Evidence that alfalfa mosaic virus infection starts with three RNA-protein complexes

The tripartite genome of alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) needs to be activated by its coat protein. To establish whether coat protein exerts its role by interacting structurally with one, two, or all three AMV-RNA species, the infectivity of mixtures of RNA-protein complexes with free RNAs were studied (Smit and Jaspars, Virology 104, 454-461, 1980). These studies were not fully conclusive since some redistribution of coat protein does occur as soon as RNAs are brought into contact with RNA-protein complexes. This problem was overcome by the use of ts mutants of AMV. Free ts coat protein subunits were not able to activate the wt genomic RNAs at 30 degrees in tobacco. Once complexed to the genomic RNAs at 0 degrees , the biological activity of the ts coat protein remained when assayed at the nonpermissive temperature. Apparently, the ts coat protein is inactivated during attempted redistribution at 30 degrees . Studies of mixtures of RNA-protein complexes and free RNA show that coat protein has to be present on at least two of the three RNA species. This result in combination with previous results (Smit and Jaspars, 1980) warrants the conclusion that the alfalfa mosaic virus infection starts with three RNA-protein complexes.