FIGURE 5.

Identification of the mutations on the vd-sRNA known to target host genes. (A) The mutations observed in this study were analyzed according to the regions of previously examined vd-sRNAs that are known to downregulate host genes through RNA silencing. These mutations are shown on the potential secondary structure of PSTVd-RG1, and their target genes are indicated. The structural/functional domains of PSTVd are delimited by the vertical solid lines and are named accordingly. Out of all the mutations, the mutation located at position 55 of PSTVd-RG1 showed variation in the vd-sRNA that is known to target the host genes which are involved in defense, development and translation. (B) Schematic representation showing the predicted vd-sRNA:target duplex.