title: Both structural and non-structural forms of the readthrough protein of cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus are essential for efficient systemic infection of plants.
abstract: Cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus (CABYV) is a polerovirus (Luteoviridae family) with a capsid composed of the major coat protein and a minor component referred to as the readthrough protein (RT). Two forms of the RT were reported: a full-length protein of 74 kDa detected in infected plants and a truncated form of 55 kDa (RT*) incorporated into virions. Both forms were detected in CABYV-infected plants. To clarify the specific roles of each protein in the viral cycle, we generated by deletion a polerovirus mutant able to synthesize only the RT* which is incorporated into the particle. This mutant was unable to move systemically from inoculated leaves inferring that the C-terminal half of the RT is required for efficient long-distance transport of CABYV. Among a collection of CABYV mutants bearing point mutations in the central domain of the RT, we obtained a mutant impaired in the correct processing of the RT which does not produce the RT*. This mutant accumulated very poorly in upper non-inoculated leaves, suggesting that the RT* has a functional role in long-distance movement of CABYV. Taken together, these results infer that both RT proteins are required for an efficient CABYV movement.
authors.affiliation: Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1131 Santé de la Vigne et Qualité du Vin, Colmar, France; Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Sylvaine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boissinot
authors.affiliation: Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1131 Santé de la Vigne et Qualité du Vin, Colmar, France; Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Erdinger
authors.affiliation: Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1131 Santé de la Vigne et Qualité du Vin, Colmar, France; Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes, Unité Propre de Recherche 2357, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Baptiste
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Monsion
authors.affiliation: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes, Unité Propre de Recherche 2357, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Véronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ziegler-Graff
authors.affiliation: Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1131 Santé de la Vigne et Qualité du Vin, Colmar, France; Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Véronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Brault
mesh_terms: D018553:Cucumis sativus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D052679:Luteoviridae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009154:Mutation; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000821:virology; D010944:Plants / Q000821:virology*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000235:genetics; D016364:Reading Frames; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D014771:Virion
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral; D014764:Viral Proteins; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase