Uncoating of tobacco mosaic virus RNA in protoplasts.

The disassembly of tobacco mosaic virus particles during the establishment of infections in tobacco protoplasts was investigated by reverse transcription and PCR analysis of the parts of the viral RNA that remained encapsidated at various times after inoculation. Within the first 3 min, uncoating had proceeded from the 5' terminus of the viral RNA to a position at least 4635 nucleotides from the 5' terminus. Removal of coat protein subunits from the part of the virus particle near the origin of assembly sequence of the RNA occurred more slowly. The results also suggested that progeny virus particles began to be produced 35-40 min after inoculation.