Trans-Encapsidation of Flock House virus with Tobacco Mosaic virus Structural Proteins

• DOI: 10.12970/2311-1755.2014.02.02.2
• Publication Date: 2014-12-08T08:13:24Z
• Authors: Alison A. McCormick; Payal D. Maharaj; Jyothi K. Mallajo...; Philip Thi; Gloria Lee; Yiyang Zhou; Christopher Kearney
• Keywords: Flock; Alfalfa mosaic virus

Flock House virus (FHV) encodes a viral polymerase supporting autonomous replication of the FHV genome which makes it an attractive candidate for transgene expression studies and targeted RNA delivery into host cells. As size is strictly limited by native capsid, goal this study was to determine if restriction could be eliminated inserting non-native packaging signal from Tobacco Mosaic (TMV) allow trans-encapsidation TMV coat. adapted express enhanced green fluorescent protein (GFP) several FHV-GFP expressing clones were generated full length transcripts generated. Fluorescent microscopy used confirm GFP after transfection baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) The origin assembly (OA) introduced most robust construct ensure functional 1 activity. best clone, FHV-C2-GFP-OA, then mixed with coat monitored encapsidation. production TMV-like rod shaped nanoparticles indicated that FHV-GFP-OA can encapsidated in vitro purified protein. This first demonstration replication-independent but specific encapsidation/packaging heterologous plant structural proteins while maintaining capacity.