GENETIC ANALYSIS OF HIBISCUS CHLOROTIC RINGSPOT VIRUS

Abstract

Complementary DNAs corresponding to the viral RNA of a Singapore isolate of hibiscus chlorotic ringspot virus (HCRSV) were cloned. The complete genome is a positive-sense ssRNA molecule 3911 nuclotides in length. The genome organisation of HCRSV is similar to other carmoviruses. The 5'-end of the two 3'- proximal subgenomic RNAs were precisely determined. They initiate at nt 2439 and nt 2177, respectively; and co-terminate at the 3'-end of the genome. In vitro translation of viral RNAs isolated from virions and from in vitro transcripts obtained from cDNA clones suggest that the coat protein gene can be expressed directly from both the genomic and subgenomic RNAs in vitro.