Citrus tristeza virus-host interactions

Citrus tristeza virus-host interactions

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) is a phloem-limited virus whose natural host range is restricted to citrus and related species. Although the virus has killed millions of trees, almost destroying whole industries, and continually limits production in many citrus growing areas, most isolates are mild or symptomless in most of their host range. There is little understanding of how the virus causes sev...

Citrus tristeza virus p23: a unique protein mediating key virus–host interactions

The large RNA genome of Citrus tristeza virus (CTV; ca. 20 kb) contains 12 open reading frames, with the 3'-terminal one corresponding to a protein of 209 amino acids (p23) that is expressed from an abundant subgenomic RNA. p23, an RNA-binding protein with a putative zinc-finger domain and some basic motifs, is unique to CTV because no homologs have been found in other closteroviruses, includin...

The Complex Genetics of Citrus tristeza virus

The 2000 x 11 nm long bipolar flexuous filamentous particles of Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) (genus Closterovirus, family Closteroviridae) (Figure 1) contain a single-stranded positive-sense RNA genome of 19.3 kb, which is encapsidated in two different capsid proteins that coat the opposite ends of the virions [1, 2]. CTV is the largest identified RNA virus infecting plants and the second larges...

A genetic system for Citrus Tristeza Virus using the non-natural host Nicotiana benthamiana: an update

In nature Citrus tristeza virus (CTV), genus Closterovirus, infects only the phloem cells of species of Citrus and related genera. Finding that the CTV T36 strain replicated in Nicotiana benthamiana (NB) protoplasts and produced normal virions allowed development of the first genetic system based on protoplast transfection with RNA transcribed from a full-genome cDNA clone, a laborious and unce...

Molecular Virology and Pathogenicity of Citrus tristeza virus