Trans-complementation of long-distance movement of White clover mosaic virus triple gene block (TGB) mutants: phloem-associated movement of TGBp1.

The triple gene block proteins (TGBp1-3) and coat protein (CP) of potexviruses are required for cell-to-cell movement. Both cell-to-cell and long-distance movement of White clover mosaic virus in which individual, combinations, or all movement functions were mutated could be rescued by transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana expressing complementary viral products. To address the importance of TGB functions in vascular transport, we used an experimental system based on grafted plants and trans-complementation, to define co-translocated viral products and the minimal requirements for viral exit from the plant vasculature. Evidence is presented that TGBp1 is co-translocated with viral RNA and CP and that, once viral RNA is loaded into the phloem translocation stream, it can exit in sink tissues and replicate in the absence of TGBp2-3. These results are discussed in the context of the recent finding that TGBp1 can mediate the suppression of signaling involved in systemic gene silencing. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.