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Updated: Jun 2, 2026
09:47
Simple and Robust in vivo and in vitro Approach for Studying Virus Assembly
Published on: March 1, 2012
RNA-RNA recombination in plant virus replication and evolution
Joanna Sztuba-Solińska1, Anna Urbanowicz, Marek Figlerowicz
1Plant Molecular Biology Center, Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois 60115, USA.
Annual Review of Phytopathology
|May 3, 2011
Summary
RNA-RNA recombination significantly reshapes plant RNA virus genomes. Various experimental systems help detect and understand this process, revealing its role in viral evolution and genetic exchange.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- RNA-RNA recombination is a major evolutionary force in plant RNA viruses.
- Detecting and studying viral recombination requires specialized experimental systems.
- Previous research has established various in vitro and in vivo models for investigating RNA recombination.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the experimental systems used for detecting RNA-RNA recombination in plant viruses.
- To elucidate the mechanistic details of RNA recombination, including the copy-choice mechanism.
- To highlight the evolutionary and genetic consequences of RNA recombination in plant viruses.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing experimental systems based on Brome mosaic virus (BMV) with divided genomes.
- Employing satellite or defective interfering RNAs (DI-RNAs) from viruses like Turnip crinkle virus (TCV).
- Analyzing the role of RNA structure, proteins, and replicase-mediated copy-choice in recombination.
Main Results:
- Inter- and intrasegmental crossovers were described in the BMV system.
- Mechanistic details revealed the importance of RNA structure and proteins in copy-choice recombination.
- RNA recombination facilitates viral gene rearrangement, mutation repair, and acquisition of foreign sequences.
Conclusions:
- RNA-RNA recombination is a pervasive mechanism driving viral genome evolution and adaptation.
- Plant viruses engage in recombination with related, distant, and even host RNAs.
- Understanding recombination is crucial for comprehending viral phylogenetics and evolution.
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