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Transcriptional strategy of closteroviruses: mapping the 5' termini of the citrus tristeza virus subgenomic RNAs.

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) induces formation of a nested set of at least nine 3' coterminal subgenomic RNAs (sgRNAs) in infected tissue. The organization and expression of the 19,296-nucleotide (nt) CTV genome resembles that of coronaviruses, with polyprotein processing, translational frameshifting, and multiple sgRNA formation, but phylogenetically the CTV polymerase, like polymerases of other closteroviruses, belongs to the Sindbis virus-like lineage of RNA virus polymerases. Both positive-strand RNA virus supergroups, coronaviruses and Sindbis-like viruses, utilize different mechanisms of transcription. To address the mechanism of CTV transcription, 5' termini for the two most abundant sgRNAs, 1.5 and 0.9 kb, respectively, were mapped by runoff reverse transcription. The two sgRNAs were demonstrated to have 48- and 38-nt 5' untranslated regions (5'-UTRs), respectively. The 5'-UTR for the 1.5-kb RNA was cloned, sequenced, and demonstrated to be colinear with the 48-nt genomic sequence upstream of the initiator codon of the respective open reading frame 10, i.e., to be of continuous template origin. The data obtained suggest that the sgRNA transcription of CTV is dissimilar from the coronavirus transcription and consistent with the transcriptional mechanism of other Sindbis-like viruses. Thus, the Sindbis virus-like mechanism of transcription of the positive-strand RNA genomes might be successfully utilized by the closterovirus genome of up to 19.3 kb with multiple sgRNAs.

Base Sequence↗

Regulation of closterovirus gene expression examined by insertion of a self-processing reporter and by northern hybridization.

A reporter open reading frame (ORF) coding for a fusion of bacterial beta-glucuronidase (GUS) with a proteinase domain (Pro) derived from tobacco etch potyvirus was utilized for tagging individual genes of beet yellows closterovirus (BYV). Insertion of this reporter ORF between the first and second codons of the BYV ORFs encoding the HSP70 homolog (HSP70h), a major capsid protein (CP), and a 20-kDa protein (p20) resulted in the expression of the processed GUS-Pro reporter from corresponding subgenomic RNAs. The high sensitivity of GUS assays permitted temporal analysis of reporter accumulation, revealing early expression from the HSP70h promoter, followed by the CP promoter and later the p20 promoter. The kinetics of transcription of the remaining BYV genes encoding a 64-kDa protein (p64), a minor capsid protein (CPm), and a 21-kDa protein (p21) were examined via Northern blot analysis. Taken together, the data indicated that the temporal regulation of BYV gene expression includes early (HSP70h, CPm, CP, and p21 promoters) and late (p64 and p20 promoters) phases. It was also demonstrated that the deletion of six viral genes that are nonessential for RNA amplification resulted in a dramatic increase in the level of transcription from one of the two remaining subgenomic promoters. Comparison with other positive-strand RNA viruses producing multiple subgenomic RNAs showed the uniqueness of the pattern of closterovirus transcriptional regulation.

Cells, Cultured↗

Nucleotide sequence and genomic organization of apple chlorotic leaf spot closterovirus.

The nucleotide sequence of Apple chlorotic leaf spot closterovirus (ACLSV) genomic RNA has been determined from cDNA clones. It is 7555 nucleotides in length excluding the 3' terminal poly(A) tail and contains three putative open reading frames capable of encoding proteins of 216.5, 50, and 28 kDa. ACLSV RNA has untranslated regions of 151 and 190 nucleotides at its 5' and 3' termini, respectively. The 216.5-kDa ORF encodes a protein which contains the conserved "signature" sequences and has significant homology with the proteins suspected to be involved in viral RNA replication of members of the "Sindbis-like" supergroup of viruses. On the basis of distant homologies with viral movement proteins (M proteins), the 50-kDa ORF is suspected to encode a protein responsible for virus cell-to-cell spread. The 28-kDa ORF contains, in frame, a smaller 21.5-kDa ORF encoding the coat protein of ACLSV. These results show that ACLSV and probably at least the subgroup A of closteroviruses should be regarded as members of the "Sindbis-like" supergroup of RNA viruses.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Comparative and functional genomics of closteroviruses.

The largest extant RNA genomes are found in two diverse families of positive-strand RNA viruses, the animal Coronaviridae and the plant Closteroviridae. Comparative analysis of the viruses from the latter family reveals three levels of gene conservation. The most conserved gene module defines RNA replication and is shared with plant and animal viruses in the alphavirus-like superfamily. A module of five genes that function in particle assembly and transport is a hallmark of the family Closteroviridae and was likely present in the ancestor of all three closterovirus genera. This module includes a homologue of Hsp70 molecular chaperones and three diverged copies of the capsid protein gene. The remaining genes show dramatic variation in their numbers, functions, and origins among closteroviruses within and between the genera. Proteins encoded by these genes include suppressors of RNA silencing, RNAse III, papain-like proteases, the AlkB domain implicated in RNA repair, Zn-ribbon-containing protein, and a variety of proteins with no detectable homologues in the current databases. The evolutionary processes that have shaped the complex and fluid genomes of the large RNA viruses might be similar to those that have been involved in evolution of genomic complexity in other divisions of life.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Diffraction studies of the particles of two closteroviruses: heracleum latent virus and heracleum virus 6.

X-ray diffraction from oriented specimens of purified preparations of particles of heracleum latent closterovirus (HLV) showed that they have a helical arrangement of protein subunits, and that the structure repeats in five helical turns in which there are 5q +/- 1 protein subunits, where q is an integer. The pitch of the helix was estimated to be 3.26 (+/- 0.10) nm. Optical diffraction patterns from electron micrographs of HLV particles give an estimated pitch of 3.3 (+/- 0.2) nm and show that the number of subunits in the repeat period is 5q-1, where q has a value of 8 or 9. Optical diffraction from electron micrographs of particles of a second closterovirus, heracleum virus 6, shows that they too have a helical structure which repeats in five turns, in which there are 5q +/- 1 protein subunits. The estimated pitch of the primary helix is 3.6 (+/- 0.2) nm, and the estimate of q is 9.

Microscopy, Electron↗

Beet yellows closterovirus: complete genome structure and identification of a leader papain-like thiol protease.

The sequence of 8734 nucleotides (nt) from the 5'-end of the beet yellows closterovirus (BYV) RNA was determined to complete the 15,480-nt sequence of the virus genome. The 5'-terminal two-thirds of the sequence are occupied by two overlapping open reading frames (ORFs) 1a and 1b, encoding products with calculated M(r) of 295K and 48K, respectively. The RNA sequence surrounding the stop codon in ORF 1a shows structural elements typical of ribosomal frameshifting signals in a number of animal and plant viruses. It is predicted that the ORF 1b product is expressed via a +1 ribosomal frameshifting as the 348K ORF 1a/1b fusion protein. This putative protein contains the array of methyltransferase, RNA helicase, and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase domains that is conserved in the Sindbis-like supergroup of positive-strand RNA viruses. The 348K protein of BYV is longer than the putative replicases of the most closely related viruses (tobra- and tobamoviruses) by about 1300 amino acids distributed between two unique regions, one at the N-terminus, and the other in the central portion. The N-terminal domain showed sequence similarity to the helper component papain-like protease of potyviruses. By using in vitro translation of the T7 transcripts encoding the N-terminal 92K peptide of the BYV ORF 1a product, we found that the N-terminal fragment of 588 amino acids is released from the translation product by cleavage at the Gly-Gly dipeptide. Site-directed mutagenesis of either of the predicted catalytic residues Cys-509 and His-569 or of the Gly-588 at the cleavage site completely abolished the cleavage. The central unique region of the 348K protein contains a domain distantly resembling the aspartic protease of HIV and other lentiviruses. As shown previously, the 3'-terminal portion of the BYV genome encompasses seven more ORFs, one of which codes for a protein related to the HSP70 cell heat shock proteins, whereas two others encode the capsid protein and its diverged copy. Thus, despite the apparent evolutionary relationship with Sindbis-like viruses, BYV comprises a collection of genomic modules absorbed from different sources and has a unique expression strategy.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Suppression of potyvirus infection by coexpressed closterovirus protein.

A tobacco etch virus (TEV)-based expression vector has been used for insertion of several ORFs derived from the unrelated beet yellows virus (BYV). Hybrid TEV variants expressing the BYV capsid protein, 20-kDa protein, or HSP70 homolog systemically infected Nicotiana tabacum and stably retained BYV sequences. In contrast, insertion of the ORF encoding BYV leader proteinase (L-Pro) resulted in severely impaired systemic transport and accumulation of recombinant TEV. Progeny of this virus underwent various deletions affecting the L-Pro sequence and mitigating the defects in virus spread. Model experiments involving several spontaneous and engineered mutants indicated that the central domain of BYV L-Pro was responsible for the defect in hybrid virus accumulation, whereas full-size L-Pro was required for maximal debilitation of systemic transport. Strikingly, BYV L-Pro expression did not debilitate systemic infection of hybrid TEV in Nicotiana benthamiana plants. No major defects in replication or encapsidation of recombinant RNA were revealed in N. tabacum protoplasts. These results indicated that BYV L-Pro specifically interfered with TEV systemic transport and accumulation in a host-dependent manner and suggested a potential utility of closterovirus L-Pro as an inhibitor of potyvirus infection. In addition, it was demonstrated that the 107-amino-acid-residues-long N-terminal part of the TEV helper component proteinase is not essential for systemic infection.

Closterovirus↗

Subcellular localization of the HSP70-homolog encoded by beet yellows closterovirus.

Closteroviridae is the only viral family coding for a homolog of HSP70 (HSP70h). Polyclonal antiserum to recombinant beet yellows closterovirus (BYV) HSP70h was generated and used for immunogold labeling of the leaf samples derived from the infected Nicotiana benthamiana plants. Ultrastructural analysis revealed the preferential accumulation of BYV in phloem, although occasional infection of the leaf mesophyll cells was also observed. The strongest HSP70h-specific labeling was associated with virion aggregates and vesicles harboring scattered virions. HSP70h was also observed in close proximity of plasmodesmata and inside the plasmodesmatal channels. The possible role of the BYV HSP70h in RNA encapsidation was tested in tobacco protoplasts. A BYV mutant possessing an inactivated HSP70h gene exhibited no detectable encapsidation defects. Collectively, the obtained results suggested that closteroviral HSP70h escorts the virions to their destinations inside the infected cells and possibly participates in the intercellular translocation of BYV.

Animals↗

Closterovirus encoded HSP70 homolog and p61 in addition to both coat proteins function in efficient virion assembly.

Assembly of the viral genome into virions is a critical process of the virus life cycle often defining the ability of the virus to move within the plant and to be transmitted horizontally to other plants. Closteroviridae virions are polar helical rods assembled primarily by a major coat protein, but with a related minor coat protein at one end. The Closteroviridae is the only virus family that encodes a protein with similarity to cellular chaperones, a 70-kDa heat-shock protein homolog (HSP70h). We examined the involvement of gene products of Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) in virion formation and found that the chaperone-like protein plus the p61 and both coat proteins were required for efficient virion assembly. Competency of virion assembly of different CTV mutants was assayed by their ability to be serially passaged in Nicotiana benthamiana protoplasts using crude sap as inoculum, and complete and partial virus particles were analyzed by serologically specific electron microscopy. Deletion mutagenesis revealed that p33, p6, p18, p13, p20, and p23 genes were not needed for virion formation. However, deletion of either minor- or major-coat protein resulted in formation of short particles which failed to be serially transferred in protoplasts, suggesting that both coat proteins are required for efficient virion assembly. Deletion or mutation of HSP70h and/or p61 dramatically reduced passage and formation of full-length virions. Frameshift mutations suggested that the HSP70h and p61 proteins, not the RNA sequences, were needed for virion assembly. Substitution of the key amino acid residues in the ATPase domain of HSP70h, Asp(7) to Lys or Glu(180) to Arg, reduced assembly, suggesting that the chaperone-like ATPase activity is involved in assembly. Both HSP70h and p61 proteins appeared to contribute equally to assembly, consistent with coordinate functions of these proteins in closterovirus virion formation. The requirement of two accessory proteins in addition to both coat proteins for efficient assembly is uniquely complex for helical virions.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Comparative sequence analysis of the coat proteins of biologically distinct citrus tristeza closterovirus isolates.

The genome of citrus tristeza closterovirus (CTV) consists of a 20 kb single-stranded RNA encapsidated in a 2000 nm long, flexuous particle. Double-stranded (replicative form) RNAs purified from CTV-infected tissue were used to prepare complementary DNA libraries that involved initial first-strand cDNA synthesis followed by selective amplification of the coat protein gene. CTV-specific antisera were used to select clones expressing the coat protein. The coat protein genes of seven Florida and four exotic isolates that differ in their biological properties were cloned and sequenced. The gene is 669 base pairs long and encodes a 223 amino acid protein. There was a greater than 80% homology at both nucleotide and amino acid levels among all the isolates examined. However, comparisons showed that each isolate was found to have several unique amino acid residues. Several blocks of amino acid residues were conserved among all the isolates. A cluster dendrogram showed greater similarities among groups of mild and severe Florida isolates that differed significantly from those of the geographically distinct, exotic CTV isolates.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of grapefruit plants (Citrus paradisi Macf.) transformed with citrus tristeza closterovirus genes.

Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macf. cv Duncan) plants were transformed with several sequences from citrus tristeza closterovirus (CTV) that varied in terms of position in the CTV genome and virus strain origin in an attempt to obtain resistant plants. The sequences included the capsid protein gene from three different strains, a nontranslatable version of the capsid protein gene, the replicase (RdRp), the minor capsid protein (p27), a highly transcribed gene of unknown function (p20) and the more conserved 3' end of the genomic RNA. Transgenic plants were generated from all of the constructs, except from the p20 and p27 genes. Southern and Western blot analyses demonstrated that stably transformed grapefruit plants were obtained and that at least some transgenes were expressed. In a first effort at virus challenge, 25 transgenic lines were graft inoculated with a severe strain of CTV. Although some transgenic plants averaged lower titers of virus than controls, there was great variability in titer in both controls and transgenic plants, and all were apparently susceptible to the virus.

Blotting, Southern↗

Serological characterization of the 3'-proximal encoded proteins of beet yellows closterovirus.

The 3'-proximal open reading frames (ORFs) of beet yellows closterovirus, California isolate (BYV-CA), were sequenced and the expression of the corresponding proteins analyzed. The nucleotide sequence of ORF 5 (coding for p24) was most conserved compared with ORF 7 (coding for p20) and ORF 8 (coding for p21) among the isolates analyzed. Polyclonal antisera were produced to GST fusion proteins of p24, p20, and p21. Accumulation of p24, CP, p20 and p21 was studied in infected Tetragonia expansa plants and Chenopodium quinoa protoplasts. All four proteins were expressed in all tissues (old leaves, young leaves and stems), and most abundantly in young leaves. The subcellular localization of each protein in different tissues showed that compared with p24, CP and p21, p20 accumulated less in transfected protoplasts. Immunogold labeling in sugarbeet with p24 and CP antisera demonstrated co-localization of p24 and CP in vascular petiole tissues. In infectivity neutralization tests, antisera against p24 and CP greatly reduced transmission of BYV by viruliferous aphids compared with viruliferous aphids fed on preimmune serum or antiserum to p21.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Comparison of ELISA and RT-PCR for the detection of beet yellows closterovirus in plants and aphids.

A reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was developed to detect beet yellows closterovirus (BYV) in plants and single aphids using primers spanning the conserved regions of the published sequences of the coat protein gene and open reading frames 7 and 8. Three total RNA extraction procedures were examined and all were found to produce RNA of sufficient quality for RT-PCR, although the RNA extraction kit supplied by Flowgen was found to be the most versatile for the extraction of BYV from individual aphids. When 60 aphids, which had fed on virus infected sugar beet were tested by RT-PCR, 55% of individuals were found to contain BYV. Two groups of 36 individual aphids were tested by TAS-ELISA using a specific BYV monoclonal antibody; 53% gave positive absorbance values when a substrate amplification system was used, but none was found to contain virus when the system was replaced with the substrate p-nitrophenyl phosphate. An immunocapture RT-PCR method was shown to detect BYV regardless of whether the RNA had been extracted from the trapped particles or the reverse transcription and PCR mixtures were added to the wells containing intact particles. The RT-PCR method is now used to determine the numbers of BYV carrying aphids migrating into sugar-beet crops.

Animals↗

Expression of the beet yellows closterovirus capsid protein and p24, a capsid protein homologue, in vitro and in vivo.

The positive-sense RNA genome of beet yellows closterovirus (BYV) encompasses open reading frames (ORFs) for the viral capsid protein (CP, ORF 6) and for a CP homologue (p24, ORF 5). The sequences of the ORFs 5 and 6 were inserted into an Escherichia coli expression vector, pQE-9, under the control of the bacteriophage T5 promoter. The proteins were expressed in bacteria, purified, and used for antiserum production in rabbits. The recombinant BYV CP and p24 showed serological cross-reactions when probed with each antiserum on Western blots. The cross-reactions of the anti-p24 serum with the CP, and of the anti-CP serum with the p24, were abolished by preadsorption with the heterologous antigens, suggesting that CP and p24 share a common epitope(s) resistant to SDS denaturation. Cross-reactivity of the soluble CP and p24 was also observed in indirect plate-trapped antigen ELISA, whereas virtually none was encountered in double-antibody sandwich ELISA. Using a polyclonal anti-p24 serum preadsorbed with the recombinant CP, the p24 was detected in BYV-infected plants. Analysis of subcellular fractions of BYV-infected Tetragonia expansa indicated that both proteins are predominantly located in the soluble fraction of the host cells. Primer extension analysis of the individual double-stranded forms of the subgenomic RNAs bearing the CP and p24 genes allowed them to be mapped and their 5' start sites to be located at nucleotide positions 13,588 and 12,815, respectively, in the complete genome sequence. This corresponds to the 5' untranslated regions of 52 and 105 nucleotides in the subgenomic RNAs for CP and p24, respectively. The data obtained indicate that the synthesis of both subgenomic RNAs is initiated on a negative RNA strand at an adenosine residue found within the conserved sequence 5' CCAUUUPyA (shown as positive-sense), which may thus represent a core element of the subgenomic promoter. This conserved sequence also resembles the sequences at the 5' ends of the CP subgenomic RNAs of tobamoviruses and the Bromoviridae family members, the viruses evolutionarily most closely related to BYV.

Antigens, Viral↗

The beet yellows closterovirus p65 homologue of HSP70 chaperones has ATPase activity associated with its conserved N-terminal domain but does not interact with unfolded protein chains.

The positive-strand RNA genome of beet yellows closterovirus (BYV) encodes a 65 kDa protein (p65) related to the HSP70 family of cell chaperones. The full-sized BYV p65, and N- and C-terminal fragments, with (His)6 tails, were overexpressed in bacteria and purified by metal-chelate chromatography. Using a polyclonal antiserum raised against the C-terminal fragment of p65, evidence was obtained for expression of the viral protein in planta. Purified recombinant p65 and its N-terminal 40 kDa fragment exhibited Mg2+-dependent ATPase activity in vitro. However, unlike its cellular HSP70 homologues, p65 was unable to bind to denatured protein and its ATPase activity was not stimulated by synthetic peptides which are known to stimulate HSP70 ATPases. Hence, the BYV p65, although being a chaperone-type ATPase, may have a distinct substrate specificity and function in BYV-infected cells.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Detection of beet yellows closterovirus methyltransferase-like and helicase-like proteins in vivo using monoclonal antibodies.

In the positive-stranded RNA genome of beet yellows closterovirus (BYV), the 5'-terminal ORF 1a encodes a 295 kDa polyprotein with the domains of papain-like cysteine proteinase, methyltransferase (MT) and helicase (HEL), whereas ORF 1b encodes an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Eleven and five hybridoma cell lines secreting monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were derived from mice injected with the bacterially expressed fragments of the BYV 1a product encompassing the MT and HEL domains, respectively. On immunoblots of protein from BYV-infected Tetragonia expansa plants, four MAbs against the MT recognized a approximately 63 kDa protein, and two MAbs against the HEL recognized a approximately 100 kDa protein. Both the methyltransferase-like protein and the helicase-like protein were found mainly in the fractions of large organelles (P1) and membranes (P30) of the infected plants. These data clearly indicate that (i) the BYV methyltransferase-like and helicase-like proteins, like other related viral enzymes, are associated with membrane compartments in cells, and (ii) the 1a protein, apart from the cleavage by the leader papain-like proteinase that is expected to produce the 66 kDa and 229 kDa fragments, undergoes additional processing by a virus-encoded or cellular proteinase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Leader proteinase of the beet yellows closterovirus: mutation analysis of the function in genome amplification.

The beet yellows closterovirus leader proteinase (L-Pro) possesses a C-terminal proteinase domain and a nonproteolytic N-terminal domain. It was found that although L-Pro is not essential for basal-level replication, deletion of its N-terminal domain resulted in a 1, 000-fold reduction in RNA accumulation. Mutagenic analysis of the N-terminal domain revealed its structural flexibility except for the 54-codon-long, 5'-terminal element in the corresponding open reading frame that is critical for efficient RNA amplification at both RNA and protein levels.

Closterovirus↗

Transcription strategy in a Closterovirus: a novel 5'-proximal controller element of Citrus Tristeza Virus produces 5'- and 3'-terminal subgenomic RNAs and differs from 3' open reading frame controller elements.

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) produces more than thirty 3'- or 5'-terminal subgenomic RNAs (sgRNAs) that accumulate to various extents during replication in protoplasts and plants. Among the most unusual species are two abundant populations of small 5'-terminal sgRNAs of approximately 800 nucleotides (nt) termed low-molecular-weight tristeza (LMT1 and LMT2) RNAs. Remarkably, CTV replicons with all 10 3' genes deleted produce only the larger LMT1 RNAs. These 5'-terminal positive-sense sgRNAs do not have corresponding negative strands and were hypothesized to be produced by premature termination during plus-strand genomic RNA synthesis. We characterized a cis-acting element that controls the production of the LMT1 RNAs. Since manipulation of this cis-acting element in its native position (the L-ProI region of replicase) was not possible because the mutations negatively affect replication, a region (5'TR) surrounding the putative termination sites (nt approximately 550 to 1000) was duplicated in the 3' end of a CTV replicon to allow characterization. The duplicated sequence continued to produce a 5'-terminal plus-strand sgRNA, here much larger ( approximately 11 kb), apparently by termination. Surprisingly, a new 3'-terminal sgRNA was observed from the duplicated 5'TR. A large 3'-terminal sgRNA resulting from the putative promoter activity of the native 5'TR was not observed, possibly because of the down-regulation of a promoter approximately 19 kb from the 3' terminus. However, we were able to observe a sgRNA produced from the native 5'TR of a small defective RNA, which placed the native 5'TR closer to the 3' terminus, demonstrating sgRNA promoter activity of the native 5'TR. Deletion mutagenesis mapped the promoter and the terminator activities of the 5'TR (in the 3' position in the CTV replicon) to a 57-nt region, which was folded by the MFOLD computer program into two stem-loops. Mutations in the putative stem-loop structures equally reduced or prevented production of both the 3'- and 5'-terminal sgRNAs. These mutations, when introduced in frame in the native 5'TR, similarly abolished the synthesis of the LMT1 RNAs and presumably the large 3'-terminal sgRNA while having no impact on replication, demonstrating that neither 5'- nor 3'-terminal sgRNA is necessary for replication of the replicon or full-length CTV in protoplasts. Differences between the 5'TR, which produced two plus-strand sgRNAs, and the cis-acting elements controlling the 3' open reading frames, which produced additional minus-strand sgRNAs corresponding to the 3'-terminal mRNAs, suggest that the different sgRNA controller elements had different origins in the modular evolution of closteroviruses.

Base Sequence↗