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Imprint
Detection of endogenous pararetroviruses (EPRV) in ornamentals
Project
Project code: JKI-EP-08-2233
Contract period: 01.01.2014
- 31.12.2016
Purpose of research: Applied research
Pararetroviruses out of the family of Caulimoviridae encapsidate double-stranded DNA and amplify their genome using reverse transcription analogous to retroviruses. Petunia vein clearing virus (PVCV) is a pararetrovirus infecting petunia. It has been shown that PVCV exists as endogenous pararetrovirus (EPRV) in petunia integrated into the host's genome and can trigger a virus infection. Increased temperatures as well as vegetative propagation have been identified as inducing factors for this EPRV. In contrast to retroviruses, EPRV integration is not enzymatically promoted by an integrase but most likely is a by-product of the host DNA repair machinery. The number of pararetrovirus species in plants recognized by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) has increased by 25% within the last five years. Many of them have been identified in ornamentals like kalanchoe, canna, dahlia, rose or geranium. Furthermore, pararetroviruses infect important crop plants like banana, tobacco, cassava and sweet potato. EPRVs account for sudden virus epidemics in petunia, banana, tobacco and dahlia. We will employ molecular as well as electron microscopic techniques to investigate if 1. EPRVs are also present in kalanchoe and canna, and 2. if the integrated sequences are able to trigger an infection. For petunia, banana, tobacco and dahlia it has been shown that only after induction of infectious EPRVs symptoms were displayed. Information about presence and diversity of viral DNA and RNA forms will be obtained using PCR and RT-PCR followed by sequencing of obtained fragments. For detection of virus particles immuno electron microscopy will be employed. The obtained knowledge will be seminal for developing diagnostic methods and for understanding virus epidemiology.
Section overview
Subjects
- Crop Protection
- Horticulture
Framework programme
Funding programme
Excutive institution
Institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostics (JKI-EP)
