Emergence of Indian Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Viral (TYLCV) Disease: Insights from Evolutionary Divergence and Molecular Prospects of Coat Protein

S. Prasanth Kumar¹, Yogesh T. Jasrai*¹, Himanshu A. Pandya¹ and Rakesh M. Rawal²

¹Bioinformatics Laboratory, Department of Botany, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad- 380 009.

²Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacogenomics, Department of Cancer  Biology, The Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute (GCRI), Ahmedabad- 380 016                                                                                                                         

Recipient of Young Scientist Award for Research Article Presentation on “Emergence of Indian Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Viral (TYLCV) Disease:  Insights from Evolutionary Divergence and Molecular Prospects of Coat Protein” on an National Symposium on “Evolving Paradigm to Improve Productivity from Dynamic Management and Value Addition for Plant Genetic Resources” held at Department of Botany, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad- 380 009 between Oct 13-15, 2011.


DOWNLOAD THE PRESENTATION HERE:
http://www.slideshare.net/prasanthperceptron/s-prasanth-kumar-young-scientist-awarded-presentation

ABSTRACT

Tomato leaf curl disease (TLCD) is manifested by yellowing of leaf lamina with upward leaf curl, leaf distortion, shrinking of the leaf surface and stunted plant growth caused by tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV). In the present study, we explored the evolutionary and molecular prospects of viral coat protein derived from an isolate of Vadodara district, Gujarat (ToLCGV-[Vad]).  We found that the amino acids in coat protein required for systemic infection, viral particle formation and insect transmission to host cells were sufficiently diverged. Modeling of coat protein revealed a topology similar to characteristic Geminate viral particle consisting of antiparallel β-barrel motif with N-terminus α-helix. The molecular interaction of coat protein with the plant DNA required for host cell arrest and propagation of viral particle was studied. We further emphasized the role of loops in coat protein structure as molecular recognition interface.

Keywords: Tomato leaf curl disease, Tomato yellow leaf curl virus, Geminate viral particle, Evolution, Modeling.