Plant Virus Genome Is Shaped by Specific Dinucleotide Restrictions That Influence Viral Infection.

ABSTRACT: The presence of CpG and UpA dinucleotides is restricted in the genomes of animal RNA viruses to avoid specific host defenses. We wondered whether a similar phenomenon exists in nonanimal RNA viruses. Here, we show that these two dinucleotides, especially UpA, are underrepresented in the family Potyviridae, the most important group of plant RNA viruses. Using plum pox virus (PPV; Potyviridae family) as a model, we show that an increase in UpA frequency strongly diminishes virus accumulation. Remarkably, unlike previous observations in animal viruses, PPV variants harboring CpG-rich fragments display just faint (or no) attenuation. The anticorrelation between UpA frequency and viral fitness additionally demonstrates the relevance of this particular dinucleotide: UpA-high mutant

SUBMITTER: Gonzalez de Pradena A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7029135 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature