Serial passage of tobacco rattle virus under different selection conditions results in deletion of structural and nonstructural genes in RNA 2.

The RNA genome of tobacco rattle virus (TRV) is bipartite. RNA 2 of the nematode-transmissible TRV isolate PPK20 encodes the viral coat protein (cp) and proteins with molecular weights of 29,400 and 32,800 (29.4K and 32.8K proteins). When this isolate was serially passaged in tobacco by using phenol-extracted RNA as the inoculum in each transfer, defective interfering (DI) RNAs rapidly accumulated. A number of these DI RNAs were cloned. Six DI RNAs had single internal deletions in RNA 2 that removed most of the cp gene, the 29.4K gene, and the 5' half of the 32.8K gene. The borders of the deletions in these DI RNAs were found to be flanked in the genomic RNA 2 by short nucleotide repeats or sequences resembling the 5' end of TRV genomic and subgenomic RNAs. Two DI RNAs were found to be recombinants containing a 5' sequence derived from RNA 2 and a 3' sequence derived from RNA 1. When serial passage of TRV isolate PPK20 was carried out by using leaf homogenates as inocula in each transfer, accumulation of a DI RNA (designated D7) with a functional cp gene was observed. The deletion in D7 covered the 3' end of the cp gene, the 29.4K gene, and the 5' half of the 32.8K gene. An infectious cDNA clone of D7 RNA was made. In mixed infections, D7 RNA rapidly outcompeted RNA 2 but did not compete with RNA 1. The deletion in D7 RNA abolished the nematode transmissibility of the PPK20 isolate. These results may explain the observation that many laboratory isolates of tobraviruses have lost their nematode transmissibility and contain RNA 2 molecules of widely different lengths.     

Identification of the RNA products of the ops gene of Myxococcus xanthus and mapping of ops and tps RNAs.

The expression of the ops gene, like that of the highly homologous and closely linked tps gene, is induced during development of the fruiting bacterium Myxococcus xanthus. The RNA products of the ops gene have been identified and compared with tps RNA. The ops RNA was observed in developmental cells only after spore formation had commenced, and it was necessary to use a sporulation-defective mutant strain or to disrupt spores to isolate this RNA. RNA from the ops gene was not observed in vegetative cells but was readily detected in cells subjected to glycerol-induced sporulation. In contrast, a large amount of developmental tps RNA was observed in cells well before sporulation had occurred; low levels of tps RNA were observed in vegetative cells; and only a slight increase in tps RNA was found during glycerol-induced sporulation. Several ops and tps RNAs were observed in this study, and the positions of these RNAs were mapped on the M. xanthus genome. The 5' ends of both the ops and tps RNAs mapped predominantly to positions about 50 bases upstream from the respective translational initiation sites. The 3' ends of RNAs from both genes were heterogeneous. The four ops RNAs were 620, 775, 845, and 1,230 bases in length, while the tps RNAs were 612, 695, 730, and 935 bases.     

Two RNA species co-purify with RNase P from the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

RNase P activity from Schizosaccharomyces pombe co-purifies with two RNA species. These RNAs are associated with enzyme activity as judged by titrated micrococcal nuclease inactivation experiments. The two RNAs, K1- and K2-RNA, are 285 and 270 nucleotides long, respectively. Both RNAs are transcribed from one gene, present in a single copy in the haploid genome. The primary and a secondary structure of K RNAs have been determined and compared with M1 RNA, their counterpart from Escherichia coli. Very limited sequence homology was observed, and this agrees with the finding that no cross-hybridization with M1 RNA can be detected in a Southern analysis with yeast genomic DNA. However, the secondary structures of K RNA and M1 RNA show the same basic organization and one conserved local motif, the sequence GUG--AGGPu in an exposed hairpin loop.     

H3N2型猪流感病毒M2蛋白表达分析

流感病毒的M2蛋白在流感病毒复制中起着重要作用,是抗流感病毒的靶标分子。本研究以提取的病毒基因组RNA作为模板,RT-PCR扩增H3N2亚型猪流感病毒M2基因,分别构建了重组原核表达载体和重组真核表达载体,建立了M2蛋白的原核和真核表达系统。通过大肠杆菌表达系统,制备了M2重组蛋白,并免疫大鼠制备了多克隆抗体。Western blotting和间接免疫荧光方法检测表明所制备的抗体能识别真核表达的M2蛋白和病毒感染细胞后表达M2蛋白,具有良好的特异性。重组M2真核表达载体转染Vero细胞,表达的重组M2蛋白大小为20kDa,定位于细胞浆中,与病毒感染细胞中的M2蛋白定位相同。Western blotting检测表明M2蛋白在病毒感染细胞12h后才能检出,晚于NS1、NP和M1,属于病毒复制的晚期蛋白,可作为病毒复制晚期的指示分子。本研究为弄清M2蛋白在病毒复制过程中的生物学功能奠定了基础。     

H3N2亚型猪流感病毒M1基因克隆及表达特性分析

从H3N2亚型猪流感病毒感染的鸡胚尿囊液中提取病毒基因组RNA,采用RT-PCR方法克隆M1全长基因,将M1基因亚克隆至pET-28a(+)表达载体中,构建重组表达质粒pET-28a-M1,将该重组质粒转化大肠杆菌BL21并经IPTG诱导表达。诱导产物经SDS-PAGE电泳分析显示重组蛋白M1获得大量表达,表达蛋白纯化后免疫Wistar大鼠制备多克隆抗体。Westernblotting检测结果表明制备的抗M1蛋白多克隆抗体可以识别大肠杆菌表达的M1蛋白和病毒感染细胞的病毒M1蛋白。构建M1基因真核重组质粒p3xFLAG-CMV-7.1-M1并转染Vero细胞,Western blotting检测表明抗M1蛋白多克隆抗体可以识别在Vero细胞中得到表达的M1蛋白,成功建立M1基因的真核表达系统。分析了病毒感染过程中M1蛋白的变化及其作为病毒复制指示分子的可能性。鼠源M1蛋白多克隆抗体的制备和M1基因真核重组表达质粒的构建,为进一步研究猪流感病毒的复制机理以及M1蛋白在病毒复制过程中的生物学功能奠定了基础。     

The valine anticodon and valylatability of Peanut clump virus RNAs are not essential but provide a modest competitive advantage in plants

The role of valine aminoacylation of the two genomic RNAs of Peanut clump virus (PCV) was studied by comparing the amplification in vivo of RNAs with GAC, GDeltaC, or CCA anticodons in the tRNA-like structure (TLS) present at the 3' end of each viral RNA. The PCV RNA1 TLS of isolate PCV2 possesses a GAC anticodon and is capable of highly efficient valylation, whereas the RNA2 TLS has a GDeltaC anticodon that does not support valylation. The presence in RNA1 of GDeltaC or CCA anticodons that conferred nonvalylatability resulted in about 2- to 4-fold and a 14- to 24-fold reduction, respectively, in RNA accumulations in tobacco BY-2 protoplasts inoculated with the RNA1 variants together with wild-type RNA2(GDeltaC). No differences in RNA levels were observed among protoplasts inoculated with the three variant RNA2s in the presence of wild-type RNA1(GAC). All combinations of valylatable and nonvalylatable RNAs 1 and 2 were similarly infectious in Nicotiana benthamiana plants, and viral RNAs accumulated to similar levels; all input TLS sequences were present unchanged in apical leaves. In direct competition experiments in N. benthamiana plants, however, both RNA1 and RNA2 with GAC valylatable anticodons outcompeted the nonvalylatable variants. We conclude that valylation provides a small but significant replicational advantage to both PCV RNAs. Sequence analysis of the TLS from RNA2 of a second PCV isolate, PO2A, revealed the presence of an intact GAC valine anticodon, suggesting that the differential valylation of the genomic RNAs of isolate PCV2 is not a general characteristic of PCV.     

Sequence analysis of a soil-borne wheat mosaic virus isolate from Italy shows that it is the same virus as European wheat mosaic virus and Soil-borne rye mosaic virus

The complete sequence of the two RNAs of a furovirus isolate from durum wheat in Italy was determined. Sequence comparisons and phylogenetic analysis were done to compare the Italian virus with Soil-borne wheat mosaic virus (SBWMV) from the USA and with furovirus sequences recently published as European wheat mosaic virus (EWMV), from wheat in France, and Soil-borne rye mosaic virus (SBRMV), from rye and wheat in Germany. Over the entire genome, the Italian isolate RNA1 and RNA2 had respectively 97.5% and 98.6% nucleotide identity with EWMV, 95.5% and 85.8% with SBRMV-G and 70.6% and 64.5% with SBWMV. The Italian isolate was therefore clearly distinct from SBWMV. The European isolates all appear to belong to the same virus and the name Soil-borne cereal mosaic virus may resolve earlier ambiguities.     

Isolation of RNA containing a polyadenylic acid sequence by chromatography on unmodified cellulose]

A new modification of the procedure of the isolation of polyA-containing RNAs is worked out, which makes possible to isolate this RNA fraction free of considerable contamination with rRNA. The administration of 0.0001 M EDTA-Na2 provides the absence of RNA aggregation and prevents non-specific RNA binding on cellulose columns, which takes place when more high EDTA-Na2 concentrations in elution solutions are applied. Under these conditions synthetic polyA in model experiments practically completely binds with cellulose in a broad range of concentrations. It permits to use the procedure described for the preparative isolation of RNA fractions, containing polyA sequences.     

Genomic stability of gibbon oncornavirus.

The 70S RNAs from several gibbon type C viruses were examined for sequence homology by molecular hybridization using complementary DNA probes. The sequence homology was found to vary with each virus isolate. The genome from one isolate was examined for genomic stability after the virus was experimentally passaged through three unrelated gibbons. The genomic homology remained unchanged after three passages, having greater than 93% homology based on complementary DNA-70S RNA hybridization and melting temperature analysis of the duplex. The genome from another isolate was similarly found to be unchanged after the virus was naturally transmitted in gibbons. The genomic variation found in the various isolates is not the consequence of recent horizontal transmission from a common virus.     

Binding of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 nucleocapsid protein to psi-RNA-SL3

The interaction of the nucleocapsid protein NCp7, from the pNL4-3 isolate of HIV-1, with psi-RNA-SL3, with the sequence 5'-GGACUAGCGGAGGCUAGUCC, was studied using non-denaturing gel electrophoresis. Two kinds of experiments were performed, using buffered solutions of radiolabeled RNA and unlabeled protein. In the 'dilution' experiments, the total RNA concentration, RT, was varied for a series of solutions, but kept equal to the total protein concentration, PT, In the 'titration' experiments, solutions having RT constant but with varying PT were analyzed. The solutions were electrophoresed and the autoradiographic spot intensities, proportional to the amounts of the different species present, were measured. The intensities were fit to a number of equilibrium models, differing in species stoichiometries, by finding the best values of the binding constants. It was shown that NCp7 protein and SL3 RNA combine to form at least two complexes. When PT is below approximately 10 microM, a complex that contains two RNAs and one protein forms. Increasing PT to approximately 100 microM causes the 2:1 complex to oligomerize, forming a species having eight RNAs and four proteins. For the dilution experiments, run at 5 degrees C at an ionic strength of 31 mM, we found K1 for the 2:1 complex is approximately 10(11) M(-2) and K2 for the 8:4 complex is approximately 10(16) M(-3). The titration experiments returned K1 approximately 10(7) M(-2) (poorly determined) and K2 approximately 10(19) M(-3). The analysis was complicated by the loss of RNA at higher protein concentrations, due to formation of an insoluble species containing both RNA and protein, which does not enter the gel. Correcting for this changes the calculated values of equilibrium constants, but not the molecularities determined by our analysis. The observation that a small complex can oligomerize to form a larger species is consistent with the fact that NCp7 organizes and condenses the genome in the virus particle.     

Complete Genome Sequences of Two Chinese Beet soil-borne virus Isolates Provide Evidence that the Genome is Highly Conserved

The complete nucleotide sequences of two Chinese isolates of Beet soil-borne virus (BSBV) from the Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang provinces (designated BSBV-IM and BSBV-XJ, respectively) were found to share around 99% sequence identity with that of a previously reported German isolate (BSBV-G). The genome organization of the three isolates was identical. A diversity index (Pi) analysis indicated that the overall nucleotide variability of all RNAs among the three isolates was <7%, only for the 5' part of the first triple gene block gene on RNA3 was it >6%. Although the 3' end of BSBV RNA 3 was previously reported to be highly variable, the results of this study show that the total BSBV genomes are considerably conserved, especially RNAs 1 and 2.     

Alterations of the conformation of the RNAs of alfalfa mosaic virus upon binding of a few coat protein molecules

Structural changes in the single-stranded genome RNAs (RNAs 1, 2 and 3) and the subgenomic coat protein messenger (RNA 4) of alfalfa mosaic virus upon addition of a few coat protein molecules of the virus were investigated by measuring the fluorescent intensity of bound ethidium bromide and by circular dichroism. No effect could be observed in the case of the genome RNAs. However, in RNA 4, which is of much less complexity than the genome RNAs, a reduction of the ethidium bromide binding by 30% was found, whereas the positive molar ellipticity at 265 nm was reduced by 9% upon binding of the coat protein. Both changes point to a reduction of the ordered structure of the RNA. Since the protein is known to bind first at the 3′-terminus of RNA 4 and probably also of the genome RNAs, the conformational changes observed could be those thought to be necessary for replicase recognition in this positive-stranded RNA virus which needs the coat protein for starting an infection cycle.     

Intracellular vesicular stomatitis virus leader RNAs are found in nucleocapsid structures.

Previous studies demonstrated that cytoplasmic extracts of cells infected with vesicular stomatitis virus contain plus-strand leader RNAs which sediment at 18S on sucrose gradients as a complex with viral N protein. The work presented in this paper demonstrated that these 18S complexes were stable on CsCl density gradients, banding at a buoyant density near that of genome nucleocapsids, and exhibited a morphology in an electron microscope similar to the disk structures found in virus genome nucleocapsids. Minus-strand leader RNAs were also found in 18S complexes on sucrose gradients. Quantitation of intracellular leader RNA suggested that, late in infection, approximately three-quarters of total intracellular leader RNA was encapsidated.     

甜菜坏死黄脉病毒内蒙分离物自然缺失突变体缺失区域的定位分析

以甜菜坏死黄脉病毒内蒙分离物（ＢＮＹＶＶ ＮＭ）总ＲＮＡ为模板,经ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ扩增,分别获得ＲＮＡ２、ＲＮＡ３和ＲＮＡ４自然缺失突变体ｃＤＮＡ克隆。序列分析结果表明,ＲＮＡ２自然缺失突变体在７５ｋＤ通读蛋白编码区Ｃ端缺失３４８个核苷酸（缺失位置ｎｔ１４８８￣ｎｔ１８３５）。ＲＮＡ３在其２５ｋＤ蛋白编码区内缺失３６０个核苷酸（缺失位置ｎｔ７２９￣ｎｔ１０８８）。ＲＮＡ４的自然缺失区域位于３１ｋＤ蛋白