title: Replicative intermediates of maize streak virus found during leaf development.
abstract: Geminiviruses of the genera Begomovirus and Curtovirus utilize three replication modes: complementary-strand replication (CSR), rolling-circle replication (RCR) and recombination-dependent replication (RDR). Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, we now show for the first time that maize streak virus (MSV), the type member of the most divergent geminivirus genus, Mastrevirus, does the same. Although mastreviruses have fewer regulatory genes than other geminiviruses and uniquely express their replication-associated protein (Rep) from a spliced transcript, the replicative intermediates of CSR, RCR and RDR could be detected unequivocally within infected maize tissues. All replicative intermediates accumulated early and, to varying degrees, were already present in the shoot apex and leaves at different maturation stages. Relative to other replicative intermediates, those associated with RCR increased in prevalence during leaf maturation. Interestingly, in addition to RCR-associated DNA forms seen in other geminiviruses, MSV also apparently uses dimeric open circular DNA as a template for RCR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and Plant Virology, Institute of Biology, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, D-70550 Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: Julia B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Erdmann
authors.forename: Dionne N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Shepherd
authors.forename: Darren P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Arvind
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Varsani
authors.forename: Edward P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Rybicki
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jeske
mesh_terms: D026762:Maize streak virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000254:growth & development; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D014779:Virus Replication; D003313:Zea mays / Q000254:growth & development / Q000821:virology*