Kook-Hyung Kim

Tri13 and Tri7 Determine Deoxynivalenol- and Nivalenol-Producing Chemotypes of Gibberella zeae

ABSTRACT Gibberella zeae, a major cause of cereal scab, can be divided into two chemotypes based on production of the 8-ketotrichothecenes deoxynivalenol (DON) and nivalenol (NIV). We cloned and sequenced a Tri13 homolog from each chemotype. The Tri13 from a NIV chemotype strain (88-1) is located in the trichothecene gene cluster and carries an open reading frame similar to that of Fusarium sporotrichioides, whereas the Tri13 from a DON chemotype strain (H-11) carries several mutations. To confirm the roles of the Tri13 and Tri7 genes in trichothecene production by G. zeae, we genetically altered toxin production in 88-1 and H-11. In transgenic strains, the targeted deletion of Tri13 from the genome of 88-1 caused production of DON rather than NIV. Heterologous expression of the 88-1 Tri13 gene alone or in combination with the 88-1 Tri7 gene conferred on H-11 the ability to synthesize NIV; in the latter case, 4-acetylnivalenol (4-ANIV) also was produced. These results suggest that Tri13 and Tri7 are required for oxygenation and acetylation of the oxygen at C-4 during synthesis of NIV and 4-ANIV in G. zeae. These functional analyses of the Tri13 and Tri7 genes provide the first clear evidence for the genetic basis of the DON and NIV chemotypes in G. zeae.

Double-stranded RNA mycovirus from Fusarium graminearum

ABSTRACT Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) viruses in some fungi are associated with hypovirulence and have been used or proposed as biological control agents. We isolated 7.5-kb dsRNAs from 13 of 286 field strains of Fusarium graminearum isolated from maize in Korea. One of these strains, DK21, was examined in more detail. This strain had pronounced morphological changes, including reduction in mycelial growth, increased pigmentation, reduced virulence towards wheat, and decreased (60-fold) production of trichothecene mycotoxins. The presence or absence of the 7.5-kb dsRNA was correlated with the changes in pathogenicity and morphology. The dsRNA could be transferred to virus-free strains by hyphal fusion, and the recipient strain acquired the virus-associated phenotype of the donor strain. The dsRNA was transmitted to approximately 50% of the conidia, and only colonies resulting from conidia carrying the mycovirus had the virus-associated phenotype. Partial nucleotide sequences of the purified dsRNA identify an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase sequence and an ATP-dependent helicase that are closely related to those of Cryphonectria hypovirus and Barley yellow mosaic virus. Collectively, these results suggest that this dsRNA isolated from F. graminearum encodes traits for hypovirulence.

Synthesis of the putative red clover necrotic mosaic virus RNA polymerase by ribosomal frameshifting in vitro.

Abstract The red clover necrotic mosaic virus (RCNMV) genome is split between two single-stranded RNA species termed RNA-1 and RNA-2. RNA-1 directs the synthesis of 88-kDa (p88), 57-kDa (p57), 37-kDa (p37), and 27-kDa (p27) polypeptides and RNA-2 a 35-kDa (p35) polypeptide in vitro. The coding order of the RNA-1 products was determined to be 5′-p27-p57-p37-3′. Antibodies to synthetic peptides representing the carboxyl terminal portions of p27 and p57 immunoprecipitated their respective polypeptides in addition to p88, suggesting that p88 is a fusion protein. A frameshift heptanucleotide sequence element has been identified in RCNMV RNA-1. In addition, a stable stem-loop secondary structure adjacent to the heptanucleotide sequence is predicted. Together, these sequence elements suggest that a ribosomal frameshifting event occurs which allows translational readthrough of the p27 open reading frame into the p57 open reading frame, generating the observed p88 product. An RNA-1 expression construct fusing the p57 and the CP open reading frame was engineered to investigate the ribosomal frameshifting event. CP antibodies immunoprecipitated a fusion protein of the predicted size containing the carboxyl portion of CP. Site-directed mutagenesis of the frameshift element indicates that in vitro, p88 can also be expressed alternatively by suppression of an amber termination codon. Based on these data, we propose that the putative RCNMV RNA polymerase is an 88-kDa polypeptide expressed by a ribosomal frameshifting mechanism similar to those utilized by retroviruses.

Cis-acting regulatory elements in the potato virus X 3' non-translated region differentially affect minus-strand and plus-strand RNA accumulation.

Abstract The 72nt 3′ non-translated region (NTR) of potato virus X (PVX) RNA is identical in all sequenced PVX strains and contains sequences that are conserved among all potexviruses. Computer folding of the 3′ NTR sequence predicted three stem-loop structures (SL1, SL2, and SL3 in the 3′ to 5′ direction), which generally were supported by solution structure analyses. The importance of these sequence and/or structural elements to PVX RNA accumulation was further analyzed by inoculation of Nicotiana tabacum (NT-1) protoplasts with PVX transcripts containing mutations in the 3′ NTR. Analyses of RNA accumulation by S1 nuclease protection indicated that multiple sequence elements throughout the 3′ NTR were important for minus-strand RNA accumulation. Formation of SL3 was required for accumulation of minus-strand RNA, whereas SL1 and SL2 formation were less important. However, sequences within all of these predicted structures were required for minus-strand RNA accumulation, including a conserved hexanucleotide sequence element in the loop of SL3, and the CU nucleotide in a U-rich sequence within SL2. In contrast, 13 nucleotides that were predicted to reside in SL1 could be deleted without any significant reduction in minus or plus-strand RNA levels. Potential polyadenylation signals (near upstream elements; NUEs) in the 3′ NTR of PVX RNA were more important for plus-strand RNA accumulation than for minus-strand RNA accumulation. In addition, one of these NUEs overlapped with other sequence required for optimal minus-strand RNA levels. These data indicate that the PVX 3′ NTR contains multiple, overlapping elements that influence accumulation of both minus and plus-strand RNA.

Development of RT-PCR Based Method for Detecting Five Non-reported Quarantine Plant Viruses Infecting the Family Cucurbitaceae or Solanaceae

For quarantine purpose, we selected five plant RNA viruses including Cucumber vein yellowing virus (CVYV), Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV), Potato aucuba mosaic virus (PAMV), Potato yellow dwarf virus (PYDV), and Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV), which are not reported in Korea and cause serious economic losses to the family Cucurbitaceae or Solanaceae. To detect those viruses, we employed RT-PCR technique with specific oligonucleotide primer pairs and tested their detection efficiency for each virus. To design RT-PCR primers, coat protein was used for CVYV, CYSDV, and ToCV whereas RNA polymerase and nucleocapsid regions were used for PAMV and PYDV, respectively. The development of an RT-PCR based method proved a useful tool for rapid detection and identification of quarantine virus infections.

Complete Genome Sequence of the RNAs 3 and 4 Segments of Rice stripe virus Isolates in Korea and their Phylogenetic Relationships with Japan and China Isolates

The complete genome sequences of RNA3 and RNA4 of the 13 different Rice stripe virus (RSV) isolates were determined and characterized in this study to address the possible causes of the recent re-emergence of RSV that affected many rice fields in Korea. The genome size of each RNA segment varied among isolates and significant differences were observed in the intergenic region. There was up to 4% average divergence in the RNA4 nucleotide sequence among 13 Korean isolates and only 1.4% in the RNA3. Phylogenetic relationships among different Korean isolates revealed that there were at least 2 types of RNA3 and 4 distinct types of RNA4 genomes present in Korea. However, Korean isolates with one type of RNA3 predominate over the other while the occurrences of the RSV Korean isolates with the 4 types of RNA4 genome were not correlated to specific geographical areas. Results further indicate that RNA4 had diverged more than RNA3 and these differences in accumulation of mutations in the individual RNA segments indicate that genetic reassortment were likely to contribute to the genetic divergence in the 13 Korean isolates. All of the Korean-RNA3 sequences except for one isolate grouped with Chinese isolates (JY and Z). In contrast, the RNA 4 sequences segregated together with either Chinese (JY and Z) and Japanese (M and T) isolates but genetic relationships of Korean isolates- RNAs 3 and 4 segments to Chinese-Y isolate were low. Altogether, these results suggest that the occurrence of mixtures of RNAs 3 and 4 genotypes in the natural population of RSV may have contributed to the sudden outbreak in Korea.

Characteristics of Potato virus Y Isolated from Paprika in Korea

A virus isolate collected from infected paprika (Capsicum annuum var. grossum) was characterized as Potato virus Y (PVY) based on biological, serological, cytopathological, and molecular properties. In host range studies, the paprika isolate produced the mosaic symptom on some tobacco, tomato and pepper (Capsicum annuum). A new paprika isolate also infected potato cultivars which is different biological characteristic compared to the other popular potyvirus infecting paprika, Pepper mottle virus (PepMoV). Previously reported PVY strains, and did not infect pepper and typical PepMoV isolates did not infect potato. Distinctive inclusion patterns of the scroll, pinwheel, long laminated inclusions, and helper components in the cytoplasm of infected cells were also different to those observed by the typical PVY isolate infections. However, the paprika isolate reacted to the monoclonal antibody of strain with high absorbance readings. RT-PCR amplification, cloning, and sequencing of the 3` untranslated region and a part of coat protein gene also added additional evidence of the paprika isolate as the -related isolate. Multiple alignments as well as cluster dendrograms of PVY-paprika isolate revealed close phylogenetic relationship to the subgroup. Altogether, these results suggest that a new PVY isolate infecting paprika contained distinct characteristics compared to the other previously described PVY strains with closer relationship to the strain.

RT-PCR Detection of Three Non-reported Fruit Tree Viruses Useful for Quarantine Purpose in Korea

A simple and reliable procedure for RT-PCR detection of Apple stem pitting virus (ASPV), Cherry rasp leaf virus (CRLV), and Cherry necrotic rusty mottle virus (CNRMV) was developed. Two virus specific primer sets for each virus were found to specifically detect each virus among fourteen sets of designed oligonucleotide primers. Total RNAs extracted from healthy and from ASPV-,CRLV- and CNRMV-infected plant tissues were used to synthesize cDNA using oligo dT primer and then amplified by virus-specific primers for each virus. Each primer specifically amplified DNA fragments of 578 bp and 306 bp products for ASPV (prAS CP-C and prAS CP-N primers, respectively); 697 bp and 429 bp products for CRLV (prCR4 and prCR5-JQ3D3 primers, respectively); and 370 bp and 257 bp products for CNRMV (prCN4 and prCN6-NEG 1 primers, respec-tively) by RT-PCR. DNA sequencing of amplified DNA fragments confirmed the nature of each amplified DNA. Altogether, these results suggest that these virus specific primer sets can specifically amplify viral sequences in infected tissues and thus indicate that they can be used for specific detection of each virus.

RT-PCR Detection of Five Quarantine Plant RNA Viruses Belonging to Poty- and Tospoviruses

In order to detect quarantine plant viruses, we developed reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) primer pairs for five single-stranded (ss) plant RNA viruses that are not currently reported in Korea but could be potential harmful plant viral pathogens. Three viruses such as Chilli veinal mottle virus (ChiVMV), Colombian datura virus (CDV), and Tobacco etch virus (TEV) belong to the genus Potyvirus while Chrysanthemum stem necrosis virus (CSNV) and Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV) are members of the genus Tospovirus. To design RT-PCR primers, we used reported gene sequences corresponding to the capsid protein and polyprotein for ChiVMV, CDV, and TEV while using nucleocapsid protein regions for CSNV and IYSV. At least two different primer pairs were designed for each virus. Fifteen out of 16 primer pairs were successfully applied in detection of individual quarantine virus with high specificity and efficiency. Taken together, this study provides a rapid and useful protocol for detection of five quarantine viruses.

A Current Overview of Two Viroids That Infect Chrysanthemums: Chrysanthemum stunt viroid and Chrysanthemum chlorotic mottle viroid

The chrysanthemum (Dendranthema X grandiflorum) belongs to the family Asteraceae and it is one of the most popular flowers in the world. Viroids are the smallest known plant pathogens. They consist of a circular, single-stranded RNA, which does not encode a protein. Chrysanthemums are a common host for two different viroids, the Chrysanthemum stunt viroid (CSVd) and the Chrysanthemum chlorotic mottle viroid (CChMVd). These viroids are quite different from each other in structure and function. Here, we reviewed research associated with CSVd and CChMVd that covered disease symptoms, identification, host range, nucleotide sequences, phylogenetic relationships, structures, replication mechanisms, symptom determinants, detection methods, viroid elimination, and development of viroid resistant chrysanthemums, among other studies. We propose that the chrysanthemum and these two viroids represent convenient genetic resources for host–viroid interaction studies.