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Tombusvirus genome may encode the sixth small protein near its 3' terminus.

A short open reading frame (ORF), ORF6, potentially encoding a polypeptide (pX) of 32-69 amino acids, was revealed upon computer translation of the 3' terminal regions of tomato bushy stunt, cymbidium ringspot, cucumber necrosis and artichoke mottled crinkle tombusviruses. ORF6 has an initiating AUG codon in a favorable context and is evaluated as expressible, judging the distribution of guanosine residues within the codons. Inspection of the alignment of the four putative products encoded by ORF6 shows statistically significant sequence conservation over 11 SD above the random expectation. Secondary structure predictions based on the Garnier method demonstrate strict conservation of a loop between two beta-strands, thus suggesting functional conservation of pXs. It is suggested that pX is not involved in tombusvirus genome replication and encapsidation in cis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Replication and movement of a coat protein mutant of cymbidium ringspot tombusvirus.

The spread of cymbidium ringspot tombusvirus (CyRSV) in host tissue was studied by using a coat protein gene mutant with a six-nucleotide deletion; the deletion removes two amino acids from the shell domain (S) of the capsid protein. Mutated protein subunits were synthesized in infected cells but could not assemble into virus particles. Virions were formed, however, with inoculation of mutated RNA in transgenic plants expressing normal CyRSV coat protein. The mutant is restricted in long-distance movement in Nicotiana clevelandii, whereas it spreads systemically in N. benthamiana. These results suggest that tombusviruses may spread either as complete virions or in a nonvirion form, depending on the host plant species.

Base Sequence↗

Coat protein of melon necrotic spot carmovirus is more similar to those of tombusviruses than those of carmoviruses.

Complementary DNA copies of the genomic RNA of melon necrotic spot virus (MNSV) have been cloned and the region deduced to encode the coat protein has been sequenced. The putative coat protein coding region, located near the 3' end of the genome, consists of 1170 nucleotides and has the potential to encode a 390 amino acid protein of Mr 41,840. Our data show that although MNSV is a carmovirus, its coat protein more closely resembles those of the tombusviruses than those of the carmoviruses sequenced to date, in both the extent of sequence similarity and in the length of the random/arm and protruding domains of the coat protein. Furthermore, dot matrix comparisons revealed sequence similarity between the coat protein protruding domains of MNSV and the cucumber necrosis tombusvirus. This similarity may be involved in one or more of the biological properties these two viruses share, such as the ability to infect cucumbers naturally and to be transmitted by the soil-inhabiting fungus Olpidium radicale.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Evidence that ORF 1 and 2 are the only virus-encoded replicase genes of cymbidium ringspot tombusvirus.

The 33-kDa and its 92-kDa readthrough protein genes (open reading frames (ORFs) 1 and 2) of cymbidium ringspot tombusvirus (CyRSV) were introduced into Nicotiana benthamiana plants. Protoplasts derived from transgenic plants expressing the first two ORFs were inoculated with in vitro transcripts of defective interfering (DI) RNA. The efficient replication of input DI RNA, which is incapable of autonomous replication, confirmed the biological activity of the expressed viral replicase. In addition, in vitro transcripts of a genomic RNA deletion mutant clone encoding only ORFs 1 and 2 were able to replicate on their own and could support the replication of CyRSV DI RNAs in N. benthamiana protoplasts.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Generation of defective interfering RNA dimers of cymbidium ringspot tombusvirus.

Inoculation of Nicotiana clevelandii and N. benthamiana plants with in vitro transcripts of both genomic and defective interfering (DI) RNAs of cymbidium ringspot tombusvirus resulted in a rapid accumulation of new DI-like RNA species which were demonstrated by cloning and sequencing to be head-to-tail dimers of unit length DI RNAs. The junction regions of dimers were represented by sequences derived precisely from the 5' and 3' termini of DI RNAs. Only infection with DI RNAs of smaller size (DI-2 and DI-3, 402 and 482 nt, respectively) produced detectable amount of dimers; in contrast, infection with the largest DI RNA (DI-13, 679 nt) was unable to accumulate dimers during viral infection. Analysis of mutant DI RNAs containing deletions or insertions revealed that the size of the monomer molecule is a major factor in the accumulation of dimers. Monomeric DI RNAs were formed in both plants and protoplasts inoculated with in vitro-transcribed dimers. No heterodimers were found in plants inoculated simultaneously with DI-2 and DI-3 RNA molecules, which may indicate that replicase is not released from the template during synthesis of dimer molecules. However, the occurrence of a recombinant DI RNA dimer molecule derived from the two DI RNAs suggests that simultaneous infection of the same cells with two DI RNAs did indeed take place and that absence of heterodimers did not depend on compartmentalization.

Base Sequence↗

Host effects and sequences essential for accumulation of defective interfering RNAs of cucumber necrosis and tomato bushy stunt tombusviruses.

Passage of cucumber necrosis virus (CNV) containing defective interfering (DI) RNAs through cucumber plants decreased the accumulation of DI RNAs to undetectable levels. Subsequent passages in two Nicotiana species (Nicotiana benthamiana or N. clevelandii) resulted in the appearance of DI RNA species that were larger than the DI RNAs observed during exclusive serial passages of CNV through the Nicotiana species. Sequence analysis of cloned cDNAs corresponding to the two DI RNA populations indicated that the smaller CNV-DI RNAs contained the four conserved regions (I through IV) of the genome typical of tombusvirus DI RNAs, whereas the larger DI RNAs were of similar organization but had a direct repeat of the middle portion of the molecule. This result suggests that the host has an influence on the type of DI RNA that accumulates during consecutive high multiplicity of infection passages. A comparative analysis of deletions targeting the individual conserved regions in both CNV and tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) DI RNAs revealed that only region III was completely dispensable for accumulation of either DI RNA species. More refined deletion analyses in regions I and II indicated that smaller segments of 75 and 35 nucleotides (nt), respectively, could be deleted without abolishing infectivity. The dispensable sequences in region II of both TBSV and CNV DI RNAs mapped to the top portion of a putative stem-loop structure. These studies indicate that both essential and nonessential sequences are conserved in DI RNAs. The essential sequences in regions I, II, and IV likely contain important cis-acting elements, whereas nonessential regions such as region III may play secondary roles such as optimally spacing cis-acting elements or maintaining the DI RNA at an overall size that is stable.

Base Sequence↗

The nature of multimeric forms of cymbidium ringspot tombusvirus satellite RNA.

The multimeric forms of cymbidium ringspot tombusvirus (CyRSV) satellite (sat) RNA were analysed. Attempts to amplify the putative junction region of oligomers using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) failed, indicating the absence of such structures. SatRNA-related species having the size double than the unit length were shown to be double-stranded monomers and not single-stranded dimers. Similarly, satRNA species of a size four times the unit length were shown to be constituted by aggregates of double-stranded monomers. The absence of single-stranded CyRSV satRNA oligomers indicates that the formation of multimers is not a step in the replication of this RNA molecule.

Blotting, Northern↗

Expression of homologous and heterologous viral coat protein-encoding genes using recombinant DI RNA from cymbidium ringspot tombusvirus.

Defective interfering (DI) RNA of cymbidium ringspot tombusvirus (CyRSV) was tested as a potential RNA vector. The coat protein-encoding gene (CP) of the same virus or of the unrelated tomato aspermy cucumovirus (TAV) was inserted in a biologically active clone of CyRSV DI-3 RNA. Both homologous and heterologous CP genes were inserted into DI-3 cDNA clone in two different positions. The CyRSV CP was expressed only in the leaves which were inoculated with DI-3CPWt plus CP-less mutant helper virus (delta ABgII). Chimaeric DI RNA carrying a heterologous CP gene (DI-3HCPtav) was able to replicate and express the inserted TAV CP in the presence of a wild-type (wt) helper genome. Both constructs, which were stable and active for gene expression, carried the inserted CP genes in the same position, between the A and B blocks of DI-3 RNA. Other constructs in which the CP were cloned between the B and C blocks of DI-3 RNA were not able to direct the translation of the encoded CP. The expression level of CP derived from recombinant DI RNA was lower relative to expression of CP from wt virus infection.

Base Sequence↗

The role of the p33:p33/p92 interaction domain in RNA replication and intracellular localization of p33 and p92 proteins of Cucumber necrosis tombusvirus.

Replication of plus-stranded RNA viruses is performed by the viral replicase complex, which, together with the viral RNA, must be targeted to intracellular membranes, where replication takes place in membraneous vesicles/spherules. Tombusviruses code for two overlapping replication proteins, the p33 auxiliary protein and the p92 polymerase. Using replication-competent fluorescent protein-tagged p33 of Cucumber necrosis virus (CNV), we determined that two domains affected p33 targeting to peroxisomal membranes in yeast: an N-proximal hydrophobic trans-membrane sequence and the C-proximal p33:p33/p92 interaction domain. On the contrary, only the deletion of the p33:p33/p92 interaction domain, but not the trans-membrane sequence, altered the intracellular targeting of p92 protein in the presence of wt p33 and DI-72(+) RNA. Moreover, unlike p33, p92 lacking the trans-membrane sequence was still functional in supporting the replication of a replicon RNA in yeast, whereas the p33:p33/p92 interaction domain in both p33 and p92 was essential for replication. In addition, p33 was also shown to facilitate the recruitment of the viral RNA to peroxisomal membranes and that p33 is colocalized with (+) and (-)-stranded viral RNAs. Also, FRET and pull-down analyses confirmed that p33 interacts with other p33 molecules in yeast cells. Based on these data, we propose that p33 facilitates the formation of multimolecular complexes, including p33, p92, viral RNA, and unidentified host factors, which are then targeted to the peroxisomal membranes, the sites of CNV replication.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Heterologous RNA replication enhancer stimulates in vitro RNA synthesis and template-switching by the carmovirus, but not by the tombusvirus, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase: implication for modular evolution of RNA viruses.

The viral RNA plays multiple roles during replication of RNA viruses, serving as a template for complementary RNA synthesis and facilitating the assembly of the viral replicase complex. These roles are coordinated by cis-acting regulatory elements, such as promoters and replication enhancers (REN). To test if these RNA elements can be used by related viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRp), we compared the potential stimulatory effects of homologous and heterologous REN elements on complementary RNA synthesis and template-switching by the tombus- (Cucumber necrosis virus, CNV), carmovirus (Turnip crinkle virus, TCV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) RdRps in vitro. The CNV RdRp selectively utilized its cognate REN, while discriminating against the heterologous TCV REN. On the contrary, RNA synthesis by the TCV RdRp was stimulated by the TCV REN and the heterologous tombusvirus REN with comparable efficiency. The heterologous REN elements also promoted in vitro template-switching by the TCV and HCV RdRps. Based on these observations, we propose that REN elements could facilitate intervirus recombination and post-recombinational amplification of new recombinant viruses.

Base Sequence↗

Localization of cis-acting sequences essential for cymbidium ringspot tombusvirus defective interfering RNA replication.

The smallest defective interfering RNA (DI-2) of cymbidium ringspot tombusvirus (CyRSV) was used to identify the cis-acting sequences necessary for its replication by making a series of deletions throughout the 404 nt long molecule and testing the biological activity of mutants. Deletion or substitution of the conserved sequence blocks (A, B and C) always yielded inactive molecules. The deletion of only a few nucleotides could be tolerated beyond the natural deletion sites in blocks A and B. However, either half of block C1 (34 nt) and the first 25 nt of C2 (102 nt) could be deleted without loss of infectivity. It was also demonstrated that either one of the two halves of block C1 was specifically required for replication. We suggest that the last 77 nt of the viral genome and either half of block C1 represent the complementary strand promoter sequence recognized by the viral replicase.

Base Sequence↗

Analysis of tombusvirus revertants to identify essential amino acid residues within RNA-dependent RNA polymerase motifs.

The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) of Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) contains an arginine- and proline-rich (RPR) motif. This motif functions as an RNA-binding domain and is essential for tombusvirus replication. A mutant carrying three arginine substitutions in this motif rendered the virus unable to replicate in Nicotiana benthamiana plants and protoplasts. When the replicase function was provided in trans, by expressing the TBSV RdRp in N. benthamiana plants, an infectious variant could be isolated. Sequence analysis showed that only the substituted glycine residue (position 216) had reverted to arginine; all other substitutions remained unchanged. This finding suggested that strong selection pressure is active to maintain necessary sequences of the viral RdRp and that the analysis of revertants may help to identify essential viral functions.

Amino Acids↗

Short defective interfering RNAs of tombusviruses are not targeted but trigger post-transcriptional gene silencing against their helper virus.

Post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) is a sequence-specific degradation mechanism that operates in almost all eukaryotic cells. In plants, double-stranded RNA triggers PTGS, generating 21- to 25-nucleotide guide RNAs responsible for specific degradation of cognate mRNA. The double stranded RNA intermediates of replicating plant viruses often induce PTGS, leading to symptom attenuation. Here we demonstrate the role of PTGS in defective interfering (DI) RNA-mediated symptom attenuation in plants infected with Cymbidium ringspot tombusvirus (CymRSV). Analysis of 21- to 25-nucleotide RNAs in Nicotiana benthamiana infected with CymRSV indicated that PTGS was not spread homogeneously along the viral genome. The 21- to 25-nucleotide RNAs derived mainly from plus-stranded RNA and likely arose from local basepaired structures. In contrast to helper viral RNA, short DI RNAs were not accessible to helper virus-induced RNA degradation guided by the 21- to 25-nucleotide RNAs. Our results suggest a model in which PTGS plays an important role in the selective accumulation and symptom attenuation mediated by DI RNAs. Because PTGS operates in a wide variety of different organisms, this model is applicable to DI RNA generation and accumulation in both plant and animal cells.

Defective Viruses↗

Characterization of the molecular mechanism of defective interfering RNA-mediated symptom attenuation in tombusvirus-infected plants.

Different tombusviruses were able to support the replication of either homologous or heterologous defective interfering (DI) RNAs, and those infected plants usually developed typical attenuated symptoms. However, in some helper virus-DI RNA combinations the inoculated plants were necrotized, although they contained a high level of DI RNA, suggesting that the accumulation of DI RNA and the resulting suppression of genomic RNA replication were not directly responsible for the symptom attenuation. Moreover, the 19-kDa protein product of ORF 5, which is known to play a crucial role in necrotic symptom development, accumulated at the same level in the infected plants in the presence of protective homologous DI RNA and in the presence of nonprotective heterologous DI RNA. It was also demonstrated, by chimeric helper viruses, that the ability of heterologous DI RNA to protect the virus-infected plants against systemic necrosis is determined by the 5'-proximal region of the helper virus genome. The results presented suggest that DI RNA-mediated protection did not operate via the specific inhibition of 19-kDa protein expression but, more likely, DI RNAs in protective DI-helper virus combinations specifically interacted with viral products, preventing the induction of necrotic symptoms.

Defective Viruses↗

Cymbidium ringspot tombusvirus coat protein coding sequence acts as an avirulent RNA.

Avirulent genes either directly or indirectly produce elicitors that are recognized by specific receptors of plant resistance genes, leading to the induction of host defense responses such as hypersensitive reaction (HR). HR is characterized by the development of a necrotic lesion at the site of infection which results in confinement of the invader to this area. Artificial chimeras and mutants of cymbidium ringspot (CymRSV) and the pepper isolate of tomato bushy stunt (TBSV-P) tombusviruses were used to determine viral factors involved in the HR resistance phenotype of Datura stramonium upon infection with CymRSV. A series of constructs carrying deletions and frameshifts of the CymRSV coat protein (CP) undoubtedly clarified that an 860-nucleotide (nt)-long RNA sequence in the CymRSV CP coding region (between nt 2666 and 3526) is the elicitor of a very rapid HR-like response of D. stramonium which limits the virus spread. This finding provides the first evidence that an untranslatable RNA can trigger an HR-like resistance response in virus-infected plants. The effectiveness of the resistance response might indicate that other nonhost resistance could also be due to RNA-mediated HR. It is an appealing explanation that RNA-mediated HR has evolved as an alternative defense strategy against RNA viruses.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Specific binding of tombusvirus replication protein p33 to an internal replication element in the viral RNA is essential for replication.

The mechanism of template selection for genome replication in plus-strand RNA viruses is poorly understood. Using the prototypical tombusvirus, Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV), we show that recombinant p33 replicase protein binds specifically to an internal replication element (IRE) located within the p92 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase coding region of the viral genome. Specific binding of p33 to the IRE in vitro depends on the presence of a C.C mismatch within a conserved RNA helix. Interestingly, the absence of the p33:p33/p92 interaction domain in p33 prevented specific but allowed nonspecific RNA binding, suggesting that a multimeric form of this protein is involved in the IRE-specific interaction. Further support for the selectivity of p33 binding in vitro was provided by the inability of the replicase proteins of the closely related Turnip crinkle virus and distantly related Hepatitis C virus to specifically recognize the TBSV IRE. Importantly, there was also a strong correlation between p33:IRE complex formation in vitro and viral replication in vivo, where mutations in the IRE that disrupted selective p33 binding in vitro also abolished TBSV RNA replication both in plant and in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells. Based on these findings and the other known properties of p33 and the IRE, it is proposed that the p33:IRE interaction provides a mechanism to selectively recruit viral RNAs into cognate viral replicase complexes. Since all genera in Tombusviridae encode comparable replicase proteins, these results may be relevant to other members of this large virus family.

Binding Sites↗

Proteomics analysis of the tombusvirus replicase: Hsp70 molecular chaperone is associated with the replicase and enhances viral RNA replication.

Plus-strand RNA virus replication occurs via the assembly of viral replicase complexes involving multiple viral and host proteins. To identify host proteins present in the cucumber necrosis tombusvirus (CNV) replicase, we affinity purified functional viral replicase complexes from yeast. Mass spectrometry analysis of proteins resolved by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed the presence of CNV p33 and p92 replicase proteins as well as four major host proteins in the CNV replicase. The host proteins included the Ssa1/2p molecular chaperones (yeast homologues of Hsp70 proteins), Tdh2/3p (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, an RNA-binding protein), Pdc1p (pyruvate decarboxylase), and an unknown approximately 35-kDa acidic protein. Copurification experiments demonstrated that Ssa1p bound to p33 replication protein in vivo, and surface plasmon resonance measurements with purified recombinant proteins confirmed this interaction in vitro. The double mutant strain (ssa1 ssa2) showed 75% reduction in viral RNA accumulation, whereas overexpression of either Ssa1p or Ssa2p stimulated viral RNA replication by approximately threefold. The activity of the purified CNV replicase correlated with viral RNA replication in the above-mentioned ssa1 ssa2 mutant and in the Ssa overexpression strains, suggesting that Ssa1/2p likely plays an important role in the assembly of the CNV replicase.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Defective interfering RNA-mediated resistance against cymbidium ringspot tombusvirus in transgenic plants.

Defective interfering (DI) RNA of cymbidium ringspot tombusvirus was cloned downstream from the bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase promoter. In vitro synthesized RNA was biologically active when coinoculated with parental genomic RNA onto Nicotiana benthamiana plants and prevented the occurrence of apical necrosis. N. benthamiana plants were transformed with the DI RNA sequences in both the positive and negative orientations relative to the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter. Integration of DI RNA sequences in the plant genome was verified using PCR amplification of DNA extracts and Northern blot analysis of RNA extracts. DI RNA-related transcripts were detected in uninfected transgenic plants, but inoculation with the parental virus induced replication of the DI RNA only in transgenic plants expressing DI RNA in the positive orientation. Transgenic plants in which DI RNA accumulated were protected from apical necrosis and death.

Base Sequence↗