Use of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for cloning of coat protein-encoding genes of cymbidium mosaic virus.

A reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has been developed for the cloning of coat protein-encoding genes (CP) of cymbidium mosaic virus (CyMV) isolated from three different infected species of Thai orchid: Cattleya, Mokara and Oncidium. The analysis of the compiled sequences of the cDNA clones shows a single open reading frame which encoded a CyMV CP gene. The gene is 669 nucleotides (nt) long and codes for a 23 761-Da protein. The nt sequences of CyMV CP from the Thai isolates showed that some of them differ at a single nt and share 97% homology, but all of them share only 88% homology to the Singapore Oncidium isolate. In addition, the CyMV CP, unlike that from other potexviruses, is distinctive and differs greatly from the amino acid composition deduced from the nt sequence of the CP.

Comparisons of the genomic sequences of erysimum latent virus and other tymoviruses: a search for the molecular basis of their host specificities.

The nucleotide sequence of the genome of erysimum latent tymovirus (ELV) has been determined. It closely resembles those of the other four sequenced tymoviral genomes in its gene organization and composition, but is the smallest (6034 nucleotides) and most distinct of them. Furthermore the 78 non-coding nucleotides at the 3' terminus of the ELV genome are unable to form a complete tRNA-like structure like that reported for other tymoviruses. Comparisons of the five tymovirus genomes and their encoded proteins indicate that they have probably evolved from the progenitor tymovirus by independent progressive mutational change without genetic recombination. Comparisons of the sequences of the two non-virion proteins of five tymoviruses, and virion proteins of 17 tymoviruses, revealed no specific similarities between those of ELV and turnip yellow mosaic virus that could explain why their host ranges and symptoms are so similar, yet differ, in this respect, from ononis yellow mosaic, kennedya yellow mosaic and eggplant mosaic tymoviruses.

The primary structure of the virion protein gene and encoded protein of erysimum latent tymovirus.

The nucleotide sequence of the virion protein (VP) gene of erysimum latent tymovirus (ELV) has been determined and the amino acid sequence of the VP deduced and confirmed by peptide analysis. The ELV VP is larger than the VPs of other tymoviruses because it has, unexpectedly, 11 more amino acid residues at its N terminus. The amino acid sequences of the VPs of ELV and four other tymoviruses align unequivocally and their relationships, as assessed from the percentage of identical residues, correlate well with previously reported serological tests which have shown ELV to be distant from other tymoviruses.

The tymobox, a sequence shared by most tymoviruses: its use in molecular studies of tymoviruses.

The 5'-terminal sequences of the virion protein mRNAs of ononis yellow mosaic and kennedya yellow mosaic tymoviruses were determined, and also the positions in the genomes of the transcription initiation sites of those mRNAs. Comparisons of the available genomic sequences of tymoviruses revealed two conserved regions, one at the initiation site and another longer sequence of sixteen nucleotides to the 5' side of it. The longer sequence, which we call the tymobox, was tested as a target for a designed ribozyme, which cleaved appropriate genomic fragments of three tymoviruses. A synthetic oligonucleotide with sequence complementary to the tymobox was shown to be a tymovirus-specific probe for diagnosing and identifying tymoviruses, except for wild cucumber mosaic tymovirus. The tymobox sequence was also used as a primer for the second strand DNA synthesis of dsDNA representing the virion protein gene of cacao yellow mosaic tymovirus, a tymovirus with unknown sequence. Thus, the tymobox is a useful tool in molecular studies of tymoviruses.