Mode of action of tobacco necrosis virus inhibitors extracted from seeds of enterolobium cyclocarpum and phaseolus vulgaris

ABSTRACT

Aqueous seed extracts prepared from two species belonging to the family Leguminosae [Enterolobium cyclocarpum Griseb and Phaseolus vulgaris L] were inhibited local lesion production by tobacco necrosis virus [TNV]. Dilution of both extracts confirmed the presence of plant virus inhibitors and not inactivators. Inhibition was slightly decreased by heating E. Cyclocarpum seed extracts, while the inhibitory activity of P. Vulgaris seed extracts was increased by heating. The virus inhibitors from both extracts had no direct effect on the virus. The virus inhibitors from both extracts had no direct effect on the virus. They seem either to affect the attachment of the virus to the infective sites or perhaps allow attachment but prevent entry of virus into the cell