Cauliflower mosaic virus

Definition

Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) is a plant virus that infects members of the Brassicaceae family, including cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. It is a double-stranded DNA virus that replicates in the nucleus of infected plant cells and can cause mosaic-like patterns and stunted growth in its host plants.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cauliflower mosaic virus is a member of the Caulimovirus genus, which are plant-infecting double-stranded DNA viruses.
2. The viral genome of CaMV is circular and consists of approximately 8,000 base pairs.
3. CaMV infects plant cells by inserting its DNA into the host cell's nucleus, where it can then hijack the cell's replication machinery to produce new viral particles.
4. Symptoms of CaMV infection in plants include mosaic-like patterns on leaves, stunted growth, and reduced yield.
5. CaMV is transmitted between plants by aphids, which feed on the infected plant and then spread the virus to other plants.

Review Questions

• Describe the key steps in the Cauliflower mosaic virus life cycle, including how it infects and replicates within a host plant cell.
  • The Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) life cycle begins when the virus is introduced into a host plant cell, often by an aphid vector. The virus then inserts its circular double-stranded DNA genome into the nucleus of the host cell. Once inside the nucleus, CaMV hijacks the cell's own replication machinery to produce multiple copies of its viral genome. The virus also directs the host cell to synthesize the necessary viral proteins for assembling new viral particles. These new viral particles are then released from the host cell and can go on to infect other plant cells, continuing the cycle of infection and replication.
• Explain how the unique genome structure of Cauliflower mosaic virus contributes to its ability to infect and replicate within host plant cells.
  • The Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) has a circular, double-stranded DNA genome, which is an unusual feature for a plant virus. This genome structure allows the virus to integrate its genetic material directly into the host plant cell's nucleus, where it can then utilize the cell's own replication machinery to produce multiple copies of the viral genome. The circular nature of the CaMV genome also enables it to maintain its structural integrity during the replication process, ensuring that complete and functional viral particles can be assembled and released to infect other plant cells. This unique genome structure is a key factor in CaMV's ability to successfully invade and replicate within its host plants, leading to the characteristic mosaic patterns and stunted growth observed in infected plants.
• Discuss the significance of Cauliflower mosaic virus as a model system for understanding viral life cycles and their impact on plant biology.
  • Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) is an important model system for studying viral life cycles and their interactions with plant hosts. As a DNA virus that infects members of the Brassicaceae family, CaMV provides valuable insights into how viruses with circular, double-stranded DNA genomes can successfully invade and replicate within plant cells. The ability of CaMV to integrate its genetic material into the host cell's nucleus and hijack the cell's own replication machinery is a key feature that has been extensively studied to understand the molecular mechanisms of viral infection and replication in plants. Additionally, the symptoms caused by CaMV infection, such as mosaic patterns and stunted growth, have helped researchers investigate the physiological and developmental impacts of viral diseases on important crop plants. By using CaMV as a model system, scientists can gain a deeper understanding of plant-virus interactions, which can inform the development of strategies for managing viral diseases in agriculture.

Related terms

Viral Life Cycle: The series of steps a virus takes to infect a host cell, replicate its genetic material, and produce new viral particles that can go on to infect other cells.

Viral Genome: The genetic material of a virus, which can be either DNA or RNA, and is responsible for encoding the proteins necessary for the virus to replicate and infect host cells.

Viral Replication: The process by which a virus uses the machinery of a host cell to make copies of its own genetic material and assemble new viral particles.