The genomic RNA of vitiviruses contains 5 open reading frames (ORF). ORF3 encodes a protein to which the function of a movement protein (MP) was assigned, based on sequence homology with other viral proteins. The aim of the research described in this paper was to gain further insight in distribution profile of the ORF3 product encoded by the vitiviruses Grapevine virus A (GVA) and Grapevine virus B (GVB). Expression of the GVA MP-GFP fusion protein via the virus genome in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves resulted in the formation of irregular spots and fibrous network structures on the outermost periphery of epidermal cells. Expression of GVA MP-GFP and GVB MP-GFP was involved in the formation of the tubule-like and punctate structures on the periphery of N. benthamiana and Vitis vinifera protoplasts. Co-expression of the GVA MP-GFP and GVA MP-RFP in protoplasts resulted in co-localization of these proteins into the same punctate structures, indicating that the MP is not accumulated randomly onto the cell surface, but targeted to particular sites at the cell periphery, where punctate and tubule-like structures are likely formed. With the use of cytoskeleton and secretory pathway inhibitors, we showed that the cytoskeletal elements are not likely to be involved in targeting of the MP-GFP to the punctate cellular structures. In addition to MP, a functional coat protein was found to be essential for virus spread within inoculated leaves.
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