title: A membrane-associated movement protein of Pelargonium flower break virus shows RNA-binding activity and contains a biologically relevant leucine zipper-like motif.
abstract: Two small viral proteins (DGBp1 and DGBp2) have been proposed to act in a concerted manner to aid intra- and intercellular trafficking of carmoviruses though the distribution of functions and mode of action of each protein partner are not yet clear. Here we have confirmed the requirement of the DGBps of Pelargonium flower break virus (PFBV), p7 and p12, for pathogen movement. Studies focused on p12 have shown that it associates to cellular membranes, which is in accordance to its hydrophobic profile and to that reported for several homologs. However, peculiarities that distinguish p12 from other DGBps2 have been found. Firstly, it contains a leucine zipper-like motif which is essential for virus infectivity in plants. Secondly, it has an unusually long and basic N-terminal region that confers RNA binding activity. The results suggest that PFBV p12 may differ mechanistically from related proteins and possible roles of PFBV DGBps are discussed.
authors: Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Ciudad Politécnica de la Innovación, Ed. 8E. Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain.
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: Martínez-Turiño
authors: Carmen
authors: C
authors: Hernández
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D019184:Carmovirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002462:Cell Membrane; D027465:Chenopodium quinoa / Q000166:cytology; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D016350:Leucine Zippers / Q000502:physiology*; D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; D009154:Mutation; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000166:cytology / Q000821:virology; D053830:Plant Viral Movement Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011485:Protein Binding; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D053830:Plant Viral Movement Proteins; D012367:RNA, Viral