Replication of tobacco mosaic virus RNA

Chemical and Biological Investigations of Antiviral Agents Against Plant Viruses Conducted in China in the 21st Century

Research into the biology of plant viruses, their mechanisms of pathogenicity, and the induction of host resistance has laid a solid foundation for the discovery of antiviral agents and their targets and the development of effective control technologies. Additionally, recent advancements in fields such as chemical biology, cheminformatics, bioinformatics, and synthetic biology have provided valuable methods and tools for the design of antiviral drugs, the synthesis of drug molecules, assessment of their activity, and investigation of their modes of action. Compared with drug development for human viral diseases, the control of plant viral diseases presents greater challenges, including the cost-benefit of agents, simplification of control technologies, and the effectiveness of treatments. Therefore, in the current context of complex outbreaks and severe damage caused by plant viral diseases, it is crucial to delve deeper into the research and development of antiviral agents. This review provides a detailed overview of the biological characteristics of current targets for antiviral agents, the mode of interaction between plant virus targets and antivirals, and insights for future drug development. We believe this review will not only facilitate the in-depth analysis of the development of antivirals for crops but also offer valuable perspectives for the development of antiviral agents for use in human and veterinary medicine.

The Forgotten Tobamovirus Genes Encoding the 54 kDa Protein and the 4-6 kDa Proteins

This article reviews the literature concerning the largely forgotten tobamovirus gene products for which no functions have been ascribed. One of these gene products is the 54 kDa protein, representing the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase segment of the 183 kDa protein translated from the I1-subgenomic mRNA, but which has been found only by in vitro translation and not in plants. The other is a collection of small proteins, expressed from alternative reading frames (likely from internal ribosome entry sites) in either or both the movement protein gene or the capsid protein gene. Previously, two small proteins were referred to as the 4-6 kDa proteins, since only single proteins of such size had been characterized from tobacco mosaic virus and tomato mosaic virus genomes. Such putative proteins will be referred to here as P6 proteins, since many new proposed P6 open reading frames could be discerned, from an analysis of 45 of 47 tobamovirus genomes, with a coding capacity of >15 amino acids up to 94 amino acids, whereas other peptides with ≤15 amino acids were not considered here. The distribution of the putative P6 proteins among these tobamoviruses is described, as well as the various classes they fall into, based on their distribution with regard to the organization of other genes in the viral genomes. Models also are presented for possible functions of the 54 kDa protein and the P6 proteins, based on data in the literature.

3D Puzzle at the Nanoscale-How do RNA Viruses Self-Assemble their Capsids into Perfectly Ordered Structures

The phenomenon of RNA virus self-organization, first observed in the mid-20th century in tobacco mosaic virus, is the subject of extensive research. Efforts to comprehend this process intensify due to its potential for producing vaccines or antiviral compounds as well as nanocarriers and nanotemplates. However, direct observation of the self-assembly is hindered by its prevalence within infected host cells. One of the approaches involves in vitro and in silico research using model viruses featuring a ssRNA(+) genome enclosed within a capsid made up of a single type protein. While various pathways are proposed based on these studies, their relevance in vivo remains uncertain. On the other hand, the development of advanced microscopic methods provide insights into the events within living cells, where following viral infection, specialized compartments form to facilitate the creation of nascent virions. Intriguingly, a growing body of evidence indicates that the primary function of packaging signals in viral RNA is to effectively initiate the virion self-assembly. This is in contrast to earlier opinions suggesting a role in marking RNA for encapsidation. Another noteworthy observation is that many viruses undergo self-assembly within membraneless liquid organelles, which are specifically induced by viral proteins.

Knockout of SlTOM1 and SlTOM3 results in differential resistance to tobamovirus in tomato

During tobamovirus-host coevolution, tobamoviruses developed numerous interactions with host susceptibility factors and exploited these interactions for replication and movement. The plant-encoded TOBAMOVIRUS MULTIPLICATION (TOM) susceptibility proteins interact with the tobamovirus replicase proteins and allow the formation of the viral replication complex. Here CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis allowed the exploration of the roles of SlTOM1a, SlTOM1b, and SlTOM3 in systemic tobamovirus infection of tomato. Knockouts of both SlTOM1a and SlTOM3 in sltom1a/sltom3 plants resulted in an asymptomatic response to the infection with recently emerged tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV). In addition, an accumulation of ToBRFV RNA and coat protein (CP) in sltom1a/sltom3 mutant plants was 516- and 25-fold lower, respectively, than in wild-type (WT) plants at 12 days postinoculation. In marked contrast, sltom1a/sltom3 plants were susceptible to previously known tomato viruses, tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and tomato mosaic virus (ToMV), indicating that SlTOM1a and SlTOM3 are not essential for systemic infection of TMV and ToMV in tomato plants. Knockout of SlTOM1b alone did not contribute to ToBRFV and ToMV resistance. However, in triple mutants sltom1a/sltom3/sltom1b, ToMV accumulation was three-fold lower than in WT plants, with no reduction in symptoms. These results indicate that SlTOM1a and SlTOM3 are essential for the replication of ToBRFV, but not for ToMV and TMV, which are associated with additional susceptibility proteins. Additionally, we showed that SlTOM1a and SlTOM3 positively regulate the tobamovirus susceptibility gene SlARL8a3. Moreover, we found that the SlTOM family is involved in the regulation of plant development.

Natural Selection, Intracellular Bottlenecks of Virus Populations, and Viral Superinfection Exclusion

Natural selection acts on cellular organisms by ensuring the genes responsible for an advantageous phenotype consistently reap the phenotypic advantage. This is possible because reproductive cells of these organisms are almost always haploid, separating the beneficial gene from its rival allele at every generation. How natural selection acts on plus-strand RNA viruses is unclear because these viruses frequently load host cells with numerous genome copies and replicate thousands of progeny genomes in each cell. Recent studies suggest that these viruses encode the Bottleneck, Isolate, Amplify, Select (BIAS) mechanism that blocks all but a few viral genome copies from replication, thus creating the environment in which the bottleneck-escaping viral genome copies are isolated from each other, allowing natural selection to reward beneficial mutations and purge lethal errors. This BIAS mechanism also blocks the genomes of highly homologous superinfecting viruses, thus explaining cellular-level superinfection exclusion. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Virology, Volume 9 is September 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

RNA silencing suppressor-influenced performance of a virus vector delivering both guide RNA and Cas9 for CRISPR gene editing

We report on further development of the agroinfiltratable Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV)-based overexpression (TRBO) vector to deliver CRISPR/Cas9 components into plants. First, production of a Cas9 (HcoCas9) protein from a binary plasmid increased when co-expressed in presence of suppressors of gene silencing, such as the TMV 126-kDa replicase or the Tomato bushy stunt virus P19 protein. Such suppressor-generated elevated levels of Cas9 expression translated to efficient gene editing mediated by TRBO-G-3'gGFP expressing GFP and also a single guide RNA targeting the mgfp5 gene in the Nicotiana benthamiana GFP-expressing line 16c. Furthermore, HcoCas9 encoding RNA, a large cargo insert of 4.2 kb, was expressed from TRBO-HcoCas9 to yield Cas9 protein again at higher levels upon co-expression with P19. Likewise, co-delivery of TRBO-HcoCas9 and TRBO-G-3'gGFP in the presence of P19 also resulted in elevated levels percentages of indels (insertions and deletions). These data also revealed an age-related phenomenon in plants whereby the RNA suppressor P19 had more of an effect in older plants. Lastly, we used a single TRBO vector to express both Cas9 and a sgRNA. Taken together, we suggest that viral RNA suppressors could be used for further optimization of single viral vector delivery of CRISPR gene editing parts.

Study of the in vivo antiviral activity against TMV treated with novel 1-(t-butyl)-5-amino-4-pyrazole derivatives containing a 1,3,4-oxadiazole sulfide moiety

A series of new 1-tert-butyl-5-amino-4-pyrazole bioxadiazole sulfide derivatives containing a 1,3,4-oxadiazole moiety were designed and synthesized. The bioactivity results showed that some title compounds exhibited excellent protective activity against TMV and certain insecticidal activity. Among the tested compounds, the EC₅₀ values of 5d, 5j, 5k and 5l were 165.8, 163.2, 159.7 and 193.1 mg/L, respectively, which are better than the EC₅₀ value of ningnanmycin (271.3 mg/L). The chlorophyll contents and the defense enzyme activities of the tobacco leaves after treatment with 5j were significantly increased, which indicated that this series of title compounds may induce the systemic acquired resistance of host to defend against diseases. Further in vivo protective activity research on 5j using TMV with a GFP gene tag found that it can effectively inhibit the spread of TMV in inoculated tobacco. A morphological study with TEM revealed that title compound 5h can cause a distinct break of the rod-shaped TMV. Moreover, the insecticidal activity revealed that the fatality rates of 5a, 5b and 5m against aphidoidea were 85%, 83% and 87%, respectively, which indicated that the title compounds can effectively block the common carrier of plant viruses, thereby effectively reducing the TMV infection risk of tobacco. This series of synergistic effects provide key information for the research and development of antiviral agents.

Full-Length Infectious Clones of Two New Isolates of Tomato Mosaic Virus Induce Distinct Symptoms Associated with Two Differential Amino Acid Residues in 128-kDa Protein

In 2017, two new tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) isolates were collected from greenhouses in Buyeo, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea. Full-length cDNAs of the new ToMV isolates were cloned into dual cauliflower mosaic virus 35S and T7 promoter-driven vectors, sequenced and their pathogenicities investigated. The nucleotide sequences of isolates GW1 (MH507165) and GW2 (MH507166) were 99% identical, resulting in only two amino acid differences in nonconserved region II and the helicase domain, Ile668Thr and Val834Ile. The two isolates were most closely related to a ToMV isolate from Taiwan (KJ207374). Isolate GW1 (Ile668, Val834) induced a systemic hypersensitive response in Nicotiana benthamiana compared with the isolate GW2, which a single residue substitution showed was due to Val834.

Revisiting the Roles of Tobamovirus Replicase Complex Proteins in Viral Replication and Silencing Suppression

Tobamoviral replicase possesses an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RDR) domain and is translated from genomic (g)RNA via a stop codon readthrough mechanism at a one-to-ten ratio relative to a shorter protein lacking the RDR domain. The two proteins share methyltransferase and helicase domains and form a heterodimer implicated in gRNA replication. The shorter protein is also implicated in suppressing RNA silencing-based antiviral defenses. Using a stop codon mutant of Oilseed rape mosaic tobamovirus (ORMV), we demonstrate that the readthrough replicase (p182) is sufficient for gRNA replication and for subgenomic RNA transcription during systemic infection in Nicotiana benthamiana and Arabidopsis thaliana. However, the mutant virus displays milder symptoms and does not interfere with HEN1-mediated methylation of viral short interfering (si)RNAs or plant small (s)RNAs. The mutant virus tends to revert the stop codon, thereby restoring expression of the shorter protein (p125), even in the absence of plant Dicer-like activities that generate viral siRNAs. Plant RDR activities that generate endogenous siRNA precursors do not prevent replication or movement of the mutant virus, and double-stranded precursors of viral siRNAs representing the entire virus genome are likely synthesized by p182. Transgenic expression of p125 partially recapitulates the ORMV disease symptoms associated with overaccumulation of plant sRNAs. Taken together, the readthrough replicase p182 is sufficient for viral replication and transcription but not for silencing suppression. By contrast, the shorter p125 protein suppresses silencing, provokes severe disease symptoms, causes overaccumulation of unmethylated viral and plant sRNAs but it is not an essential component of the viral replicase complex.

Multiplexed Gene Editing and Protein Overexpression Using a Tobacco mosaic virus Viral Vector

Development of CRISPR/Cas9 transient gene editing screening tools in plant biology has been hindered by difficulty of delivering high quantities of biologically active single guide RNAs (sgRNAs). Furthermore, it has been largely accepted that in vivo generated sgRNAs need to be devoid of extraneous nucleotides, which has limited sgRNA expression by delivery vectors. Here, we increased cellular concentrations of sgRNA by transiently delivering sgRNAs using a Tobacco mosaic virus-derived vector (TRBO) designed with 5' and 3' sgRNA proximal nucleotide-processing capabilities. To demonstrate proof-of-principle, we used the TRBO-sgRNA delivery platform to target GFP in Nicotiana benthamiana (16c) plants, and gene editing was accompanied by loss of GFP expression. Surprisingly, indel (insertions and deletions) percentages averaged nearly 70% within 7 d postinoculation using the TRBO-sgRNA constructs, which retained 5' nucleotide overhangs. In contrast, and in accordance with current models, in vitro Cas9 cleavage assays only edited DNA when 5' sgRNA nucleotide overhangs were removed, suggesting a novel processing mechanism is occurring in planta. Since the Cas9/TRBO-sgRNA platform demonstrated sgRNA flexibility, we targeted the N. benthamiana NbAGO1 paralogs with one sgRNA and also multiplexed two sgRNAs using a single TRBO construct, resulting in indels in three genes. TRBO-mediated expression of an RNA transcript consisting of an sgRNA adjoining a GFP protein coding region produced indels and viral-based GFP overexpression. In conclusion, multiplexed delivery of sgRNAs using the TRBO system offers flexibility for gene expression and editing and uncovered novel aspects of CRISPR/Cas9 biology.

Synergistic infection of BrYV and PEMV 2 increases the accumulations of both BrYV and BrYV-derived siRNAs in Nicotiana benthamiana

Viral synergism is caused by co-infection of two unrelated viruses, leading to more severe symptoms or increased titres of one or both viruses. Synergistic infection of phloem-restricted poleroviruses and umbraviruses has destructive effects on crop plants. The mechanism underlying this synergy remains elusive. In our study, synergism was observed in co-infections of a polerovirus Brassica yellows virus (BrYV) and an umbravirus Pea enation mosaic virus 2 (PEMV 2) on Nicotiana benthamiana, which led to (1) increased titres of BrYV, (2) appearance of severe symptoms, (3) gain of mechanical transmission capacity of BrYV, (4) broader distribution of BrYV to non-vascular tissues. Besides, profiles of virus-derived small interfering RNAs (vsiRNAs) from BrYV and PEMV 2 in singly and doubly infected plants were obtained by small RNA deep sequencing. Our results showed that accumulation of BrYV vsiRNAs increased tremendously and ratio of positive to negative strand BrYV vsiRNAs differed between singly infected and co-infected plants. Positions to which the BrYV vsiRNAs mapped to the viral genome varied considerably during synergistic infection. Moreover, target genes of vsiRNAs were predicted and annotated. Our results revealed the synergistic characteristics during co-infection of BrYV and PEMV 2, and implied possible effects of synergism have on vsiRNAs.

A 3'-end structure in RNA2 of a crinivirus is essential for viral RNA synthesis and contributes to replication-associated translation activity

The terminal ends in the genome of RNA viruses contain features that regulate viral replication and/or translation. We have identified a Y-shaped structure (YSS) in the 3' terminal regions of the bipartite genome of Lettuce chlorosis virus (LCV), a member in the genus Crinivirus (family Closteroviridae). The YSS is the first in this family of viruses to be determined using Selective 2'-Hydroxyl Acylation Analyzed by Primer Extension (SHAPE). Using luciferase constructs/replicons, in vivo and in vitro assays showed that the 5' and YSS-containing 3' terminal regions of LCV RNA1 supported translation activity. In contrast, similar regions from LCV RNA2, including those upstream of the YSS, did not. LCV RNA2 mutants with nucleotide deletions or replacements that affected the YSS were replication deficient. In addition, the YSS of LCV RNA1 and RNA2 were interchangeable without affecting viral RNA synthesis. Translation and significant replication were observed for specific LCV RNA2 replicons only in the presence of LCV RNA1, but both processes were impaired when the YSS and/or its upstream region were incomplete or altered. These results are evidence that the YSS is essential to the viral replication machinery, and contributes to replication enhancement and replication-associated translation activity in the RNA2 replicons.

TMV mutants with poly(A) tracts of different lengths demonstrate structural variations in 3'UTR affecting viral RNAs accumulation and symptom expression

The upstream pseudoknots domain (UPD) of Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) is located at the 3'-untranslated region (UTR). It plays an important role in virus replication and translation. To determine the importance of UPD and 3'-UTR, and the effects of introduced RNA elements in TMV 3'-UTR, a series of TMV mutants with internal poly(A) tract upstream of UPD was constructed for structural analysis by selective 2'-hydroxyl acylation analyzed by primer extension (SHAPE). TMV(24A+UPD) and TMV(42A+UPD) formed a similar structure as that of TMV 3'-UTR, but TMV(62A+UPD) structures altered by the introduced poly(A) tract. In addition, TMV(24A+UPD) had a higher viral RNAs accumulation than TMV in N. benthamiana protoplasts, and induced lethal symptoms in the infected plants. TMV(62A+UPD) showed a drastically reduced accumulation, its coat protein was undetectable in protoplasts, and the inoculated plants remained symptomless. This study analyzed the structures of 3'-UTR of TMV and found that the longer poly(A) tract introduced upstream of UPD reduced viral RNAs accumulation and induced milder symptoms in N. benthamiana. In conclusion, different lengths of the internal poly(A) tract introduced into the TMV 3'UTR lead to structural variations that affect virus accumulation and symptom expression.

A design principle for a single-stranded RNA genome that replicates with less double-strand formation

Single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) is the simplest form of genetic molecule and constitutes the genome in some viruses and presumably in primitive life-forms. However, an innate and unsolved problem regarding the ssRNA genome is formation of inactive double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) during replication. Here, we addressed this problem by focusing on the secondary structure. We systematically designed RNAs with various structures and observed dsRNA formation during replication using an RNA replicase (Qβ replicase). From the results, we extracted a simple rule regarding ssRNA genome replication with less dsRNA formation (less GC number in loops) and then designed an artificial RNA that encodes a domain of the β-galactosidase gene based on this rule. We also obtained evidence that this rule governs the natural genomes of all bacterial and most fungal viruses presently known. This study revealed one of the structural design principles of an ssRNA genome that replicates continuously with less dsRNA formation.

Replication protein of tobacco mosaic virus cotranslationally binds the 5' untranslated region of genomic RNA to enable viral replication

Genomic RNA of positive-strand RNA viruses replicate via complementary (i.e., negative-strand) RNA in membrane-bound replication complexes. Before replication complex formation, virus-encoded replication proteins specifically recognize genomic RNA molecules and recruit them to sites of replication. Moreover, in many of these viruses, selection of replication templates by the replication proteins occurs preferentially in cis. This property is advantageous to the viruses in several aspects of viral replication and evolution, but the underlying molecular mechanisms have not been characterized. Here, we used an in vitro translation system to show that a 126-kDa replication protein of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), a positive-strand RNA virus, binds a 5'-terminal ∼70-nucleotide region of TMV RNA cotranslationally, but not posttranslationally. TMV mutants that carried nucleotide changes in the 5'-terminal region and showed a defect in the binding were unable to synthesize negative-strand RNA, indicating that this binding is essential for template selection. A C-terminally truncated 126-kDa protein, but not the full-length 126-kDa protein, was able to posttranslationally bind TMV RNA in vitro, suggesting that binding of the 126-kDa protein to the 70-nucleotide region occurs during translation and before synthesis of the C-terminal inhibitory domain. We also show that binding of the 126-kDa protein prevents further translation of the bound TMV RNA. These data provide a mechanistic explanation of how the 126-kDa protein selects replication templates in cis and how fatal collision between translating ribosomes and negative-strand RNA-synthesizing polymerases on the genomic RNA is avoided.

Presence of poly(A) and poly(A)-rich tails in a positive-strand RNA virus known to lack 3׳ poly(A) tails

Here we show that Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), a positive-strand RNA virus known to end with 3׳ tRNA-like structures, does possess a small fraction of gRNA bearing polyadenylate tails. Particularly, many tails are at sites corresponding to the 3׳ end of near full length gRNA, and are composed of poly(A)-rich sequences containing the other nucleotides in addition to adenosine, resembling the degradation-stimulating poly(A) tails observed in all biological kingdoms. Further investigations demonstrate that these polyadenylated RNA species are not enriched in chloroplasts. Silencing of cpPNPase, a chloroplast-localized polynucleotide polymerase known to not only polymerize the poly(A)-rich tails but act as a 3׳ to 5׳ exoribonuclease, does not change the profile of polyadenylate tails associated with TMV RNA. Nevertheless, because similar tails were also detected in other phylogenetically distinct positive-strand RNA viruses lacking poly(A) tails, such kind of polyadenylation may reflect a common but as-yet-unknown interface between hosts and viruses.

Fine mapping of the tomato yellow leaf curl virus resistance gene Ty-2 on chromosome 11 of tomato

Resistances to begomoviruses, including bipartite tomato mottle virus and monopartite tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), have been introgressed to cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) from wild tomato accessions. A major gene, Ty-2 from S. habrochaites f. glabratum accession "B6013," that confers resistance to TYLCV was previously mapped to a 19-cM region on the long arm of chromosome 11. In the present study, approximately 11,000 plants were screened and nearly 157 recombination events were identified between the flanking markers C2_At1g07960 (82.5 cM, physical distance 51.387 Mb) and T0302 (89 cM, 51.878 Mb). Molecular marker analysis of recombinants and TYLCV evaluation of progeny from these recombinants localized Ty-2 to an approximately 300,000-bp interval between markers UP8 (51.344 Mb) and M1 (51.645 Mb). No recombinants were identified between TG36 and C2_At3g52090, a region of at least 115 kb, indicating severe recombination suppression in this region. Due to the small interval, fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis failed to clarify whether recombination suppression is caused by chromosomal rearrangements. Candidate genes predicted based on tomato genome annotation were analyzed by RT-PCR and virus-induced gene silencing. Results indicate that the NBS gene family present in the Ty-2 region is likely not responsible for the Ty-2-conferred resistance and that two candidate genes might play a role in the Ty-2-conferred resistance. Several markers very tightly linked to the Ty-2 locus are presented and useful for marker-assisted selection in breeding programs to introgress Ty-2 for begomovirus resistance.

Template role of double-stranded RNA in tombusvirus replication

Replication of plus-strand RNA [(+)RNA] viruses of plants is a relatively simple process that involves complementary minus-strand RNA [(-)RNA] synthesis and subsequent (+)RNA synthesis. However, the actual replicative form of the (-)RNA template in the case of plant (+)RNA viruses is not yet established unambiguously. In this paper, using a cell-free replication assay supporting a full cycle of viral replication, we show that replication of Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) leads to the formation of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). Using RNase digestion, DNAzyme, and RNA mobility shift assays, we demonstrate the absence of naked (-)RNA templates during replication. Time course experiments showed the rapid appearance of dsRNA earlier than the bulk production of new (+)RNAs, suggesting an active role for dsRNA in replication. Radioactive nucleotide chase experiments showed that the mechanism of TBSV replication involves the use of dsRNA templates in strand displacement reactions, where the newly synthesized plus strand replaces the original (+)RNA in the dsRNA. We propose that the use of dsRNA as a template for (+)RNA synthesis by the viral replicase is facilitated by recruited host DEAD box helicases and the viral p33 RNA chaperone protein. Altogether, this replication strategy allows TBSV to separate minus- and plus-strand syntheses in time and regulate asymmetrical RNA replication that leads to abundant (+)RNA progeny.

IMPORTANCE

Positive-stranded RNA viruses of plants use their RNAs as the templates for replication. First, the minus strand is synthesized by the viral replicase complex (VRC), which then serves as a template for new plus-strand synthesis. To characterize the nature of the (-)RNA in the membrane-bound viral replicase, we performed complete RNA replication of Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) in yeast cell-free extracts and in plant extracts. The experiments demonstrated that the TBSV (-)RNA is present as a double-stranded RNA that serves as the template for TBSV replication. During the production of new plus strands, the viral replicase displaces the old plus strand in the dsRNA template, leading to asymmetrical RNA synthesis. The presented data are in agreement with the model that the dsRNA is present in nuclease-resistant membranous VRCs. This strategy likely allows TBSV to protect the replicating viral RNA from degradation as well as to evade the early detection of viral dsRNAs by the host surveillance system.

Fine mapping of the tomato yellow leaf curl virus resistance gene Ty-2 on chromosome 11 of tomato

Resistances to begomoviruses, including bipartite tomato mottle virus and monopartite tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), have been introgressed to cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) from wild tomato accessions. A major gene, Ty-2 from S. habrochaites f. glabratum accession "B6013," that confers resistance to TYLCV was previously mapped to a 19-cM region on the long arm of chromosome 11. In the present study, approximately 11,000 plants were screened and nearly 157 recombination events were identified between the flanking markers C2_At1g07960 (82.5 cM, physical distance 51.387 Mb) and T0302 (89 cM, 51.878 Mb). Molecular marker analysis of recombinants and TYLCV evaluation of progeny from these recombinants localized Ty-2 to an approximately 300,000-bp interval between markers UP8 (51.344 Mb) and M1 (51.645 Mb). No recombinants were identified between TG36 and C2_At3g52090, a region of at least 115 kb, indicating severe recombination suppression in this region. Due to the small interval, fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis failed to clarify whether recombination suppression is caused by chromosomal rearrangements. Candidate genes predicted based on tomato genome annotation were analyzed by RT-PCR and virus-induced gene silencing. Results indicate that the NBS gene family present in the Ty-2 region is likely not responsible for the Ty-2-conferred resistance and that two candidate genes might play a role in the Ty-2-conferred resistance. Several markers very tightly linked to the Ty-2 locus are presented and useful for marker-assisted selection in breeding programs to introgress Ty-2 for begomovirus resistance.

Replication of Plant Viruses

Viruses replicate using both their own genetic information and host cell components and machinery. The different genome types have different replication pathways which contain controls on linking the process with translation and movement around the cell as well as not compromising the infected cell. This chapter discusses the replication mechanisms, faults in replication and replication of viruses co-infecting cells.

Viruses replicate using both their own genetic information and host cell components and machinery. The different genome types have different replication pathways which contain controls on linking the process with translation and movement around the cell as well as not compromising the infected cell. This chapter discusses the replication mechanisms, faults in replication and replication of viruses coinfecting cells.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of the inhibitory domain of the tomato mosaic virus resistance protein Tm-1

Tm-1, an inhibitor protein of Tomato mosaic virus RNA replication, contains two conserved domains: an uncharacterized domain at its N-terminus and a TIM-barrel-like domain at its C-terminus. The N-terminal domain of Tm-1 has an inhibitory activity and its three-dimensional structure has not been determined. Here, the crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction of the N-terminal domain of Tm-1 are reported. A three-wavelength MAD data set was collected from a selenomethionine-labelled crystal and processed to 2.7 Å resolution. The crystal belonged to the triclinic space group P1, with unit-cell parameters a = 77.97, b = 105.28, c = 110.62 Å, α = 94.6, β = 109.3, γ = 108.0°.

Crystal structure of the superfamily 1 helicase from Tomato mosaic virus

The genomes of the Tomato mosaic virus and many other plant and animal positive-strand RNA viruses of agronomic and medical importance encode superfamily 1 helicases. Although helicases play important roles in viral replication, the crystal structures of viral superfamily 1 helicases have not been determined. Here, we report the crystal structure of a fragment (S666 to Q1116) of the replication protein from Tomato mosaic virus. The structure reveals a novel N-terminal domain tightly associated with a helicase core. The helicase core contains two RecA-like α/β domains without any of the accessory domain insertions that are found in other superfamily 1 helicases. The N-terminal domain contains a flexible loop, a long α-helix, and an antiparallel six-stranded β-sheet. On the basis of the structure, we constructed deletion mutants of the S666-to-Q1116 fragment and performed split-ubiquitin-based interaction assays in Saccharomyces cerevisiae with TOM1 and ARL8, host proteins that are essential for tomato mosaic virus RNA replication. The results suggested that both TOM1 and ARL8 interact with the long α-helix in the N-terminal domain and that TOM1 also interacts with the helicase core. Prediction of secondary structures in other viral superfamily 1 helicases and comparison of those structures with the S666-to-Q1116 structure suggested that these helicases have a similar fold. Our results provide a structural basis of viral superfamily 1 helicases.

The invasion of tobacco mosaic virus RNA induces endoplasmic reticulum stress-related autophagy in HeLa cells

The ability of human cells to defend against viruses originating from distant species has long been ignored. Owing to the pressure of natural evolution and human exploration, some of these viruses may be able to invade human beings. If their ‘fresh’ host had no defences, the viruses could cause a serious pandemic, as seen with HIV, SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and avian influenza virus that originated from chimpanzees, the common palm civet and birds, respectively. It is unknown whether the human immune system could tolerate invasion with a plant virus. To model such an alien virus invasion, we chose TMV (tobacco mosaic virus) and used human epithelial carcinoma cells (HeLa cells) as its ‘fresh’ host. We established a reliable system for transfecting TMV-RNA into HeLa cells and found that TMV-RNA triggered autophagy in HeLa cells as shown by the appearance of autophagic vacuoles, the conversion of LC3-I (light chain protein 3-I) to LC3-II, the up-regulated expression of Beclin1 and the accumulation of TMV protein on autophagosomal membranes. We observed suspected TMV virions in HeLa cells by TEM (transmission electron microscopy). Furthermore, we found that TMV-RNA was translated into CP (coat protein) in the ER (endoplasmic reticulum) and that TMV-positive RNA translocated from the cytoplasm to the nucleolus. Finally, we detected greatly increased expression of GRP78 (78 kDa glucose-regulated protein), a typical marker of ERS (ER stress) and found that the formation of autophagosomes was closely related to the expanded ER membrane. Taken together, our data indicate that HeLa cells used ERS and ERS-related autophagy to defend against TMV-RNA.

Expression of dominant-negative mutants to study host factors affecting plant virus infections

Our increasing understanding of virus-host interactions is revealing a complex role for host factors during virus replication. Besides the role of some host proteins in defense against viruses, it is becoming clear that viruses also hijack several host functions to utilize them for their multiplication. Genome-wide screens using high-throughput methods are being conducted to identify most of the host factors affecting virus replication in a number of host-virus systems. For selected plant viruses, such as bromo- and tombusviruses, yeast has been developed as a model host, thus greatly accelerating genome-wide systematic approaches to identify critical host factors of virus multiplication. In plants, gene knock out T-DNA libraries and virus-induced RNA silencing, among other strategies, can be utilized to identify and characterize host factors involved in virus replication. An additional strategy to study the role of host factors is the use of dominant-negative (DN) mutants, which are mutant versions of host proteins capable of interfering with the function of the wild-type protein without the need of knocking out the given gene from the chromosome. This method allows one to study the relevance of host factors for virus replication in wild-type plants and may overcome some limitations of other methods. Here, we provide guidelines to the use of a DN mutant strategy for the study of host factors and compare the advantages and limitations with other methods. The use of more diverse methods to study gene function in plants is increasing the probability of successfully identifying and characterizing host factors affecting virus replication in plant systems.

Robust production of virus-like particles and monoclonal antibodies with geminiviral replicon vectors in lettuce

Pharmaceutical protein production in plants has been greatly promoted by the development of viral-based vectors and transient expression systems. Tobacco and related Nicotiana species are currently the most common host plants for the generation of plant-made pharmaceutical proteins (PMPs). Downstream processing of target PMPs from these plants, however, is hindered by potential technical and regulatory difficulties owing to the presence of high levels of phenolics and toxic alkaloids. Here, we explored the use of lettuce, which grows quickly yet produces low levels of secondary metabolites and viral vector-based transient expression systems to develop a robust PMP production platform. Our results showed that a geminiviral replicon system based on the bean yellow dwarf virus permits high-level expression in lettuce of virus-like particles (VLP) derived from the Norwalk virus capsid protein and therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against Ebola and West Nile viruses. These vaccine and therapeutic candidates can be readily purified from lettuce leaves with scalable processing methods while fully retaining functional activity. Furthermore, this study also demonstrated the feasibility of using commercially produced lettuce for high-level PMP production. This allows our production system to have access to unlimited quantities of inexpensive plant material for large-scale production. These results establish a new production platform for biological pharmaceutical agents that are effective, safe, low cost, and amenable to large-scale manufacturing.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of a helicase-like domain from a tomato mosaic virus replication protein

Tomato mosaic virus belongs to the genus Tobamovirus in the alphavirus-like superfamily of positive-strand RNA viruses. The alphavirus-like superfamily includes many plant and animal viruses of agronomical and clinical importance. These viruses encode replication-associated proteins that contain a putative superfamily 1 helicase domain. No three-dimensional structures for this domain have been determined to date. Here, the crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of the 130K helicase domain are reported. Diffraction data were collected and processed to 2.05 and 1.75 Å resolution from native and selenomethionine-labelled crystals, respectively. The crystals belonged to the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 85.8, b = 128.3, c = 40.7 Å.

Expression, purification, and functional characterization of a stable helicase domain from a tomato mosaic virus replication protein

Tomato mosaic virus (genus, Tobamovirus) is a member of the alphavirus-like superfamily of positive-strand RNA viruses, which include many plant and animal viruses of agronomical and clinical importance. The RNA of alphavirus-like superfamily members encodes replication-associated proteins that contain a putative superfamily 1 helicase domain. To date, a viral three-dimensional superfamily 1 helicase structure has not been solved. For the study reported herein, we expressed tomato mosaic virus replication proteins that contain the putative helicase domain and additional upstream N-terminal residues in Escherichia coli. We found that an additional 155 residues upstream of the N-terminus of the helicase domain were necessary for stability. We developed an efficient procedure for the expression and purification of this fragment and have examined factors that affect its stability. Finally, we also showed that the stable fragment has nucleoside 5'-triphosphatase activity.

Specific impact of tobamovirus infection on the Arabidopsis small RNA profile

Tobamoviruses encode a silencing suppressor that binds small RNA (sRNA) duplexes in vitro and supposedly in vivo to counteract antiviral silencing. Here, we used sRNA deep-sequencing combined with transcriptome profiling to determine the global impact of tobamovirus infection on Arabidopsis sRNAs and their mRNA targets. We found that infection of Arabidopsis plants with Oilseed rape mosaic tobamovirus causes a global size-specific enrichment of miRNAs, ta-siRNAs, and other phased siRNAs. The observed patterns of sRNA enrichment suggest that in addition to a role of the viral silencing suppressor, the stabilization of sRNAs might also occur through association with unknown host effector complexes induced upon infection. Indeed, sRNA enrichment concerns primarily 21-nucleotide RNAs with a 5'-terminal guanine. Interestingly, ORMV infection also leads to accumulation of novel miRNA-like sRNAs from miRNA precursors. Thus, in addition to canonical miRNAs and miRNA*s, miRNA precursors can encode additional sRNAs that may be functional under specific conditions like pathogen infection. Virus-induced sRNA enrichment does not correlate with defects in miRNA-dependent ta-siRNA biogenesis nor with global changes in the levels of mRNA and ta-siRNA targets suggesting that the enriched sRNAs may not be able to significantly contribute to the normal activity of pre-loaded RISC complexes. We conclude that tobamovirus infection induces the stabilization of a specific sRNA pool by yet unknown effector complexes. These complexes may sequester viral and host sRNAs to engage them in yet unknown mechanisms involved in plant:virus interactions.

The Functions of RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerases in Arabidopsis

One recently identified mechanism that regulates mRNA abundance is RNA silencing, and pioneering work in Arabidopsis thaliana and other genetic model organisms helped define this process. RNA silencing pathways are triggered by either self-complementary fold-back structures or the production of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) that gives rise to small RNAs (smRNAs) known as microRNAs (miRNAs) or small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs). These smRNAs direct sequence-specific regulation of various gene transcripts, repetitive sequences, viruses, and mobile elements via RNA cleavage, translational inhibition, or transcriptional silencing through DNA methylation and heterochromatin formation. Early genetic screens in Arabidopsis were instrumental in uncovering numerous proteins required for these important regulatory pathways. Among the factors identified by these studies were RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RDRs), which are proteins that synthesize siRNA-producing dsRNA molecules using a single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) molecule as a template. Recently, a growing body of evidence has implicated RDR-dependent RNA silencing in many different aspects of plant biology ranging from reproductive development to pathogen resistance. Here, we focus on the specific functions of the six Arabidopsis RDRs in RNA silencing, their ssRNA substrates and resulting RDR-dependent smRNAs, and the numerous biological functions of these proteins in plant development and stress responses.

Cellular pathways for viral transport through plasmodesmata

Plant viruses use plasmodesmata (PD) to spread infection between cells and systemically. Dependent on viral species, movement through PD can occur in virion or non-virion form, and requires different mechanisms for targeting and modification of the pore. These mechanisms are supported by viral movement proteins and by other virus-encoded factors that interact among themselves and with plant cellular components to facilitate virus movement in a coordinated and regulated fashion.

Translation elongation factor 1A facilitates the assembly of the tombusvirus replicase and stimulates minus-strand synthesis

Replication of plus-strand RNA viruses depends on host factors that are recruited into viral replicase complexes. Previous studies showed that eukaryotic translation elongation factor (eEF1A) is one of the resident host proteins in the highly purified tombusvirus replicase complex. Using a random library of eEF1A mutants, we identified one mutant that decreased and three mutants that increased Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) replication in a yeast model host. Additional in vitro assays with whole cell extracts prepared from yeast strains expressing the eEF1A mutants demonstrated several functions for eEF1A in TBSV replication: facilitating the recruitment of the viral RNA template into the replicase complex; the assembly of the viral replicase complex; and enhancement of the minus-strand synthesis by promoting the initiation step. These roles for eEF1A are separate from its canonical role in host and viral protein translation, emphasizing critical functions for this abundant cellular protein during TBSV replication.

Plus-stranded RNA viruses are important pathogens of plants, animals and humans. They replicate in the infected cells by assembling viral replicase complexes consisting of viral- and host-coded proteins. In this paper, we show that the eukaryotic translation elongation factor (eEF1A), which is one of the resident host proteins in the highly purified tombusvirus replicase complex, is important for Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) replication in a yeast model host. Based on a random library of eEF1A mutants, we identified eEF1A mutants that either decreased or increased TBSV replication. In vitro studies revealed that eEF1A facilitated the recruitment of the viral RNA template for replication and the assembly of the viral replicase complex, as well as eEF1A enhanced viral RNA synthesis in vitro. Altogether, this study demonstrates that eEF1A has several functions during TBSV replication.

Helicase ATPase activity of the Tobacco mosaic virus 126-kDa protein modulates replicase complex assembly

Mutations disrupting helicase domain motifs of the Tobacco mosaic virus 126/183-kDa proteins were investigated for their effect on replicase function and assembly. These mutations inhibited virus replication but did not affect 126-kDa induced N gene resistance or RNAi suppression. However, in vivo expressed 126-kDa motif mutants yielded two distinct cytoplasmic phenotypes that correlated with ATPase activity. Specifically, ATPase active 126-kDa proteins produced small cytoplasmic bodies that resembled the ovoid granular-like bodies found early in virus infection while 126-kDa proteins defective in ATPase activity produced large tubule containing cytoplasmic bodies similar to those observed late in infection. Additional studies indicate that the helicase ATPase activity resides predominantly within monomer and dimer helicase forms and that motifs affecting ATPase activity induce alterations in helicase assembly. Combined these findings indicate that helicase ATPase activity modulates the progression of replicase complex assembly and maturation.

Genome packaging in viruses

Genome packaging is a fundamental process in a viral life cycle. Many viruses assemble preformed capsids into which the genomic material is subsequently packaged. These viruses use a packaging motor protein that is driven by the hydrolysis of ATP to condense the nucleic acids into a confined space. How these motor proteins package viral genomes had been poorly understood until recently, when a few X-ray crystal structures and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures became available. Here we discuss various aspects of genome packaging and compare the mechanisms proposed for packaging motors on the basis of structural information.

Analysis of potato virus X replicase and TGBp3 subcellular locations

Potato virus X (PVX) infection leads to certain cytopathological modifications of the host endomembrane system. The subcellular location of the PVX replicase was previously unknown while the PVX TGBp3 protein was previously reported to reside in the ER. Using PVX infectious clones expressing the green fluorescent protein reporter, and antisera detecting the PVX replicase and host membrane markers, we examined the subcellular distribution of the PVX replicase in relation to the TGBp3. Confocal and electron microscopic observations revealed that the replicase localizes in membrane bound structures that derive from the ER. A subset of TGBp3 resides in the ER at the same location as the replicase. Sucrose gradient fractionation showed that the PVX replicase and TGBp3 proteins co-fractionate with ER marker proteins. This localization represents a region where both proteins may be synthesized and/or function. There is no evidence to indicate that either PVX protein moves into the Golgi apparatus. Cerulenin, a drug that inhibits de novo membrane synthesis, also inhibited PVX replication. These combined data indicate that PVX replication relies on ER-derived membrane recruitment and membrane proliferation.

The 5' cap of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) is required for virion attachment to the actin/endoplasmic reticulum network during early infection

Almost nothing is known of the earliest stages of plant virus infections. To address this, we microinjected Cy3 (UTP)-labelled tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) into living tobacco trichome cells. The Cy3-virions were infectious, and the viral genome trafficked from cell to cell. However, neither the fluorescent vRNA pool nor the co-injected green fluorescent protein (GFP) left the injected trichome, indicating that the synthesis of (unlabelled) progeny viral (v)RNA is required to initiate cell-to-cell movement, and that virus movement is not accompanied by passive plasmodesmatal gating. Cy3-vRNA formed granules that became anchored to the motile cortical actin/endoplasmic reticulum (ER) network within minutes of injection. Granule movement on actin/ER was arrested by actin inhibitors indicating actin-dependent RNA movement. The 5' methylguanosine cap was shown to be required for vRNA anchoring to the actin/ER. TMV vRNA lacking the 5' cap failed to form granules and was degraded in the cytoplasm. Removal of the 3' untranslated region or replicase both inhibited replication but did not prevent granule formation and movement. Dual-labelled TMV virions in which the vRNA and the coat protein were highlighted with different fluorophores showed that both fluorescent signals were initially located on the same ER-bound granules, indicating that TMV virions may become attached to the ER prior to uncoating of the viral genome.

Small RNA deep sequencing reveals role for Arabidopsis thaliana RNA-dependent RNA polymerases in viral siRNA biogenesis

RNA silencing functions as an important antiviral defense mechanism in a broad range of eukaryotes. In plants, biogenesis of several classes of endogenous small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) requires RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase (RDR) activities. Members of the RDR family proteins, including RDR1and RDR6, have also been implicated in antiviral defense, although a direct role for RDRs in viral siRNA biogenesis has yet to be demonstrated. Using a crucifer-infecting strain of Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV-Cg) and Arabidopsis thaliana as a model system, we analyzed the viral small RNA profile in wild-type plants as well as rdr mutants by applying small RNA deep sequencing technology. Over 100,000 TMV-Cg-specific small RNA reads, mostly of 21- (78.4%) and 22-nucleotide (12.9%) in size and originating predominately (79.9%) from the genomic sense RNA strand, were captured at an early infection stage, yielding the first high-resolution small RNA map for a plant virus. The TMV-Cg genome harbored multiple, highly reproducible small RNA-generating hot spots that corresponded to regions with no apparent local hairpin-forming capacity. Significantly, both the rdr1 and rdr6 mutants exhibited globally reduced levels of viral small RNA production as well as reduced strand bias in viral small RNA population, revealing an important role for these host RDRs in viral siRNA biogenesis. In addition, an informatics analysis showed that a large set of host genes could be potentially targeted by TMV-Cg-derived siRNAs for posttranscriptional silencing. Two of such predicted host targets, which encode a cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor (CPSF30) and an unknown protein similar to translocon-associated protein alpha (TRAP α), respectively, yielded a positive result in cleavage validation by 5′RACE assays. Our data raised the interesting possibility for viral siRNA-mediated virus-host interactions that may contribute to viral pathogenicity and host specificity.

Single amino acid substitution in the methyltransferase domain of Paprika mild mottle virus replicase proteins confers the ability to overcome the high temperature-dependent Hk gene-mediated resistance in Capsicum plants

Capsicum plants harboring the Hk gene (Hk) show resistance to Paprika mild mottle virus (PaMMV) at 32 degrees C but not 24 degrees C. To identify the viral elicitor that activates the Hk-mediated resistance, several chimeric viral genomes were constructed between PaMMV and Tobacco mosaic virus-L. Infection patterns of these chimeric viruses in Hk-harboring plants revealed responsibility of PaMMV replicase genes for activation of the Hk-mediated resistance. The comparison of nucleotide sequence of replicase genes between PaMMV and PaHk1, an Hk-resistance-breaking strain of PaMMV, revealed that the adenine-to-uracil substitution at the nucleotide position 721 causes an amino acid change from threonine to serine at the 241st residue in the methyltransferase domain. Introduction of the A721U mutation into the replicase genes of parental PaMMV overcame the Hk resistance at 32 degrees C. The results indicate that Hk-mediated resistance is induced by PaMMV replicase proteins and that methyltransferase domain has a role in this elicitation.

Translation elongation factor 1A is a component of the tombusvirus replicase complex and affects the stability of the p33 replication co-factor

Host RNA-binding proteins are likely to play multiple, integral roles during replication of plus-strand RNA viruses. To identify host proteins that bind to viral RNAs, we took a global approach based on the yeast proteome microarray, which contains 4080 purified yeast proteins. The biotin-labeled RNA probes included two distantly related RNA viruses, namely Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) and Brome mosaic virus (BMV). Altogether, we have identified 57 yeast proteins that bound to TBSV RNA and/or BMV RNA. Among the identified host proteins, eleven bound to TBSV RNA and seven bound to BMV RNA with high selectivity, whereas the remaining 39 host proteins bound to both viral RNAs. The interaction between the TBSV replicon RNA and five of the identified host proteins was confirmed via gel-mobility shift and co-purification experiments from yeast. Over-expression of the host proteins in yeast, a model host for TBSV, revealed 4 host proteins that enhanced TBSV replication as well as 14 proteins that inhibited replication. Detailed analysis of one of the identified yeast proteins binding to TBSV RNA, namely translation elongation factor eEF1A, revealed that it is present in the highly purified tombusvirus replicase complex. We also demonstrate binding of eEF1A to the p33 replication protein and a known cis-acting element at the 3' end of TBSV RNA. Using a functional mutant of eEF1A, we provide evidence on the involvement of eEF1A in TBSV replication.

Host Factors Promoting Viral RNA Replication

Plus-stranded RNA viruses, the largest group among eukaryotic viruses, are capable of reprogramming host cells by subverting host proteins and membranes, by co-opting and modulating protein and ribonucleoprotein complexes, and by altering cellular pathways during infection. To achieve robust replication, plus-stranded RNA viruses interact with numerous cellular molecules via protein–protein, RNA–protein, and protein–lipid interactions using molecular mimicry and other means. These interactions lead to the transformation of the host cells into viral “factories" that can produce 10,000–1,000,000 progeny RNAs per infected cell. This chapter presents the progress that was made largely in the last 15 years in understanding virus–host interactions during RNA virus replication. The most commonly employed approaches to identify host factors that affect plus-stranded RNA virus replication are described. In addition, we discuss many of the identified host factors and their proposed roles in RNA virus replication. Altogether, host factors are key determinants of the host range of a given virus and affect virus pathology, host–virus interactions, as well as virus evolution. Studies on host factors also contribute insights into their normal cellular functions, thus promoting understanding of the basic biology of the host cell. The knowledge obtained in this fast-progressing area will likely stimulate the development of new antiviral methods as well as novel strategies that could make plus-stranded RNA viruses useful in bio- and nanotechnology.

Analysis of tobamovirus multiplication in Arabidopsis thaliana mutants defective in TOM2A homologues

The TOM2A gene of Arabidopsis thaliana encodes a four-pass transmembrane protein that is required for efficient multiplication of a tobamovirus, TMV-Cg. In this study, the involvement of three TOM2A homologues in tobamovirus multiplication in A. thaliana was examined. T-DNA insertion mutations in the three homologues, separately or in combination, did not affect TMV-Cg multiplication, whereas, in the tom2a genetic background, some combinations reduced it. This result suggests that the TOM2A homologues are functional in enhancing TMV-Cg multiplication, but their contribution is much less than TOM2A. Interestingly, the multiplication of another tobamovirus, Tomato mosaic virus, was not drastically affected by any combinations of the mutations in TOM2A and its homologues as far as we examined.

RNA encapsidation assay

Analysis of viral RNA encapsidation assay provides a rapid means of assaying which of the progeny RNA are competent for packaging into stable mature virions. Generally, a parallel analysis of total RNA and RNA obtained from purified virions is advisable for accurate interpretation of the results. In this, we describe a series of in vivo assays in which viral RNA encapsidation can be verified. These include whole plants inoculated either mechanically or by Agroinfiltration and protoplasts. The encapsidation assay described here is for an extensively studied plant RNA virus, brome mosaic virus, and can be reliably applied to other viral systems as well as with appropriate buffers. In principle, the encapsidation assay requires purification of virions from either symptomatic leaves or transfected plant protoplasts followed by RNA isolation. The procedure involves grinding the infected tissue in an appropriate buffer followed by a low speed centrifugation step to remove the cell debris. The supernatant is then emulsified with an organic solvent such as chloroform to remove chlorophyll and cellular material. After a low seed centrifugation, the supernatant is subjected to high speed centrifugation to concentrate the virus as a pellet. Depending on the purity required, the partially purified virus preparation is further subjected to sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Following purification of virions, encapsidated RNA is isolated using standard phenol-chloroform extraction procedure. An important step in the encapsidation assay is the comparative analysis of total and virion RNA preparations by Northern hybridization. This would allow the investigator to compare the number of progeny RNA components synthesized during replication vs. encapsidation. Northern blots are normally hybridized with radioactively labeled RNA probes (riboprobes) for specific and sensitive detection of desired RNA species.

Multiple roles of viral replication proteins in plant RNA virus replication

Identification of the roles of replication factors represents one of the major frontiers in current virus research. Among plant viruses, the positive-stranded (+) RNA viruses are the largest group and the most widespread. The central step in the infection cycles of (+) RNA viruses is RNA replication, which leads to rapid production of huge number of viral (+) RNA progeny in the infected plant cells. The RNA replication process is carried out by the virus-specific replicase complex consisting of viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, one or more auxiliary viral replication proteins, and host factors, which assemble in specialized membranous compartments in infected cells. Replication is followed by cell-to-cell and long-distance movement to invade the entire plant and/or encapsidation to facilitate transmission to new plants. This chapter provides an overview of our current understanding of the role of viral replication proteins during genome replication. The recent significant progress in this research area is based on development of powerful in vivo and in vitro approaches, including replicase assays, reverse genetic approaches, intracelular localization studies and the use of plant or yeast model hosts.

Subcellular targeting and interactions among the Potato virus X TGB proteins

Potato virus X (PVX) encodes three proteins named TGBp1, TGBp2, and TGBp3 which are required for virus cell-to-cell movement. To determine whether PVX TGB proteins interact during virus cell-cell movement, GFP was fused to each TGB coding sequence within the viral genome. Confocal microscopy was used to study subcellular accumulation of each protein in virus-infected plants and protoplasts. GFP:TGBp2 and TGBp3:GFP were both seen in the ER, ER-associated granular vesicles, and perinuclear X-bodies suggesting that these proteins interact in the same subdomains of the endomembrane network. When plasmids expressing CFP:TGBp2 and TGBp3:GFP were co-delivered to tobacco leaf epidermal cells, the fluorescent signals overlapped in ER-associated granular vesicles indicating that these proteins colocalize in this subcellular compartment. GFP:TGBp1 was seen in the nucleus, cytoplasm, rod-like inclusion bodies, and in punctate sites embedded in the cell wall. The puncta were reminiscent of previous reports showing viral proteins in plasmodesmata. Experiments using CFP:TGBp1 and YFP:TGBp2 or TGBp3:GFP showed CFP:TGBp1 remained in the cytoplasm surrounding the endomembrane network. There was no evidence that the granular vesicles contained TGBp1. Yeast two hybrid experiments showed TGBp1 self associates but failed to detect interactions between TGBp1 and TGBp2 or TGBp3. These experiments indicate that the PVX TGB proteins have complex subcellular accumulation patterns and likely cooperate across subcellular compartments to promote virus infection.

Identification of a ribonucleoprotein intermediate of tomato mosaic virus RNA replication complex formation

The replication of eukaryotic positive-strand RNA virus genomes occurs in the membrane-bound RNA replication complexes. Previously, we found that the extract of evacuolated tobacco BY-2 protoplasts (BYL) is capable of supporting the translation and subsequent replication of the genomic RNAs of plant positive-strand RNA viruses, including Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV). Here, to dissect the process that precedes the formation of ToMV RNA replication complexes, we prepared membrane-depleted BYL (mdBYL), in which the membranes were removed by centrifugation. In mdBYL, ToMV RNA was translated to produce the 130-kDa and 180-kDa replication proteins, but the synthesis of any ToMV-related RNAs did not occur. When BYL membranes were added back to the ToMV RNA-translated mdBYL after the termination of translation with puromycin, ToMV RNA was replicated. Using a replication-competent ToMV derivative that encodes the FLAG-tagged 180-kDa replication protein, it was shown by affinity purification that a complex that contained the 130-kDa and 180-kDa proteins and ToMV genomic RNA was formed after translation in mdBYL. When the complex was mixed with BYL membranes, ToMV RNA was replicated, which suggests that this ribonucleoprotein complex is an intermediate of ToMV RNA replication complex formation. We have named this ribonucleoprotein complex the "pre-membrane-targeting complex." Our data suggest that the formation of the pre-membrane-targeting complex is coupled with the translation of ToMV RNA, while posttranslationally added exogenous 180-kDa protein and replication templates can contribute to replication and can be replicated, respectively. Based on these results, we discuss the mechanisms of ToMV RNA replication complex formation.

Chloroplast phosphoglycerate kinase, a gluconeogenetic enzyme, is required for efficient accumulation of Bamboo mosaic virus

The tertiary structure in the 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of Bamboo mosaic virus (BaMV) RNA is known to be involved in minus-strand RNA synthesis. Proteins found in the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) fraction of BaMV-infected leaves interact with the radio labeled 3′-UTR probe in electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA). Results derived from the ultraviolet (UV) cross-linking competition assays suggested that two cellular factors, p43 and p51, interact specifically with the 3′-UTR of BaMV RNA. p43 and p51 associate with the poly(A) tail and the pseudoknot of the BaMV 3′-UTR, respectively. p51-containing extracts specifically down-regulated minus-strand RNA synthesis when added to in vitro RdRp assays. LC/MS/MS sequencing indicates that p43 is a chloroplast phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK). When the chloroplast PKG levels were knocked down in plants, using virus-induced gene silencing system, the accumulation level of BaMV coat protein was also reduced.

Membrane-bound tomato mosaic virus replication proteins participate in RNA synthesis and are associated with host proteins in a pattern distinct from those that are not membrane bound

Extracts of vacuole-depleted, tomato mosaic virus (ToMV)-infected plant protoplasts contained an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) that utilized an endogenous template to synthesize ToMV-related positive-strand RNAs in a pattern similar to that observed in vivo. Despite the fact that only minor fractions of the ToMV 130- and 180-kDa replication proteins were associated with membranes, the RdRp activity was exclusively associated with membranes. A genome-sized, negative-strand RNA template was associated with membranes and was resistant to micrococcal nuclease unless treated with detergents. Non-membrane-bound replication proteins did not exhibit RdRp activity, even in the presence of ToMV RNA. While the non-membrane-bound replication proteins remained soluble after treatment with Triton X-100, the same treatment made the membrane-bound replication proteins in a form that precipitated upon low-speed centrifugation. On the other hand, the detergent lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) efficiently solubilized the membrane-bound replication proteins. Upon LPC treatment, the endogenous template-dependent RdRp activity was reduced and exogenous ToMV RNA template-dependent RdRp activity appeared instead. This activity, as well as the viral 130-kDa protein and the host proteins Hsp70, eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1A (eEF1A), TOM1, and TOM2A copurified with FLAG-tagged viral 180-kDa protein from LPC-solubilized membranes. In contrast, Hsp70 and only small amounts of the 130-kDa protein and eEF1A copurified with FLAG-tagged non-membrane-bound 180-kDa protein. These results suggest that the viral replication proteins are associated with the intracellular membranes harboring TOM1 and TOM2A and that this association is important for RdRp activity. Self-association of the viral replication proteins and their association with other host proteins may also be important for RdRp activity.