This project has two primary objectives designed to increase our understanding of the replication of a plant rhabdovirus, sonchus yellow net virus (SYNV). These objectives are: to continue ongoing studies of SYNV replication in infected tobacco protoplasts; and to develop an in vitro system for investigating transcription and replication of the SYNV genome. The protoplast experiments will contribute to a more detailed understanding of events occurring during the replication cycle of the virus and will permit analysis of the roles the host may play in this process. The in vitro system will yeild information relevant to the regulation of transcription, replication and encapsidation of the SYNV genome products. Thus, this project will provide information of broad biological significance for understanding the life cycles of negative strand viruses and applications of their gene products for therapeutic purposes.
