Molecular characterization of the Tobacco rattle virus RNA2 genome isolated from Gladiolus.

Tobacco rattle virus (TRV-K) was first identified in a symptomatic Gladiolus plant cultivated in Korea. We analyzed the TRV-K genome and compared its phylogeny with other TRV isolates. After constructing of a full-length genomic RNA2 strand clone, a complete sequence was generated from several overlapping clones. The cloned genome was 3261 bases in length, identical to TRV-K, and had three open reading frames. TRV-K had the highest sequence identity with the American isolate TRV-ORY. Sequence analysis of the RNA2 genome showed that TRV-K contains an intact 2a, 2b, and 2c coding sequence and an RNA1-related 3' terminus, which is typical of TRV RNA2. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that TRV-K is in the same cluster as the American isolates and another Korean isolate, TRV-SK; however, it was in a different cluster than the European isolates.

Phylogeny, coat protein genetic variability, and transmission via seeds of Hosta Virus X.

The complete genome of Hosta Virus X (HVX), which is thought to be a distinct species of Potexvirus, was sequenced. Nucleotide sequences of HVX were compared with those of other members of the genus Potexvirus and phylogenetic tree was constructed. The range of identities of viral replicase open reading frame 1 (ORF1) between HVX and other potexviruses were 43.1%-55.1% and 35.9%-46.6% at the nucleotide and amino acid levels, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis was performed according to the amino acid sequence of the replicase to determine the position of HVX in the genus Potexvirus. Results from the phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that HVX was in the same group as Cassava common mosaic virus (CsCMV), Plantago asiatica mosaic virus (PlAMV), Tulip virus X (TVX), and Hydrangea ring spot virus (HdRSV). In particular, coat protein (CP) sequences among viruses from different Hosta cultivars were revealed to be less variable than those from different isolates of Potato virus X (PVX), a Potexvirus type species. In the present study, HVX was transmissible by seeds of the Hosta "Blue Cadet" cultivar. Moreover, HVX was detected in the embryo but not in the seed coat or endosperm of the seed.

c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase mediates interleukin-1beta-induced inhibition of lacrimal gland secretion.

Sjögren's syndrome, an inflammatory disease affecting the lacrimal and salivary glands, is the leading cause of aqueous tear-deficient type of dry eye. We previously showed that interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) protein is up regulated in the lacrimal gland of a murine model of Sjögren's syndrome and that exogenous addition of this cytokine inhibits neurotransmitter release and lacrimal gland protein secretion. In the present study we investigated the role of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) in IL-1beta-mediated inhibition of lacrimal gland secretion and tear production. In vitro, IL-1beta induced a time-dependent activation of JNK with a maximum 7.5-fold at 30 min. SP600125, a JNK inhibitor, inhibited, in a concentration-dependent manner, IL-1beta-induced activation of JNK with a maximum of 87% at 10(-4) m. In vivo, IL-1beta stimulated JNK and the expression of the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). IL-1beta inhibited high KCl and adrenergic agonist induced protein secretion by 85% and 66%, respectively. SP600125 alleviated the inhibitory effect of IL-1beta on KCl- and agonist-induced protein secretion by 79% and 47%, respectively, and completely blocked the expression of iNOS. Treatment for 7 days with SP600125 increased tear production in a murine model of Sjögren's syndrome dry eye. We conclude that JNK plays a pivotal role in IL-1beta-mediated inhibition of lacrimal gland secretion and subsequent dry eye.