Grapevine fanleaf virus replication occurs on endoplasmic reticulum-derived membranes

Infection by Grapevine fanleaf nepovirus (GFLV), a bipartite RNA virus of positive polarity belonging to the Comoviridae family, causes extensive cytopathic modifications of the host endomembrane system that eventually culminate in the formation of a perinuclear "viral compartment." We identified by immunoconfocal microscopy this compartment as the site of virus replication since it contained the RNA1-encoded proteins necessary for replication, newly synthesized viral RNA, and double-stranded replicative forms. In addition, by using transgenic T-BY2 protoplasts expressing green fluorescent protein in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) or in the Golgi apparatus (GA), we could directly show that GFLV replication induced a depletion of the cortical ER, together with a condensation and redistribution of ER-derived membranes, to generate the viral compartment. Brefeldin A, a drug known to inhibit vesicle trafficking between the GA and the ER, was found to inhibit GFLV replication. Cerulenin, a drug inhibiting de novo synthesis of phospholipids, also inhibited GFLV replication. These observations imply that GFLV replication depends both on ER-derived membrane recruitment and on de novo lipid synthesis. In contrast to proteins involved in viral replication, the 2B movement protein and, to a lesser extent, the 2C coat protein were not confined to the viral compartment but were transported toward the cell periphery, a finding consistent with their role in cell-to-cell movement of virus particles.     

Molecular Characterization of Whole Genomic RNA2 From Iranian Isolates of Grapevine Fanleaf Virus

Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) is the major causal agent of the grapevine degeneration disease. To characterize the genomic RNA2 segment from Iranian isolates of GFLV, leaf samples were collected from infected vineyards in different locations with a long history of vine cultivation. Four isolates were selected for cloning and sequencing on the basis of the restriction profiles of RT‐PCR products. The sequencing data revealed that the RNA2 of the Iranian GFLV isolates were the shortest compared with that of all previously described GFLV isolates. The sizes were 3730 nucleotides (nt) for Shir‐Amin and Urmia isolates and 3749 nt for Takestan and Bonab isolates (excluding the poly (A) tail), due to deletion events in both 5′ and 3′ non‐coding regions. In the phylogenetic tree based on the full‐length nucleotide sequences of GFLV RNA2, all the GFLV isolates clustered into two groups with the exception of the Hungarian isolate (GHu). The Iranian isolates grouped as a distinct cluster. Recombination analyses showed that GFLV‐NW (Germany), GFLV‐F13 (reference isolate), GFLV isolate Shir‐Amin (Iran) and Arabis mosaic virus isolate Lv were recombinant isolates and one of their parents belonged to the same lineage as the Iranian isolates. These findings suggest that these isolates originated from a common ancestor.     

Detection of Grapevine Viruses in Poland

During a 3‐year study, grapevines from 23 vineyards in Poland were surveyed for virus diseases and tested to determine the prevalence of the most economically important viruses by RT‐PCR. The rate of positive samples was 2.2% for grapevine leafroll‐associated virus 1 (GLRaV‐1), 1.9% for grapevine leafroll‐associated virus 2 (GLRaV‐2), 1.5% grapevine leafroll‐associated virus 3 (GLRaV‐3), 1.9% for grapevine virus A (GVA), 0.2% for grapevine virus B (GVB), 0.2% for grapevine virus E (GVE), 0.65% for grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV), 20.4% for grapevine fleck virus (GFkV) and 71.9% for grapevine rupestris stem pitting‐associated virus (GRSPaV). These viruses were found to occur as single or mixed infections of different combinations in individual grapevines. The overall viral infection rate in the surveyed grapevines was 82.6%. GRSPaV is the most widely distributed virus of all the viruses currently detected in the region. DNA sequencing confirmed the identification of the viruses in selected samples, and analysis indicated that the Polish isolates shared a close molecular identity with the corresponding isolates in GenBank. To our knowledge, this is the first detection of GLRaV‐1, ‐2, ‐3, GVA, GVB, GVE, GFLV, GFkV and GRSPaV in Poland.     

Grapevine viruses in Tunisia

Tunisian grapevine culture is affected by many viruses caused by some phytovirus belonging to nepovirus, closterovirus and trichovirus groups. The present work deal with the economically important viroses identified in tunisian grapevines. We present here the development methods to detect these viruses in propagating material. The important viruses biologically, biochemically, serologically and using molecular techniques, characterised are: GFLV, GLRaV3 and GVB. The genetic polymorphism analysis was also carried and tunisian isolates were compared to previously described ones in literature.     

Influence of a poly-ethylene glycol spacer on antigen capture by immobilized antibodies

The use of spacers to distance an immobilized antibody from the surface of a support matrix introduces flexibility, which can reduce steric interferences between antibodies leading to a higher antigen capture efficiency. In this paper we investigated the use of a spacer molecule, poly-ethylene glycol (PEG), between the matrix surface and antibodies for the capture of Bacillus globigii, E. coli O157:H7, and ovalbumin. The antigen capture efficiency was determined using a surface ELISA method. Antibodies against the antigens were covalently immobilized either directly or via PEG to glass surfaces using a one-step EDC reaction. The amount of antibody immobilized was determined before blocking the nonspecific binding sites with bovine serum albumin. Antibodies immobilized via a PEG spacer showed a higher capture efficiency compared to direct immobilization, which was more pronounced with large antigens. Antibodies immobilized on glass supports were stable at 65 degrees C for at least 80 min, and the capture efficiency increased with heating at 65 degrees C for 20 min.     

Biotin-Avidin ELISA Detection of Grapevine Fanleaf Virus in the Vector Nematode Xiphinema index

The value of biotin-avidin (B-A) ELISA for the detection of grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) in Xiphinema was estimated with field populations and greenhouse subpopulations. Samples consisted of increasing numbers of adults ranging from 1 to 64 in multiples of two. Tests with virus-free X. index populations reared on grapevine and fig plants as negative controls did not reveal a noticeable effect of the host plant. ELISA absorbances of virus-free X. index samples were greater than corresponding absorbances of X. pachtaicum samples. Differences occurred between two X. index field populations from GFLV-infected grapevines in Champagne and Languedoc. In most tests, 1-, 2-, 4-, and 8-nematode samples of virus-free and virus-infected populations, respectively, could not be separated. Consequently, B-A ELISA was not a reliable method for GFLV detection in samples of less than 10 X. index adults, but comparison of the absorbances obtained with increasing numbers may allow differentiation of the viral infectious potential of several populations.     

长臂光敏生物素标记葡萄扇叶病毒外壳蛋白基因cDNA探针的制备及其在检测上的应用

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Small-sample total RNA purification: laser capture microdissection and cultured cell applications.

Gene expression studies require analysis of RNA, but isolation of total RNA from very small samples by traditional methods can be difficult and inefficient. The Absolutely RNA microprep kit provides a convenient method for isolating total RNA from small numbers of cells such as those harvested by laser capture microdissection (LCM). The protocol includes binding of RNA to a solid support, thus eliminating the need for organic extraction and alcohol precipitation. DNase digestion on the solid support reduces or eliminates DNA contamination and minimizes RNA handling. Efficient washing removes contaminants, and elution in a small volume of buffer results in high-purity RNA at a concentration appropriate for demanding applications such as RT-PCR. RNA isolated from as few as 200 laser capture microdissected brain tumor cells resulted in detection of low, medium, and highly expressed genes by conventional and real-time RT-PCR.     

SARS冠状病毒实时荧光RT-PCR定量检测

为建立一种快速、准确、特异的SARS病毒RNA定量检测方法,根据复合探针荧光定量分析原理,对SARS病毒核酸进行实时荧光定量RT-PCR检测.借助计算机辅助,对SARS病毒基因靶序列以及检测引物和探针进行了优化筛选;利用体外转录SARS病毒RNA靶序列,对RT-PCR反应的镁离子浓度参数进行了优化;比较Trizol法、磁珠法、Qiagen法、煮沸法等4种方法提取RNA的检测效果,建立了样本处理方法;通过对构建的体外转录靶序列模型的检测,对本方法的灵敏度、特异性、定量线性关系、精确度等进行了评价,并通过对42例临床标本的检测对本方法的检测效果进行了评估. 通过克隆SARS病毒核酸靶序列并进行体外转录,获得了长度约1.2 kb的体外转录RNA靶序列;经优化,荧光RT-PCR反应液中的Mg²⁺浓度以4.0 mmol/L为最好;RNA提取方法采用磁珠法效果较好;本方法的检测灵敏度最低可达5个拷贝的体外转录RNA分子,特异性100%,C_t值的CV值小于5%.对临床确诊的42份SARS病人血清和漱口水标本的检测结果表明,该方法的检出率为79%,与荧光抗体检测法的符合率为70%.上述结果表明,该方法建立的荧光定量RT-PCR技术能够快速准确、特异、敏感地对SARS病毒核酸进行定量分析,为临床SARS冠状病毒RNA的检测提供了新的,更为有效的检测方法.     

A combined polymerase chain reaction-colour development hybridization assay in a microtitre format for the detection of Clostridium spp.

We have developed a rapid and sensitive assay for the detection of clostridial cells or spores in liquid food samples. The method recognizes Clostridium 16S (small ribosomal subunit RNA) rDNA (ribosomal DNA) sequences by a polymerase chain reaction-digoxigenin-labelling protocol, coupled to a capture oligonucleotide immobilized on a microtitre plate. The positive results are revealed by means of a colour reaction. In 6 h of non-intensive labour, we can detect as few as two to five clostridial cells or spores in experimentally contaminated soft drinks. Correspondence to: J. L. Ramírez