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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
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Large-scale Production of Recombinant RNAs on a Circular Scaffold Using a Viroid-derived System in Escherichia coli
Published on: November 30, 2018
Peach latent mosaic viroid: not so latent
Ricardo Flores1, Sonia Delgado, María-Elena Rodio
1Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (UPV-CSIC), Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, 46022 Valencia, Spain.
Molecular Plant Pathology
|May 29, 2010
Summary
Peach latent mosaic viroid (PLMVd) replicates using host machinery and causes varied symptoms. This study details its structure, transmission, and evolution as a minimal catalytic RNA system.
Area of Science:
- Plant virology
- Molecular biology
- RNA catalysis
Background:
- Peach latent mosaic viroid (PLMVd) is a chloroplastic viroid in the family Avsunviroidae.
- It possesses hammerhead ribozymes and a unique branched RNA conformation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the structure, biological properties, and replication mechanisms of PLMVd.
- To understand the molecular basis of PLMVd-induced symptoms and its evolution.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of PLMVd's RNA structure and conformation.
- Mapping of symptom-inducing molecular determinants.
- Investigation of horizontal and vertical transmission routes.
Main Results:
- PLMVd exhibits a branched conformation influencing its solubility.
- Specific isolates cause symptoms like peach calico (PC), fruit deformities, and tree aging.
- A 12-14 nt insertion is linked to PC symptoms.
- Horizontal transmission occurs via buds, tools, and aphids; not via seeds.
Conclusions:
- PLMVd serves as a model for studying non-protein-coding RNA replication, movement, and evolution.
- Its unique structure and catalytic activity are key to its biological interactions.
- Understanding PLMVd provides insights into viroid-host interactions and RNA-based pathogenicity.
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