EXPRESSION OF THE 69K MOVEMENT PROTEIN OF TURNIP YELLOW MOSAIC-VIRUS IN INSECT CELLS

The nonstructural 69-kilodalton (K) protein of turnip yellow mosaic vi rus is necessary for systemic spread of the virus within the plant. To examine the behavior of the 69K protein in vivo, antibodies were rais ed against the carboxy-terminal region of this protein. The full-lengt h 69K protein was also expressed in insect cells using a recombinant b aculovirus. Studies on the posttranslational modifications of the 69K protein in insect cells revealed that the protein is phosphorylated bu t not glycosylated. Further experiments of subcellular fractionation a nd indirect immunolocalization in insect cells showed that the 69K pro tein is localized in the cytoplasm and/or in the plasma membrane. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.