Knowledge gained in the study could point to new methods of controlling plant diseases in economically important crops. An outbreak of brome mosaic virus is currently occurring in the midwestern United States, but the virus does not cause significant crop losses. However, the virus is genetically nearly identical to cucumber mosaic virus, which affects several economically important California crops such as tomatoes, carrots, celery, bell peppers and cucumbers.
Plant viruses use various mechanisms to replicate and spread from cell to cell.
Earlier studies by Rao have found that the brome mosaic virus exhibits a unique interaction between its RNA and its coat protein - an essential step in the infection process. Rao's investigations have revealed that altering the coat protein changed the pathology of the virus. Certain mutant coat proteins bind well to the viral RNA and form stable particles that spread infection throughout a plant. Other mutant coat proteins, however, do not package viral RNA well and the viruses are unable to cause a full-scale infection. This new research project, aimed at better understanding the molecular basis of this model virus, will also involve collaboration with scientists at the Scripps Institute in San Diego.