Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) is one of the oldest, most widespread and devastating viruses infecting grapevine, and occurs globally where Vitis vinifera is grown. In South Africa (SA) GFLV is predominant in the Breede River Valley, one of the highest wine producing regions in SA. To date, only three GFLV isolates have been completely sequenced internationally, and limited sequence information is available for SA GFLV isolates. In this study, the first full-length GFLV genome sequence from a South African isolate, GFLV-SAPCS3, was determined. Full-length sequences were used for phylogenetic analysis and revealed that the SA isolates are separate from other sequenced GFLV isolates. Full-length sequences were also used to investigate putative intra- and interspecies recombination events involving GFLV-SAPCS3 RNA1 and RNA2 between GFLV and Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV) isolates. Using two different recombination analysis software packages, the most notable of the putative recombination events involving GFLV-SAPCS3 indicated that the GFLV-SAPCS3 RNA2 5’ UTR might have evolved from an interspecies recombination event between GFLVF13- type and ArMV Ta-type isolates. The presence of satellite RNAs (satRNA) associated with South African GFLV isolates was also investigated. In a collaborative study (see Chapter 4 for details), more than a 100 GFLV- infected grapevine plants were screened for satRNAs. SatRNAs were present in only two plants, containing isolates GFLV-SACH44 and GFLV-SACH47. The full-length nucleotide sequences of the GFLV-SACH44 genomic RNAs 1 and 2, and the associated satRNA were determined. No significant sequence variation could be detected between the GFLV isolates that had the presence of a satRNA and those that had not. The GFLV-SACH44 RNA2 5’ UTR also had the same conserved sequence that was found in GFLVSAPCS3, which suggests that GFLV-SACH44, like GFLV-SAPCS3, may have arisen from a common ancestor, which may have originated from an interspecies recombination event. The GFLV-SACH44 satRNA was found to be more closely related to the ArMV large satRNA than to the satRNA associated with GFLV-F13. A full-length cDNA clone of GFLV-SACH44 satRNA was constructed and its replication and systemic spread in herbaceous hosts, when mechanically co-inoculated with two GFLV isolates as helper viruses, was demonstrated. Replication of the GFLV-SACH44 satRNA cDNA clone was however abolished when co-inoculated with an ArMV helper virus, even though it is phylogenetically more closely related to ArMV satRNAs. The full-length satRNA clones were modified to be used as vectors for expression and/or silencing of foreign genes, by inserting the green fluorescence protein (GFP) full-length or partial sequences downstream of the open reading frame of the satRNA. These constructs were cloned into a binary vector to allow for agro-infiltration into plants. Full-length cDNA clones of GFLV-SAPCS3 RNA1 and RNA2 were constructed to be used in conjunction with modified GFLV-SACH44 satRNA full-length clones. The full length GFLV-SAPCS3 RNA1 and RNA2 clones were however not infectious in Nicotiana benthamiana after agro-infiltration and therefore the evaluation of the modified satRNA expression and silencing constructs had to be aborted. Attempts to understand this failure revealed that, among other point mutations, four frameshifts had occurred in the RNA1 full-length clone, rendering the transcripts untranslatable, and hence noninfectious. Strategies to correct the mutations are discussed. Once these mutations have been corrected this study can continue in evaluating the use of the satRNA component for expression and silencing analysis. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) is een van die oudste, mees wydverspreide en mees verwoestende virusse wat wingerd affekteer en word wêreldwyd waar Vitis vinifera verbou word, gevind. In Suid Afrika (SA) kom GFLV veral in die Breederivier vallei, een van die mees produktiewe wyn-produserende areas in SA, voor. Tot dusver is daar net drie GFLV isolate waarvan die volledige nukleïensuurvolgorde internasionaal bepaal is. Die nukleïensuurvolgorde informasie vir SA GFLV isolate is redelik beperk. In hierdie studie was die eerste volledige nukleïensuurvolgorde van ‘n SA GFLV isolaat, GFLVSAPCS3, bepaal. Die volledige nukleïensuurvolgordes was vir filogenetiese analise gebruik, en vermeende intra- en interspesie rekombinasie gebeurtenisse, wat GFLVSAPCS3 RNA1 en RNA2 betrek, tussen GFLV en Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV) isolate was ondersoek. Twee verskillende rekombinasie-analise sagteware programme was gebruik en die noemenswaardigste van die vermeende rekombinasie gebeurtenisse, met betrekking tot GFLV-SAPCS3, het aangedui dat die GFLV-SAPCS3 RNA2 5’ ontransleerde streek (UTR) waarskynlik van ‘n interspesie rekombinasie gebeurtenis tussen ‘n GFLV-F13-tipe en ‘n ArMV-Ta-tipe isolaat ontwikkel het. Die teenwoordigheid van satelliet RNAs (satRNAs), wat met SA GFLV isolate geassosieer is, was ook ondersoek. Meer as ‘n 100 GFLV ge-infekteerde wingerd plante was in ‘n samewerkingsprojek (sien Hoofstuk 4 vir besonderhede) getoets vir die teenwoordigheid van satRNAs. SatRNAs was net in twee plante teenwoordig, in isolate GFLV-SACH44 en GFLV-SACH47. Die vollengte nukleïensuurvolgordes van GFLVSACH44 RNA1, RNA2 en geassosieerde satRNA was bepaal. Geen beduidende volgorde variasie tussen die GFLV isolate wat satRNAs bevat het, en die GFLV isolate sonder satRNA was waargeneem nie. Die GFLV-SACH44 RNA2 5’ UTR het ook die gekonserveerde volgorde, wat in GFLV-SAPCS3 teenwoordig was, gehad en dit dui daarop dat GFLV-SACH44, soos GFLV-SAPCS3, van dieselfde stamvader, wat tydens ‘n vorige rekombinasie gebeurtenis ontstaan het, mag ontwikkel het. Die GFLVSACH44 satRNA was meer naverwant aan die ArMV satRNAs as aan die satRNA, wat met GFLV-F13. ‘n Vollengte cDNA kloon van die GFLV-SACH44 satRNA was ontwikkel en die replisering en sistemiese verspreiding in sagte plante, nadat dit met twee GFLV isolate as helper virusse saam ge-inokuleer was, was gedemonstreer. Replisering van die GFLV-SACH44 satRNA cDNA kloon was egter ontwrig toe dit saam met ‘n ArMV helper virus saam ge-inokuleer was, al is dit filogeneties meer verwant aan ArMV satRNAs. Die vol-lengte satRNA klone was gemodifiseer om as vektore vir uitdrukking en/of uitdowing van transgene te dien, deur om vol-lengte of gedeeltelike groen fluoressensie proteïen (GFP) nukleïensuurvolgordes aan die einde van die satRNA leesraam te koppel. Hierdie konstrukte was in ‘n binêre vektor gekloon om agroinfiltrasie in plante toe te laat. Vol-lengte cDNA klone van GFLV-SAPCS3 RNA1 en RNA2 was ontwikkel om in samewerking met die gemodifiseerde GFLV-SACH44 satRNA konstrukte gebruik te word. Die vol-lengte GFLV-SAPCS3 RNA1 en RNA2 klone het egter nie in Nicotiana benthamiana gerepliseer na agro-infiltrasie nie, daarom was die evaluasie van die gemodifiseerde satRNA konstrukte gestaak. Pogings om die mislukking te verstaan, het daarop gewys dat, behalwe punt mutasies, vier leesraam versteurings in die RNA1 vollengte kloon voorgekom het, wat ontransleerbare transkripte, en dus nie-repliserende konstrukte tot gevolg gehad het. Strategieë om die mutasies te korrigeer is bespreek. Sodra die mutasies gekorrigeer is, kan die studie voortgaan om te evalueer of die satRNA komponent vir uitdrukking en uitdowing analise gebruik kan word.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The nepoviruses are a group of nematode-transmitted plant viruses that are distributed worldwide and infect a wide range of plant species, including grapevine. Most of the nepoviruses are foreign to South Africa and to date, only Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) is present. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), as the official National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) of South Africa, is committed to prevent the importation and spread of plant pathogens by administering the Agricultural Pests Act, 1983 (Act No. 36 of 1983). Effective measures are implemented by which the introduction of agricultural pests may be prohibited to safeguard the agricultural environment. One of the core functions of DAFF is to render a routine plant health diagnostic service for imported plants and plant products to prevent exotic pathogens from entering the country. The objective of this study was to develop a diagnostic assay for the detection of nepoviruses in grapevine. The project aimed to produce antibodies by recombinant DNA technology against bacterially expressed viral coat protein of a specific nepovirus [Tomato ringspot virus (ToRSV)] and subsequently develop a DAS-ELISA (Double Antibody Sandwich Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent) assay for the detection of the virus. The coat protein (CP) was successfully isolated from imported ToRSV-infected grapevine material. Two expression systems were utilised for expression of the ToRSV-CP, the GST gene fusion system and an Agrobacterium-mediated expression system. The GST gene fusion system was unsuccessful as insufficient soluble protein expression prevented the production of antibodies and thus the development of the DAS-ELISA assay. Tissue print immunoassay (TPIA) initially showed positive results for transient expression of the fusion protein in tobacco plants, but further confirmation proved to be inconclusive. The project also aimed to develop a real-time PCR assay for the specific detection and relative quantification of GFLV, based on a conserved region of the RNA-2 genome. A partial GFLV-RNA-2 from a South African isolate of grapevine was sequenced and used for the design of specific primers. The quantitative real-time PCR assay based on SYBR green technology proved to be sensitive in detecting levels as low as 0.11ng/reaction in infected plants, making it a highly effective diagnostic tool for the detection of GFLV. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die nepovirusse is 'n groep van nematode-oordraagbare plant virusse wat wêreldwyd versprei word en 'n wye verskeidenheid van plantspesies infekteer, insluitend wingerd. Die meeste van die nepovirusse is uitheems aan Suid-Afrika en tot op datum is net Wingerd netelblaar virus (GFLV) teenwoordig. Die Departement van Landbou, Bosbou en Visserye (DAFF), as die amptelike Nasionale Plant Beskermings Organisasie (NPBO) van Suid-Afrika, is daartoe verbind om die invoer en verspreiding van plantpatogene te voorkom deur administrasie van die Wet op Landbouplae, 1983 (Wet No. 36 van 1983). Doeltreffende maatreëls word geïmplementeer waardeur die invoer van landbouplae verbied word om sodoende die landbou-omgewing te beskerm. Een van die kernfunksies van DAFF is om 'n roetine plant gesondheid diagnostiese diens vir ingevoerde plante en plantprodukte te lewer om te verhoed dat eksotiese patogene die land binnedring. Die doel van hierdie studie was om 'n diagnostiese toets vir die opsporing van nepovirusse in wingerd te ontwikkel. Die projek was daarop gemik om antiliggame te vervaardig deur rekombinante DNA-tegnologie teen bakterieël-uitgedrukte virale mantelproteïen van 'n spesifieke nepovirus [Tomato ringspot virus (ToRSV)] en vervolgens ‘n DASELISA (Double Antibody Sandwich Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent) toets vir die opsporing van die virus te ontwikkel. Die mantelproteïen (CP) is met sukses geïsoleer vanaf ingevoerde ToRSV-besmette wingerdmateriaal. Twee uitdrukking stelsels is gebruik vir uitdrukking van die ToRSV-CP, die “GST gene fusion” stelsel en 'n Agrobacterium-bemiddelde uitdrukking stelsel. Die “GST gene fusion” stelsel was egter onsuksesvol aangesien onvoldoende oplosbare proteïen uitdrukking die produksie van antiliggame en dus die ontwikkeling van die DAS-ELISA toets verhoed het. “Tissue print immunoassay” (TPIA) het aanvanklik positiewe resultate getoon vir tydelike uitdrukking van die fusie proteïen in tabakplante, maar verdere bevestiging was onoortuigend. Die projek was ook daarop gemik om ‘n in-tyd polimerase ketting reaksie (PKR) toets vir die spesifieke opsporing en relatiewe kwantifisering van GFLV, gebaseer op 'n gekonserveerde volgorde van die RNA-2 genoom, te ontwikkel. 'n Gedeeltelike GFLV-RNA-2 nukleïensuurvolgorde van 'n Suid-Afrikaanse wingerd isolaat is bepaal en gebruik vir die ontwerp van spesifieke inleiers. Die kwantitatiewe in-tyd PKR toets gebaseer op SYBR groen tegnologie was sensitief genoeg om vlakke van so laag as 0.11ng/reaksie in geïnfekteerde plante op te spoor, wat dit 'n hoogs effektiewe diagnostiese hulpmiddel vir die opsporing van GFLV maak.

Dans cette étude, nous avons dans un premier temps adapte le protocole d'embryogenèse somatique primaire a différentes variétés d'hybrides porte-greffes (3309C, 110R, Fercal, 41B et SO4) en nous appuyant sur l'expérience acquise au laboratoire sur Vitis vinifera cv Chardonnay. Les résultats montrent que le génotype, le type d'explant (étamine, fleur ou nœud), le type et la dose d'auxine utilisés dans le milieu d’induction (2,4-D ou 2,4,5-T) ont une influence sur les efficacités d'embryogenèse somatique. En effet, pour le 3309C, l'utilisation du 2,4,5-T dans le milieu d'induction a montré une efficacité embryogène supérieure à partir de nœuds par rapport à celle obtenue à partir d'étamines. Cependant la meilleure efficacité a été obtenue à partir de fleurs de cette variété, sur un milieu d'induction contenant du 2,4-D. De plus, le protocole d'embryogenèse somatique secondaire utilise de manière récurrente au laboratoire nous a permis d'obtenir des masses embryogènes ainsi que des embryons somatiques secondaires de ces porte-greffes. Le protocole de conversion des embryons en plantes, en présence de 4,5 uM de cytokinine (BAP) s'est avère efficace pour le 11OR et le 41B. Dans un second temps, nous avons co-cultivé le matériel embryogène obtenu pour quatre de ces génotypes (110R, 3309C, Fercal et 41B), avec Agrobacterium tumefaciens contenant trois constructions génétiques : (i) une copie d'une séquence partielle (1020 pb) du gène de la coque protéique du virus en orientation sens; (ii) une partie courte en sens et en anti-sens (280 pb) de cette même séquence formant une structure en épingle a cheveux (hpRNA = hairpin RNA) ; (iii) un amiRNA ciblant une séquence virale. Le gène bactérien codant la néomycine phosphotransférase et conférant la résistance à un antibiotique, la kanamycine, a été utilisé comme gène de sélection. Les conditions de sélection a la kanamycine ont nécessité des adaptations expérimentales telles que l’ajustement de la concentration en antibiotique puisque la sélection avec 75 mg.L-1 de kanamycine s'avère insuffisamment drastique dans Ia plupart de nos expériences de co-cullture. Les résultats d'analyse moléculaire par PCR ont montré l'amplification probable des fragments d'intérêt (CPGFLV et amiRI1TA-71) dans des échantillons de 11OR et de 41B résistants à la kanamycine. Cependant des analyses moléculaires supplémentaires par AL-PCR ne nous ont pas renseignées sur une éventuelle intégration du transgène amiRATA-71 dans des masses embryogènes de 41B. / In this study, we initially adapted the protocol of primary somatic embryogenesis in different varieties of hybrid rootstocks (3309C, 110R, Fercal, 41B and SO4) building on the experience gained in the laboratory on Vitis vinifera cv Chardonnay. The results show that the genotype, the explant type (stamen, flower or node), the type and the dose of auxin used in the induction medium (2,4-D or 2,4,5-T) influence the efficiency of somatic embryogenesis. Indeed, for the 3309C, the use of 2,4,5-T in the induction medium showed a higher efficiency from embryogenic nodes compared to that obtained from stamens. However, the better efficiency was obtained from the flowers of this variety on an induction medium containing 2,4-D. In addition, a protocol used in the laboratory for secondary somatic embryogenesis allowed us to obtain embryogenic masses as well as secondary somatic embryos from these rootstocks. The protocol conversion of embryos into plants, in the presence of 4.5 [tM of cytokinin (BAP), was effective for the 110R and 41B. In a second step, we co-cultivated embryogenic material obtained for four of these genotypes (110R, 3309C, Fercal and 41B), with Agrobacteriwn tumefaciens containing three genetic constructs: (i) a copy of a partial sequence (1020 bp) of the coat protein gene of the virus in the sense orientation, (ii) a short part-way and antisense (280 bp) of the same sequence forming a hairpin structure (hairpin RNA = hpRNA) (iii) one amiRNA targeting a viral sequence. The nptll bacterial gene encoding neomycin phosphotransferase and conferring resistance to the antibiotic kanamycin, was used as the selection gene. The selection conditions to kanamycin have required experimental adaptations such as adjusting the concentration of antibiotic because the selection with 75 mg.L-1 of kanamycin was not enough drastic in most of our experiments of co-culture. The results of molecular analysis by PCR showed probable amplification of fragments of interest (CPGFLV and amiRNA-71) in samples of 11OR and 41B resistant to kanamycin. However, additional molecular analysis by AL-PCR did not inform us about a possible integration of the transgene amiRNA-71 in embryogenic masses of 41B.

The thesis deals with the occurrence of viral pathogens on grape - Chardonnay clones. Monitored and evaluated clones were 8, 95, 96 (foreign) on rootstocks 1103 Paulsen, SO4, Kober 5 BB and 110 Richter and VP-155/6-VP 161/6, PO-158/7 and PO-160 / 1 (Czech) on the rootstock Kober 5 BB. All plants have a controlled origin. The experiment was conducted in 2013 on the test sites in the cadastral Perná. At the beginning of vegetation were recorded values on 1 herbaceous plant -- sprouting and not-sprouting buds. During vegetation were the plants observed. From the monitored plants were harvested grapes and following parameters were checked: number and weight of the grapes, weight of berries and the stem. Furthermore, before leaf the leaves were sampled for subsequent ELISA test for viral diseases Grapevine fanleaf virus, Arabis mosaic virus, Grapevine fleck virus, Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1 and 3, Grapevine virus A. All values were evaluated by statistical program Statistica 10.

Thesis (MSc (Genetics))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / South Africa is one of the top ten wine producing countries in the world. The South African wine industry contributes approximately R16.3 billion to South Africa’s annual gross domestic product with 42.8% of wine being exported. To compete with the top wine producing countries and to ensure a viable export market, South Africa needs to ensure that healthy, virus free propagation material is produced and sold. One of the viruses that need to be tested for is Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV). Grapevine fanleaf virus causes degeneration and malformation of berries, leaves and canes and is responsible for significant economic losses by reducing crop yields by as much as 80%, reducing the longevity of the vines and affecting fruit quality. It is widespread in the Breede River Valley of the Western Cape where the nematode vector, Xiphinema index, is prevalent. The Breede River Valley contributes approximately 30% of the total production of the local wine industry, and severe losses in this region could threaten the viticulture. The Plant Improvement Act states that all propagation material sold must be tested for GFLV by a reputable scientific technique. The technique commonly used in South Africa is the Double Antibody Sandwich - Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (DAS-ELISA) and the kits are imported from Europe at a significant cost to the South African viticulture industry. The objective of this study was to produce a reliable and sensitive diagnostic assay specific for the South African strains of GFLV. This project aimed to develop and optimize a DAS-ELISA, by using recombinant DNA technology to produce antibodies against bacterially expressed viral coat protein. Total RNA was extracted from GFLV infected grapevine material and the viral coat protein (CP) amplified. The CP was cloned into the pGex-6P-2 expression vector, fusing a Glutathione STransferase (GST) partner to the viral coat protein enhancing solubility and protein purification. Insufficient amounts of the soluble protein were expressed and purified, preventing the production of antibodies and thus the development of the DAS-ELISA. An alternative diagnostic rapid-direct-one-tube-RT-PCR assay was developed. This rapid-directone- tube-RT-PCR assay was compared to commercially available DAS-ELISA and ImmunoStrip tests (Agdia) to assess the reliability, sensitivity and specificity of the rapid-direct-one-tube-RTPCR assay. Twelve GFLV isolates from South Africa were sequenced to investigate the variability between the isolates as well as the variability between the South African isolates and GFLV sequences available in Genbank. Sequence identities between clones from different GFLV isolates from South Africa were between 86-99% and 94-99% at the nucleotide and amino acid levels, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on the coat protein gene sequences showed that the South African isolates form two distinct clades or sub-populations. No significant correlation was found between geographical origin and symptoms, nor between geographical origin and sequence variability or between grapevine cultivar and symptom expression. Of the 23 samples tested with all three tests, 21 tested positive with rapid-direct-one-tube-RT-PCR, 19 with the ImmunoStrips and 17 with an imported DAS-ELISA kit (Agdia). Rapid-direct-one-tube-RT-PCR was found to be the most reliable technique for GFLV detection. Although the establishment of a DAS-ELISA directed to the South African strain(s) of GFLV was not successful, an alternative PCR based diagnostic system was developed, and proved to be sensitive and reliable. RT-PCR based diagnostic assays are generally accepted to be more sensitive than DAS-ELISA, but the latter is still used as the diagnostic assay of choice for routine testing due to ease of use. This rapid-direct-one-tube-RT-PCR assay is a rapid, sensitive and reliable diagnostic test, reducing the prevalence of false negatives, contributing to a virus free viticulture industry. The rapid-direct-one-tube-RT-PCR assay is as easy to use as DAS-ELISA, faster and can be performed by semi skilled workers, thus providing all the advantages associated with DAS-ELISA.