FIG 4.

The N- and C-proximal regions of WSMV CP are dispensable for systemic infection in wheat. (A) Schematic diagram of the organization of the WSMV genome and the locations of deletions (bold and underlined) in the N- and C-terminal regions of CP, which are indicated below the genomic organization. (B) Symptoms elicited by in vitro transcripts of the wild-type virus and N- and C-proximal deletion mutants on wheat at 18 days postinoculation. The numbers above the leaves correspond to the mutants indicated by number in panel A. Leaf H, a buffer-inoculated healthy wheat leaf. (C) RT-PCR analysis of the CP cistron from wheat plants infected with the wild-type virus and mutants with N- or C-terminal deletions in the CP. The sizes of the DNA markers (lanes M) are indicated at the left. The numbers above the gel correspond to the mutants indicated by number in panel A. (D) Electron micrographs of the wild-type virus and N- or C-terminal deletion mutants of WSMV in wheat. Bars, 500 nm. (E) Western blot analysis of partially purified virions from wheat leaves infected with the wild-type virus and N- or C-terminal deletion mutants. The positions of CP and truncated CPs of 31 and 29 kDa are indicated with an arrow, an arrowhead, and an asterisk, respectively. The protein size markers used in SDS-PAGE are indicated on the left. The dilution of the partially purified virions used for immunoblotting is indicated at the bottom of the blot. UD, undiluted.