LAUSR

Prune dwarf virus (PDV) is one of the most dangerous pathogens of fruit trees worldwide. One of the most important proteins required for PDV infection is replicase. (P1 protein) which anchored viral RNA and builds replication complex along with RNA depended polymerase. Despite the importance of PDV as a pathogen, our knowledge regarding tissue/cellular localization and structure of PDV P1 protein is still incomplete. The aim of this work was to localize replicase distribution in leaf tissues and cells by immunofluorescent and immunogold labeling of Nicotiana tobaccum cv Samsun and development of a 3D model of PDV replicase. In this paper we demonstrate that PDV replication, is similar to that of Alfalfa mosaic virus and is strongly connected with tonoplasts. In addition, PDV replicase and coat protein (CP) were also found to be strongly associated with membranes of endoplasmic reticulum and, indicating the potential involvement of these membrane structures in the processes related to viral infection. Bioinformatic analyzes based on 3D modeling and structure prediction revealed that P1 protein has a potential transmembrane domain which enables protein anchoring to tonoplast during replication complex assembly.