title: Evidence for a model ancestral viroid.
abstract: The generation of a phylogenetic tree of viroids and viroid-like plant satellite RNAs via computer analysis, coupled with several conspicuous biochemical characteristics of the rolling circle replication of these RNAs -including both self-cleavage and self-ligation- leads us to propose the peach latent mosaic viroid (PLMVd) as a current "living fossil" dating from a precellular world. Incorporated within this proposal is a revised mechanism of PLMVd rolling circle replication which requires a minimal protein involvement.
authors.affiliation: Département de Biochimie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bussière
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lafontaine
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Côté
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Beaudry
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Perreault
mesh_terms: D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D008957:Models, Genetic; D010802:Phylogeny; D010944:Plants / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics; D000079962:RNA, Circular; D018749:RNA, Plant / Q000235:genetics; D019244:RNA, Satellite; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D014772:Viroids / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000079962:RNA, Circular; D018749:RNA, Plant; D019244:RNA, Satellite; D012367:RNA, Viral; D012313:RNA