Turnip Vein-clearing Virus, from Pathogen to Host Expression Profile

SUMMARY Taxonomy: Turnip vein-clearing virus (TVCV) is a member of subgroup 3 of the Tobamovirus genus and is thus a member of the alphavirus-like supergroup of positive sense RNA-containing viruses. Physical properties: Virions, typical of tobamoviruses, are rod-shaped and consist of a single species of four-helix bundle capsid proteins of 17 kDa helically arranged around a 6.3 knt RNA which accounts for 5% of the virion mass. Virions are stable for years. Hosts: Members of the crucifer family are excellent hosts. Particularly noteworthy is that hosts include the model plant for molecular genetics, Arabidopsis thaliana. No non-mechanical vectors of transmission are known.