The cowpea mosaic virus M RNA-encoded 48-kilodalton protein is responsible for induction of tubular structures in protoplasts.
Tubular structures extending from plasmodesmata in cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV)-infected tissue have been implicated to play an important role in cell-to-cell movement of this virus. Using a cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter-based transient expression vector, we show that expression of only the CPMV M RNA-encoded 48-kDa protein (48K protein) in cowpea protoplasts is sufficient to induce these structures. Strikingly, expression of the 48K protein in protoplasts from a number of nonhost plant species, such as barley, Arabidopsis thaliana, and carrot, also resulted in tubular structure formation. Thus, it is not likely that the viral 48K protein, though playing a key role in cell-to-cell movement of CPMV, has a role in determining the host range of CPMV.
Department of Molecular Biology, Wageningen Agricultural University, The Netherlands.
J
J
Wellink
J W
JW
van Lent
J
J
Verver
T
T
Sijen
R W
RW
Goldbach
A
A
van Kammen
D007887:Fabaceae / Q000382:microbiology*; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D009029:Mosaic Viruses / Q000235:genetics*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011523:Protoplasts / Q000382:microbiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013045:Species Specificity; D014162:Transfection; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014764:Viral Proteins