Infectious RNA transcripts from grapevine virus a cDNA clone

A full length cDNA clone of grapevine virus A (GVA) was constructed downstr eam from the bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase promoter. Capped in vitro-tran scribed RNA was infectious in Nicotiana benthamiana and N. clevelandii plan ts. Symptoms induced by the RNA transcripts or by the parental virus were i ndistinguishable. The infectivity of the in vitro-transcribed RNA was confi rmed by serological detection of the virus coat and movement proteins and b y observation of virions by electron microscopy. This is the first report o f infectious RNA transcripts derived from a full-length cDNA clone of a mem ber of the Vitivirus genus.