Nicotiana benthamiana as a Source of Cowpea Mosaic Virus-Derived Particles That Specifically Package Designer RNAs.

ABSTRACT: The coupling of replication and encapsidation in the bipartite plant virus, cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV), has been used to specifically incorporate designer RNA molecules into viral particles via transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana. This is achieved by placing the desired RNA sequence between the 5' and 3' UTRs of CPMV RNA-2 so that the cargo RNA can be recognised by the RNA-1-encoded replicase. Replication and encapsidation of cargo RNA are achieved by co-infiltrating with CPMV RNA-1 to provide replication functions and a non-replicating construct that encodes the precursor of the viral coat proteins, VP60. Encapsidation within CPMV particles stabilises the RNA such that it can be stored for prolonged periods at +4°C. Investigation of the length and sequence of the RNA that can be

SUBMITTER: Peyret H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12854886 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature