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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #111396
Title: TRANSMISSION OF VIRAL RNA AND CDNA TO MAIZE KERNELS BY VASCULAR PUNCTURE INOCULATION

Author
item Redinbaugh, Margaret
item LOUIE, RAYMOND - ARS (RETIRED)
item GORDON, D - OSU

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/14/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Vascular puncture inoculation (VPI) is an effective technique for transmiss of maize viruses without using arthropod vectors. The technique involves us a jeweler's engraving tool to push minuten pins through a droplet of virus inoculum and into the scutellum of germinating kernels. Viruses are thought gain entry into embryo cells through openings made in cellular membranes by ythe vibrational wave energy generated from the engraving tool. Because nuc acids also enter cells through similar openings, VPI may be useful for introducing viral RNA and DNA into maize embryos. Maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV) virions, MDMV genomic RNA and maize streak virus (MSV) cDNAs were introduced into kernels by VPI and infection rates determined. VPI of kerne with either 240 ng virion protein or 240 ng genomic RNA produced more than infection of seedlings. RNAse (0.1 mg/ml) pretreatment prevents genomic RNA transmission, but not virion transmission. Protease K (2 mg/ml) treatment reduced transmission of both virions and RNA. VPI of MSV cDNAs resulted in to 80% infection. These data indicated that VPI can be used to transmit vir RNAs and cDNAs to the cells of germinating maize embryos.