| Turnip crinkle virus (TCV) | |
|---|---|
| Virus classification | |
| Group: | Group IV ((+)ssRNA) |
| Family: | Tombusviridae |
| Genus: | Carmovirus |
| Species: | Turnip crinkle virus |
Turnip crinkle virus (TCV) is a plant pathogenic virus of the family Tombusviridae. TCV is a small (4054bp), icosohedral, single stranded, positive sense RNA virus (viral RNA is in the same orientation as mRNA). It has been shown to infect various types of plant species including the common plant model, Arabidopsis thaliana, and is currently being studied in yeast. Its RNA encodes for five proteins: p28 and p88 (replication), p8 and p9 (movement) and CP (coat protein or encapsidation).[1] Replication of the viral RNA begins with the migration of p28 to the mitchondrial membrane. p28 invaginates the outer mitochondrial membrane in addition to a few p88 molecules (read-through product of p28). The viral RNA binds to the p28 bound to the membrane and the RNA dependent RNA polymerase, or p88, initiates replication of the positive strand RNA to produce a minus strand intermediate. The minus strand intermediate is used as a template to produce progeny positive strand RNA.[2]
A number of non-coding RNA elements have been characterised in the TCV genome; examples are hairpin 5 and the core promoter.[3][4]