Reunov A.V., Reunova G.D., Nagorskaya V.P., Lapshina L.A., Lega S.N.
Acta Phytopathologica et Entomologica Hungarica 1996; 31(1-2): 11-17
Growth of local lesions in Datura stramonium leaves infected with tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) was shown to accompany with destructive changes of virus particles. Infectivity in the lesions reached a maximum on the 5th day after inoculation of the leaves to fall thereafter. Quantity of the virus coat protein in the lesions assayed by ELISA and electrophoretic analysis reached a maximum on the 7th day after inoculation and then also decreased. Along with the normal virions, the abnormal (swollen and "thin") ones were observed in negatively stained with phosphotungstic acid virus preparations from the lesions. The immune electron microscopy showed that, unlike TMV particles with the normal diameter and swollen virions which became totally coated with TMV-specific antiserum, the thin virions lost ability to bind up with the antibodies. Possible mechanisms of virus destruction are discussed.
