subcellular location of the gene 1 product of cauliflower mosaic virus is consistent with a function associated with virus spread

• Published in: Journal of general virology 1988-08, Vol.69 (8), p.1809-1818
• Main Authors: Linstead, P.J, Hills, G.J, Plaskitt, K.A, Wilson, I.G, Harker, C.L, Maule, A.J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Brassica rapa subsp. campestris; Cauliflower mosaic virus; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Generalities. Techniques. Transmission, epidemiology, ecology. Antiviral substances, control; genes; Microbiology; Morphology, structure, chemical composition, physicochemical properties; Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection; Plant viruses and viroids; proteins; Virology
• ISSN: 0022-1317; 1465-2099
• DOI: 10.1099/0022-1317-69-8-1809

John Innes Institute and AFRC Institute of Plant Science Research, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UH, U.K. Using immunogold cytochemistry, plasmodesmata have been identified as subcellular locations of the protein product (P1) of cauliflower mosaic virus gene 1 in infected turnip tissue. Thin sections, from tissue adjacent to chlorotic local lesions on systemically infected fully expanded leaves, were probed with antiserum to a protein product derived from a lacZ -gene 1 fusion, and with control sera. Modified plasmodesmata between infected mesophyll cells, and plasmodesmata in the end walls of phloem parenchyma cells were specifically labelled with anti-P1 serum. In the former case, the position of the label suggested that P1 was extracellular and had formed a structural component of the modified plasmodesmata. Cell walls at the corners of cells in both healthy and infected tissue were also labelled. Anti-P1 serum also reacted with nuclei and the leaf cuticle, in both healthy and infected tissue. These observations provide strong circumstantial evidence that P1 is involved in the cell-to-cell movement of cauliflower mosaic virus. Keywords: CaMV, plasmodesmata, virus spread Received 8 January 1988; accepted 5 May 1988.