential regulation of the accumulation of the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b complex and ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase in greening pea leaves

The photoregulation of chloroplast development in pea leaves has been studied by reference to three polypeptides and their mRNAs. The polypeptides were the large subunit (LSU) and the small subunit (SSU) of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RUBISCO), and the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein (LHCP). The polypeptides were assayed by a sensitive radioimmune assay, and the mRNAs were assayed by hybridization to cloned DNA probes. LSU, LSU mRNA, and LHCP mRNA were detectable in etiolated seedlings but LHCP, SSU, and SSU mRNA were at or below the limit of detection. During the first 48 hr of de-etiolation under continuous white light, the mRNAs for LSU, SSU, and LHCP increased in concentration per apical bud by about 40-fold, at least 200-fold, and about 25-fold, respectively, while the total RNA content per apical bud increased only 3.5-fold. In the same period, the LSU, SSU, and LHCP contents per bud increased at least 60-, 100-, and 200-fold, respectively. The LHCP increased steadily in concentration during de-etiolation, whereas the accumulation LSU, SSU, and SSU mRNA showed a 24-hr lag. The accumulation of SSU, SSU mRNA, and LHCP mRNA showed classical red/far-red reversibility, indicating the involvement of phytochrome in the regulatory mechanism. LSU and LSU mRNA were induced equally well by red and far-red light. The LHCP failed to accumulate except under continuous illumination. These results indicate that the accumulation of SSU is controlled largely through the steady-state level of its mRNA, which is in turn almost totally dependent on light as an inducer and on phytochrome as one of the photoreceptors. The accumulation of LSU is largely but not totally determined by the level of its mRNA, which appears to be under strong photoregulation, which has yet to be shown to involve phytochrome. Phytochrome is involved in the regulation of LHCP mRNA levels but substantial levels of the mRNA also occur in the dark. LHCP accumulation is not primarily governed by the levels of LHCP mRNA but by posttranslational stabilization in which chlorophyll synthesis plays a necessary but not sufficient role.

Nuclei purified from cauliflower mosaic virus-infected turnip leaves contain subgenomic, covalently closed circular cauliflower mosaic virus DNAs

Nuclei isolated from cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) infected turnip leaves contain subgenomic CaMV DNA species in addition to the genome length CaMV DNA. These subgenomic CaMV DNA species are present as covalently closed circles (form I), relaxed circles (form II) and linear (form III) molecules. The subgenomic form I DNA species range in size from about 10% of genome length to nearly genome length. These subgenomic DNA species appear in tissue infected with cloned CaMV DNA, indicating that they arise rapidly and have not accumulated in the virus population from serial propagation of CaMV. No specific region of the CaMV genome appears to be preferentially deleted to form the subgenomic CaMV DNA species. At least three distinct subgenomic species appear to accumulate preferentially in nuclei isolated from infected tissue. Two of these abundant subgenomic CaMV DNA species are form I and the other one is form III. Some of the subgenomic CaMV DNA species appear to be minichromosomes.

Selective transcription of a cloned cauliflower mosaic virus DNA fragment in vitro by soybean RNA polymerase II in the presence of dinucleotide primers

Transcription of a cloned cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) DNA fragment (plasmid pCa 8) was studied at a low enzyme: DNA ratio. Preincubation with purine nucleoside triphosphates leads to essentially random transcription, while in the presence of a dinucleoside monophosphate and a purine nucleoside triphosphate in the preincubation medium certain combinations prime preferential transcription of the eucaryotic moiety of the chimeric plasmid. Characterisation of transcription primed by the most efficient combination, ApG + ATP, shows that a low enzyme: DNA ratio is absolutely essential for selective initiation. Interestingly the presence of the eucaryotic insertion is essential for the transcription of vector sequences. Analysis of RNA primed by ApG + ATP and of short chains synthesised in the presence of the GTP analogue 3'-OMeGTP shows a high degree of selectivity of transcription initiation sites. Hybridisation of primed RNA to restriction fragments of pCa8 shows that initiation occurs within a limited region of the inserted CaMV fragment.

Cloning and characterization of complementary DNA for convicilin, a major seed storage protein in Pisum sativum L

A complementary DNA (cDNA) clone for convicilin, a major storage protein, has been isolated from a cDNA library prepared in the plasmid vector pAT 153, using poly(A)(+)RNA from developing seeds of Pisum sativum L. The clone was identified by hybrid-selection with poly(A)(+) RNA, translation of selected RNAs and immunoprecipitation of the translation products by antibody raised against purified convicilin subunits. The size of the mRNA coding for convicilin polypeptides has been established using this convicilin cDNA clone and has been found to be appreciably longer than the mRNAs coding for the polypeptides of vicilin, a related but separate storage protein. The insert from this convicilin cDNA clone has been compared with the insert from a vicilin cDNA clone by restriction enzyme analysis.

Characterization and preliminary mapping of cauliflower mosaic virus transcripts

Using Northern blot analysis we have studied the transcription of the CM4-184 Ga. strain of cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) DNA. This analysis reveals that this CaMV strain, like the Cabb-BS and the Cabb B-JI strains, produces both a genomic length transcript and a 1900-nucleotide (nt) transcript during infection. In addition, we detect an 1800-nt PA+ transcript mapping primarily to the EcoRI-c region of the virus, and three apparent minor viral-specific PA + RNAs of 4900, 4500, and 4300 nt. We also report the presence of two small viral single-stranded DNAs produced during infection, and show that both DNAs are derived from the EcoRI-b region of the virus.

Aphid transmission and a polypeptide are specified by a defined region of the cauliflower mosaic virus genome

Infection of young turnip leaves with an aphid-transmissible isolate, Cabb B-JI, of cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) causes synthesis of an Mr 18 000 polypeptide (p18) which co-purifies with virus inclusion bodies. This polypeptide is not detectable in leaves infected with either of two aphid non-transmissible isolates. Campbell and CM4-184. Construction in vitro, of hybrid genomes between Cabb B-JI and Campbell isolates demonstrates that aphid transmissibility and presence of p18 is dependent on the small genome fragment from the BstEII site to the XhoI site. A deletion made in this fragment within open reading frame (ORF) II causes loss of aphid transmissibility and also terminates production of p18. We conclude that aphid transmissibility and the presence of p18 are related to the expression of ORF II of the CaMV genome.

Characterisation of cauliflower mosaic virus DNA forms isolated from infected turnip leaves

Several different forms of cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) DNA were detected in nucleic acid preparations from CaMV-infected turnip leaves. As well as supercoiled and open-circular molecules, various linear DNA structures were identified. The relative amounts of these DNA forms varied in plants infected with different CaMV isolates. Restriction enzyme mapping and one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed the presence of linear molecules apparently formed by breaks in the second strand at each of the three discontinuities. Two major linear DNA forms are double-stranded over part of their length and appear to have single-stranded extensions of the -strand of variable length. Since these DNA forms are not produced during extraction and probably exist as unencapsidated or partially encapsidated molecules, they may represent intermediates either in DNA replication or in virion assembly.

A small DNA molecule containing covalently-linked ribonucleotides originates from the large intergenic region of the cauliflower mosaic virus genome

We have detected a small DNA molecule (sa-DNA), 725 nucleotides long, in cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV)-infected, but not non-infected, turnip leaves. Alkali and RNase A treatments shortened sa-DNA by 100 nucleotides and we conclude that it contains covalently-linked ribonucleotides. This DNA co-purified with cellular polyadenylated RNA. It is complementary to the beta-strand of CaMV DNA and of opposite polarity to RNAs transcribed from the alpha-strand. Hybridisation studies suggest that sa-DNA originates from the large intergenic region (IR1) of the CaMV genome. A small double-stranded DNA with three single-stranded components, which co-purifies with cellular DNA, appears to be related to sa-DNA but lacks detectable ribonucleotides.

Isolation and characterization of faithful and altered clones of the genomes of cauliflower mosaic virus isolates Cabb B-JI, CM4-184, and Bari I

Full-length genomes of cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) isolates Cabb B-JI, CM4-184, and Bari I have been cloned in the SalGI site of plasmid pAT 153. The cloned DNAs were characterized by restriction mapping and infectivity assays. All the sites present in the virion DNAs were found in the cloned DNAs. Comparison of restriction maps with those of DNA from two other isolates which have been recently completely sequenced revealed a close relationship among the different isolates. Some of the clones appear to be faithful copies of the viral genomes and these viral inserts are infectious when inoculated into turnip plants. Various clones with deletions in the CaMV DNA have been isolated and characterized. Some of them may correspond to deletions naturally occurring in a subpopulation of the virus whereas others occurred during cloning. None of the deleted fragments are infectious when inoculated into plants. Strikingly, all the deletions overlap one or two of the specific single-stranded breaks characteristic of caulimoviruses, suggesting that sequences surrounding the breaks are not dispensable.

Transcription of Cauliflower mosaic virus DNA: detection of promoter sequences, and characterization of transcripts

Four RNA transcripts encoded by cauliflower mosaic virus DNA have been detected in the polyadenylated RNA from virus-infected turnip leaves. Two of these transcripts, the major 35S and the 8S species, have the same 5' termini, at nucleotide 7435. A viral DNA fragment encompassing this region directs transcription initiation at this point in vitro. The 5' terminus of the 19S transcript is at nucleotide 5764, and a corresponding viral DNA fragment also directs transcription initiation in vitro. The major 35S RNA is a complete transcript of the circular viral genome, and is 3'-coterminal with 19S RNA at nucleotide 7615. The 8S RNA has its 3' extremity at delta 1, the single-stranded interruption in the transcribed strand of virion DNA. A minor 35S RNA has also been detected that has its 5' and 3' termini at delta 1.

Nucleotide sequence of DNA from an altered-virulence isolate D/H of the cauliflower mosaic virus

The double-stranded DNA from the isolate D/H with an altered virulence of the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) contains 8016 bp. The DNA is circular and possesses, like the DNA of most CaMV strains, three sequence interruptions. The comparison of its sequence with the previously published sequences of two other CaMV strains (Cabb-S and CM 1841) leads to the following conclusions: (1) The genetic organization of all three CaMV strains is identical with six potential genes (open reading frames) and two intergenic regions; (2) considered pairwise, the three DNAs differ from one another by only about 5% with base substitutions accounting for most of the changes although several deletions and insertions are also observed. The sequence differences among the three strains are spread in a uniform manner upon the genome except for the two intergenic regions, which are more highly conserved. The stability of the noncoding regions is probably linked to the fact that they carry sequences important for the initiation and termination of transcription. On the other hand, the sequence variation in the open reading frames has relatively little effect on the sequence of the corresponding polypeptides as changes occur preferentially in the third position of the reading frame triplets. It is anticipated that knowledge of the DNA sequences of several CaMV strains will facilitate construction of inter-strain recombinants which, once available, can be used to correlate gene structure and function.

A transcriptionally active, covalently closed minichromosome of cauliflower mosaic virus DNA isolated from infected turnip leaves

Purified nuclei from turnip leaves infected by cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) have been shown to contain a fraction of CaMV DNA that consists of covalently closed circular molecules; possesses a nucleosome structure, based on sensitivity to micrococcal nuclease; and contains nuclear RNA polymerase II that selectively transcribes the coding strand of CaMV DNA in vitro. Our results suggest that the transcriptionally active CaMV DNA is in the form of a minichromosome and that this DNA does not contain the site-specific discontinuities characteristic of the virion.