Structural variation and functional importance of a D-loop-T-loop interaction in valine-accepting tRNA-like structures of plant viral RNAs.

ABSTRACT: Valine-accepting tRNA-like structures (TLSs) are found at the 3' ends of the genomic RNAs of most plant viruses belonging to the genera Tymovirus, Furovirus, Pomovirus and Pecluvirus, and of one Tobamovirus species. Sequence alignment of these TLSs suggests the existence of a tertiary D-loop-T-loop interaction consisting of 2 bp, analogous to those in the elbow region of canonical tRNAs. The conserved G(18).Psi(55) pair of regular tRNAs is found to covary in these TLSs between G.U (possibly also modified to G.Psi) and A.G. We have mutated the relevant bases in turnip yellow mosaic virus (TYMV) and examined the mutants for symptom development on Chinese cabbage plants and for accumulation of genetic reversions. Development of symptoms is shown to rely on the presence of either A.G or G.U in

SUBMITTER: de Smit MH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC140539 | biostudies-literature | 2002 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature