Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Tombusvirus”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Interaction between the replicase proteins of Tomato bushy stunt virus in vitro and in vivo.

Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV), a tombusvirus with a non-segmented, plus-stranded RNA genome, codes for p33 and p92 replicase proteins. The sequence of p33 overlaps with the N-terminal domain of p92, which also contains the signature motifs of RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRps) in its non-overlapping C-terminal portion. In this research, we demonstrate in vitro interactions between p33:p33 and p33:p92 using surface plasmon resonance analysis with purified recombinant p33 and p92. The sequence in p33 involved in the above protein-protein interactions was mapped to the C-terminal region, which also contains an RNA-binding site. Using the yeast two-hybrid assay, we confirmed that two short regions within p33 could promote p33:p33 and p33:p92 interactions in vivo. Mutations in either p33 or p92 within the short regions involved in p33:p33 and p33:p92 interactions decreased the replication of a TBSV defective interfering RNA in yeast, a model host, supporting the significance of these protein interactions in tombusvirus replication.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mutational analysis of the cucumber necrosis virus coat protein gene.

A series of frameshift, deletion, and inversion mutations were made in the coat protein (CP) gene of the icosahedral cucumber necrosis tombusvirus (CNV) to investigate the role of the CP protruding (P) domain in the production of virus particles and, also, to investigate the basis for the accumulation of CP deletion derivatives previously reported in plants inoculated with PD(-), a P-domainless CNV CP mutant. P-domainless coat protein subunit could be detected in extracts of CP mutant-infected plants; however, virus-like particles could not, suggesting that the P domain is essential for tombusvirus particle assembly and/or stability. In addition, each of the P-domain mutants analyzed invariably produced coat protein deletion derivatives in infected plants whereas shell domain mutants rarely produced deletion derivatives. Finally, P-domain inversion and deletion mutants accumulated deletion derivatives very rapidly in comparison to P-domain frameshift mutants. Protoplast studies show that PD(-) RNA inoculum does not undergo further deletion in infected protoplasts, suggesting that PD(-) CP deletion derivatives preferentially accumulate in plants because they have a greater capacity for cell-to-cell movement.

Base Sequence↗

5'-3' RNA-RNA interaction facilitates cap- and poly(A) tail-independent translation of tomato bushy stunt virus mrna: a potential common mechanism for tombusviridae.

Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) is the prototypical member of the genus Tombusvirus in the family Tombusviridae. The (+)-strand RNA genome of TBSV lacks both a 5' cap and a 3' poly(A) tail and instead contains a 3'-terminal RNA sequence that acts as a cap-independent translational enhancer (3' CITE). In this study, we have determined the RNA secondary structure of the translation-specific central segment of the 3' CITE, termed region 3.5 (R3.5). MFOLD structural modeling combined with solution structure mapping and comparative sequence analysis indicate that R3.5 adopts a branched structure that contains three major helices. Deletion and substitution studies revealed that two of these extended stem-loop (SL) structures are essential for 3' CITE activity in vivo. In particular, the terminal loop of one of these SLs, SL-B, was found to be critical for translation. Compensatory mutational analysis showed that SL-B functions by base pairing with another SL, SL3, in the 5' untranslated region of the TBSV genome. Thus, efficient translation of TBSV mRNA in vivo requires a 5'-3' RNA-RNA interaction that effectively circularizes the message. Similar types of interactions are also predicted to occur in TBSV subgenomic mRNAs between their 5' untranslated regions and the 3' CITE, and both genomic and subgenomic 5'-3' interactions are well conserved in all members of the genus Tombusvirus. In addition, a survey of other genera in Tombusviridae revealed the potential for similar 5'-3' RNA-RNA-based interactions in their viral mRNAs, suggesting that this mechanism extends throughout this large virus family.

Base Sequence↗

Characterization of the RNA-binding domains in the replicase proteins of tomato bushy stunt virus.

Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV), a tombusvirus with a nonsegmented, plus-stranded RNA genome, codes for two essential replicase proteins. The sequence of one of the replicase proteins, namely p33, overlaps with the N-terminal domain of p92, which contains the signature motifs of RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRps) in its nonoverlapping C-terminal portion. In this work, we demonstrate that both replicase proteins bind to RNA in vitro based on gel mobility shift and surface plasmon resonance measurements. We also show evidence that the binding of p33 to single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) is stronger than binding to double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), ssDNA, or dsDNA in vitro. Competition experiments with ssRNA revealed that p33 binds to a TBSV-derived sequence with higher affinity than to other nonviral ssRNA sequences. Additional studies revealed that p33 could bind to RNA in a cooperative manner. Using deletion derivatives of the Escherichia coli-expressed recombinant proteins in gel mobility shift and Northwestern assays, we demonstrate that p33 and the overlapping domain of p92, based on its sequence identity with p33, contain an arginine- and proline-rich RNA-binding motif (termed RPR, which has the sequence RPRRRP). This motif is highly conserved among tombusviruses and related carmoviruses, and it is similar to the arginine-rich motif present in the Tat trans-activator protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1. We also find that the nonoverlapping C-terminal domain of p92 contains additional RNA-binding regions. Interestingly, the location of one of the RNA-binding domains in p92 is similar to the RNA-binding domain of the NS5B RdRp protein of hepatitis C virus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Purification of the cucumber necrosis virus replicase from yeast cells: role of coexpressed viral RNA in stimulation of replicase activity.

Purified recombinant viral replicases are useful for studying the mechanism of viral RNA replication in vitro. In this work, we obtained a highly active template-dependent replicase complex for Cucumber necrosis tombusvirus (CNV), which is a plus-stranded RNA virus, from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The recombinant CNV replicase showed properties similar to those of the plant-derived CNV replicase (P. D. Nagy and J. Pogany, Virology 276:279-288, 2000), including the ability (i). to initiate cRNA synthesis de novo on both plus- and minus-stranded templates, (ii). to generate replicase products that are shorter than full length by internal initiation, and (iii). to perform primer extension from the 3' end of the template. We also found that isolation of functional replicase required the coexpression of the CNV p92 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and the auxiliary p33 protein in yeast. Moreover, coexpression of a viral RNA template with the replicase proteins in yeast increased the activity of the purified CNV replicase by 40-fold, suggesting that the viral RNA might promote the assembly of the replicase complex and/or that the RNA increases the stability of the replicase. In summary, this paper reports the first purified recombinant tombusvirus replicase showing high activity and template dependence, a finding that will greatly facilitate future studies on RNA replication in vitro.

Cucumis sativus↗

RNA determinants of junction site selection in RNA virus recombinants and defective interfering RNAs.

RNA recombination plays an important role in the diversification and evolution of RNA viruses. Most of these events are believed to be mediated by an actively copying viral replicase switching from a donor template to an acceptor template, where it resumes synthesis. In addition, intramolecular replicase-mediated events (i.e., rearrangements) can lead to the generation of replicable deleted forms of a viral genome, termed defective interfering (DI) RNAs. To gain further insight into the recombination process, the effect of various primary and secondary structures on recombination site selection in vivo was examined using plant RNA tombusviruses. The effect of sequence identity and complementarity on deletion events that generate DI RNAs was also investigated. Our results suggest that (1) 5' termini and strong hairpin structures in donor templates represent preferred sites for recombinations, (2) junction sites in acceptor templates do not occur in double-stranded regions, (3) nucleotide homology can shift donor and acceptor recombination sites closer to regions of identity and, (4) both sequence identity and complementarity can direct deletion sites in DI RNAs. These results further define RNA determinants of tombusvirus RNA recombination and rearrangement.

Base Sequence↗

Functional analysis of cymbidium ringspot virus genome.

Genomic RNA of cymbidium ringspot tombusvirus (CyRSV) contains five large open reading frames (ORFs). The two 5' proximal ORFs encode proteins of 33 and 92 kDa and the three 3' proximal ORFs encode proteins of 41, 22, and 19 kDa. In addition, a small reading frame encoding a protein of 4 kDa was recently observed by computer analysis of the 3' nontranslated region of CyRSV and other tombusvirus RNAs (ORF 6). The function of putative gene products was investigated with the use of several mutants. Mutants in ORFs 1 and 2 were not viable indicating that both 33- and 92-kDa proteins are required for replication. Deletion of a large portion of the coat protein gene, encoding a 41-kDa protein, did not prevent replication of viral RNA and cell-to-cell movement, but interfered severely with long-distance translocation. No virus particles or viral RNA could be detected in inoculated or upper leaves of plants inoculated with transcripts obtained from mutants not expressing the 22-kDa protein. However, replication and encapsidation occurred normally in inoculated protoplasts indicating that this gene product is a transport protein. Conversely, no role could be assigned to putative gene products of ORF5 (19-kDa protein) and ORF6. It was also shown that factors other than gene expression can influence the replication of RNA mutants, probably due to instability of RNA molecules.

Base Sequence↗

The use of filter hybridization techniques for the identification, differentiation and classification of plant viruses.

In attempts to use dot-blot hybridization tests for the identification of viruses or for assigning them to a certain taxonomic group we found that hybridization signals may be given not only by the homologous virus, but also by heterologous viruses belonging to the same or different taxonomic groups. Possible reasons for this phenomenon, which was observed with uncloned as well as with cloned cDNAs, are discussed. Quantitative dot-blot hybridization tests with extracted viral RNAs proved to be very sensitive in differentiating closely related viruses which were barely distinguishable in serological tests. Estimates on the degree of homology between the RNAs of different viruses may be influenced by a number of experimental parameters, such as competition for the available cDNA between homologous and heterologous RNAs or homologous RNAs in different concentrations on the same sheet of nitrocellulose, saturation phenomena due to close packaging of highly concentrated RNA on the blot and, of course, stringency conditions during washing procedures. Taking these parameters into account we have reestimated the degree of homology between the RNAs of 5 tombusviruses. Our new data suggest that the order of sequence for the relationships among these 5 tombusviruses is similar to that proposed by Koenig and Gibbs (1986) on the basis of serological data.

DNA↗

Nucleotide sequence of the 3'-terminal region of cymbidium ringspot virus RNA.

The nucleotide sequences of cDNA clones corresponding to 2569 nucleotides from the 3' end of cymbidium ringspot tombusvirus (CyRSV) RNA were determined. This region contains three open reading frames giving rise to three predicted protein products, two of which had been identified in previous studies. The 3' non-coding region is 351 nucleotides long. The amino acid sequence of CyRSV coat protein has striking similarities with that of tomato bushy stunt tombusvirus, particularly in the S domain. No homology was found between the protein encoded by the second largest open reading frame and the corresponding product of other plant viruses.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

An RNA domain within the 5' untranslated region of the tomato bushy stunt virus genome modulates viral RNA replication.

The terminal half of the 5' untranslated region (UTR) in the (+)-strand RNA genome of tomato bushy stunt virus was analyzed for possible roles in viral RNA replication. Computer-aided thermodynamic analysis of secondary structure, phylogenetic comparisons for base-pair covariation, and chemical and enzymatic solution structure probing were used to analyze the 78 nucleotide long 5'-terminal sequence. The results indicate that this sequence adopts a branched secondary structure containing a three-helix junction core. The T-shaped domain (TSD) formed by this terminal sequence is closed by a prominent ten base-pair long helix, termed stem 1 (S1). Deletion of either the 5' or 3' segment forming S1 (coordinates 1-10 or 69-78, respectively) in a model subviral RNA replicon, i.e. a prototypical defective interfering (DI) RNA, reduced in vivo accumulation levels of this molecule approximately 20-fold. Compensatory-type mutational analysis of S1 within this replicon revealed a strong correlation between formation of the predicted S1 structure and efficient DI RNA accumulation. RNA decay studies in vivo did not reveal any notable changes in the physical stabilities of DI RNAs containing disrupted S1s, thus implicating RNA replication as the affected process. Further investigation revealed that destabilization of S1 in the (+)-strand was significantly more detrimental to DI RNA accumulation than (-)-strand destabilization, therefore S1-mediated activity likely functions primarily via the (+)-strand. The essential role of S1 in DI RNA accumulation prompted us to examine the 5'-proximal secondary structure of a previously identified mutant DI RNA, RNA B, that lacks the 5' UTR but is still capable of low levels of replication. Mutational analysis of a predicted S1-like element present within a cryptic 5'-terminal TSD confirmed the importance of the former in RNA B accumulation. Collectively, these data support a fundamental role for the TSD, and in particular its S1 subelement, in tombusvirus RNA replication.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

Involvement of the cucumber necrosis virus coat protein in the specificity of fungus transmission by Olpidium bornovanus.

Cucumber necrosis (CNV) and the cherry strain of tomato bushy stunt (TBSV-Ch) are tombusviruses which differ in transmissibility by the fungus Olpidium bornovanus (Sahtiyanci) Karling (= O. radicale Schwartz and Cook). Zoospores acquire and transmit CNV, but not TBSV-Ch, in the in vitro manner. To assess the role of the coat protein in the specificity of fungus transmission, reciprocal exchanges were made between the coat protein genes of these two viruses in full-length infectious cDNA clones. Virions containing a modified TBSV-Ch genome with the CNV coat protein gene were efficiently transmitted, but those containing a modified CNV genome with the TBSV-Ch coat protein gene were not. This is the first direct demonstration for the role of a viral coat protein in the specificity of transmission by a fungus.

Capsid↗

Replication of cymbidium ringspot virus satellite RNA mutants.

Cymbidium ringspot tombusvirus (CyRSV) supports the replication of an RNA molecule known to be a satellite (sat-RNA). Sequence analysis of wild-type sat-RNA showed that the 3' terminus is heterogeneous and terminates with one, two, or three C residues. Transcripts from mutant clones which lacked up to eight nucleotides at the 3' end were biologically active and yielded progeny RNA that had the 3' end restored as in wild-type RNA. Deletions or substitutions at the 5' end produced nonviable molecules. Studies with mutants containing deletions in internal regions showed that replication was affected essentially by the location of deletions; viable mutants were much less encapsidated than the wild type, showing that size also may be important in the encapsidation and survival of CyRSV sat-RNA.

Base Sequence↗

Use of highly conserved motifs in plant virus RNA polymerases as the tags for specific detection of carmovirus-related RNA-dependent RNA polymerase genes.

Two highly degenerate primers for sequence-specific amplification and cloning of a 510-nucleotide-long segment of RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase (RdRp) genes were selected and synthesized on the basis of available plant carmovirus-like viral RdRp sequences. These primers were shown to be efficient in PCR screening of different RdRp genes including those of carmoviruses, dianthoviruses, and tombusviruses. In particular, they were used for amplification, cloning, and sequencing of an RdRp gene fragment of an isometric plant virus with unknown evolutionary relationships, pelargonium flower break virus (PFBV). Alignment of the respective nucleotide and amino acid sequences indicates a very close similarity between PFBV and carnation mottle virus, the type member of carmoviruses.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The effect of defective interfering RNAs on the accumulation of tomato bushy stunt virus proteins and implications for disease attenuation.

Tombusviruses, of which tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) is the type member, spontaneously generate defective interfering RNAs (DIs) that are known to interfere with viral accumulation and symptom development. We show that co-infection with TBSV and DIs causes a dramatic reduction in accumulation of TBSV subgenomic RNAs and corresponding TBSV proteins with a less dramatic reduced accumulation of the genomic RNA and the replicase proteins. Associated with this differentially regulated suppression was a greatly reduced expression of both the p19 protein, which is responsible for severe symptoms, and the p22 protein, which is associated with cell-to-cell movement of the virus. Therefore, the results suggest that the protective effect of DIs may be due to selective inhibition of p19 and p22 expression in addition to reduced replication of genomic RNA.

Genome, Viral↗

3' Terminal putative stem-loop structure required for the accumulation of cymbidium ringspot viral RNA.

Defective interfering (DI) RNA of cymbidium ringspot tombusvirus (CymRSV) was used to identify the cis-acting nature of the last 77-nt sequence of the viral genome which is required for DI RNA accumulation. The 3'-terminal cis-essential domain of both genomic and DI RNAs can be folded into a stable stem-loop structure composed of three hairpins and two short non-base-paired regions. None of the three conserved stem-loops can be deleted without abolishing the infectivity of DI RNA. Similarly, those mutants in which base-paired stem regions were disrupted by single-, double-, or triple-base substitutions were unable to replicate. However, when the original structures were reconstructed by compensatory mutations the viability of the molecules was also restored. Limited mutation (1 or 2 nt) in the non-base-paired region did not show any significant effect on viral replication. Our results strongly suggest that the proposed structure for the 3' terminus of the viral genome is very important for viral RNA replication. It is very likely that the function of this structure is to promote the minus-strand synthesis of CymRSV DI RNA. Evidence is provided that the proposed 3'-terminal structure is relevant not only for CymRSV DI but for genomic RNA as well.

Base Sequence↗

Retention of a small replicase gene segment in tomato bushy stunt virus defective RNAs inhibits their helper-mediated trans-accumulation.

Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) and other tombusviruses are notorious for their propensity to accumulate defective interfering RNAs (DIs) upon serial passage through experimental Nicotiana species. Hallmarks of this occurrence include reduced levels of helper RNA and protein accumulation and amelioration of the lethal necrosis induced upon infection of the host with the helper viruses alone. The objective of this study was to determine whether the prolific trans-accumulation of defective RNAs typically occurs for all replicase-deficient TBSV mutants, or if this process is influenced by internal cis-acting elements that have been excised from DIs. For this purpose, various replicase-deficient TBSV cDNA constructs were generated and their transcripts were tested for trans-accumulation competence in the presence of helper virus. The results revealed that a region of ca. 150 nucleotides near the center of the replicase gene, with a predicted high degree of secondary structure, was a potent inhibitor of trans-rescue (ITR) by TBSV. Relocation of the ITR into efficiently trans-replicating DIs inhibited their accumulation drastically, but only when inserted in the reverse orientation and with an intact 5' ITR-specific predicted hairpin structure. Insertion of the ITR element in the positive orientation yielded DI transcripts that were able to replicate, but failed to interfere noticeably with either accumulation of the helper RNA or the onset of the lethal necrosis phenotype in N. benthamiana. In conclusion, the ITR has an intrinsic capacity to inhibit trans-accumulation of defective RNAs, but its stringency and biological effects are strongly influenced by the overall sequence context.

DNA, Complementary↗

Immunodetection of the 33 K/92 K polymerase proteins in cymbidium ringspot virus-infected and in transgenic plant tissue extracts.

An antiserum was raised against the 33 K protein encoded by the 5' proximal gene of cymbidium ringspot tombusvirus RNA. This antiserum reacts specifically with the 33 K and 92 K proteins, which constitute the viral replicase, in CyRSV-infected Nicotiana benthamiana plants and in transgenic plants transformed with the full-length replicase gene. In inoculated leaves of infected plants, synthesis of the 33 K/92 K proteins stops ten days after inoculation, whereas in newly produced systemically infected leaves there was continuous production of these proteins. In transgenic plants, both proteins were detected showing that readthrough of the termination codon of the 33 K protein does not depend on the presence of the replicating virus. The subcellular localization of the 33 K/92 K proteins is similar in infected and transgenic plants. No correlation was found between the level of expression of integrated virus gene and level of resistance to the challenging virus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗