Oligomerization of the potato virus X 25-kD movement protein

A 25-kD movement protein (25K protein) encoded by the first gene of the potexvirus Potato virus X triple gene block of transport genes is essential for the viral movement in infected plants. The 25K protein belongs to superfamily 1 of NTPase/helicases and exhibits in vitro RNA helicase, Mg2+-dependent NTPase, and RNA-binding activities. In the present work, the ability of 25K protein for homologous interactions was studied using the yeast two-hybrid system, protein chemical cross-linking in the presence of glutaraldehyde, far-Western blotting, and ultracentrifugation in sucrose density gradients. The 25K protein was shown to form homodimers and homooligomers. Sites of homologous protein-protein interactions were found in both the N- and C-terminal portions of the protein.