Replication of an incomplete alfalfa mosaic virus genome in plants transformed with viral replicase genes.
RNAs 1 and 2 of alfalfa mosaic virus (AIMV) encode proteins P1 and P2, respectively, both of which have a putative role in viral RNA replication. Tobacco plants were transformed with DNA copies of RNA1 (P1-plants), RNA2 (P2-plants) or a combination of these two cDNAs (P12-plants). All transgenic plants were susceptible to infection with the complete AIMV genome (RNAs 1, 2, and 3). Inoculation with incomplete mixtures of AIMV RNAs showed that the P1-plants were able to replicate RNAs 2 and 3, that the P2-plants were able to replicate RNAs 1 and 3, and that the P12-plants were able to replicate RNA3. Initiation of infection of nontransgenic plants, P1-plants, or P2-plants requires the presence of AIMV coat protein in the inoculum, but no coat protein was required to initiate infection of P12-plants with RNA3. Results obtained with P12-protoplasts supported the conclusion that coat protein plays an essential role in the replication cycle of AIMV RNAs 1 and 2.
Taschner
P E
PE
Gorlaeus Laboratories, Leiden Univesity, The Netherlands.
van der Kuyl
A C
AC
Neeleman
L
L
Bol
J F
JF
D002213:Capsid / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000502:physiology; D005814:Genes, Viral; D000455:Medicago sativa / Q000382:microbiology*; D009029:Mosaic Viruses / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D010947:Plants, Toxic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011523:Protoplasts / Q000378:metabolism; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012324:RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000235:genetics; D014170:Transformation, Genetic; D014779:Virus Replication
D004279:DNA, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral; D012324:RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase