Specificity of TMV RNA encapsidation: in vitro coating of heterologous RNA by TMV protein

Abstract

Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) RNA and TMV coat protein were reconstituted in the presence of an excess of host RNA or turnip yellow mosaic virus (TYMV) RNA. TMV protein and its homologous RNA recognized each other specifically in the presence of an excess of host RNA, but when TMV RNA and TYMV RNA were mixed with protein, both RNAs were encapsidated. Indeed, at pH 6, TYMV RNA was recognized by TMV protein at least as well as TMV RNA itself. This suggests that TYMV RNA like TMV RNA may possess a special site recognized by TMV protein.