Virulence domain of the RYMV genome-linked viral protein VPg towards rice rymv1–2-mediated resistance.

Virulent variants of Rice yellow mottle virus (genus Sobemovirus) can emerge on the highly resistant rice cultivars Gigante and Bekarosaka. Non-synonymous mutations responsible for the breakdown of the recessive resistance gene rymv1–2 were located in the VPg after determination of its termini in the polyprotein P2a. The secondary structure of this protein was predicted to include a central α-helix. The two major amino acids related to virulence are located on the same side of this helix. The 3D topology and the biochemical properties of virulence mutations both suggested a direct site-to-site interaction between RYMV VPg and rice eIF(iso)4G encoded by rymv1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]