Comparison of tobamovirus coat protein structural features that affect elicitor activity in pepper, eggplant, and tobacco

Specific mutations designed to affect the tertiary, quaternary, and surface structures of the tobacco mosaic tobamovirus (TMV) coat protein (CP) were compared for their effect on CP elicitor activity in pepper (L-1 gene), egg plant, and tobacco (N' gene). Recognition by all three hosts was dependent upon the maintenance of the CP's a-helical bundle. However, variations in r ecognition resulted from mutations that affected different CP surface featu res and/ or quaternary configurations. The relationship between CP structur e and recognition in these hosts is discussed.