The replicase large subunit is essential for SBWMV’s replication machinery. It forms a heterodimer with the smaller 150 kDa subunit (encoded by RNA1) to synthesize viral RNA from templates . Studies using infectious clones (e.g., agrobacterium-delivered SBWMV cDNA) have demonstrated that mutations in this subunit can disrupt replication fidelity or systemic movement, highlighting its importance in pathogenicity .
Partial recombinant constructs are often engineered to:
Map Critical Domains: Truncated versions enable identification of motifs required for RNA binding, catalysis, or interaction with auxiliary proteins (e.g., movement proteins) .
Study RNA Silencing Suppression: SBWMV’s cysteine-rich protein (19K) suppresses host RNA interference, but the replicase may also contribute to this process .
Develop Diagnostic Tools: Recombinant fragments are used in serological assays to detect viral antigens in host tissues .
A full-length infectious clone of SBWMV (pSBWMV) was developed using Agrobacterium tumefaciens delivery systems. While the replicase large subunit was not explicitly modified in this study, the clone enables targeted mutagenesis to study its function . For example:
Gene Silencing: Insertions into RNA2 (e.g., gene silencing cassettes) were tested for stability and effect on replication .
Host-Pathogen Interactions: The clone facilitates studies on how environmental factors (e.g., temperature) influence replicase activity and symptom development .
In mixed infections with other viruses (e.g., Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus or Brome Mosaic Virus), SBWMV’s replicase may compete for host resources. For instance:
Resource Competition: Robust replication of Brome Mosaic Virus suppresses Barley Stripe Mosaic Virus accumulation, suggesting similar dynamics could affect SBWMV replicase activity .
RNA Silencing Suppression: The 19K protein of SBWMV counteracts host defenses, potentially enhancing replication efficiency .
Stability of Partial Constructs: Truncated replicase subunits may lack essential structural motifs, limiting functional analysis .
Environmental Dependencies: SBWMV replication is temperature-sensitive, complicating in vitro studies .
Structural Characterization: Cryo-EM or crystallography studies to resolve the 3D structure of the replicase-subunit complex.
Host-Pathogen Co-Evolution: Investigating how cultivar resistance genes (e.g., Sbwm1) disrupt replicase activity .
| Feature | SBWMV Replicase Large Subunit | Barley Yellow Mosaic Virus (BaYMV) | Brome Mosaic Virus (BMV) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genomic RNA | Bipartite (RNA1/RNA2) | Bipartite (RNA1/RNA2) | Tripartite (RNA1/RNA2/RNA3) |
| Replicative Strategy | Semi-conservative replication | Semi-conservative replication | Positive-sense RNA replication |
| RNA Silencing Suppression | 19K CRP (RNA2) | VPg (RNA1) | 1a protein |
| Temperature Sensitivity | Systemic movement <20°C | N/A | N/A |
KEGG: vg:991048