Recombination of Two RNA Viruses: Red Clover Necrotic Mosaic Virus and Carnation Ringspot Virus

Abstract

In this research project, two plant RNA viruses, Red clover necrotic mosaic virus (RCNMV) and Carnation Ringspot Virus (CRSV) were studied and two recombinants were created using RNA1 of RCNMV and RNA2 of CRSV (R1+C2) for one recombinant and RNA2 of RCNMV and RNA1 of CRSV (C1+R2) for the other recombinant. Nicotiana clevelandii and Nicotiana benthamiana were inoculated with the wild types and the two recombinants. The tissues of the plants were extracted for total RNA and a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed on the total RNA. Using specific primers, the RCNMV wild type from the 12/1/09 total RNA extraction showed the presence of both R1 and R2, while the CRSV wild type from the 12/1/09 total RNA extraction also showed the presence of both C1 and C2. The recombinant C1+R2 from the 12/8/09 total RNA extraction showed the presence of both C1 and R2 and the recombinant of R1+C2 from the 12/1/09 total RNA extraction also showed the presence of both R1 and C2. The next step in this study would be to clone the terminal ends to find out where exactly recombination occurs.