Insect transmission of rhabdoviruses is highly specific; a given rhabdovirus is transmitted only by one or a few closely related insect species. Maize mosaic virus (MMV) is transmitted by the planthopper Peregrinus maidis (Ashmead), whereas maize fine streak virus (MFSV) is transmitted by the leafhopper Graminella nigrifrons (Forbes). Our overall goals are to compare the genome sequences of MMV and MFSV and to identify and characterize factors essential for insect transmission of these viruses. The MFSV genome has seven putative genes on the viral complementary sequence in the order N-P-3-4-M-G-L, which is one gene more than Sonchus yellow net virus that has a gene order of N-P-Sc4-M-G-L. Detection of MFSV mRNAs of infected plants by Northern blot analysis showed that all seven genes of the MFSV genome produce mRNAs of expected size. Moreover, all genes are downstream of putative intergenic regions that are conserved among rhabdoviruses. These regions contain sequences for polyA tailing of the 3' end of mRNAs, intergenic sequences, and transcription start sites. Sequencing of the MMV genome is in progress. MMV and MFSV-binding proteins of vectors and non-vector insects, including aphids, leafhoppers and planthoppers, were determined by virus overlay assays of one-dimensional Western blots. A 90 kDa P. maidis protein that bound MFSV and MMV, and a 65 kDa P. maidis protein that bound MMV but not MFSV are being characterized by two-dimensional protein electrophoresis and N-terminal protein sequencing.
Species 1: Homoptera Cicadellidae Graminella nigrifrons (blackfaced leafhopper)
Species 2: Homoptera Delphacidae Peregrinus maidis
Keywords: maize mosaic virus, maize fine streak virus
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