RNA-protein interactions in the assembly of tobacco mosaic virus

Assembly of tobacco mosaic virus is initiated by the binding of a specific loop of the RNA into the central hole of the disk aggregate of protein subunits. Since the nucleation loop is located about five-sixths along the RNA molecule, subsequent elongation must be bidirectional. We have now measured the rates of elongation in the two directions by determining the lengths of RNA protected from nuclease digestion at different times and using either intact TMV rNA, or RNA with most of the longer tail removed. Comparison of the rates with the protein supplied as either a mixture of disks with A-protein (a mixture of less aggregated states) or just A-protein, shows that different mechanisms and protein aggregates are used for the most rapid growth. When disks are present, they add more rapidly along the longer RNA tail but do not appear to add directly on the shorter tail. In contrast, smaller aggregates (A-protein) can add at both ends of the rod, but do so more slowly. Mechanisms for these processes are discussed. Preliminary results on the binding of the specific hexanucleotide AAGAAG to the disk are given and compared with the known changes on binding nonspecific hexanucleotides or the trinucleotide AAG.