Virus-induced RNA Polymerase and Synthesis of Bromegrass Mosaic Virus in Barley

• Published in: Journal of general virology 1970-01, Vol.7 (2), p.173-176
• Main Authors: Semal, J, Kummert, J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cell-Free System; Dactinomycin - pharmacology; Edible Grain - enzymology; Edible Grain - metabolism; Enzyme Induction; Plant Extracts; Plant Viruses - growth & development; Ribonucleases - metabolism; RNA - biosynthesis; RNA Nucleotidyltransferases - metabolism; Tritium; Uracil Nucleotides - metabolism; Virus Replication
• ISSN: 0022-1317; 1465-2099
• DOI: 10.1099/0022-1317-7-2-173

Laboratoire de Pathologie végétale Faculté des Sciences agronomiques Gembloux, Belgium A virus-induced RNA polymerase activity (VPA) resistant to actinomycin D has been characterized in cell-free extracts of barley leaves infected with bromegrass mosaic virus (BMV), but not in extracts of leaves infected with barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV) (Semal & Hamilton, 1968 a,b ; Semal, 1970). In order to investigate the significance of VPA for the synthesis of BMV, we compared the kinetics of VPA development in extracts of BMV-infected barley leaves with the in vitro synthesis of the virus. As with some plant viruses VPA was detectable in vitro only at definite stages of infection (Semal, 1969), we also looked for VPA in extracts of BSMV-infected barley leaves at intervals after inoculation. Barley seedlings were grown in a greenhouse and inoculated at the one-leaf stage with the juice of barley leaves infected with BMV or with BSMV. Control plants gave identical results when either not inoculated, or rubbed with water and Carborundum only. Received 8 December 1969; accepted 22 January 1970.