Unravelling the Prunus/Plum pox virus interactions

Plum pox virus (PPV) belongs to the genus Potyvirus that contains the largest number of virus species infecting plants. Its virus genome has been extensively characterised and sequenced. However, few data are available on its interactions with woody host plants. We therefore focused, in the past 4 years, both on the cellular and molecular aspects of the compatible and incompatible Prunus /PPV interactions. GFP (Green fluorescent protein)-tagged PPV and in situ hybridisation were used to compare the localization of viral particles in stems and leaves of susceptible and resistant apricot cultivars. In parallel, molecular tools were developed through the cloning and characterization of polymorphic, homologous resistance genes and of candidate genes involved in the expression of Prunus /PPV interactions. Candidate genes are currently used to target genomic regions involved in resistance or susceptibility and to identify molecular markers indispensable for further marker assisted selection for resistance to sharka disease.     

Differentiation of Mediterranean plum pox virus isolates by coat protein analysis

Six isolates of plum pox potyvirus from different Mediterranean countries were compared by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), peptide mapping and Western blotting after improved purification of virions using a protease inhibitor cocktail that reduced coat protein degradation. One isolate (Spanish isolate 3.3 from plum) differed from the others in possessing a smaller coat protein (approximately 34 instead 36 kDa) with a possible deletion in the surface-exposed amino-terminal region. Infectivity of the viruses after proteolysis, assessed using a local lesion host, was significantly reduced. Protease digestion conditions were established to generate a 28 kDa resistant core of the viral coat protein. Such conditions (longer incubation times or an increase in the enzyme concentration) differed from the milder ones reported for other potyviruses. Implications of the results in relation to the production and screening of virus-specific monoclonal antibodies are discussed.     

Detection of Plum pox virus: biological methods

This paper describes biological testing techniques for Plum pox virus (PPV), focussing in particular on woody indicators such as Prunus persica (L.) Batsch GF305 and P. tomentosa (Thunb.) Wall.     

李痘病毒及其风险分析

李痘病毒是危害核果类果树的重要病原物,具有传播迅速的特点,已被多个国家列为检疫性有害生物。本文对李痘病毒生物学特性等方面进行综述,通过分析该病毒的传播和定殖规律,并根据我国的具体生态情况,对其传入的可能性进行风险分析,结果认定其传入的可能性较大,需要制定严格的检疫措施,严防传入中国。