Learn to produce healthier crops and better harvests!

This uniquely valuable book highlights the tremendous progress of knowledge in different areas of the field over the last decade. Here you'll find new and useful information about plant molecular virology and how the field can improve the world food situation in the coming years.

The last decade has seen remarkable advances in plant virological research, owing mainly to the rapid progress made in molecular biology and genetic engineering in recent years. While recombinant DNA technology has significantly contributed to our understanding of plant viruses, new findings are being accumulated every day as reported in various publications. Plant Viruses As Molecular Pathogens is the only book to bring you all of this information--22 chapters--in a single volume, compiled by specialists around the globe!

Use Plant Viruses As Molecular Pathogens to enhance your knowledge of:

current virus taxonomy
the molecular basis of virus transmission
movement of plant viruses
replication and gene expression of RNA/DNA viruses
resistance to viruses
molecular epidemiology
recombination events and possible mechanisms
molecular diversity
novel aspects of plant virus detection technologies

With helpful illustrations, photos, figures, models that explain viral mechanisms, and easy-to-understand reference tables, Plant Viruses As Molecular Pathogens will stimulate your thinking on this fascinating area of plant science!

Table of Contents

Contents

Preface
Chapter 1. The Principles and Current Practice of Plant Virus Taxonomy
Introduction
The Underlying Principles
The Role of ICTV
The Current System of Plant Virus Classification
Future Prospects
Chapter 2. How to Write The Names of Virus Species
Chapter 3. Genes Involved in Insect-Mediated Transmission of Plant Viruses
Introduction
Insect Vectors of Plant Viruses
Classification of Transmission Modes
Nonpersistent and Semipersistent Transmission
Circulative Nonpropagative Transmission
Circulative Propagative Transmission
Concluding Remarks
Chapter 4. Characteristic Features of Virus Transmission by Nematodes
Introduction
Vector Nematodes
Viruses Transmitted by Nematodes
Mechanism of Virus Transmission
Control of Nematode-Transmitted Viruses
Chapter 5. Virus Transmission by Fungal Vectors
Introduction
Fungal Vectors
Fungus-Transmitted Viruses
Modes of Transmission
Mechanism of Virus-Vector Association
Epidemiology and Control of fungus-Borne Viruses
Conclusions
Chapter 6. Seed Transmission of Viruses: Biological and Molecular Insights
Introduction
Biological Characteristics
Genetic Determinants
Conclusions
Chapter 7. Molecular Biology of Plant Virus Movement
Introduction
Movement of Plant Viruses
Current Status
Chapter 8. Mechanism of RNA Synthesis by a Viral RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase
Introduction
Initiation of RNA Synthesis
Abortive Synthesis
Transition from Initiation to Elongation
Termination of RNA Synthesis
Comparison of RNA-Dependent and DNA-Dependent RNA Synthesis
Final Comments
Chapter 9. Gene Expression Strategies of RNA Viruses
Introduction
Subgenomic RNAs and Genome Segmentation
Initiation of Translation
Elongation of Translation
Termination of Translation
Polyprotein Processing and Host Factors
Outlook
Chapter 10. Recombination in Plant RNA Viruses
Introduction
Overview of Research History on The Recombination of Plant RNA Viruses
Recombination in Cucumoviruses
Newly Evolved Recombinant Viruses Between CMV and TAV
Summary and Conclusion
Chapter 11. Variability and Evolution of Potato virus Y (PVY), The Type-Member of the Potyvirus Genus
Introduction
The Family Potyviridae
Relationship Between Potyvirus Species
Biological Diversity of PVY
Genetic Variability of PVY
Mechanisms Leading to RNA Genome Polymorphisms
Conclusions
Chapter 12. Geminvirus Replication and Gene Expression
Introduction
Geminivirus Classification
Genome Structure
Geminivirus Infection Cycle: A Brief Overview
Geminivirus Replication
Control of Viral Gene Expression
Concluding Remarks
Chapter 13. The Molecular Epidemiology of Begomoviruses
Introduction
Begomoviruses: Distribution and Characteristics
Detection, Identification, and Classification of Begomoviruses
Begomoviruses Suscepts and Hosts in Relation to Epidemiology
Whitefly Vector Biology that Influences Epidemiology
Vector Biotypes, Races, and Variants on Virus Spread
New Diseases, Epidemics, and Pandemics
Conclusions
Chapter 14. Translational Strategies in Members of the Family Caulimoviridae
Introduction
Architecture of Viral RNA
General Enhancement of Expression
Shunting, The Concept
Shunting, The Details and Mechanism
Leaky Scanning (Bacilliform Caulimoviruses)
Activated Polycistronic Translation
Transactivation and Shunting
Biological Significance of Ribosome Shunt
Gag-Pol Translation
Making Use of Translational Control
Concluding Remarks
Chapter 15. Recombination in Plant DNA Viruses
Introduction
Recombination in Plant ssDNA Viruses
Recombination in Plant dsDNA Viruses
Conclusions
Chapter 16. Natural Resistance to Viruses
Introduction
Distinguishing a Non-Host from a Host
The Terms Describing Virus-Host Interactions and Resistance
Host Responses Conferring Resistance to Viruses
Identification of the Genes Involved in Resistance
Recognition of the Virus: The Gene-for-Gene Theory
Viral Suppressor of Resistance
Future Uses of the Natural Virus Resistance Genes
Chapter 17. Engineering Virus Resistance in Plants
Introduction
Structure and Genetic Organization of Plant Viral Genomes
Engineered Virus Resistance to Viruses
Advantages of RNA-Mediated Resistance
Concluding Remarks
Chapter 18. Antibody Expression in Plants
Introduction
Antibody-Mediated Viral Resistance in Transgenic Plants
Expression of Recombinant Antibodies Using Plant Virus Gene Vectors
Conclusions
Chapter 19. Nucleic Acid Molecular Hybridization for Plant Virus and Viroid Detection
Introduction
The Principle of the Nucleic Acid Hybridization Method
Types of Labels
Sample Preparation
Pre-Hybridization
Hybridization
Washing Procedures
Detection Procedures
Sensitivity of the Detection
Application to Viruses and Viroids
Conclusions
Chapter 20. Application of PCR in Plant Virology
Introduction
Aspects of PCR Template Preparation
Plant Virus Detection and Differentiation
Real Time, Quantitative PCR
Virus Strain Discrimination
Viral Genome Characterization
Molecular Plant Virology Applications
Conclusions
Chapter 21. Plant Virus Detection in Animal Vectors
Introduction
Detection by Earlier Methods
Detection by a New Method
Detection in Animal Vectors
The Presence of Virus in a Vector and Biological Transmission to Plants
Conclusions
Tables
Index
Reference Notes Included