Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 20, 2026
12:20
Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes: A Functional Genomics Tool for the Study of Positive-strand RNA Viruses
Published on: December 29, 2015
22.2K
Form follows function in geminiviral minichromosome architecture
Tobias Paprotka1, Kathrin Deuschle1, Marcel Pilartz1
1Institut für Biomaterialien und biomolekulare Systeme, Abteilung für Molekularbiologie und Virologie der Pflanzen, Universität Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, D-70550 Stuttgart, Germany.
Virus Research
|December 3, 2014
Summary
Geminiviruses form minichromosomes with 12 nucleosomes, favoring chromatin with a single open gap for transcription factor binding during infection. This finding aids understanding of viral replication and resistance breeding strategies.
Area of Science:
- Plant Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Geminiviruses (family Geminiviridae) are plant pathogens with small, circular, single-stranded DNA genomes.
- Viral DNA is packaged into minichromosomes, influencing replication and transcription.
- Understanding geminivirus minichromosome structure is crucial for controlling infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To survey and compare viral minichromosomes of diverse begomoviruses during Nicotiana benthamiana infections.
- To develop a quantitative approach for generalizing findings across geminiviruses.
- To correlate minichromosome structure with viral replication and transcription activity.
Main Methods:
- Optimized one-dimensional and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.
- Blot hybridization techniques.
- Quantitative analysis of viral DNA topoisomers and nucleosome distribution.
Main Results:
- Identified discrete and heterogeneous virus-specific DNA signals during infection.
- Determined predominant minichromosome forms with 12 nucleosomes, fewer with 13, and none with 11 nucleosomes.
- Indicated that chromatin with one open gap is the preferred form for transcription factor binding.
Conclusions:
- Geminivirus minichromosome structure, particularly nucleosome organization, is conserved and influences viral gene expression.
- The findings provide insights into viral replication dynamics and host-pathogen interactions.
- This research supports the design of experiments for resistance breeding and molecular analyses of geminiviruses.
Keywords:
Abutilon mosaic virusAfrican cassava mosaic virusBegomovirusGeminiviridaeIndian cassava mosaic virusTomato yellow leaf curl Sardinia virusMore Related Videos
10:11Modeling The Lifecycle Of Ebola Virus Under Biosafety Level 2 Conditions With Virus-like Particles Containing Tetracistronic Minigenomes
Published on: September 27, 2014
37.2K
09:03Functional Imaging of Viral Transcription Factories Using 3D Fluorescence Microscopy
Published on: January 18, 2018
7.6K
Related Concept Videos
01:26Size and Structure of Viral Genomes
1.2K
Viral genomes exhibit remarkable diversity in size, structure, and composition, influencing their replication strategies and interactions with host cells. These genomes consist of either DNA or RNA and may be linear or circular. Additionally, they can be single-stranded or double-stranded, with each configuration affecting how the virus propagates within a host. RNA viruses, for instance, generally have smaller genomes than DNA viruses, a factor that contributes to their high mutation rates and...
1.2K
00:56Viral Structure
77.2K
Viruses are extraordinarily diverse in shape and size, but they all have several structural features in common. All viruses have a core that contains a DNA- or RNA-based genome. The core is surrounded by a protective coat of proteins called the capsid. The capsid is composed of subunits called capsomeres. The capsid and genome-containing core are together known as the nucleocapsid.
77.2K
01:10Intracellular Movement of Viruses and Bacteria
3.9K
Intracellular bacteria and viruses often comprise a group of highly infectious pathogens that can cause several diseases. Bacterial pathogens include those belonging to the genus Rickettsia responsible for conditions such as rocky mountain spotted fever and the Mediterranean spotted fever; Chlamydia, a genus responsible for a sexually transmitted disease; Coxiella burnetii, an agent responsible for Q fever. Viral pathogens include vaccinia—a poxvirus, and herpes simplex virus—a...
3.9K
01:10Retrovirus Life Cycles
50.8K
Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the...
50.8K
01:26DNA Bacteriophages
1.6K
Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria, utilizing their genetic material to hijack host cellular machinery for replication. DNA bacteriophages employ single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) or double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genomes. These phages exhibit diverse replication strategies and host interactions, influencing their ecological roles and applications in biotechnology and medicine.ssDNA BacteriophagesssDNA phages, with their small genomes, utilize unique strategies to...
1.6K
02:33Retroviruses
16.3K
Retroviruses and retrotransposons both insert copies of their genetic elements into the genome of the host cell. Thus, the viral genes are passed on when the host genome is replicated or translated. A typical retroviral DNA sequence contains 3-4 genes that encode the different proteins required for its structural assembly and function as a molecular parasite. This DNA is transcribed into a single mRNA, which is very similar in structure to conventional mRNAs, i.e., it is capped at the 5’...
16.3K