Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Potato Virus X-Based microRNA Silencing (VbMS) In Potato.
Published on: May 11, 2020
Multiple targets for suppression of RNA interference by tomato aspermy virus protein 2B
Umar Jan Rashid1, Jan Hoffmann, Bernhard Brutschy
1Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, and Institute of Biochemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany.
Abstract:
Viral suppressors of RNA interference (RNAi) appear to have evolved as a response to this innate genomic defense. We report the nucleic acid binding properties of the Cucumovirus RNAi suppressor tomato aspermy virus protein 2B (TAV 2B). Using total internal reflection fluorescence spectroscopy (TIRFS), we show that TAV 2B binds double-stranded RNA corresponding to siRNAs and miRNAs, as well as single-stranded RNA oligonucleotides. A number of positively charged residues between amino acids 20 and 30 are critical for RNA binding. Binding to RNA oligomerizes and induces a conformational change in TAV 2B, causing it to form a primarily helical structure and a 4:2 protein-RNA complex.
Related Concept Videos
RNA Interference
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
RNA Interference
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
Experimental RNAi
siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the ATP-dependent...
Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly
Inhibitors Of Virion Release

