An RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity associated with virions of tomato spotted wilt virus, a plant- and insect-infecting bunyavirus

Abstract

An RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity was found associated with virions of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), a plant- and insect-infecting member of the family Bunyaviridae. Radiolabeled nucleoside triphosphates were incorporated into trichloroacetic acid-precipitable products by detergent-disrupted, purified TSWV virions. Incorporation was reduced to near-background levels when RNase was present in the reaction mixture. The predominantly double-stranded RNA products were RNase-resistant at high but not low salt concentrations. The activity required manganese and was independent of a DNA template. Discrete products of approximately 3.0 kb and heterogeneous smaller products were synthesized that hybridized to purified TSWV RNA and transcripts of cDNA clones encompassing parts of each of the three genomic RNAs. The predominant products were viral sense although significant amounts of viral complementary sense S RNA products were also synthesized.