Co-Authors:
Haviv, S., Department of Virology, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Iddan, Y., Department of Virology, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Goszczynski, D.E., Virology Unit, Agricultural Research Council, Plant Protection Research Institute, Pretoria, South Africa
Mawassi, M., Department of Virology, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Abstract:
Grapevine virus A (GVA), a member of the genus Vitivirus which belongs to the family Flexiviridae, has a single-stranded RNA genome of about 7.4 kb that comprises five open reading frames (ORFs). ORF5 encodes a small 10-kDa protein (p10), which is believed to interact with nucleic acids and to suppress the plant's RNA-silencing response. We obtained molecular and biological data indicating that ORF5-encoded product, specifically its N-terminus, affects the appearance of symptoms in Nicotiana benthamiana plants. The ORF5-encoded products of the severe GR5 and the mild GTR1-1 isolates were found to affect RNA silencing similarly in mesophyll cells of N. benthamiana, despite being involved in different expressions of symptoms on this host. © 2012 Association of Applied Biologists.