Properties of the Coat Protein of a New Tobacco Mosaic Virus Coat Protein ts-Mutant

Amino acid substitutions in a majority of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) coat protein (CP) ts-mutants have previously been mapped to the same region of the CP molecule tertiary structure, located at a distance of about 70 Å from TMV virion axis. In the present work some properties of a new TMV CP ts-mutant ts21-66 (two substitutions I21 T and D66 G, both in the 70-Å region) were studied. Thermal inactivation characteristics, sedimentation properties, circular dichroism spectra, and modification by a lysine-specific reagent, trinitrobenzensulfonic acid, of ts21–66 CP were compared with those of wild-type (U1) TMV CP. It is concluded that the 70-Å region represents the most labile portion of the TMV CP molecule. Partial disordering of this region in the mutant CP at permissive temperatures leads to loss of the capacity to form two-layer aggregates of the cylindrical type, while further disordering induced by mild heating results also in the loss of the ability to form ordered helical aggregates.     

Physical and Chemical Properties of Potato Aucuba Mosaic Virus and its Coat Protein

Some properties of potato aucuba mosaic virus (PAMV) were studied. PAMV virions have a buoyant density in CsCl of 1.315 g/cm³ and RNA content of 5.06 ± 0.1 %. Limited proteolysis of the PAMV capsid protein at N-termini has been found in the process of virus isolation and storage. The race of protein degradation was considerably decreased by the presence of phenylmethyl sulphonylfluoride — a protease inhibitor — in resuspending buffer. Molecular weight estimates were 27,480 ± 319 for native PAMV protein and 24,113 ± 129 and 21,634 ± 124 for main breakdown products. Amino acid composition of the native PAMV protein seems to be very similar to that of native PVX protein and differs only in threonine, leucine, histidine, tyrosine and methyonine. All studied properties of PAMV and its protein confirm the belonging of PAMV to the potexvirus group.     

Macroscopic Aggregation of Tobacco Mosaic Virus Coat Protein

The relationship between processes of thermal denaturation and heat-induced aggregation of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) coat protein (CP) was studied. Judging from differential scanning calorimetry melting curves, TMV CP in the form of a trimer–pentamer mixture (4S-protein) has very low thermal stability, with a transition temperature at about 40°C. Thermally denatured TMV CP displayed high propensity for large (macroscopic) aggregate formation. TMV CP macroscopic aggregation was strongly dependent on the protein concentration and solution ionic strength. By varying phosphate buffer molarity, it was possible to merge or to separate the denaturation and aggregation processes. Using far-UV CD spectroscopy, it was found that on thermal denaturation TMV CP subunits are converted into an intermediate that retains about half of its initial -helix content and possesses high heat stability. We suppose that this stable thermal denaturation intermediate is directly responsible for the formation of TMV CP macroscopic aggregates.     

Nuclear Targeting of the Cauliflower Mosaic Virus Coat Protein

The entry of the viral genomic DNA of cauliflower mosaic virus into the nucleus is a critical step of viral infection. We have shown by transient expression in plant protoplasts that the viral coat protein (CP), which is processed from the product of open reading frame IV, contains an N-terminal nuclear localization signal (NLS). The NLS is exposed on the surface of the virion and is thus available for interaction with a putative NLS receptor. Phosphorylation of the matured CP did not influence the nuclear localization of the protein but improved protein stability. Mutation of the NLS completely abolished viral infectivity, thus indicating its importance in the virus life cycle. The NLS seems to be regulated by the N terminus of the precapsid, which inhibits its nuclear targeting. This regulation could be important in allowing virus assembly in the cytoplasm.     

黄瓜花叶病毒衣壳蛋白存在于被其侵染的烟草叶绿体中

用原生质体法制备出高纯度的完整叶绿体经SDS-PAGE电泳,银染后,发现黄瓜花叶病毒(CMV)侵染的烟草病叶叶绿体蛋白质图谱和健叶叶绿体相比,多出一条染色较弱的迁移率与CMV衣壳蛋白质相同的带,经Western转移,用CMV游离衣壳蛋白亚基抗血清进行斑点酶联(Immunoblot)检测,证明这条带就是CMV衣壳蛋白质。健康叶绿体中加入去掉叶绿体的病叶汁液而制备出的叶绿体中无CMV衣壳蛋白质,说明这不是在叶绿体提纯过程中得到的假象,即衣壳蛋白质存在于被CMV侵染的完整叶片叶绿体中。这个结果否认了以往报道的CMV衣壳蛋白质不存在于烟草叶绿体中的结论。另外还发现,叶绿体中的衣壳蛋白质浓度与叶片症状严重程度呈正相关。     

甘蔗花叶病毒E株系外壳蛋白基因原核表达载体的构建与表达

目的:用原核表达的方法获取大量带6个His标记的甘蔗花叶病毒E株系(ScMV-E)外壳蛋白(CP)。方法:用带有BamHⅠ和SalⅠ酶切位点的特异引物,以带有多个基因的重组质粒pNUSCP为模板,扩增出片段长度为942bp的ScMV-E外壳蛋白基因,亚克隆到pMD18-T载体上,转化E.coliDH5α,经双酶切检测获得阳性克隆。BamHⅠ和SalⅠ双酶切阳性克隆质粒,回收目的片段ScMV-E的CP基因。把目的片段插入表达载体pET29a( ),转化E.coliBL21(DE3),测序。结果:阳性质粒pET29a-CP在E.coliBL21(DE3)中得到大量特异表达。SDS-PAGE分析表明,该蛋白的相对分子质量约36000,与预测一致。结论:以上方法可以得到带6个His标记的目的蛋白,有利于纯化并获取高纯度的ScMV-E的外壳蛋白。     

大蒜花叶病毒外壳蛋白基因cDNA的克隆和序列分析

我们从自然发病的大蒜中分离得到了大蒜花叶病毒。以其基因组ＲＮＡ为模板合成了３＇末端部分ｃＤＮＡ。从中选出一批插入片段在２．０ｋｂ以上的重组克隆,经Ｎｏｒｔｈｅｒｎ点杂交分析证实了所选克隆与基因组ＲＮＡ同源。通过对若干个克隆的插入片段两端部分序列的测定,选出一个克隆ｐＧＭ４９５,其插入片段的长度约为２．４ｋｂ,３′末端存有一个Ｐｏｌｙ（Ａ）结构,它应包含了编码该病毒外壳蛋白全部序列。序列测定的结果表明,这个ｃＤＮＡ片段全长为２３７９ｂｐ,其中含有与酶切图谱分析结果相符的ＥｅｏＲＩ、ＰｓｔＩ及ＢａｍＨＩ酶切位点。第一个终止密码子ＴＡＡ与３′ｇ末端相距２６４ｂｐ,我们根据碱基序列推定的氨基酸序列与其它已发表的Ｐｏｔｙｖｉｒｕｓ的外壳蛋白氨基酸序列以及外壳蛋白翻译后加工的蛋白酶专一切点相比较后推测,编码该病毒外壳蛋白序列可能起始于３′末端上游的１１７０ｂｐ处,共编码３０２个氨基酸,其分子量为３６ｋＤ,略大于ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ所测定的３３ｋＤ,非编码区域长２６４ｂｐ,富含ＡＴ,并有多个终止密码子的存在。趾３′末端３２～２７ｂｐ处有一个ＡＡＴＡＡ序列。     

A Recombinant Rotavirus Antigen Based on the Coat Protein of Alternanthera Mosaic Virus

Thanks to their strong immunostimulating properties and safety for humans, plant viruses represent an appropriate basis for the design of novel vaccines. The coat protein of Alternanthera mosaic virus can form virus-like particles that are stable under physiological conditions and have adjuvant properties. This work presents a recombinant human rotavirus A antigen based on the epitope of rotavirus structural protein VP6, using Alternanthera mosaic virus coat protein as a carrier. An expression vector containing the gene of Alternanthera mosaic virus (MU strain) coat protein fused to the epitope of rotavirus protein VP6 was designed. Immunoblot analysis showed that the chimeric protein was effectively recognized by commercial polyclonal antibodies to rotavirus and therefore is a suitable candidate for development of a vaccine prototype. Interaction of the chimeric recombinant protein with the native coat protein of Alternanthera mosaic virus and its RNA resulted in the formation of ribonucleoprotein complexes that were recognized by anti-rotavirus antibodies.     

A Messenger RNA for Tobacco Mosaic Virus Coat Protein in Infected Tobacco Mesophyll Protoplasts

The low molecular weight tobacco mosaic virus (TMV)-specific RNA component (LMC) was demonstrated in tobacco mesophyll protoplasts by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of ¹⁴C-uridine-labelled RNA from infected protoplasts. Free and membrane-bound polysomes were isolated from infected protoplasts, and RNA extracted from them was analyzed. TMV-specific RNA species including full-length viral RNA, its replicative intermediate, and LMC were found in both free and membrane-bound polysomes, but were present in free polysomes in much larger amounts. In particular, as much as 37 % of total LMC in protoplasts was found in free polysomes. Fractionation of polysomes by sedimentation in sucrose gradients showed that LMC is associated with small-sized polysomes (mono- to tetrasomes). Polysomes of this size class produced viral coat protein in a cell-free protein synthesizing system from rabbit reticulocytes. On the other hand, full-length TMV-RNA was associated predominantly with larger polysomes which produced in the cell-free system TMV-specific high molecular weight polypeptides but no coat protein. These results indicated that LMC, a subgenomic RNA of TMV, in fact functions in vivo as messenger RNA for viral coat protein, as has been postulated on the basis of in vitro studies.     

黄瓜花叶病毒CP基因原核表达及抗血清的制备

把黄瓜花叶病毒 (CMV)西番莲分离物的外壳蛋白 (CP)基因 ,通过BamHI SacI位点定向插入pET 2 2b( )载体 ,转化大肠杆菌BL2 1 (DE3)中 ,经IPTG诱导下 37℃培养 6h ,SDS PAGE电泳示表达蛋白分子质量为 31 8kDa ,表达量占菌体总蛋白的 2 8 9%,表明该蛋白得到了高效表达。用冰冷的氯化钾溶液显色 ,用表达的特异蛋白质条带制备抗原 ,免疫家兔制备出病毒特异抗血清。采用ID ELISA测定抗血清效价为 1 0 -6;抗血清和CMV几个分离物均有特异反应 ,和TMV、菌体蛋白不发生非特异性反应 ;检测病毒灵敏度达 30ng ml,能够从稀释 31 2 5倍的感病植物汁液中检测出病毒     

A Messenger RNA for Tobacco Mosaic Virus Coat Protein in Infected Tobacco Mesophyll Protoplasts

Synthesis of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV)-specific low molecular weight component RNA (LMC) was investigated in relation to that of other TMV-related RNAs and proteins, and formation of progeny virus particles using synchronously infected tobacco mesophyll protoplasts. Timing of LMC synthesis was shown to be almost the same as, but somewhat earlier than that of TMV-RNA synthesis. In contrast, synthesis of TMV-specific double-stranded RNAs (replicative intermediate, RI and replicative form, RF) as well as a high molecular weight virus-induced protein (140 K protein) showed the maximum incorporation rate 4–6 h earlier than LMC synthesis. While, synthesis of coat protein and formation of progeny virus particles lagged behind LMC synthesis for 6–8 h. LMC occurring in polysomes was also investigated during the course of virus replication. The amount of produced coat protein calculated theoretically from the amount of LMC in polysomes of infected protoplasts was shown to be well agreed with the experimental results, indicating that LMC in polysomes is actively functioning as messenger for coat protien synthesis in vivo.     

外壳蛋白羧端序列缺失对烟草花叶病毒侵染性的影响

对野生型烟草花叶病毒(TMV-U1)的外壳蛋白羧端序列进行系列缺失突变,观察到TMV-U1株系的外壳蛋白羧端序列缺失6个氨基酸(保留152个氨基酸),仍能较强系统侵染烟草并高水平表达外壳蛋白,且能在新生叶里复制大量完整的病毒粒子。该研究结果表明：外壳蛋白羧端6个氨基酸序列并非烟草花叶病毒感染和复制所必需,并对利用外壳蛋白羧端缺失型病毒载体表达外源多肽具有一定的启示性。     

Demonstration of the Specific Involvement of Coat Protein in Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) Cross Protection using a TMV Coat Protein Mutant

The DT-1G mutant of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) which has no coat protein was used to study the specific involvement of coat protein in TMV cross protection in N. sylvestris. Leaves of N. sylvestris previously inoculated with the mutantor the common strain of TMV were challenged with either turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) or a strain of TMV (TMV-N). Both TuMV and TMV-N produce necrotic lesions on N. sylvestris. About one-half as many lesions were produced by TuMV and TMV-N on leaves, inoculated with the DT-1G mutant compared with lesions produced by the same inoculum on control leaves. When leaves of N. sylvestris previously inoculated with the common strain of TMV were challenged with either TuMV or TMV-N, TuMV produced about one-half as many lesions as on control leaves whereas TMV-N produced about one-tenth as many lesions as on control leaves. A high level of non-specific resistance was induced by the mutant without coat protein, but it did not specifically protect against TMV.     

黄瓜花叶病毒衣壳蛋白基因转化辣椒研究

The plant expression vector of the coat protein(CP) gene of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) BS strain was used to transform three kinds of pepper (Capsicum annuum) tissues (cotyledon, stem and root) by agrobacterium-mediated co-cultivation. 53%-68.4% of the total tissues (639) can be induced to be calli, but only cotyledon calli can be further regenerated to form shoots (regenerated efficiency 39.7%). 70%(42/60) of the putative transformed plants were confirmed to have CP gene in their genomes by Southern blot. The mRNAs and the CP were respectively found in 80% of transgenic plants by Northern blot and DAS-ELISA. 24 of the transgenic plants expressing CP gene of BS strain showed three kinds of resistant level (severe symptom, delay of symptomatic development, no symptom) to infection of CMV-BS and of CMV-P. However, there was distinctly higher resistance to inoculation of CMV-BS than that with CMV-P in these transgenic plants.     

Biological, Serological and Coat Protein Properties of a Strain of Turnip Mosaic Virus Causing a Mosaic Disease of Brassica campestris and B. juncea in India

Biological, serological and coat protein properties of a potyvirus (Poty-Rape) causing a mosaic disease of Brassica campestris and B. juncea in India were investigated. The virus readily infected 4 of the 5 plant species in the family Brassicaceae in which it induced severe systemic mosaic symptoms; it also induced chlorotic and necrotic local lesions in Chenopodium amaranticolor , but failed to infect 4 other species of Chenopodiaceae or 20 species of Amaranthaceae, Apiaceae, Canabinaceae, Compositae, Cucurbitaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Leguminosae and Solanaceae. The virus was transmitted in a non-persistant manner by Myzus persicae, Brevicoryne brassicae and Aphis gossypii. The Average size, of the virus particles in a purified preparation was 740 nm × 12 nm. SDS-PAGE analysis of the viral coat protein showed two major bands of approximately 37 kDa and 31 kDa, a pattern very similar to that of a reference isolate of turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) from the U.S. In Western-blot immunoassay, an antiserum to TuMV reacted with both the coat protein bands of the Poty-Rape islate and the reference TuMV, but not with the coat proteins of four other potyviruses. The high performance liquid chromatographic profile of tryptic peptides from the coat protein of Poty-Rape was found to be very similar to that of the reference TuMV, but differed substantially from those of four other potyviruses. The Poty-Rape isolate is considered to be a distinct strain of, TuMV.     

重组甘蔗花叶病毒E株系外壳蛋白的纯化及其多克隆抗体制备

目的：制备可用于甘蔗花叶病毒（ScMV）E株系（ScMV-E）检测用多克隆抗体。方法：将ScMV-E外壳蛋白（CP）基因连接到pET29a（＋）上,经PCR检测、酶切及测序鉴定获得重组质粒pET29a-CP,在大肠杆菌BL21（DE3）中诱导表达重组ScMV-E外壳蛋白;采用His Trap Kit纯化目的蛋白,作为抗原免疫新西兰大白兔,制备特异性抗体;通过间接ELISA、Western blot和组织印迹法检测所制备抗体的特异性。结果：SDS-PAGE分析表明,重组融合蛋白含6个组氨酸标记,相对分子质量约43000;Western blot检测显示所获得的抗体特异性良好,间接ELISA法测得血清的效价为1：81 920;甘蔗叶片的组织印迹检测结果显示杂交效果良好。结论：制备的多克隆抗体可直接用于ScMV-E检测,并有望用于制备ScMV-E检测试剂盒。     

Viral Coat Protein Peptides with Limited Sequence Homology Bind Similar Domains of Alfalfa Mosaic Virus and Tobacco Streak Virus RNAs

An unusual and distinguishing feature of alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) and ilarviruses such as tobacco streak virus (TSV) is that the viral coat protein is required to activate the early stages of viral RNA replication, a phenomenon known as genome activation. AMV-TSV coat protein homology is limited; however, they are functionally interchangeable in activating virus replication. For example, TSV coat protein will activate AMV RNA replication and vice versa. Although AMV and TSV coat proteins have little obvious amino acid homology, we recently reported that they share an N-terminal RNA binding consensus sequence (Ansel-McKinney et al., EMBO J. 15:5077–5084, 1996). Here, we biochemically compare the binding of chemically synthesized peptides that include the consensus RNA binding sequence and lysine-rich (AMV) or arginine-rich (TSV) environment to 3′-terminal TSV and AMV RNA fragments. The arginine-rich TSV coat protein peptide binds viral RNA with lower affinity than the lysine-rich AMV coat protein peptides; however, the ribose moieties protected from hydroxyl radical attack by the two different peptides are localized in the same area of the predicted RNA structures. When included in an infectious inoculum, both AMV and TSV 3′-terminal RNA fragments inhibited AMV RNA replication, while variant RNAs unable to bind coat protein did not affect replication significantly. The data suggest that RNA binding and genome activation functions may reside in the consensus RNA binding sequence that is apparently unique to AMV and ilarvirus coat proteins.     

A Point Mutation in the Coat Protein Gene Affects Long-Distance Transport of the Tobacco Mosaic Virus

A mutation resulting in substitution of positively charged Lys53 with negatively charged Glu in the coat protein was introduced in the infectious cDNA copy of the genome of wild-type tobacco mosaic virus strain U1. Kinetic analysis of long-distance virus transport in plants showed that systemic spread of the mutant virus was delayed by 5–6 days as compared with the wild-type one. On evidence of RNA sequencing in the mutant progeny, Glu50 of the coat protein was substituted with Lys after passage I to compensate for the loss of the positive charge at position 53. Electron microscopy revealed atypical inclusions (rodlike structures, multiple electron-dense globular particles) in the nuclear interchromatin space of leaf mesophyll cells infected with the mutant but not with the wild-type virus.