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We isolated a potyvirus from Tradescantia fluminensis that was causing leaf distortion and mild mosaic. We cloned and sequenced a 1500 bp cDNA obtained by RT-PCR corresponding to the 3′ proximal region of the genome. We determined the host range and tested a series of potyviral antisera against our tradescantia virus isolate by immuno-enzymatic methods. Based on our results, we suggest that our viral isolate could be considered a new potyvirus species named Tradescantia mild mosaic potyvirus. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that Tradescantia mild mosaic virus belongs to the genus Potyvirus within the family Potyviridae, but the virus could not be assigned to any of the potyvirus groupings recently defined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tospovirus serogroups I and III have recently been designated as species, tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) and impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV), while the species status of serogroup II isolates remains undefined. Fifteen Tospovirus isolates from ornamental and vegetable crops in Liguria, Italy, were found to belong either to TSWV (seven isolates) or to INSV (eight isolates) on the basis of test-plant reactions, serological techniques using DAS ELISA kits raised against the nucleoproteins of the type members of the two species, and cytopathology. None of them could be assigned to serogroup II using DAS ELISA kits raised against nucleoproteins of this serogroup. Italian isolates representative of the two species reacted in indirect ELISA using a polyclonal antiserum against the entire particic of a TSWV isolate, but with higher intensity for our TSWV isolates than for the INSV isolates. Western blots and dot immunobinding assays confirmed that the nucleoproteins of the two species are unrelated whereas the glycoproteins are related. The cytopathology was similar (or two isolates representative of TSWV and INSV, except that the type of filaments encountered was different, and appeared to be characteristic of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Human papillomavirus 16 (HPV-16) L1 protein has the capacity to self-assemble into capsomers or virus-like particles (VLPs) that are highly immunogenic, allowing their use in vaccine production. Successful expression of HPV-16 L1 protein has been reported in plants, and plant-produced VLPs have been shown to be immunogenic after administration to animals. Results We investigated the potential of HPV-16 L1 to act as a carrier of two foreign epitopes from Influenza A virus: (i) M2e2-24, ectodomain of the M2 protein (M2e), that is highly conserved among all influenza A isolates, or (ii) M2e2-9, a shorter version of M2e containing the N-terminal highly conserved epitope, that is common for both M1 and M2 influenza proteins. A synthetic HPV-16 L1 gene optimized with human codon usage was used as a backbone gene to design four chimeric sequences containing either the M2e2-24 or the M2e2-9 epitope in two predicted surface-exposed L1 positions. All chimeric constructs were transiently expressed in plants using the Cowpea mosaic virus-derived expression vector, pEAQ-HT. Chimeras were recognized by a panel of linear and conformation-specific anti HPV-16 L1 MAbs, and two of them also reacted with the anti-influenza MAb. Electron microscopy showed that chimeric proteins made in plants spontaneously assembled in higher order structures, such as VLPs of T = 1 or T = 7 symmetry, or capsomers. Conclusions In this study, we report for the first time the transient expression and the self-assembly of a chimeric HPV-16 L1 bearing the M2e influenza epitope in plants, representing also the first record of a successful expression of chimeric HPV-16 L1 carrying an epitope of a heterologous virus in plants. This study further confirms the usefulness of human papillomavirus particles as carriers of exogenous epitopes and their potential relevance for the production in plants of monovalent or multivalent vaccines.

Discusses the infection of Euphorbia eritrea and Asclepias curassavica by the tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) in Liguria, Italy. Detection of the disease by both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunochromatographic lateral flow assay; Transmission of the virus mechanically to common herbaceous test plant species.

During the 2007 growing season, melon (Cucumis melo) samples from the state of Guerrero in Mexico showing mosaic and other virus-like symptoms were collected for analysis. Electron microscopic examination of negatively stained leaf-dip extracts revealed the presence of abundant virus-like particles with features characteristic of the family Bun yaviridae. No other viral particles were observed in these preparations. However, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) specific for the most common Tospovirus spp. gave negative results. Antibodies raised against purified nucleocapsids reacted specifically with the infected leaf extracts in Western blots and double-antibody sandwich ELISA. The viral RNA was used as a template for a cDNA library, and nucleotide sequence analysis identified cloned cDNAs representing sequences corresponding to the three Tospovirus genome segments. Sequence comparisons showed that the new virus had the highest similarity to Chrysanthemum stem necrosis virus (CSNV). Phylogenetic analysis of two genome regions confirmed that this virus, provisionally named Melon severe mosaic virus (MeSMV), is a previously undescribed Tospovirus sp. belonging to the "new world" dade of Tospovirus spp. An initial survey of various cucurbit crops in various states of Mexico confirmed the widespread occurrence of this virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We were able to mechanically transmit a small isometric virus from field tomato samples showing severe necrotic symptoms, collected in the Culiacan area of Sinaloa state (Mexico). After gradient purification and three rounds of single-lesion passage on Chenopodiurn quinoa, the virus was back-inoculated to tomato plants and reproduced the original apical necrosis symptoms. The virus could be transmitted to a wide range of experimental hosts, including a number of solanaceous plants. Purified virus was used to produce specific polyclonal rabbit antibodies and serological tests such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot analysis, and an immunochromatographic lateral flow assay. Such assays confirmed the wide distribution of this virus in symptomatic field plants in the area of the epidemic. Purified particles contained two genomic RNA molecules of ca. 7 kb (RNAI) and 5 kb (RNA2) estimated length. Analysis of clones from a cDNA library provided 6.5 and 3.0 kb of sequence for RNAI and RNA2, respectively. Sequence analysis of the encoded replicase showed greatest similarity with members of the Sequiviridne family, and indicated that the virus we isolated is a new virus species, provisionally named Tomato apex necrosis virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]