TMV

Tobacco mosaic virus

TMV is a plant virus which infects a wide range of plants, especially tobacco and other
members of the
family Solanaceae.
The infection causes characteristic patterns, such as "mosaic"-like mottling(spots) and
discoloration on the leaves (hence the name).
TMV was the first virus ever to be discovered.
Genome:
Single stranded, unsegmented, positive sense RNA.
Contains 6400 nucleotides
Mol. Wt.- 2.1x106
The RNA encodes 3 essential proteins-
a) RNA dependent RNA polymerase (Replicase)
b) Movement protein
c) Coat Protein
Mechanical- i) Contaminated hands,
ii) Clothing or tools in farm

Biological- i) Seeds from infected plants

ii) Pollen grains
iii) Insects (aphids)

Physical- i) Wind
ii) Water
Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) is a single-stranded RNA
virus species that infects a wide range of plants,
especially tobacco and other members of the
family Solanaceae.

The infection causes characteristic patterns, such as

"mosaic"-like mottling and discoloration on the leaves (hence
the name).

TMV was the first virus to be discovered.

TMV has a rod-like appearance.

Its capsid is made from 2130 molecules of coat protein and

one molecule of genomic single strand RNA, 6400 bases
long.
The coat protein self-assembles into the rod-like helical
structure (16 proteins per helix turn) around the RNA
which forms a hairpin loop.

The protein monomer consists of 158 amino acids.

Virions are ~300 nm in length and ~18 nm in diameter.

Negatively stained electron microphotographs show a

distinct inner channel of radius ~2 nm.

The RNA is located at a radius of ~4 nm and is protected

from the action of cellular enzymes by the coat protein.
The reproductive cycle of TMV consists of Five steps as-
1. Entry into host cell

2. Uncoating

3. Intracellular Development

4. Assembly (Maturation)

5. Release
TMV can not directly enter the host cell.
It requires damage to plant cells.
It enters through breaches (Gap) in the cell wall.
It is a process in which capsid is removed and nucleic acid is
released into the cell cytoplasm.
Nucleic acid of plant viruses enters the host cell cytoplasm
along with capsid.
In the cytoplasm capsid is removed and nucleic acid is freed.
It requires assessment of host enzymes to remove capsids.
In order to produce disease, the virus must replicate
and spread to neighbouring cells and then
systematically throughout the plant.
Spreads of virus to neighbouring cells occurs through
microscopic channels in the cell walls called
plasmodesmata.
Plasmodesmata-
These are slender structures
extending from cell wall
which connects adjacent
plant cells.
Spread to other parts of the plant by vasculature system
(Xylem and phloem).
The cell-to-cell movement of virus requires one or more
protein called as “Movement protein”.
Most plant viruses use coat/capsid proteins for transfer.
TMV contains SS Positive sense RNA as its genome.
Replication of virion RNA thus involves synthesis of negative
strand RNA using positive strand RNA as a template.
Thus, replication completes in 2 steps-
1) Synthesis of negative strand RNA using positive strand RNA
as a template which forms doubles stranded intermediate
termed as “Replicative form (RF)”.
2) Synthesis of positive strand RNA using negative strand
RNA as a template using virus coded RNA dependent RNA
polymerase.
Assembly

• Also called Maturation.

• After intracellular synthesis of enough no. of capsid
proteins and Virion RNA, virion assembly begins.
• It is highly organized process.
• Initially Capsid assembly begins when capsomers associate
with 3I end of the RNA.
• TMV assembly will occur in vitro when capsid proteins and
nucleic acids are mixed.
Capsomers binds to each other to form disks.
Each disk contains 2 layers each with16 subunits.
Then helical capsid grows by addition of disks to one end of
rod.
Many plant viruses kill their hosts in which they multiply.
They release by autolysis of host cell which causes death
of cell.