Complementary DNA Cloning and analysis of carnation mottle virus RNA

Intrahost mechanisms governing emergence of resistance-breaking variants of Potato virus Y

The emergence of resistance breaking (RB) variants starting from the avirulent Potato virus Y NN strain (PVY(NN)) was analyzed after imposing different selective host constraints. Tobacco resistance to PVY(NN) is conferred by va in both NC745 and VAM genotypes, but VAM carries an extra resistance gene, va2. RB-variants emerged only in NC745 and unexpectedly accumulated higher in the original host, tobacco B21, than the parental PVY(NN). However, the recovery of RB-variants was interfered by PVY(NN) in mixed infections. Further analysis indicated that RB-variants also arose in tobacco VAM, but they were limited to subliminal local infections. Their inability to breakout was associated with absence of a mutational adaptation in the viral VPg gene, which implied a loss of fitness in tobacco B21. Altogether, the emergence of RB-variants was conditioned by inherited host constraints, interference by co-infecting avirulent virus genotypes, and fitness tradeoff of virus adaptations.

Complementary functions of two recessive R-genes determine resistance durability of tobacco 'Virgin A Mutant' (VAM) to Potato virus Y

Tobaccos VAM and NC745 carry the recessive va gene that confers resistance to PVY(NN). However, they exhibit different levels of resistance durability. Upon virus inoculation, only NC745 developed sporadic systemic symptoms caused by emerging resistance-breaking variants that easily infected both NC745 and VAM genotypes. To identify the differential host conditions associated with this phenomenon, cellular accumulation, cell-to-cell movement, vascular translocation, and foliar content of PVY(NN) were comparatively evaluated. Virus cell-to-cell movement was restricted and its transit through the vasculature boundaries was completely blocked in both tobacco varieties. However, an additional defense mechanism operating only in tobacco VAM drastically reduced the in situ cellular virus accumulation. Genetic analyses of hybrid plant progenies indicate that VAM-type resistance was conditioned by at least two recessive genes: va and a newly reported va2 locus. Moreover, segregant plant progenies that restricted virus movement but permitted normal virus accumulation were prone to develop resistance-breaking infections.

High resolution mapping of carnation mottle virus-associated RNAs

The genomic coordinates from which carnation mottle virus (CarMV) subgenomic RNA 5'-ends originate have been determined by high resolution S, nuclease protection and primer-extension mapping techniques. The two, 3'-proximal subgenomic RNAs initiate at nucleotides 2532 and 2315 (counting from the genome 5' terminus). These RNAs contain 1472 and 1689 nucleotides, respectively. There is substantial nucleotide sequence homology surrounding the transcriptional start sites of the two subgenomic RNAs. The 1.5-kb RNA uses the first AUG to initiate translation of viral coat protein. The first AUG on the 1.7-kb RNA begins a short open reading frame of 183 nucleotides. This region encodes a Mr = 6746 polypeptide found by in vitro translation of authentic subgenomic RNA as well as synthetic SP6 transcripts. By SP6 transcription and cell-free translation, we have also mapped coding sequences for a previously identified CarMV gene product, p27, to the 5' terminus of the viral genome.

Complete nucleotide sequence and genome organization of hibiscus chlorotic ringspot virus, a new member of the genus Carmovirus: evidence for the presence and expression of two novel open reading frames

The complete nucleotide sequence of hibiscus chlorotic ringspot virus (HCRSV) was determined. The genomic RNA (gRNA) is 3,911 nucleotides long and has the potential to encode seven viral proteins in the order of 28 (p28), 23 (p23), 81 (p81), 8 (p8), 9 (p9), 38 (p38), and 25 (p25) kDa. Excluding two unique open reading frames (ORFs) encoding p23 and p25, the ORFs encode proteins with high amino acid similarity to those of carmoviruses. In addition to gRNA, two 3'-coterminated subgenomic RNA (sgRNA) species were identified. Full-length cDNA clones derived from gRNA and sgRNA were constructed under the control of a T7 promoter. Both capped and uncapped transcripts derived from the full-length genomic cDNA clone were infectious. In vitro translation and mutagenesis assays confirmed that all the predicted ORFs except the ORF encoding p8 are translatable, and the two novel ORFs (those encoding p23 and p25) may be functionally indispensable for the viral infection cycle. Based on virion morphology and genome organization, we propose that HCRSV be classified as a new member of the genus Carmovirus in family Tombusviridae.

In vivo detection, RNA-binding properties and characterization of the RNA-binding domain of the p7 putative movement protein from carnation mottle carmovirus (CarMV)

Biochemical and structural characterization studies on the p7 putative movement protein from a Spanish isolate of carnation mottle carmovirus (CarMV) have been conducted. The CarMV p7 gene was fused to a sequence coding for a six-histidine tag and expressed in bacteria, allowing the purification of CarMV p7 and the production of a specific antiserum. This antiserum led to the immunological identification of CarMV p7 in infected leaf tissue from the experimental host Chenopodium quinoa. Putative nucleic acid-binding properties of the CarMV p7 have been explored and demonstrated with both electrophoretic mobility shift and RNA-protein blot in vitro assays using digoxigenin-labeled riboprobes. CarMV p7 did not show preferential binding to any of the different regions of the CarMV genomic RNA tested, suggesting that RNA binding was sequence nonspecific. Quantitative analyses of the data allowed calculation of the apparent dissociation constant of the p7-RNA complex (Kd approximately 0.7 microM) and supported a cooperative type of binding. A small 19-amino-acid synthetic peptide whose sequence corresponds to the putative RNA-binding domain of CarMV p7, at the basic central part of the protein, was synthesized, and it was demonstrated that it binds viral RNA probes. Peptide RNA binding was as stable as p7 binding, although data indicated it was not cooperative, thus suggesting that this cooperative binding requires another motif or motifs within the p7 amino acid sequence. The peptide could be induced to fold into an alpha-helix structure in which amino acids that are conserved among carmovirus p7-like proteins are distributed on one side. This alpha-helix motif could define a new and previously uncharacterized RNA-binding domain for plant virus movement proteins.

Sequence element required for efficient -1 ribosomal frameshifting in red clover necrotic mosaic dianthovirus

The RNA-1 of the bipartite red clover necrotic mosaic dianthovirus (RCNMV) genome encodes the 88-kDa polymerase. The polymerase is translated from both 5' proximal and internal open reading frames by a -1 ribosomal frameshifting event. A shifty heptanucleotide conforming to the simultaneous slippage model is identified, and a downstream stem-loop structure and atypical pseudoknot are predicted. A beta-glucuronidase reporter assay identified a 118-nucleotide element containing both the shifty heptanucleotide and the predicted secondary structures that were required for efficient -1 ribosomal frameshift expression in vivo. A series of site-directed and compensatory mutations affecting the base-paired regions of the predicted secondary structure were introduced into a RCNMV RNA-1 cDNA clone from which infectious transcripts were derived. Mutations that destroyed the predicted pseudoknot had no effect on frameshifting efficiency in vitro or infectivity of the virus, whereas mutations destabilizing the stem-loop structure abolished both ribosomal frameshifting in vitro and biological activity. These results demonstrate the essential role of a predicted secondary structure that does not involve a pseudoknot in the expression of the RCNMV polymerase by ribosomal frameshifting.

Mutations in viral movement protein alter systemic infection and identify an intercellular barrier to entry into the phloem long-distance transport system

Viral systemic infection of a plant host involves two processes, cell-to-cell movement and long-distance transport. Molecular determinants associated with these two processes were probed by investigating the effects that alanine scanning mutations in the movement protein (MP) of red clover necrotic mosaic virus (RCNMV) had on viral infection in the plant hosts Nicotiana edwardsonii, Vigna unguiculata (cowpea), and the experimental plant Nicotiana benthamiana. Plants were inoculated with RCNMV expressing wild-type and mutant forms of the MP. Immunocytochemical studies at the light and electron microscope levels were performed on these plants, using a polyclonal antibody raised against the RCNMV capsid protein to identify the cells/tissues that RCNMV could infect. These experiments demonstrated that one cellular boundary at which the RCNMV MP functions to facilitate entry into the phloem long-distance transport system is located at the interfaces between the bundle sheath and phloem parenchyma cells and the companion cell-sieve element complex. Interestingly, in Nicotiana tabacum, a host that only allows a local infection, RCNMV cell-to-cell movement was found to be blocked at this same intercellular boundary. Four mutants that were able to systemically infect N. benthamiana were partially or completely defective for systemic infection of N. edwardsonii and cowpea, which indicated that these MP mutants exhibited host-specific defects. Thus, the roles of the RCNMV MP in cell-to-cell movement and in long-distance transport appear to be genetically distinct. These results are discussed in terms of the mechanism by which RCN MV enters the phloem to establish a systemic infection.

Movement of rice yellow mottle virus between xylem cells through pit membranes

The translocation of rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) within tissues of inoculated and systemically infected Oryza sativa L. leaves was characterized by Western immunoblotting, Northern blotting, and electron microscopy of thin sections. In inoculated leaves, RYMV RNA and coat protein first were detected at 3 and 5 days postinoculation, respectively. By 6 days postinoculation, RYMV had spread systemically to leaves, and virus particles were observed in most cell types, including epidermal, mesophyll, bundle sheath, and vascular parenchyma cells. Most of the virions accumulated in large crystalline patches in xylem parenchyma cells and sieve elements. Colocalization of a cell wall marker for cellulosic beta-(1-4)-D-glucans and anti-RYMV antibodies over vessel pit membranes suggests a pathway for virus migration between vessels. We propose that the partial digestion of pit membranes resulting from programmed cell death may permit virus migration through them, concomitant with autolysis. In addition, displacement of the Ca2+ from pit membranes to virus particles may contribute to the disruption of the pit membranes and facilitate systemic virus transport.

Replicational release of geminivirus genomes from tandemly repeated copies: evidence for rolling-circle replication of a plant viral DNA

Agrobacterium-mediated inoculation of Nicotiana benthamiana plants with Ti plasmids containing tandem genome repeats derived from different strains of the gemini-virus beet curly top virus (BCTV) resulted in the production of unit-length recombinant progeny genomes in systemically infected plants. When two putative plus-strand origins of replication were present in constructs used as inocula, a replicational escape mechanism was favored that resulted in progeny genomes of a single predominant genotype. The genotype was dependent upon the arrangement of repeated parental genomes in the inocula. Sequencing across the junction between parental BCTV strains in the recombinant progeny allowed mapping of the plus-strand origin of replication to a 20-base-pair sequence within the conserved hairpin found in all geminivirus genomes. In contrast, when inocula contained tandemly repeated BCTV genome sequences but only a single conserved hairpin, a number of different progeny genotypes were simultaneously replicated in infected plants, a result expected if unit-length viral genomes were generated by random intramolecular recombination events. These results and other considerations indicate that geminivirus DNA replication occurs by a rolling-circle mechanism.

Nonmutant forms of the avirulent satellite D of turnip crinkle virus are produced following inoculation of plants with mutant forms synthesized in vitro

The avirulent satellite RNA D (sat D) of turnip crinkle virus (TCV) has been cloned as a copy DNA. RNA transcripts synthesized in vitro from the cloned cDNA are infectious when coinoculated with RNA transcripts of the cloned TCV genome. Sat D is the smallest and most likely the progenitor of the other TCV satellites and, in contrast to the virulent satellite RNA C (sat C), does not intensify viral symptoms. Mutant forms of sat D including internal deletions up to 50 bases yielded sat D in infected plants. However, sat D mutants were not recovered in mutant form, but reverted to normal size and sequence in infected turnip plants. Mutations at a site with homology to the catalytic strand of self-cleaving sequences in certain viroids and satellites appeared to confer virulence on sat D in that test plants showed severe crinkling and stunting normally associated with sat C. However, sat C appeared along with a restored form of sat D in the progeny RNAs of these severely infected plants. Sat C was presumably generated by recombination between sat D and the TCV genome. In contrast, when plants were inoculated with transcripts containing the equivalent mutations in sat C, sat C was recovered from infected plants in mutant form. These findings demonstrate the tendency for mutant forms of the avirulent satellite, sat D, to revert, but raise questions about the source of information used in the reversion process.

Point mutations in the turnip crinkle virus capsid protein affect the symptoms expressed by Nicotiana benthamiana

In an effort to determine the biological function(s) of the capsid protein protruding domains unique to the plant carmo- and tombusviruses, we constructed turnip crinkle virus (TCV) mutants in which tandem, in-frame translation terminators replaced the first two codons of the five-amino acid hinge between the shell and the protruding domains of the TCV capsid protein. One of the mutants replicated in inoculated leaves and protoplasts without detectable accumulation of capsid protein. The mutant lacked the capacity to move systemically in Brassica campestris and Nicotiana benthamiana. After 8 weeks, revertant virions that had regained the capacity to move systemically were purified and found to have sense codons at the positions of the introduced translation terminators. One of the revertants, with amino acid substitutions in the hinge, elicited milder symptoms than those elicited by the wild-type virus, and another elicited more severe symptoms. Oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis was used to show that the hinge mutations were sufficient to elicit the milder, but not the more severe, symptom syndrome. Single amino acid substitutions were also shown to be sufficient to elicit the milder, but not the more severe, symptoms.

Identification of the maize chlorotic mottle virus capsid protein cistron and characterization of its subgenomic messenger RNA

Maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV) is a 30-nm icosahedral plant virus composed of a single 25-kDa capsid protein component and a 4.4-kb single-stranded, positive-sense genomic RNA. Northern blot hybridization analysis detected a single 3'-terminal 1.1-kb subgenomic RNA in infected plants. Virion RNA directs the synthesis of several polypeptides in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate in vitro translation system of which only the 25-kDa polypeptide is immunoprecipitated by MCMV capsid protein antiserum. The 1.1-kb subgenomic RNA is a highly efficient messenger RNA for capsid protein synthesis. Positive polarity in vitro transcripts from 3'-proximal MCMV cDNA clones direct the synthesis of the capsid protein in in vitro translation experiments. These data suggest that the MCMV capsid protein is expressed from a subgenomic RNA in vivo, and that the 25-kDa capsid protein is encoded by the 3'-proximal open reading frame in the MCMV genome.

A method for multiple sequence alignment with gaps

A method that performs multiple sequence alignment by cyclical use of the standard pairwise Needleman-Wunsch algorithm is presented. The required central processor unit time is of the same order of magnitude as the standard Needleman-Wunsch pairwise implementation. Comparison with the one known case where the optimal multiple sequence alignment has been rigorously determined shows that in practice the proposed method finds the mathematically optimal solution. The more interesting question of the biological usefulness of such multiple sequence alignment over pairwise approaches is assessed using protein families whose X-ray structures are known. The two such cases studied, the subdomains of the ricin B-chain and the S-domains of virus coat proteins, have low pairwise similarity and thus fail to align correctly under standard pairwise sequence comparison. In both cases the multiple sequence alignment produced by the proposed technique, apart from minor deviations at loop regions, correctly predicts the true structural alignment. Thus, given many sequences of low pairwise similarity, the proposed multiple sequence method, can extract any familial similarity and so produce a sequence alignment consistent with the underlying structural homology.

Infectious barley stripe mosaic virus RNA transcribed in vitro from full-length genomic cDNA clones

Full-length genomic cDNA clones of the Type and ND18 strains of barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV) were transcribed in vitro using T7 RNA polymerase. The combination of RNAs alpha, beta, and gamma synthesized in the presence of 5' cap analogs was infectious after inoculation onto barley plants, conclusively demonstrating the tripartite nature of the BSMV genome. Transcripts synthesized in the absence of cap analogs were not infectious. A gamma-specific subgenomic RNA which is normally present in BSMV virions was not required to establish a systemic infection. In vitro transcripts of variant cDNA clones which were isolated from the ND18 strain, containing either a simple nucleotide substitution or a 372-nucleotide duplication similar to one found in the genome of the Type strain, were also found to be biologically active. Two dicotyledonous hosts which have a differential response to infection with the Type and ND18 strains of BSMV were identified and these phenotypes were shown to be faithfully reproduced by inoculation with in vitro transcripts derived from the appropriate full-length cDNA clones.

The genome structure of turnip crinkle virus

The nucleotide sequence of turnip crinkle virus (TCV) genomic RNA has been determined from cDNA clones representing most of the genome. Segments were confirmed using dideoxynucleotide sequencing directly from viral RNA, and the 3' terminal sequence was confirmed by chemical sequencing of end-labeled genomic RNA. Three open reading frames (ORFs) have been identified by examination of the deduced amino acid sequences and by comparison with the ORFs found in the genome of carnation mottle virus. ORF 1 initiates near the 5' terminus of the genome and is punctuated by an amber termination codon. Translation of ORF 1 would yield a 28-kDa protein and an 88-kDa read-through product. The read-through domain possesses amino acid sequence similarities with putative viral RNA polymerases. ORFs 2 and 3 encode products of 38 (coat protein) and 8 kDa, respectively, which are expressed from subgenomic mRNAs. The organization of the TCV genome suggests that TCV is closely related to carnation mottle virus and distinct from members classified in other small RNA virus groups, such as the tombus- and sobemoviruses.

Turnip crinkle virus infection from RNA synthesized in vitro

Genome-length cDNA clones of turnip crinkle virus (TCV) were constructed with SmaI and XbaI restriction sites engineered at the 5' and 3' termini, respectively. The genome-length cDNAs were positioned downstream of modified lambda and T7 phage promoters such that in vitro transcription resulted in RNAs with 5 extra nucleotides at the 3' end, and 1, 2, or 14 extra nucleotides at the 5' end depending on the construction. Transcripts with 14 extraviral 5' nucleotides were not infectious, while transcripts with 1 or 2 additional 5' nucleotides, with or without 5'-cap analog included in transcription reactions, were biologically active. These were approximately an order of magnitude less infectious than RNA extracted from TCV virions. The additional 5' nucleotides were not maintained in progeny viral RNAs isolated from plants.

Organization of tomato bushy stunt virus genome: characterization of the coat protein gene and the 3' terminus

We have synthesized cDNA clones of the genome of the cherry strain of tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV-cherry) and have used them as hybridization probes to identify and position two 3' coterminal subgenomic RNAs of approximately 2.2 and 0.9 kilobases (kb) in length. The 5' termini of the two subgenomic RNAs have been mapped to positions located 2156 and 936 nucleotides respectively from the 3' terminus of the viral genome. The nucleotide sequence of cDNA clones encompassing the region of the genome containing both of the subgenomic RNAs has been determined. The sequence data indicate that two nested open reading frames (ORFs) occur in the most 3' proximal location on the genome suggesting that the 0.9-kb subgenomic RNA potentially encodes two polypeptides of 19,397 and 21,610 Da. Comparison of the amino acid sequence of a potential translation product of 41,024 Da encoded by the first ORF of the 2.2-kb subgenomic RNA with the published capsid protein amino acid sequence of the BS-3 strain of TBSV indicates that the 2.2-kb subgenomic RNA encodes the capsid protein. The TBSV coat protein cistron is located internally on the genome and thus its genetic organization differs from that reported for most other small, spherical viruses with monopartite genomes. Amino acid sequence comparisons of analogous regions of the cucumber necrosis virus (CNV) genome confirms a close relationship between the viruses.

The nucleotide sequence and gene organization of red clover necrotic mosaic virus RNA-2

Red clover necrotic mosaic virus, a member of the dianthovirus group, is characterized by a genome composed of two nonhomologous single-stranded RNAs of approximately 4.0 (RNA-1) and 1.4 kb (RNA-2). The complete nucleotide sequence of the RNA-2 has been determined. RNA-2 is 1448 nucleotides in length with a 5' terminal m7G cap and no 3' terminal poly-A tail or 5' terminal VPg. An open reading frame beginning at the first initiation codon at nucleotide 80 and ending at nucleotide 1030 has been identified which can encode a polypeptide of 35 kDa. RNA-2 directs the synthesis of a 35 kDa polypeptide in vitro. SP6 and T7 transcripts from full length RNA-2 cDNA clones directed the synthesis of a polypeptide with the same electrophoretic mobility as the polypeptide directed from authentic RNA-2. Clones with various 3' terminal deletions both outside and within the 35 kDa open reading frame were transcribed and translated in vitro to define the limits of the 35 kDa open reading frame. A second, small open reading frame capable of encoding a polypeptide of 4.9 kDa was also indicated from the sequence; however, there was no evidence for a protein product of that size. RNA-2 is presumed to be monocistronic and encode a cell-to-cell movement function. A small but significant amino acid sequence homology was observed with the brome mosaic virus RNA-3a polypeptide.

Structure and assembly of turnip crinkle virus. IV. Analysis of the coat protein gene and implications of the subunit primary structure

The structure of the turnip crinkle virus (TCV) coat protein and coat protein gene has been examined by cDNA cloning, nucleotide sequencing and high-resolution mRNA mapping. We have cloned a 1450-nucleotide cDNA fragment, representing the 3' end of the TCV genome, using genomic RNA polyadenylated in vitro as the reverse transcriptional template. Nucleic acid sequence analysis reveals the presence of a 1053 nucleotide open reading frame capable of encoding a protein of 38,131 Mr, identified as the coat protein subunit. The 1446 base subgenomic mRNA for the coat protein, mapped using high-resolution primer extension techniques, contains a 137 nucleotide leader sequence upstream from the initiation codon. We have characterized a second subgenomic RNA of approximately 1700 bases, roughly 250 nucleotides longer than the 1446 base species in the 5' direction. No TCV-related RNAs are polyadenylated in vivo. The derived amino acid sequence of the TCV coat protein has been built into the 3.2 A resolution electron density map of TCV reported in paper I of this series. We describe here some of the important features of the structure. Alignment of the three-dimensional structures of tomato bushy stunt virus and southern bean mosaic virus shows significant sequence relationships in the arms and S domains, although the conserved residues do not appear to have any special role in stabilizing the beta-barrel fold or in mediating subunit interactions. The sequences of TCV and carnation mottle virus can be aligned. Comparisons among the four are discussed in terms of the organization of the S domain.