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Tobamovirus and dianthovirus movement proteins are functionally homologous
D Giesman-Cookmeyer1, S Silver, A A Vaewhongs
1Department of Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27659-7616, USA.
Abstract:
The movement proteins (MPs) of tobacco mosaic tobamovirus (TMV) and red clover necrotic mosaic dianthovirus (RCNMV) enlarge plasmodesmata size exclusion limits, transport RNA from cell to cell, and bind nucleic acids in vitro. Despite these functional similarities, they have no sequence homology. However, they do appear to have similar secondary structures. We have used transgenic plants expressing either the TMV MP or the RCNMV MP, and a chimeric TMV that encodes the RCNMV MP as its only functional MP gene, to demonstrate that the MPs of TMV and RCNMV are functionally homologous. Further, both TMV and RCNMV can act as helper viruses to allow the cell-to-cell movement of the heterologous movement-defective viruses. These data support the conclusion that, despite other differences, such as particle morphology, host range, and sequence, TMV and RCNMV share a common mechanism for cell-to-cell movement.
Insights
Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and red clover necrotic mosaic virus (RCNMV) movement proteins (MPs) share functional homology despite lacking sequence similarity. Both viruses utilize a common mechanism for cell-to-cell movement in plants.
Area of Science:
- Plant virology
- Molecular biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Movement proteins (MPs) of Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) and Red Clover Necrotic Mosaic Virus (RCNMV) facilitate cell-to-cell transport of viral RNA.
- Despite functional similarities in enlarging plasmodesmata and nucleic acid binding, TMV and RCNMV MPs exhibit no sequence homology but share similar secondary structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional homology between TMV MP and RCNMV MP.
- To determine if TMV and RCNMV share a common mechanism for cell-to-cell movement.
Main Methods:
- Utilized transgenic plants expressing either TMV MP or RCNMV MP.
- Constructed a chimeric TMV encoding RCNMV MP as its sole functional MP gene.
- Assessed the ability of TMV and RCNMV to act as helper viruses for heterologous movement-defective viruses.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated functional homology between TMV and RCNMV MPs.
- Confirmed that both TMV and RCNMV can facilitate the cell-to-cell movement of heterologous movement-defective viruses.
- Showcased that MPs of TMV and RCNMV are functionally homologous.
Conclusions:
- TMV and RCNMV share a common mechanism for cell-to-cell movement, despite differences in particle morphology, host range, and sequence.
- Functional homology exists between TMV and RCNMV movement proteins.
- Plant viruses can share conserved mechanisms for intercellular transport.