FP6 priority

1.1.1   Genomics and Biotechnology for Health

1.1.1.1.

Title of the proposal

Natural recombination of RNA viruses

Institute

Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Virology
Dubravska 9, 84245 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Contact

Research subject for a potential FP6 project

Plum pox virus (PPV, genus Potyvirus) belongs to so-called picorna-like supergroup of plant viruses possessing extensive genome similarities with human (animal) picornaviruses. Thus the insight in the PPV replication details may have an impact also for viruses dangerous for human health.Recently we were able to detect natural homologous recombinants between two main strains (M and D) of PPV spread in Slovakia. These PPV isolates were shown to be virulent, aphid-transmissible and to have a broad host range. Now we plan to perform a survey for further recombinant isolates from other European countries and their detailed molecular analysis which enables us to outline more general hypothesis concerning the contribution of recombination in vivo to the evolution of RNA viruses, as well as to study the recombination mechanisms and points of crossover in detail.PPV belongs to the viruses relatively well understood on the molecular level, however, the function of several its genes (gene products) is still unknown. Recombinant forms of viruses provide a good model for functional studies of respective genes. We will focus on the evolution of PPV host specificity and mapping the relevant factors in the PPV genome. This is of particular epidemiological importance because an emerging of new virus forms may be connected with the host switch or broadening the host range.

Recent international cooperation of the research team

Institute Nationale de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), UMR BGPI, Montpellier, France
Istituto Agronomico Mediterraneo (IAM), Bari, Italy
Institut fur Resistenzforschung und Pathogendiagnostik, BAZ, Aschersleben, Germany
Ustav experimentalni botaniky AV CR, Praha, Czech Republic

Proposer´s relevant publications related to the research subject

GLASA M, MARIE-JEANNE V, MOURY B, KUDELA O, QUIOT JB (2002): Molecular variability of the P3-6K1 genomic region among geographically and biologically distinct isolates of Plum pox virus. Archives of Virology 147, 563-575.
GLASA M, KUDELA O, MARIE-JEANNE V, QUIOT JB (2001): Evidence of a naturally occurring recombinant isolate of Plum pox virus from Slovakia. Plant Disease 85, 920.
GLASA M, MATISOVA J, KUDELA O (1998): Characterization of Plum pox virus isolates from Slovakia. Acta Virologica 42, 226-229.
KUDELA O, GLASA M, FUCHS E, KUDELOVA M (1998): Strain variability of plum pox virus isolates from western Slovakia. Acta Virologica 42, 5 - 11.
GLASA M, MARIE-JEANNE V, LABONNE G, SUBR Z, KUDELA O, QUIOT JB (2002): Natural population of recombinant Plum pox virus is stable and competitive under field conditions. European Journal of Plant Pathology, in press.