VIEW ARTICLE

Molecular Plant Pathology

Serological Differentiation of Maize Dwarf Mosaic Potyvirus Strains A, D, E, and F by Electro-Blot Immunoassay. S. L. Lenardon,Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University (OSU), Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC), Wooster 44691; D. T. Gordon(2), and R. E. Gingery(3). (2)Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University (OSU), Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC), Wooster 44691; (3)U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Corn and Soybean Research Unit, Department of Plant Pathology, OSU-OARDC, Wooster 44691. Phytopathology 83:86-91. Accepted for publication 17 September 1992. This article is in the public domain and not copyrightable. It may be freely reprinted with customary crediting of the source. The American Phytopathological Society, 1993. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-83-86.

Antiserum recovered 1 wk after a single immunization (As-1wk) with maize dwarf mosaic potyvirus (MDMV) strain A, D, E, or F reacted strongly with the respective homologous capsid protein but weakly or not at all with the corresponding homologous core-capsid protein in electro-blot immunoassays (EBIA). The antisera also reacted with the heterologous capsid proteins of these strains but not with capsid proteins from other members of the potyvirus group (i. e., sugarcane mosaic virus strain MDB [SCMV-MDB], formerly MDMV-B, and johnsongrass mosaic virus strain O [JGMV-O], formerly MDMV-O). As-1wk to the latter two viruses reacted only with the respective homologous capsid protein. Antiserum recovered four or more weeks after one to six immunizations (As-swk) with MDMV-A, -D, -E, -F, SCMV-MDB, or JGMV-O reacted with the capsid proteins and core-capsid proteins of all the viruses and strains. Cross-absorbing As-swk to strain A, D, E, or F with heterologous capsid protein (except strain D) only eliminated reactions with the cross-absorbing strain. Cross-absorbing As-swk to strains A, E, or F with MDMV-D capsid protein eliminated reactions with the capsid protein of one or more strains in addition to strain D. We conclude that strains A, D, E, and F contain unique epitopes located on the portion of the capsid protein removed by endopeptidase. This is the first demonstration of serological differences among MDMV strains A, D, E, and F, which previously were differentiated only biologically.