HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Herrera-Valencia, V. A. Articles by Dale, J. L. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Herrera-Valencia, V. A. Articles by Dale, J. L. Agricola Articles by Herrera-Valencia, V. A. Articles by Dale, J. L.

An iterated sequence in the genome of Banana bunchy top virus is essential for efficient replication

Virginia A. Herrera-Valencia

Science Research Centre, Queensland University of Technology, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia

Correspondence
James L. Dale
j.dale{at}qut.edu.au

Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) has a multi-component genome of circular, single-stranded DNA. BBTV replicates via a rolling-circle mechanism, probably involving sequence-specific interaction of the replication initiation protein (Rep) with iterated sequences (iterons) within the viral genome. Three putative iterons (designated F1, F2 and R), with the sequence GGGAC, have been identified in the intergenic region of each BBTV component. To investigate their role in replication, each of the iterons was mutated, singularly and in tandem, in a BBTV DNA-N 1.1mer and the ability of these molecules to be replicated by the BBTV ‘master’ Rep was evaluated in banana cells using transient biolistic assays. All iteron mutants were replicated less efficiently than the native DNA-N. Mutation of the F1 and R iterons caused a 42 and 62 % reduction in DNA-N replication, respectively, whereas mutation of the F2 and combined F1F2 iteron virtually abolished DNA-N replication.

Present address: Unidad de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán (CICY), Calle 43 No. 130 Colonia Chuburná de Hidalgo, CP 97200, Mérida, Yucatán, México.