REPLICATION OF THE DNA-A COMPONENT OF AFRICAN CASSAVA MOSAIC-VIRUS INA HETEROLOGOUS SYSTEM

The capacity for autonomous replication of the DNA A of African cassav a mosaic virus (ACMV). a member of the bipartite geminiviruses infecti ng dicotyledonous plants, has been compared in host and non-host cells . A derivative of the ACMV DNA A was transfected into tobacco and maiz e protoplasts. Although ACMV is not able to infect maize, replication of the DNA A in maize protoplasts was observed to occur. The efficienc y of replication was 10 to 20% of that seen in tobacco protoplasts. In both plant systems. replication was detected after the onset of cell division. ACMV replication in maize cells was compared to that of whea t dwarf virus and found to be 10 to 20% of that observed with the mono cotyledon-specific virus. Insertion of 1165 bp of non-viral DNA into t he ACMV DNA A prevented replication in maize but not in tobacco.