Analysis of the epitope structure of Plum pox virus coat protein

Typing of the particular Plum pox virus (PPV) strain responsible in an outbreak has important practical implications and is frequently performed using strain-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Analysis in Western blots of the reactivity of 24 MAbs to a 112-amino-acid N-terminal fragment of the PPV coat protein (CP) expressed in Escherichia coli showed that 21 of the 24 MAbs recognized linear or denaturation-insensitive epitopes. A series of eight C-truncated CP fragments allowed the mapping of the epitopes recognized by the MAbs. In all, 14 of them reacted to the N-terminal hypervariable region, defining a minimum of six epitopes, while 7 reacted to the beginning of the core region, defining a minimum of three epitopes. Sequence comparisons allowed the more precise positioning of regions recognized by several MAbs, including those recognized by the 5B-IVIA universal MAb (amino acids 94 to 100) and by the 4DG5 and 4DG11 D serogroup-specific MAbs (amino acids 43 to 64). A similar approach coupled with infectious cDNA clone mutagenesis showed that a V74T mutation in the N-terminus of the CP abolished the binding of the M serogroup-specific AL MAb. Taken together, these results provide a detailed positioning of the epitopes recognized by the most widely used PPV detection and typing MAbs.     

Characterization and partial sequence of a new furovirus of wheat in China

A soil-borne wheat virus causing severe mosaic and stunting symptoms on wheat in China has been characterized. It had been considered to be soil-borne wheat mosaic virus (SBWMV) because of its rod-shaped virions and similarities to epidemiology and host range. In this study, the virions purified from infected wheat tissue were approximately 20 nm in diameter and of two lengths (140–160 nm and 280–300 nm), with a coat protein of 19 kDa and two RNA components of approximately 7 and 3.5 kb. A rabbit antiserum was produced against the virus and a serological relationship to SBWMV from the USA (Oklahoma) was demonstrated. However, the coat protein was not recognized by most monoclonal antibodies against Oklahoma SBWMV in either ELISA, ISEM or Western blot analysis, indicating epitope differences. In RT-PCR experiments the viral nucleotide sequences were significantly different from those of SBWMV, and this was confirmed by partial sequencing of the cloned PCR fragments generated from RNA1 ( c . 1100 nt) and RNA2 ( c . 1400 nt), which showed homologies of about 79 and 63%, respectively, to corresponding regions of SBWMV. Because of these significant differences in serology and nucleotide sequence it is suggested that it is a new furovirus for which the name Chinese wheat mosaic virus (CWMV) is proposed.     

Production of monoclonal antibodies against synthetic peptides of the N-terminal region of Potato virus Y coat protein and their use in PVY strain differentiation

Antibodies were prepared against two synthetic peptides, P19 and P11, derived from the coat protein N-terminal region of two pepper isolates of Potato virus Y from Tunisia (PVY-P21 and PVY-P2, respectively). The peptides were selected by comparing the predicted amino acid sequences of three pepper and four potato PVY isolates on the basis of their polymorphism and hydrophilicity. Sera with high titres were only obtained against P19. Three MAbs, raised in response to P19, reacted with the homologous virus (PVY-P21) in TAS-ELISA. When tested against a broad range of PVY isolates and related viruses, MAb 3C5 proved to be PVY species specific, whereas MAbs 8A4 and 1D6 reacted specifically with standard isolates of PVY^O, PVY^C and PVY^N-W strains, but not with other PVY isolates. Consequently, epitope(s) recognized by 8A4 and 1D6 MAbs may be specific to a PVY group comprising all serologically PVY^non–N isolates. Surprisingly, and unlike isolate PVY-P21, many Tunisian field pepper isolates did not carry this epitope(s), thus revealing serological heterogeneity within the PVY pepper group. As PVY is one of the most economically important plant pathogens in a range of crops, including pepper, these MAbs will provide a useful tool for practical diagnosis and strain identification of PVY.     

Serotypic variation in turnip mosaic virus

A panel of 30 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) was produced against four isolates of turnip mosaic virus (TuMV). The panel was tested in plate-trapped antigen ELISA tests against 41 TuMV isolates (with different host and geographical origins and of differing pathotypes). The antibodies were also tested against four other potyviruses (bean common mosaic virus, bean common mosaic necrosis virus, lettuce mosaic virus and zucchini yellow mosaic virus). The reactions were assessed quantitatively (using multivariate analysis) and qualitatively (using the standard deviation obtained against healthy leaf material). The MAbs recognized 16–17 TuMV epitopes that were not present in the other potyviruses and a further two potyvirus epitopes. The isolates were grouped into three serotypes. Only one isolate did not fit this grouping. The classification of seven isolates in coat protein amino acid sequence homology groups correlated with serotypes. There was no correlation between serotype and pathotype, or between reactions to individual MAbs and single lines. There was therefore no evidence that the epitopes recognized by the MAbs are elicitors for the resistance genes present in the Brassica napus lines. However, the sensitivity and specificity of the MAbs will be useful for both routine detection of TuMV and fundamental studies on plant–virus interactions.     

甜菜花叶病毒新疆分离物基因组3′末端序列分析

甜菜花叶病毒(Beet mosaic virus,BtMV)属马铃薯Y病毒科、马铃薯Y病毒属,可经多种蚜虫以非持久性方式传播,病毒粒子为弯曲线状,核酸为单分子正义ssRNA。目前只有美国华盛顿分离物的全序列以及斯洛伐克和英国少数几个分离物3′端的部分序列被报道[1,2]。美国分离物全长9591nt,3′端具有PolyA尾,编码一个由3086个氨基酸组成的多聚蛋白,与其它Potyvirus病毒一样可切割成10个蛋白,从N到C端依次为P1、HC-Pro、P3、6K1、CI、6K2、NIa-Vpg、NIa-Pro、NIb和CP[2]。对于我国发生的BtMV,1981年Liu等[3]报道了发生于北京地区菠菜上的Bt…     

Untersuchungen zum Infektionsverlauf und zur biologischen Differenzierung von bodenbürtigen Viren in Roggen, Triticale und Weizen

Abstract In the frame of the investigation of epidemiology of soil-borne viruses, like the Soil-borne cereal mosaic virus (SBCMV), Soil-borne wheat mosaic virus (SBWMV) and the Bymovirus Wheat spindle streak mosaic virus (WSSMV), which were transmitted by fungal vector Polymyxa graminis Ledingham, the infection progress in different cereals was observed. The detection of furovirus and bymovirus in field plants was depending on temperature conditions during the vegetation period and the kind of cereals. The furoviruses tolerate a broad temperature spectrum and once established infection is detectable until the harvest time. In contrast to this observation, the propagation of WSSMV seems to be restricted to lower temperatures. Consequently, this virus is detected best at the end of February until the middle of April. Among the tested cereals, rye becomes more early infected than wheat and triticale. Both furoviruses could be differed by variable virulence reactions on cereal hosts and indicator plants. The SBCMV infects rye, triticale and wheat but not barley. The SBWMV is able to contaminate beside these cultures barley too. Both viruses are distinguished in the infection typ in Nicotiana benthamiana. Whereas SBCMV isolates spread out in the whole plant and cause yellowing and the die back of plants, the SBWMV infects the inoculated leaves only.     

Molecular characterization and detection of European isolates of Soil-borne wheat mosaic virus

Sequencing of a recently identified isolate of Soil-borne wheat mosaic virus (SBWMV) from the UK confirmed its identity as a European strain of the species and provided further evidence for taxonomic divisions in the group. Two RT–PCR protocols were developed for the detection of all SBWMV strains and for the specific detection of the European SBWMV strain, and were tested successfully on 21 isolates of SBWMV from a range of countries. Both protocols worked well using either purified total RNA in one- or two-step RT-PCR, or immunocapture (IC) RT–PCR. The sensitivity of IC RT-PCR was 100 times greater than ELISA. Neither set of primers produced any PCR product with either Wheat spindle streak mosaic virus or Wheat yellow mosaic virus which are frequently associated with SBWMV, or with the related viruses Indian peanut clump virus , Potato mop-top virus , Beet soil-borne virus and Beet necrotic yellow vein virus . This new diagnostic protocol will improve disease management by enabling correct identification of the causal pathogen and earlier detection than is possible serologically.     

Unterschiedliche Formen der Resistenz gegen bodenbürtige Viren des Weizens

In Germany the furovirus Soil-borne cereal mosaic virus (SBCMV) and the bymovirus Wheat spindle streak mosaic virus (WSSMV) occur often together particularly in several rye production areas. Soil-borne wheat mosaic virus (SBWMV), a wheat infecting furovirus, has so far been found only in one field near Heidelberg. Each of these viruses is transmitted by Polymyxa graminis. The cultivation of resistant varieties is the only promising measure to prevent yield losses caused by soil-borne viruses. Resistance of wheat against the bymovirus WSSMV is comparable to the immunity of barley to the bymoviruses Barley yellow mosaic virus and Barley mild mosaic virus. In case of immunity no virus multiplication is observed in resistant cultivars. In contrast, all wheat cultivars are hosts of the furoviruses. All cultivars – including the resistant ones – can be infected following mechanical inoculation with SBWMV and SBCMV. Resistance to furoviruses is based on reduced levels of virus multiplication in roots and on inhibition of virus movement from roots to leaves. Because of the inhibited virus movement from roots to aerial parts of plants this type of resistance is referred to as translocation resistance. In spite of the different resistance mechanisms the absence of virus symptoms on the leaves is a common selection criterion for both immunity and translocation resistance. Therefore, the symptom free development of plants on uniformly infested fields is the best criterion for selecting wheat lines with resistance to soil-borne viruses. The limited suitability of other selection methods is discussed.     

甜菜花叶病毒新疆分离物基因组3'末端序列分析

甜菜花叶病毒（Beet mosaic virus，BtMV）属马铃薯Y病毒科、马铃薯Y病毒属，可经多种蚜虫以非持久性方式传播，病毒粒子为弯曲线状，核酸为单分子正义ssRNA。目前只有美国华盛顿分离物的全序列以及斯洛伐克和英国少数几个分离物3’端的部分序列被报道。美国分离物全长9591 nt，3’端具有PolyA尾，编码一个由3086个氨基酸组成的多聚蛋白，与其它Potyvirus病毒一样可切割成10个蛋白，从N到C端依次为P1、HC—Pro、P3、6K1、CI、6K2、NIa—Vpg、NIa～Pro、NIb和CP。对于我国发生的BtMV，1981年Liu等报道了发生于北京地区菠菜上的BtMV，之后研究人员相继报道了黑龙江、内蒙古和新疆等甜菜主产区甜菜花叶病的发生及危害情况，并陆续开展了对BtMV的生物学特性、外壳蛋白分子量测定和氨基酸组分分析、细胞病理学等研究，目前对于我国发生的BtMV的分子结构特征还未见报道。本文报道了甜菜花叶病毒新疆分离物（BtMV—XJ）3’端的核酸序列，并与国外已报道序列进行了比较分析，为从分子水平上明确我国BtMV的分子结构特点、深入研究其编码蛋白的功能打下了基础。     

西瓜花叶病毒2号新疆昌吉分离物外壳蛋白基因核苷酸序列分析

 利用RT-PCR从新疆昌吉地区表现花叶、疱斑、扭曲等症状的南瓜病株上检测到西瓜花叶病毒2号新疆昌吉分离物(简称WMV-2-XJ-CJ),并测定了该分离物外壳蛋白(CP)基因序列。序列分析表明,新疆昌吉分离物CP基因全长850个核苷酸,编码197个氨基酸。与国内外报道的12个WMV-2CP基因相比,其核苷酸序列同源性为92.6%~98.3%,由此推导的氨基酸序列同源性为94.7%~99.3%。新疆昌吉分离物在CP N'端可变区明显不同于国内外报道的核苷酸序列。WMV-2新疆昌吉分离物与日本和郑州分离物较其它国家和地区的分离物多出6个核苷酸,但其核苷酸及其推导的氨基酸序列差异较大。新疆昌吉分离物外壳蛋白有2个氨基酸残基明显不同于其它分离物,其中蚜传株系的特征结构域DAG突变为DAE。     

Biological, serological, and molecular variabilities of clover yellow vein virus

ABSTRACT A comparative study was made on the host reactions, serological properties, and nucleotide sequences of the coat protein (CP) gene of 10 clover yellow vein virus (C1YVV) isolates and one bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) isolate collected from different host plant species and locations in Japan. Two strains of C1YVV isolates, grouped on the basis of host reactions on Chenopodium amaranticolor, C. quinoa, Nicotianaclevelandii, N. benthamiana, Vicia faba, and Trifolium repens, corresponded to two serotypes determined by double-antibody sandwich- and triple-antibody sandwich-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using three polyclonal and nine monoclonal antibodies. These results were also confirmed by nucleotide sequence analysis of the CP gene. The CP gene of C1YVV isolates of strain 1, including the Australian isolate C1YVV-B, had 93 to 98% nucleotide identities and 97 to 99.6% amino acid identities. The CP of C1YVV isolates of strain 2, including the New Zealand isolate C1YVV-NZ, had 92 to 98% nucleotide identities and 95 to 98% amino acid identities. The nucleotide identities and the amino acid identities between the two C1YVV strains were 82 to 84%, and 90 to 94%, respectively. When compared with the CP sequences of 12 C1YVV isolates, the CP sequence of the BYMV isolate had 71 to 73% nucleotide identity and 73 to 77% amino acid identity. Amino acid sequence differences among C1YVV isolates from strains 1 and 2 were located mostly at the N-terminal regions of the CP. Our results indicated that the C1YVV isolates studied could be separated into two strains on the basis of host reactions, serology, and the nucleotide sequence of the CP gene.     

Natural Infection of Wheat by the Type Strain of Soil-borne Wheat Mosaic Virus in a Field in Southern Germany

Molecular analyses revealed that a virus causing a severe disease of wheat in one field in Southern Germany is closely related to the Nebraska type strain of Soil-borne wheat mosaic virus (SBWMV) and only distantly related to Soil-borne cereal mosaic virus that is widely distributed in Europe. The latter virus was not found in the SBWMV-containing leaf samples. This is the first report of the occurrence of SBWMV in Germany, and perhaps in all of Europe, which has been confirmed on the molecular level.     

Genetic diversity of Potato virus Y infecting tobacco crops in China

Genetic variability of Potato virus Y (PVY) isolates infecting potato has been characterized but little is known about genetic diversity of PVY isolates infecting tobacco crops. In this study, PVY isolates were collected from major tobacco-growing areas in China and single-lesion isolates were produced by serial inoculation on Chenopodium amaranticolor. Most isolates (88%) caused systemic veinal necrosis symptoms in tobacco. Of these, 16 isolates contained a PVY(O)-like coat protein (CP) and PVY(N)-like helper component proteinase (HC-pro) and, in this respect, were similar to the PVY(N-Wi), PVY(N:O), and PVY-HN2 isolates characterized from potato in Europe, the United States, and China, respectively; two isolates contained a PVY(O)-like HC-pro and a PVY(N)-like CP; another two isolates had recombination junctions in the CP-encoding region. Both the HC-pro and CP of PVY were under negative selection as a whole; however, seven amino acids in HC-pro and six amino acids in CP were under positive selection. Selection pressures differed between the subpopulations of PVY distinguished by phylogenetic analysis of HC-pro and CP sequences. When PVY isolates from potato were included, no host-specific clustering of the PVY isolates was observed in phylogenetic and nucleotide diversity analyses, suggesting frequent spread of PVY isolates between potato and tobacco crops in the field.     

西瓜花叶病毒2号南瓜分离物的鉴定及其外壳蛋白基因序列分析

 利用电镜和酶联免疫吸附测定法(ELISA)在黑龙江省采集的南瓜病样中检测到西瓜花叶病毒2号(WMV-2)。再利用免疫PCR (IC-PCR)和反转录PCR (RT-PCR)方法,扩增获得其外壳蛋白(CP)基因片段,并克隆到pGEM-T载体中。核苷酸序列测定表明,该分离物CP基因全长为852个核苷酸,编码由284个氨基酸组成的31.8 kDa蛋白。与国外已报道的WMV-2 CP基因相比,其核苷酸序列同源性为92.2%~94.0%,由此推导的氨基酸序列同源性为94.5%~98.1%。与国内2个分离物相比,和山西分离物核苷酸和氨基酸的同源性都达到98.5%,和郑州分离物核苷酸和氨基酸的同源性分别为91.5%和95.0%。     

实时荧光RT-PCR-步法检测南方菜豆花叶病毒

南方菜豆花叶病毒(Southern bean mosaic virus,SBMV)是我国二类检疫性有害生物,以南方菜豆花叶病毒日本分离物(SBMV-J)总RNA为模板,采用RT-PCR方法扩增病毒外壳蛋白基因及其上游基因的cDNA片断并将其克隆到pMD18-T载体上。序列分析结果表明:SBMV-J cp基因由801个核苷酸组成,编码266个氨基酸,SBMV-J与其它分离物及株系cp基因的核苷酸序列同源性为83%～97%,氨基酸序列同源性为86%～97%。由于SBMV各分离物及株系cp基因的同源性较低,难于设计出较长的普通PCR引物。通过较短引物设计和TaqMan-MGB探针技术,建立了SBMV的实时荧光RT-PCR一步检测方法。该方法的检测低限是0．16 pg,最佳检测总RNA的量是0．16 ng。     

侵染美人蕉的CMV基因组全序列及其致病性分析

 对一株从美人蕉上分离到的CMV(Cah1-CMV)进行了全长克隆、全序列分析及寄主生物学研究。结果显示:其RNA1全长为3 356 nt,编码993个aa的1a蛋白;RNA2全长为3 045 nt,编码843 aa的2a蛋白和111 aa的2b蛋白;RNA3全长为2 220 nt,编码279 aa的3a蛋白和218 aa的CP蛋白。系统进化树分析显示:Cah1-CMV是CMV亚组IB株系。但是,该株系可以通过汁液摩擦接种侵染烟草(Nicotiana tabacum)、心叶烟(N.glutinosa)和番茄(Lycopersivon esculentum)鉴别寄主,可引起心叶烟顶端坏死,而在其他茄科寄主上均为典型花叶。将Cah1-CMV的2b替换到Fny-CMV中,产生FCah12b-CMV重组体,分析其在心叶烟上的致病性。结果显示:侵染早期,FCah12b-CMV引起心叶烟顶端叶黄褐坏死,与其母本病毒Cah1-CMV的症状相似,而非Fny-CMV症状;侵染后期,FCah12b-CMV并不引起植株系统性坏死。Northern blot-ting结果显示:Cah1-CMV、FCah12b-CMV和Fny-CMV在系统叶中的积累水平不存在明显差异。以上结果说明Cah1-CMV的2b基因在Cah1-CMV致病过程中具有重要功能,但并不是整株症状的决定因子;致病性差异与其基因组RNA在寄主体内的积累水平并不呈正相关性。     

The Complete Nucleotide Sequence and Biotype Variability of Papaya leaf distortion mosaic virus

ABSTRACT The complete nucleotide sequence of the genome of Papaya leaf distortion mosaic virus (PLDMV) was determined. The viral RNA genome of strain LDM (leaf distortion mosaic) comprised 10,153 nucleotides, excluding the poly(A) tail, and contained one long open reading frame encoding a polyprotein of 3,269 amino acids (molecular weight 373,347). The polyprotein contained nine putative proteolytic cleavage sites and some motifs conserved in other potyviral polyproteins with 44 to 50% identities, indicating that PLDMV is a distinct species in the genus Potyvirus. Like the W biotype of Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV), the non-papaya-infecting biotype of PLDMV (PLDMV-C) was found in plants of the family Cucurbitaceae. The coat protein (CP) sequence of PLDMV-C in naturally infected-Trichosanthes bracteata was compared with those of three strains of the P biotype (PLDMV-P), LDM and two additional strains M (mosaic) and YM (yellow mosaic), which are biologically different from each other. The CP sequences of three strains of PLDMV-P share high identities of 95 to 97%, while they share lower identities of 88 to 89% with that of PLDMV-C. Significant changes in hydrophobicity and a deletion of two amino acids at the N-terminal region of the CP of PLDMV-C were observed. The finding of two biotypes of PLDMV implies the possibility that the papaya-infecting biotype evolved from the cucurbitaceae-infecting potyvirus, as has been previously suggested for PRSV. In addition, a similar evolutionary event acquiring infectivity to papaya may arise frequently in viruses in the family Cucurbitaceae.     

Molecular characterization of the CP gene and 3'UTR of Chilli veinal mottle virus from South and Southeast Asia

Twenty-four isolates of Chilli veinal mottle virus (ChiVMV) from China, India, Indonesia, Taiwan and Thailand were analysed to determine their genetic relatedness. Pathogenicity of virus isolates was confirmed by induction of systemic mosaic and/or necrotic ringspot symptoms on Capsicum annuum after mechanical inoculation. The 3' terminal sequences of the viral genomic RNA were determined. The coat protein (CP) coding regions ranged from 858 to 864 nucleotides and the 3' untranslated regions (3'UTR) from 275 to 289 nucleotides in length. All isolates had the inverted repeat sequence GUGGNNNCCAC in the 3'UTR. The DAG motif, conserved in aphid-transmitted potyviruses, was observed in all isolates. All 24 isolates were considered as belonging to ChiVMV because of their high CP amino acid and nucleotide identity (more than 94·8 and 89·5%, respectively) with the reported ChiVMV isolates including the pepper vein banding virus (PVBV), the chilli vein-banding mottle virus (CVbMV) and the CVbMV Chiengmai isolate (CVbMV-CM1). Based on phylogenetic analysis, ChiVMV isolates including all 24 isolates tested, PVBV, CVbMV and CVbMV-CM1 can be classified into three groups. In addition, a conserved region of 204 amino acids with more than 90·2% identity was identified in the C terminal of the CP gene of ChiVMV and Pepper veinal mottle virus (PVMV), and may explain the serological cross reaction between these two viruses. The conserved region may also provide useful information for developing transgenic resistance to both ChiVMV and PVMV.