Tomas Moravec

The detection of recombinant, tuber necrosing isolates of Potato virus Y (PVYNTN) using a three-primer PCR based in the coat protein gene

A simple and reliable procedure for reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) detection and strain differentiation of Potato virus Y (PVY) was developed. Three primers were designed within the coat protein (CP) and nuclear inclusion protein b (NIb) region, exploiting a single base polymorphism identified as being present in all the recombinant PVY(NTN) isolates published. Samples infected with PVY produce a single band of 569 bp, while isolates belonging to PVY(NTN) strain give an additional band of 334 bp. The technique was tested on a collection of well-characterised isolates of PVY from a range of strains and was found to detect all of the isolates reported as belonging to the PVY(NTN) strain. All of the isolates detected possess a recombination event within the coat protein. Further sequence analysis revealed that all the recombinant PVY(NTN) isolates reported thus far would be detected using this assay, whilst isolates thought to be PVY(NTN) that do not possess the coat protein recombination event would not be detected.

Short communication: Molecular analysis of Potato leafroll virus isolates from the Czech Republic.

The complete genomes of three Czech isolates VIRUBRA 1/045, VIRUBRA 1/046, and VIRUBRA 1/047 of Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) were sequenced and compared with 13 complete sequences of PLRV isolates available in GenBank. Among the Czech isolates, VIRUBRA 1/046 and 1/047 showed the highest nucleotide (nt) identity (98.7%). PLRV was the most conserved virus in both open reading frames (ORFs) 3 and 4. The most variable regions were ORFs 0 and Rap1. Interestingly, isolate VIRUBRA 1/045 significantly differed from the other two Czech isolates in ORFs 0 and 1. Moreover, we identified mutations in the amino acid (aa) sequences, which were specific for the Czech isolates. Phylogenetic analysis based on ORF0 showed that the Czech isolates could be classified in two of the three groupings of the phylogenetic tree obtained. This is the first report on sequence analysis of the genome sequences of PLRV isolates from the Czech Republic.

Production of Polyclonal Antibodies to a Recombinant Coat Protein of Potato Virus Y

The gene encoding the coat protein (CP) of a potato virus Y (PVY) was cloned into expression vector pMPM-A4Ω. PVY CP was expressed in Escherichia coli and the purified recombinant protein was used for raising rabbit polyclonal antibodies. The sera and antibodies were tested for the detection of PVY in the laboratory host Nicotiana tabacum cv. Petit Havana SR1 and in various cultivars of the natural host Solanum tuberosum by ELISA as well as by Western blots. The antibodies can be used for the detection of the whole strain spectrum of PVY by indirect plate trapped antigen ELISA and Western blot, but not by double antigen sandwich ELISA.

Extended Sequence Analysis of Three Danish Potato Mop-Top Virus (PMTV) Isolates

The entire nucleotide sequence for the coding regions of a Danish PMTV isolate 54-15 was determined and compared to other known and sequenced isolates of PMTV. Many nucleotide and amino acid changes were found in parts of RNA coding for the triple gene block (TGB) proteins and in the part of the RNA coding for the read-through region of the coat protein (CP). These regions for two other isolates, the mild one 54-10 and the severe one 54-19, were sequenced. Only two amino acid changes were found to correlate with the subdivision of isolates according to symptom development into mild and severe subgroups. In addition, the phylogenetic tree was obtained suggesting the closest relationship between isolates 54-15 and 54-10. Although the sequence comparisons indicate a high genetic stability of PMTV populations, a surprising change was found in the newly sequenced isolates – the replacement of the AUG start codon of the fourth gene of the TGB encoding RNA, coding for a cystein-rich protein, by the less efficient GUG start codon.

Transient expression of heterologous model gene in plants using Potato virusX-based vector

To optimize the efficiency of expression of foreign proteins using Potato virus X (PVX) -- based vector, the gene for the coat protein (CP) of other virus (Potato virusA, PVA) was cloned into the vector, propagated in E. coli and subsequently inoculated or agroinfected into the host plants. Host range studies showed that the best host plant is N. benthamiana. By means of RT PCR the presence and the stability of the construct were tested. Both ELISA and Western blot analysis were applicable for expressed protein detection. Expression level of PVA CP achieved approximately 5--10 per mille of total soluble proteins. The results demonstrated that agroinfection is the most suitable method for the propagation of our model gene using PVX--based vectors.

Adaptation of an ecdysone-based genetic switch for transgene expression in soybean seeds.

Soybean was used as a model for studies of chemical induction of gene expression in seeds. A chimeric transcriptional activator, VGE, driven by the soybean seed glycinin G1 promoter, was used to induce the expression of an ER-targeted GFPKDEL reporter protein upon addition of the chemical ligand, methoxyfenozide. The chemical gene switch activated gene expression under in vitro conditions in somatic cotyledonary embryos and zygotic seed embryos cultured from transgenic soybean plants, as well as in seeds in planta under greenhouse conditions. The efficiency of induction of GFP expression under different growth conditions was strongly influenced by the developmental stage of the seed and availability of the inducer. The formation of ER-derived GFP-containing protein bodies in seed storage parenchyma cells was correlated with the level of induced expression.

Plant viruses as scaffolds for the presentation of vaccine epitopes

Within the last two decades, plant viral vectors have emerged as an excellent tool for the expression of foreign peptides and proteins. Virus particles carrying foreign antigenic epitopes present some interesting advantages for vaccine design and other applications. This review covers recent advances in the use of some typical plant viruses with helical particles that present heterologous peptides with particular emphasis on particles derived from the Potato virus X (PVX) and its uses.

Efficient expression of Human papillomavirus 16 E7 oncoprotein fused to C-terminus of Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) coat protein using molecular chaperones in Escherichia coli.

The Human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) E7 oncoprotein is a promising candidate for development of anti-cancer therapeutic vaccine. We have prepared the expression construct carrying mutagenized E7 oncoprotein fused to the C-terminus of Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) coat protein via 15 amino acids β-sheet linker. The fusion protein was expressed in Escherichia coli MC 1061 cells. We have obtained high level expression, but most of the protein remained in insoluble inclusion bodies. To increase the ratio of soluble protein various molecular chaperones (TF, DnaK-DnaJ-GrpE, GroEL-GroES) were used. The immunological reactivity of expressed recombinant protein was evaluated with anti-E7 and anti-TMV antibodies. The distribution of expressed product during ultracentrifugation on sucrose gradient was studied.

Potato virus X displaying the E7 peptide derived from human papillomavirus type 16: a novel position for epitope presentation

AbstractPotato virus X (PVX) is widely used as a peptide presentation system in plant biotechnology, mostly by fusion of desired peptides to the N-terminus of its capsid protein (CP). Considering that some epitopes can interfere with the stability and/or self-assembly of PVX CP when fused to its N-terminus, we evaluated four other possible sites for fusion using the E7 epitope derived from human papillomavirus type 16 with different tags. We prepared eight different PVX CP constructs modified with the E7 epitope fused with the 6xHis tag in both orientations (6xHis-E7, E7-6xHis), cloned them into the PVX-based vector pGR106 and expressed them transiently in Nicotiana benthamina plants. Only the fusion site located after amino acid 23 led to systemic infection of plants and the production of recombinant proteins, but no viral particles were detected. When we replaced the 6xHis with StrepII tag, the modified virus infected plants systemically, expressed proteins assembled into viral particles and the epitopes were located on the particle surface. The results of this study indicate that the new position within the PVX CP can be used for peptide presentation on the surface of PVX particles and is promising for PVX based production of therapeutic compounds in plants.

Expression of a recombinant Human papillomavirus 16 E6GT oncoprotein fused to N- and C-termini of Potato virus X coat protein in Nicotiana benthamiana

Infection with Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) is linked to cervical cancer, which is one of the most common cancers found among women worldwide. Despite preventive immunization, a therapeutic vaccine, targeting infected individuals, is required. Vaccine strategies for treatment of HPV—induced cervical cancer are based on E7 and E6 oncoproteins. In this work we report the transient expression of chimeric particles containing the E6 oncoprotein from Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) in plants. We fused a mutagenized coding sequence of the E6 oncoprotein (E6GT) with the coding sequence of Potato virus X coat protein (PVX CP) both with the 5′- and 3′-terminus using linkers of different length (0, 4 or 15 amino acids). The expression in E. coli was performed to assess the characteristics of the recombinant protein prior to plant expression. The yield and immunological reactivity of the expressed proteins were screened with anti-PVX CP and E6 antibodies. The highest yields of chimeric particles were observed in the transgenic N. benthamiana expressing Potato virus A HC-Pro protein and the Tobacco mosaic virus movement protein. When inoculated on host plants, these recombinant viruses were not able to spread systemically. The obtained results revealed the new relations for design of expression cassettes for plant-based vaccine production.