Polar stripping of protein subunits from tobacco mosaic virus

Building expanded structures from tetrahedral DNA branching elements, RNA and TMV protein

By combining both chemical and enzymatic ligation with procedures guiding the self-assembly of nanotubular tobacco mosaic virus (TMV)-like particles (TLPs), novel nucleoprotein structures based on DNA-terminated branching elements, RNA scaffolds and TMV coat protein (CP) are made accessible. Tetrahedral tetrakis(hydroxybiphenyl)adamantane cores with four 5'-phosphorylated dinucleotide arms were coupled to DNA linkers by chemical ligation. The resulting three-dimensional (3D) branching elements were enzymatically ligated to the 3' termini of RNA scaffolds either prior to or after the RNAs' incorporation into TLPs. Thus, architectures with interconnected nanotube domains in two different length classes were generated, each containing 70 CP subunits per 10 nm length. Short TMV origin-of-assembly-containing RNA scaffolds ligated to the DNA allowed the growth of protein-coated 34 nm tubes on the terminal RNA strands in situ. Alternatively, 290 nm pre-fabricated tubes with accessible RNA 3' termini, attained by DNA blocking elements hybridized to the RNAs, were ligated with the branched cores. Both approaches resulted in four-armed nanoobjects, demonstrating a so far unique combination of organic synthesis of branching elements, enzymatic modifications, nucleic acid-based scaffolding and RNA-guided and DNA-controlled assembly of tubular RNA-encapsidating protein domains, yielding a novel class of 3D nucleoprotein architectures with polyvalent protein elements. In the long term, the production route might give rise to supramolecular systems with complex functionalities, installed via the orthogonal coupling of effector molecules to TLP domains.

Polar uncoating of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and subsequent reassembly of partially stripped TMV

Increasing concentrations of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) strip tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) stepwise from the 3'end. The RNA tail increases in length up to 2,000 nucleotides (nu) reaching a region of very strong protein-RNA affinity. Thereafter, uncoating occurs from the other end and produces a second RNA tail 500 nu long. Further stripping of TMV proceeds from both ends, the long tail increasing in length up to 4,000 nu and the short one increasing more moderately and remaining below 2,000 nu. The region of strongest protein-RNA affinity is located between 4,000 and 5,000 nu away from the 3' end. Using the same conditions as for in vitro TMV reassembly, it is possible to recoat the RNA tails with viral protein preferentially in the 5' direction. The advantages of DMSO in studies of TMV protein-RNA interactions are discussed.

Infectivity suppressing and virus-binding activities of a membrane material isolated from tobacco leaves

TMV binding substance (R) was isolated from a tobacco leaf membrane fraction and was purified by extraction with organic solvents and by column chromatography. Experimental results suggest that the binding of R with TMV results in inactivation of TMV. When tobacco leaves were inoculated with the R-TMV complex, it was found that the formation of polysome containing infecting viral RNA was inhibited. Model experiments showed that the mode of R-TMV adsorption to the membrane is different from that of TMV adsorption and that stripping of coat protein from TMV by SDS was inhibited by R. A possible explanation for the mechanism of this inhibition by R is that the R-TMV complex follows a pathway which does not lead to establishment of infection. Although less efficient, R was still active when it was applied after virus inoculation. Due to its affinity to coat protein, R might also interfere with a later process of viral multiplication.

Configuration of tobacco mosaic virus, RNA during virus assembly

When TMV reassembles, the uncoated RNA is folded back along the growing rod, probably down the central hole. This surprising configuration is essential for rapid elongation--presumably supplying RNA to its site of incorporation while keeping the bulk of the free RNA out of the way.

Location of the cistron of the tobacco mosaic virus coat protein

Treatment of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) RNA with T1 RNase under mild conditions cuts the RNA molecule into a large number of fragments, only a few of which may be specifically recognized by disks of TMV protein. It has been shown elsewhere that these specifically recognized RNA fragments are a part of the coat protein cistron, the portion coding for amino acids 95 to 129 of the coat protein. It is reported that different size classes of partially uncoated virus particles were prepared by limited reconstitution between TMV RNA and protein or by partial stripping of intact virus with DMSO. Both procedures produce nucleoprotein rods in which the 5'-terminal portion of the RNA is encapsidated and the 3'-terminal region is free. The free and the encapsidated portions of the RNA were each tested for the ability to give rise to the aforesaid specifically recognized fragments of the coat protein cistron upon partial T1 RNase digestion. It was found that only the 3'-terminal third of the virus particle need to be uncoated in order to expose the portion of the RNA molecule from which these fragments are derived. We conclude, therefore, that the coat protein cistron is situated upon the 3'-terminal third of the RNA chain, i.e. within 2000 nucleotides of the 3'-end.

Fate of tobacco mosaic virus after entering the host cell

Tobacco leaves were inoculated with tobacco mosaic virus labeled with 32P or 35S. After various intervals, extracts of the leaves were prepared. In extracts from leaves infected for 5 to 360 min, about 40 to 60% of the virus retained on leaves was recovered in the pellet of the homogenate centrifuged at 12 000 × g. The virus associated with the 12 000 × g pellet was dissociable by treatment with pancreatic RNase, alkali or sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The parental virus extracted by SDS from the pellet at 12 000 × g had a large amount of partially uncoated virus possessing naked RNA. Analysis by density gradient centrifugation suggested that, in addition to partially uncoated virus, some fragmented RNA was also associated with the 12 000 × g pellet. This fragmented RNA seemed to be derived from partially uncoated virus. Density gradient analysis of SDS extracts from the 12 000 × g pellet suggested that some of the virus underwent uncoating at the internal regions of the virus particle.

Model system for the adsorption of tobacco mosaic virus

Materials which can adsorb tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) were isolated from tobacco leaves and studied for applicability as a model system for TMV adsorption. Leaves were homogenized and fractionated by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. One fraction adsorbed TMV in the presence of polyornithine. Deduced from its sensitivity to trypsin and detergent as well as from its manner of isolation, the material responsible for adsorption of TMV seemed to be cytoplasmic membrane. Membrane derived from light particulate, as well as cytoplasmic membrane, seemed to be capable of adsorbing TMV. Shorter rods obtained by sodium dodecyl sulfate or sonic treatment of TMV could adsorb to membrane as efficiently as TMV. Viral protein subunit could not adsorb whereas helical rods made of viral protein aggregates could. A two‐step nature of the adsorption of TMV was suggested: a salt‐sensitive and a subsequent salt‐resistant steps. In the first step, ionic bonding plays a main role in the combination between TMV and membrane. Adsorption of 14C‐labeled TMV was inhibited by an excess amount of non‐labeled TMV or cucumber green mottle mosaic virus but not by potato virus X or rice dwarf virus, suggesting the specific nature of adsorption. In contrast to the observed specificity on the part of virus, a membrane fraction isolated from various plants, including non‐hosts for TMV, could adsorb TMV. This may imply that adsorption and injection are not the determinant of host specificity in plant viral infection.

Polysomes containing infecting viral genome in tobacco leaves infected with tobacco mosaic virus

This study concerns the interaction between parental virus RNA and host cell components in tobacco leaves infected with tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). By using a gentle method for disruption, extracts were obtained from tobacco leaves infected with 32P‐labelled TMV and the fate of infecting parental 32P‐TMV‐RNA was studied. Sucrose gradient centrifugation analysis showed that the parental 32P‐RNA distributed into four regions: free RNA, partially uncoated TMV, TMV and a structure heavier than TMV. The heavier structure was considered to be polysomes carrying the parental TMV‐RNA as messenger RNA based on its size, sensitivity to RNase, dependence of its formation on protein synthesis and the kinetics of its appearance after infection. Control experiments were done to exclude the possibility that the structure is not an artifact aggregate produced by an interaction between partially uncoated virus or its RNA and host cell components. Polysomes containing TMV‐RNA were found as membrane bound forms. Based on these data, it is suggested that uncoating of TMV and formation of polysomes are closely related and evidence has been obtained which suggests that uncovering of the viral genome and its translation takes place hand‐in‐hand on a single virion.

Degradation of RNA of partially uncoated tobacco mosaic virus during extraction from tobacco leaves

Extracts of tobacco leaves, 3 to 22 hr after infection with 32P‐labeled tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), were analysed by sucrose density‐gradient centrifugation. As reported previously, a shoulder appeared on the lighter side of the main peak representing intact parent viruses. The shoulder was shown to contain partially uncoated virus particles with sedimentation constants of about 140–150 S, which withstood dialysis against a phosphate buffer. RNA from the uncoated particles was isolated on the sucrose density‐gradient, and its sedimentation constant was estimated at 16–18 S. Intact TMV‐RNA and RNA having 16–18 S were also obtained directly from homogenates of tobacco leaves infected with 32P‐TMV. 32P‐TMV was partially stripped by SDS and was added to tobacco leaf sap to test the RNase activity in tobacco leaves. A part of RNA which was exposed by SDS was digested and the 32P‐radioactivity in the top zone of the centrifugation tube increased. This finding supported the idea that the partially uncoated virus particles in infected leaves lost a portion of their RNA during extraction by the action of the RNase contained in the homogenate.

Cleavage by formamide of intercapsomer bonds in adenovirus types 4 and 7 virions and hemagglutinins

When crude preparations of adenovirus types 4 and 7 were treated with solutions of formamide, a complete or nearly complete inactivation of infectivity could be achieved without affecting the complement fixation titers of the same preparations. Studies on purified virions showed that the intersubunit bonds within the viral capsid were broken and single capsomers were released as the result of treatment by formamide. When subjected to the same treatment, hemagglutinins were sequentially converted into incomplete hemagglutinins (pentons), which were in turn converted into penton bases and fibers.

Location of a local lesion gene in tobacco mosaic virus RNA

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