Shoot meristem tissue of tobacco inoculated with Cucumber mosaic virus is infected with the virus and subsequently recovers from infection by RNA silencing

Distribution of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) in shoot meristem tissue of CMV-inoculated tobacco was successively analyzed with immunohistochemical microscopy and in situ hybridization. CMV signals were detected in the tissue at 7 days postinoculation (dpi), but then they decreased and disappeared after 14dpi. Detailed observation confirmed CMV invasion of shoot apical meristem at 6–8dpi. Short interfering RNA corresponding to CMV RNAs was first detected at 7dpi and was detected up to 24dpi. These results suggest that the shoot meristem tissue is infected with CMV but subsequently recovers from the infection by RNA silencing.