Paul W.G. Chu

Antibody-mediated improved resistance to ClYVV and PVY infections in transgenic tobacco plants expressing a single-chain variable region antibody

Transgenic Nicotiana tabacum plants expressing a single-chain variable region antibody fragment derived from a broad-spectrum monoclonal antibody 3-17 showed suppression of virus infection following challenge by two distinct potyviruses: potato virus Y strain D, and clover yellow vein virus strain 300. Monoclonal antibody 3-17, which was raised against the potyvirus Johnsongrass mosaic virus, was shown to react strongly with 14 potyvirus species. Two different single-chain antibody constructs were used to produce chimeric genes encoding recombinant proteins designed to be targeted either to the apoplasm or to the cytoplasm. Transgenic plant lines showed reduced numbers of local lesions and systemic symptoms when challenged with potato virus Y, strain D and reduced local lesions following challenge with clover yellow vein virus, strain 300. The level of suppression conferred by the transgene when plants were challenged under laboratory conditions with high concentrations of virus, together with the ability of the transgene to partially protect plants against distinct viruses suggest that one single-chain gene construct might be used to protect plants from distinct potyviruses.

Putative full-length clones of the genomic DNA segments of subterranean clover stunt virus and identification of the segment coding for the viral coat protein.

Subterranean clover stunt disease is an economically important aphid-borne virus disease affecting certain pasture and grain legumes in Australia. The virus associated with the disease, subterranean clover stunt virus (SCSV), was previously found to be representative of a new type of single-stranded DNA virus. Analysis of the virion DNA and restriction mapping of double-stranded cDNA synthesized from virion DNA suggested that SCSV has a segmented genome composed of 3 or 4 different species of circular ssDNA each of about 850-880 nucleotides. To further investigate the complexity of the SCSV genome, we have isolated the replicative form DNA from infected pea and from it prepared putative full-length clones representing the SCSV genome segments. Analysis of these clones by restriction mapping indicated that clones representing at least 4 distinct genomic segments were obtained. This method is thus suitable for generating an extensive genomic library of novel ssDNA viruses containing multiple genome segments such as SCSV and banana bunchy top virus. The N-terminal amino acid sequence and amino acid composition of the coat protein of SCSV were determined. Comparison of the amino acid sequence with partial DNA sequence data, and the distinctly different restriction maps obtained for the full-length clones suggested that only one of these clones contained the coat protein gene. The results confirmed that SCSV has a functionally divided genome composed of several distinct ssDNA circles each of about 1 kb.

New Approaches to the Detection of Microbial Plant Pathogens

In this review, ways of detecting plant pathogens are divided into specific and non-specific methods. Specific methods are those which are used to detect a particular species or group of pathogens after preliminary diagnosis suggests the presence of that pathogen. Specific methods are also used when the assay involves a known pathogen, for instance as in epidemiological surveys. On the other hand, non-specific methods include those used to detect unknown pathogens or when detection of a number of pathogens is desired

Replication of subterranean clover stunt virus in pea and subterranean clover protoplasts

Abstract Subterranean clover stunt virus (SCSV) was previously found to be representative of a new type of single-stranded DNA virus. Purified SCSV particles did not infect subterranean clover when various attempts were made to transmit them to this host using aphids ( Aphis craccivora ) which had previously been fed on preparations of the virus. To demonstrate that purified preparations of SCSV are capable of replication, pea and subterranean clover protoplasts were inoculated with the virus using PEG treatment or electroporation, and maintained for up to 13 days. Up to 40% of the protoplasts survived after PEG treatment but less than 10% survived after electroporation. Both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and nucleic acid hybridisation detected de novo synthesis of SCSV in the inoculated protoplasts. The amount of SCSV coat protein detected by ELISA decreased from day 0 to day 3 post-inoculation but increased thereafter over several days to a maximum at about 10 days. Nucleic acid hybridisation studies using strand-specific probes showed that the kinetics of synthesis of the virion and its complementary strand nucleic acid corresponded with the kinetics of accumulation of SCSV antigens. These results suggest that purified SCSV particles are capable of replication in transient protoplast systems. The protoplast assay could be used to characterise new or altered segments or functional domains of the SCSV genome and for the development of SCSV genome as a vector for foreign gene expression in plants.