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Electrophoretic Variability Among Dianthoviruses. H. R. Pappu, Graduate research assistant, Department of Plant Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2P5, Canada; C. Hiruki, professor, Department of Plant Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2P5, Canada. Phytopathology 79:1253-1257. Accepted for publication 21 June 1989. Copyright 1989 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-79-1253.

Seven distinct members of the dianthovirus group were purified and their mobilities analyzed by virion electrophoresis. Each virus or strain possessed a single electrophoretic form as determined by differential staining of encapsidated RNA and coat protein by ethidium bromide and Coomassie Brilliant Blue, respectively. Two strains of sweet clover necrotic mosaic virus (SCNMV-38 and SCNMV-59) were electrophoretically distinct. Carnation ringspot virus (CRSV) strain A comigrated with SCNMV-38, whereas CRSV-N had the slowest mobility of all the seven strains tested. Among the three red clover necrotic mosaic virus (RCNMV) strains used in this study, RCNMV-TpM 34 and RCNMV-TpM 48 had similar mobilities, whereas RCNMV-Aus was faster. The isoelectric points of all the strains were in the pH range 4.75–5.1 except that of CRSV-N, which was between 6.0–6.2. The single coat protein of all the dianthoviruses tested was estimated to have a molecular mass of about 39,000 daltons.