Identification of Common Epitopes on a Conserved Region of NSs Proteins Among Tospoviruses of Watermelon silver mottle virus Serogroup

ABSTRACT The NSs protein of Watermelon silver mottle virus (WSMoV) was expressed by a Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) vector in squash. The expressed NSs protein with a histidine tag and an additional NIa protease cleavage sequence was isolated by Ni(2+)-NTA resins as a free-form protein and further eluted after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for production of rabbit antiserum and mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). The rabbit antiserum strongly reacted with the NSs crude antigen of WSMoV and weakly reacted with that of a high-temperature-recovered gloxinia isolate (HT-1) of Capsicum chlorosis virus (CaCV), but not with that of Calla lily chlorotic spot virus (CCSV). In contrast, the MAbs reacted strongly with all crude NSs antigens of WSMoV, CaCV, and CCSV. Various deletions of the NSs open reading frame were constructed and expressed by ZYMV vector. Results indicate that all three MAbs target the 89- to 125-amino-acid (aa) region of WSMoV NSs protein. Two indispensable residues of cysteine and lysine were essential for MAbs recognition. Sequence comparison of the deduced MAbs-recognized region with the reported tospoviral NSs proteins revealed the presence of a consensus sequence VRKPGVKNTGCKFTMHNQIFNPN (denoted WNSscon), at the 98- to 120-aa position of NSs proteins, sharing 86 to 100% identities among those of WSMoV, CaCV, CCSV, and Peanut bud necrosis virus. A synthetic WNSscon peptide reacted with the MAbs and verified that the epitopes are present in the 98- to 120-aa region of WSMoV NSs protein. The WSMoV sero-group-specific NSs MAbs provide a means for reliable identification of tospoviruses in this large serogroup.     

Serological and Molecular Characterization of Peanut chlorotic fan-spot virus, a New Species of the Genus Tospovirus

ABSTRACT To clarify the serological relationship of Peanut chlorotic fan-spot virus (PCFV) with other tospoviruses, antisera were produced against the nucleocapsid (N) proteins of this virus and tospoviruses from four serogroups including Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV), Groundnut ringspot virus (GRSV), and Watermelon silver mottle virus (WSMoV). In immunodiffusion tests, the antisera only reacted with their homologous antigens. Similar results were noticed in indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblot tests, with the exception that strong cross-reactions were observed in heterologous combinations between TSWV and GRSV. The results indicated that the N protein of PCFV is not serologically related to those of the tospoviruses from the four serogroups. To further characterize the virus, viral S double-stranded RNA was extracted from PCFV-infected Chenopodium quinoa and used for cDNA cloning and sequencing. The full-length viral strand of the S RNA was determined to be 2,833 nucleotides, with an inverted repeat at the 5' and 3' ends and two open reading frames in an ambisense arrangement. The 3'-terminal sequence (5'-AUUGCUCU-3') of the viral S RNA is identical to those of other tospoviruses, indicating that PCFV belongs to the genus Tospovirus. The N and the NSs proteins of PCFV share low amino acid identities (22.3 to 67.5% and 19.3 to 54.2%) with those of reported tospoviruses, respectively. The phylogenetic dendrogram of the N gene of PCFV compared with those of other tospoviruses indicates that PCFV is distinct from other tospoviruses. In hybridization analyses, an N gene cDNA probe of PCFV did not react with viral RNAs of TSWV, GRSV, INSV, and WSMoV, and vice versa. Thus, based on these results, we conclude that PCFV is a new tospovirus species.     

Serological and Molecular Characterization of a High Temperature-recovered Virus Belonging to Tospovirus Serogroup IV

A serologically and cytologically distinct gloxinia tospovirus (HT-1) previously isolated from a gloxinia plant infected with Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV) when propagated in a high-temperature environment was characterized. Rabbit antisera produced for INSV and Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) nucleocapsids (N) failed to react with HT-1 proteins in western blot analysis. The HT-1 antibodies reacted strongly with homologous antigen but failed to react with INSV and TSWV. However, the HT-1 antiserum reacted in ELISA with Watermelon silver mottle virus (WSMV) from Taiwan and in western blot analysis with the WSMV N protein. A reciprocal test showed that the antiserum prepared against the N protein of WSMV also reacted with the HT-1 N protein in both ELISA and western blot analysis. DNA probes derived from the N gene of HT-1 or WSMV hybridized to RNAs prepared from plants infected with either virus. Stronger signals were obtained with homologous than with heterologous reactions. Neither probe detected INSV or TSWV. The M and S RNAs of HT-1 were sequenced. The M RNA contains two open reading frames (ORF) ; one in the sense orientation encoding a nonstructural (NSm) protein of 308-amino-acids (aa) and the other in the ambisense orientation, a 1122-aa precursor of Gl and G2 glycoproteins. The S RNA also contains two ORFs ; one in the sense orientation encoding a nonstructural (NSs) protein of 439 aa and the other in the ambisense orientation, an N protein of 277 aa. HT-1 is distantly related to INSV and TSWV as shown by low nucleotide (40–52%) and amino acid (28–48%) similarities in the four ORF sequences. The HT-1 virus shares high nucleotide (76–81%) and amino acid (85–92%) similarities with WSMV and peanut bud necrosis virus (PBNV). Based on the serological properties and sequence data, we propose that HT-1 is a distinct species of serogroup IV in the genus Tospovirus. This is the first time that a tospovirus similar to those found in the Far East and in Southeast Asia has been identified in the US. Received 16 October 1999/ Accepted in revised form 20 December 1999     

Serological and biological variation between and within subgroup I and II strains of cucumber mosaic virus

Fourteen strains of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) from Australia have been characterized by their host range and symptomatology. They were classified as subgroup I or II strains by a dot-blot molecular hybridization assay between their total viral RNAs and selected cDNAs. The strains F_NY and L_Ny, both from the USA, were used as the subgroup I- and subgroup II-type strains, respectively. A range of serological tests was used to compare these isolates. Gel immunodiffusion tests, with standard antigens homologous to the antisera prepared against glutaraldehyde-fixed virus of 11 strains, showed that they could be divided into three serogroups on the basis of spur formation in heterologous reactions. Two of the serogroups included either subgroup I or subgroup II isolates, whereas the third serogroup consisted of only one strain (Y_WA) which was homologous to all the strains tested. Use of heterologous standard antigens in this test failed to show further subgrouping of the antigens. Double-antibody sandwich (DAS) ELISA using polyclonal antibodies to distinct virus strains also placed the 14 strains in the same three serogroups. When eight different monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were used in indirect ELISA, one of them distinguished subgroup-I strains and another distinguished subgroup-II strains; the Y_WA strain fell into subgroup II. Other MAbs showed narrower or broader specificity. Thus both molecular hybridization with total RNA and specific MAbs may be useful for separating isolates of CMV into subgroups I and II. Spur formation using heterologous standard antigens to the antisera, as well as being more difficult to interpret, was not a reliable criterion for classification.     

Melon yellow spot virus: A Distinct Species of the Genus Tospovirus Isolated from Melon

ABSTRACT A tospovirus-like virus recovered from netted melon was transmitted by Thrips palmi in a persistent manner but had different cytopathological features from tospoviruses previously reported. Viral nucleocapsid (N) was purified with two protective reagents, 2-mercaptoethanol and L-ascorbic acid, and RNA extracted from the viral nucleocapsid was used for genomic analysis. The virus had a genome consisting of three single-stranded RNA molecules. The open reading frame on the viral complementary strand, located at the 3' end of the viral S RNA, encoded the N protein. The 3' terminus of this RNA also contained an eight-nucleotide sequence similar to the conserved sequence at the 3' end of genomic RNA molecules of tospoviruses. These features of the viral genome are identical to those of tospoviruses; therefore, this virus is considered to belong to the genus Tospovirus. Its N protein comprised 279 amino acids and had a molecular mass of 31.0 kDa. Comparisons of its amino acid sequence with those of known tospoviruses revealed less than 60% identity. This melon virus is concluded to be a distinct species in the genus Tospovirus, and the name Melon yellow spot virus is proposed.     

云南西瓜银灰斑驳病毒病害的鉴定

 应用DAS-ELISA和RT-PCR方法从褪绿和银色斑驳的西瓜叶片中检测到病毒分离物（WSMoV-YN）,感病样品能与WSMoV/GBNV复合抗血清（Agdia）呈阳性反应。获得WSMoV N蛋白的多克隆抗体,抗体能与WSMoV血清组成员CaCV和TZSV反应,但不能与INSV、TSWV、HCRV和GYSV反应。为明确引起该病害的病毒种类,采用Tospovirus通用引物对样品的总RNA进行RT-PCR扩增,获得长度为3 554 nt的S RNA全序列,经Blastn比对分析与WSMoV中国台湾分离物同源性最高,为95.8%,其N和NSs蛋白氨基酸序列同源性分别为99%和97.6%。构建系统进化树发现,西瓜银灰斑驳病毒云南分离物（WSMoV-YN）与其他WSMoV聚为一支。确定引起云南西瓜病害的病毒为WSMoV。     

广东西瓜上检测到甜瓜黄斑病毒

在广东发现了可能被番茄斑萎病毒属(Tospovirus)病毒侵染的西瓜,采用ELISA和RT-PCR法对该西瓜病样进行了检测,西瓜病叶粗汁液不与番茄斑萎病毒(Tomato spotted wilt virus,TSWV)和西瓜银斑驳病毒(Watermelon silver mottle virus,WSMoV)的血清发生反应;利用引物J13/UHP通过RT-PCR可以扩增出约1400 bp的基因片段,该片段包括一个840 bp的核衣壳蛋白ORF,其推导的氨基酸序列与已报道的Melon yellow spot virus(MYSV)NP基因氨基酸序列的同源率都为99%,进化树分析表明侵染广东西瓜的病毒(命名为MYSV-GZ)属于Tospovirus的MYSV血清组。     

侵染广西甜椒的西瓜银斑驳病毒分子鉴定

西瓜银斑驳病毒(Watermelon silver mottle vi-rus,WSMoV)为布尼亚病毒科(Bunyaviridae)番茄斑萎病毒属(Orthotospovirus)病毒,通过蓟马以持久增殖型方式传播,主要危害番茄、辣椒、西瓜等茄科和葫芦科作物,引起褪绿轮纹、环斑、皱缩等症状,造成严重的经济损失[1]....     

Comparison of ambisense m RNA of watermelon silver mottle virus with other tospoviruses

ABSTRACT Double-stranded genomic RNAs (dsRNAs) extracted from Chenopodium quinoa infected with watermelon silver mottle virus (WSMV) were similar to those of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV, serogroup I) and impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV, serogroup III), except that the S dsRNA of WSMV is 0.75 and 0.6 kbp longer than those of TSWV and INSV, respectively. The complete nucleotide sequence of the genomic M RNA of WSMV was determined from cDNA clones generated from separated M dsRNA. The M RNA is 4,880 nucleotides in length with two open reading frames (ORFs) in an ambisense organization. The M RNA-encoded nonstructural (NSm) ORF located on the viral strand encodes a protein of 312 amino acids (35 kDa), and the G1/G2 ORF located on the viral complementary strand encodes a protein of 1,121 amino acids (127.6 kDa). The RNA probe corresponding to the NSm or G1/G2 ORF of WSMV failed to hybridize with the M dsRNAs of TSWV and INSV. Comparison of M and S RNAs of WSMV, TSWV, INSV, and peanut bud necrosis virus (PBNV, serogroup IV) revealed a consensus sequence of eight nucleotides of 5'-AGAGCAAU...-3' at their 5' ends and 5'-...AUUGCUCU-3' at their 3' ends. The low overall nucleotide identities (56.4 to 56.9%) of the M RNA and the low amino acid identities of the NSm and G1/G2 proteins (30.5 to 40.9%) with those of TSWV and INSV indicate that WSMV belongs to the Tospovirus genus but is phylogenetically distinct from viruses in serogroups I and III. The M RNA of WSMV shares a nucleotide identity of 79.6% with that of PBNV, and the two viruses share 83.4 and 88.7% amino acid identities for their NSm and G1/G2 proteins, respectively. It is concluded that they are two related but distinct species of serogroup IV. In addition to the viral or viral complementary full-length M RNA, two putative RNA messages for the NSm gene and the G1/G2 gene, 1.0 and 3.4 kb, respectively, were detected from the total RNA extracted from WSMV-infected tissue of Nicotiana benthamiana. The 1.0- and 3.4-kb RNAs were also detected in the viral RNAs extracted from purified nucleocapsids, suggesting that the putative messages of the M RNA of WSMV can also be encapsidated by the nucleocapsid protein.     

Interaction of Tomato Spotted Wilt Tospovirus (TSWV) Glycoproteins with a Thrips Midgut Protein, a Potential Cellular Receptor for TSWV

ABSTRACT Interactions between viral and cellular membrane fusion proteins mediate virus penetration of cells for many arthropod-borne viruses. Electron microscope observations and circumstantial evidence indicate insect acquisition of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) (genus Tospovirus, family Bunyaviridae) is receptor mediated, and TSWV membrane glycoproteins (GP1 and GP2) serve as virus attachment proteins. The tospoviruses are plant-infecting members of the family Bunyaviridae and are transmitted by several thrips species, including Frankliniella occidentalis. Gel overlay assays and immunolabeling were used to investigate the putative role of TSWV GPs as viral attachment proteins and deter mine whether a corresponding cellular receptor may be present in F. occidentalis. A single band in the 50-kDa region was detected with murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to the TSWV-GPs when isolated TSWV or TSWV-GPs were used to overlay separated thrips proteins. This band was not detected when blots were probed with antibody to the non-structural protein encoded by the small RNA of TSWV or the TSWV nucleocapsid protein, nor were proteins from nonvector insects labeled. Anti-idiotype antibodies prepared to murine MAbs against GP1 or GP2 specifically labeled a single band at 50 kDa in Western blots and the plasmalemma of larval thrips midguts. These results support the putative role of the TSWV GPs as viral attachment proteins and identified potential cellular receptor(s) in thrips.     

从云南蝴蝶兰上检测到番茄斑萎病毒属病毒

 应用电镜观察、DAS-ELISA以及RT-PCR检测,从症状表现黄化、环斑的云南蝴蝶兰(Phalaenopsis amabilis)病样中分离得到的一个病毒分离物Tospo-Pha。该分离物粒子近球形、具包膜、直径约90nm,与番茄斑萎病毒属(Tospovirus)的西瓜银色斑驳病毒(Watermelon silver mosaic virus,WSMoV)/花生芽坏死病毒(Groundnut bud necrosis virus,GBNV)复合抗血清呈强阳性反应,分子检测发现该分离物SRNA5'末端序列与CaCV大岩桐分离物(CaCV-Gloxinia)同源性最高(91.0%),在系统进化树中与CaCV聚于同一分支。上述结果表明,从云南蝴蝶兰中分离到的Tospo-Pha属于Tospovirus病毒。     

水稻条纹病毒单克隆抗体的制备及检测应用

 用水稻条纹病毒(RSV)免疫的BALB/c小鼠脾细胞与SP2/0鼠骨髓瘤细胞融合,经筛选克隆,获得4株能稳定传代且分泌抗RSV单克隆抗体的杂交瘤细胞。各株单抗腹水的ELISA效价均在1:80000~1:5120000之间。Westernblot分析表明,4株单抗均与RSV的35kDa的外壳蛋白亚基有特异反应。建立了间接ELISA测定RSV的方法,4株单抗检测病汁液的稀释度能达到2560倍以上,与其它病毒无交叉反应。对江苏省部分县市的大田灰飞虱带毒率进行检测,结果显示灰飞虱的带毒率为12.5%~41.5%     

Production of monoclonal antibodies to potato virus YNTN strain and their use for strain differentiation

Four mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against potato virus Y (PVY) were produced. MAb 4C1 reacted with four isolates of PVY^NTN and only very weakly with one isolate of the necrotic strain of PVY (PVY^N). It did not react with other isolates of the ordinary strain of PVY tested. MAb 2C9 reacted with all isolates tested and can be used to produce a specific diagnostic kit for routine PVY detection. Other MAbs had different specificities and reacted with isolates of various strains of PVY. MAbs did not react with seven other members of the Potyvirus group including potato virus A. A MAb-based ELISA, using MAb 4C1, was devised and shown to detect PVY^NTN specifically.     

Monoclonal antibodies detect a single amino Acid difference between the coat proteins of soilborne wheat mosaic virus isolates: implications for virus structure

ABSTRACT Four monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were prepared against an isolate of soilborne wheat mosaic furovirus from Oklahoma (SBWMV Okl-7). Three MAbs had different reactivities in tests on SBWMV isolates from Nebraska (Lab1), France, and Japan. One MAb (SCR 133) also reacted with oat golden stripe furovirus. None of the MAbs cross-reacted with other rod-shaped viruses including beet necrotic yellow vein furovirus, potato mop-top furovirus, and tobacco rattle tobravirus. Sequence analysis of nucleotides between 334 and 1,000 of RNA 2, the region that encodes the coat protein (CP) and the first 44 amino acids of a readthrough protein, of the four SBWMV isolates revealed up to 27 base changes from the published sequence of a Nebraska field isolate of SBWMV. Most changes were translationally silent, but some caused differences of one to three amino acids in residues located near either the N- or C-terminus of the CPs of the different isolates. Two further single amino acid changes were found at the beginning of the readthrough domain of the CP-readthrough protein. Some of these amino acid changes could be discriminated by MAbs SCR 132, SCR 133, and SCR 134. Peptide scanning (Pepscan) analysis indicated that the epitope recognized by SCR 134 is located near the N-terminus of the CP. SCR 132 was deduced to react with a discontinuous CP epitope near the C-terminus, and SCR 133 reacted with a surface-located continuous epitope also near the C-terminus. Predictions of CP structure from computer-assisted three-dimensional model building, by comparison with the X-ray fiber diffraction structure of tobacco mosaic virus, suggested that the three CP amino acids found to differ between isolates of SBWMV were located near the viral surface and were in regions predicted to be antigenic.     

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.     

Development of monoclonal antibodies against the fungi of the 'Ascochyta complex'

Two monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were produced against soluble antigens from the 'Ascochyta complex' fungi. Specificity of MAbs was tested by ELISA using antigen-coated wells. MAbs secreted by the monoclonal hybridoma cell line JIM 44 recognized epitopes present in the antigen preparations from Mycosphaerella pinodes and Phoma medicaginis var. pinodella , but not those present in preparations from Ascochyta pisi . At high tissue culture supernatant concentration, MAbs produced by the monoclonal line JIM 45 recognized epitopes from all three fungi, however, on dilution of MAb the antigens from A. pisi were recognized preferentially to those from M. pinodes and P. medicaginis var. pinodella . On the basis of heat and periodate treatment of the antigens from the three fungi it can be concluded that the epitope recognized by JIM 44 is carbohydrate in nature, whereas that recognized by JIM 45 is proteinaceous in nature, carried on a glycoprotein antigen. Antigen preparations from other fungi, including other pea pathogens, non-pathogens associated with pea and other fungi closely related to the 'Ascochyta complex', were not detected with either of the two MAbs. Antigen preparations from peas could be used to differentiate healthy and infected seeds in a dot-blot assay, therefore indicating the potential of using the MAbs in the development of a diagnostic test for infection of Pisum seeds by the 'Ascochyta complex' fungi.