"April, 2004" / "List of figures" - inside back cover. / Bibliography: leaves 83-93 / 93, [8] leaves : ill., plates (some col.), photos ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / The specific objectives of this work include: 1. Completion of the GLRaV-1 genome sequence and bioinformatic analysis of the viral open reading frames ; 2. Production of an appropriate GLRaV-1 certification protocol addressing the shortcomings of the current tests for leafroll detection ; 3. Intracellular localisation of the GLRaV-1 gene products via generation of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-fusion constructs, in an attempt to further characterise the function of these proteins. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, School of Agriculture and Wine, Discipline of Wine and Horticulture, 2004

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, School of Agriculture and Wine, Discipline of Wine and Horticulture, 2004. / "April, 2004" "List of figures" - inside back cover. Bibliography: leaves 83-93.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 2009. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 61-74). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Grapevine leafroll is one of the most damaging viral diseases that affect many viticultural regions of the world. Numerous reports over the last few years have associated closterovirus-like particles with leafroll disease. To date, eight serologically distinct closteroviruses have been isolated from leafroll infected vines, of which grapevine leafroll associated closterovirus-3 (GLRaV-3) is the best characterized. Virus resistance in transgenic plants based on the expression of a virusderived gene is known as pathogen-derived resistance. The viral coat protein (CP) gene, which expresses a structural protein responsible for coating the virus particles, was used in the first demonstration of virus-derived resistance. Coat protein-mediated resistance is currently the most feasible and most widely used method to obtain virus resistance in crop plants. The CP gene of a South African isolate of GLRaV-3 infected grapevine was isolated, cloned and sequenced. Double stranded RNA (dsRNA) was extracted from GLRaV-3 infected material and a high molecular weight band, of -18 kb was identified from infected vines. The dsRNA was used as a template in a reverse transcription PCR together with GLRaV-3 CP gene specific primers for the amplification of the GLRaV-3 CP gene (975 bp). The GLRaV-3 CP gene was cloned into the pGem®-T Easy vector. Clones hosting the CP gene in the sense (pLR3CP+) and antisense (pLR3CP-) orientations respectively were obtained. The sequence obtained from these two clones showed 99.26 % similarity to the only other GLRaV-3 CP nucleotide sequence available. The GLRaV-3 CP gene was excised from pLR3CP+ and pLR3CP- and subcloned into a plant expression vector, pCAMBIA 3301 in the sense (pCamBLR3CP+) and antisense (pCamBLR3CP-) orientations respectively, therefore enabling sense and antisense gene expression in transgenic plants. The GLRaV-3 CP gene was also subcloned from pCamBLR3CP+ into another plant expression vector, pCAMBIA 2301 in the sense orientation and designated as pCVSLR3CP+. These three constructs were given to Dr. M. Vivier (Institute for Wine Biotechnology, Stellenbosch) for grapevine transformation experiments. Two of these constructs, pCamBLR3CP+ and pCamBLR3CP- as well as pCAMBIA 3301 were used to transform Nicotiana tabacum by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Plants were selected for their ability to withstand the herbicide, Basta. This resistance is due to the presence of a plant selectable marker gene on each of these constructs, known as the bar gene. PCR with GLRaV-3 CP gene specific primers showed no amplification of the GLRaV-3 CP gene in the plants transformed with pCamBLR3CP+ and pCamBLR3CP-. Southern blot analysis with the GLRaV-3 CP gene as hybridization probe showed no signal for these plants, thus confirming the PCR results. PCR with bar gene specific primers showed no amplification of the bar gene in the plants infected with pCAMBIA 3301. The plants transformed with pCamBLR3CP+ and pCamBLR3CP- were also screened for the presence of the bar gene. Three of the eight plants tested showed amplification of the -560 bp bar gene. This result suggests that these plants were transformed with pCAMBIA 3301 (vector without the ligated GLRaV-3 CP gene) and not pCamBLR3CP+ or pCamBLR3CP- as had been expected. This project provides preliminary work for the subsequent transformation of grapevine with the GLRaV-3 CP gene, in an attempt to impart virus resistance. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Wingerd rolblaar is een van die mees beskadigende virale siektes wat baie wingerd areas in die wêreld aantas. In Aantal verslae oor die afgelope jare het closterovirus partikels met wingerd rolblaar geassosieer. Tot hede, is agt serologiese onderskeibare closterovirusse geïsoleer vanuit geaffekteerde wingerde, waarvan wingerd rolblaar geassosieerde closterovirus-3 (GLRaV-3) die beste gekarakteriseerd is. Virus bestandheid in transgeniese plante gebaseer op die uitdrukking van gene afkomstig vanaf virusse, staan bekend as patogeen-afgeleide weerstand. Die virale kapsule protein (CP) geen vervaardig In strukturele protein wat verantwoordelik is vir die bedekking van die virus partikel. Dié geen was gebruik in die eerste demonstrasie van patogeen-afgeleide weerstand. Kapsuul protein-bemiddelde weerstand is tans die mees praktiese en algemene gebruikte metode om virus weerstand in plant gewasse te verkry. Die CP geen van In Suid Afrikaanse isolaat van GLRaV-3 geïnfekteerde wingerde is geïsoleer, gekloneer en die volgorde is bepaal. Dubbelstring RNA (dsRNA) was uit GLRaV-3 geïnfekteerde materiaal geëkstraheer en In hoë molekulêre gewig band van -18 kb is geïdentifiseer. Die dsRNA is gebruik as In templaat vir In omgekeerde transkripsie PKR saam met GLRaV-3 CP geen spesifieke inleiers vir die amplifikasie van die GLRaV-3 CP geen (975 bp). Die GLRaV-3 CP geen is gekloneer in die pGem®-T Easy vektor. Klone met die CP geen in die sin (pLR3CP+) en teensin (pLR3CP-) oriëntasies respektiewelik is verkry. Die volgorde wat verkry is vanuit hierdie twee klone dui op In 99.26 % ooreenstemming met die enigste ander GLRaV-3 CP geen volgorde wat beskikbaar is. Die GLRaV-3 CP geen is uit pLR3CP+ en pLR3CP- gesny en is gesubkloneer in In plant ekspressie vektor, pCAMBIA 3301 in die sin (pCamBLR3CP+) en teensin (pCamBLR3CP-) oriëntasies respektiewelik, wat die sin en teensin geen ekspressie in transgeniese plante in staat stel. Die GLRaV-3 CP geen was ook gesubkloneer vanaf pCamBLR3CP+ in In ander plant ekspressie vektor, pCAMBIA 2301 in die sin orientasie en is as pCVSLR3CP+ benoem. Hierdie drie konstruksies is aan Dr. M. Vivier (Instituut vir Wyn Biotegnologie, Stellenbosch) gegee vir wingerd transformasie eksperimente. Twee van hierdie konstruksies, pCamBLR3CP+ en pCamBLR3CP- asook pCAMBIA 3301 is gebruik om Nicotiana tabacum deur middel van Agrobacterium tumefaciens-bemiddelde transformasie te transformeer. Plante is geselekteer vir hul vermoë om die onkruiddoder, Basta, te weerstaan. Die teenwoordigheid van die plant selekteerbare merker geen, bar, op elke konstruksie lui tot dié weerstand. Die plante wat getransformeer is met pCamBLR3CP+ en pCamBLR3CP- is deur PKR saam met die GLRaV-3 CP geen spesifieke inleiers getoets, en geen amplifikasie van die GLRaV-3 CP geen is getoon nie. Southern blot analise met die GLRaV-3 CP geen as hibridisasie peiler het geen sein gewys vir hierdie plante nie, wat die PKR resultate bevestig. Die plante wat getransformeer is met pCAMBIA 3301 is deur PKR saam met die bar geen spesifieke inleiers getoets, en geen amplifikasie van die bar geen is getoon nie. Die plante wat getransformeer is met pCamBLR3CP+ en pCamBLR3CP- is ook getoets vir die teenwoordigheid vir die bar geen. Drie van die agt plante wat getoets is, het amplifikasie van die -560 bp bar geen getoon. Hierdie onverwagte resultate stel voor dat dié plante met pCAMBIA 3301 (vektor sonder die geligeerde GLRaV-3 CP geen) en nie met pCamBLR3CP+ en pCamBLR3CPgetransformeer is nie. Hierdie projek verskaf voorlopige werk vir die daaropvolgende transformasie van wingerd met die GLRaV-3 CP geen in 'n poging om virus bestandheid te verskaf.

Thesis (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Grapevine leafroll-associated virus-3 is one of ten members of the C/osteroviridae that are known to infect grapevine. Nine of these viruses are associated with grapevine leafroll disease, of which GLRaV-1 and GLRaV-3 are the most important and widespread. Members of the C/osteroviridae are unique amongst the viruses, as it is the only known family whose members encode a heat shock protein 70 kOa homolog (Hsp70h). The Hsp70h is a movement protein (MP) that is required for the active translocation of the virion structure through the plasmodesmata into adjacent cells. Broad-spectrum resistance to unrelated viruses can be obtained by a pathogen-derived resistance (POR) strategy that is based on the expression of a dysfunctional MP in plants. The Hsp70h has two distinct domains. The N-terminal two thirds of the protein is an ATPase domain and shares high homology with the ATPase domains of all Hsp70h proteins from the C/osteroviridae and Hsp70 proteins from the prokaryote and eukaryote kingdoms. Conserved amino acids are found in the ATPase domain and are required for the positioning of the ATP at the catalytic site for ATP hydrolysis. The C-terminal domain is variable and the function of this domain in the Closteroviridae is not known. In prokaryote and eukaryote Hsp70 proteins, the C-terminal domain is required for protein-protein interactions. The American NY-1 isolate of GLRaV-3 has been sequenced and POR strategies have been attempted with the coat protein, divergent coat protein and replicase genes, but not with a dysfunctional form of the hsp70h gene. In this study, double-stranded RNA was isolated from a commercial vineyard with unknown virus status, but with distinct grapevine leafroll symptoms, and from two grapevine sources of known virus status, one with mild and one with severe symptoms. The GLRaV-3 hsp70h gene was amplified by RT-PCR from the dsRNA and the gene sequence was analysed. The hsp70h gene from the three virus sources contained more than 94% nucleotide sequence homology to the NY-1 isolate and the conserved amino acids required for ATPase activity were present. The hsp70h gene isolated from GLRaV-3 from a commercial Stellenbosch vineyard showing clear leafroll symptoms was selected for further work and was subjected to site-directed mutagenesis to engineer four point mutations in the gene. These four mutations resulted in the substitution of Asn for Asp", Gly for Thr1O, Lys for Glu 174 and Asn for Asp 197. The wild type (WT) and mutated (Mut) forms of the hsp 70h genes were cloned into a bacterial expression vector. Expression of both the WT- and Mut-Hsp proteins was achieved, and the protein was expressed in the insoluble inclusion bodies. All attempts to refold and isolate active proteins from the inclusion bodies were unsuccessful. Attempts to increase the concentration of soluble protein within the expressing bacteria were unsuccessful. Due to the lack of active protein, biochemical tests on the ATPase activity of the WT- and Mut-Hsp proteins could not be conducted. The wt- and mut-hsp genes were cloned into a plant expression vector for transformation into tobacco plants. These transformations were successful and gave rise to 22 Km' and 18 Km' plants from the WT- and Mut-Hsp constructs respectively. Two plant lines, M5 and M10, transformed with the mut-hsp transgene construct, appeared to have a high level of resistance to the challenging potato X potexvirus, whereas all the other tested plants were susceptible to the challenging virus. It was thus shown that a dysfunctional form of the GLRaV-3 Hsp70h could provide resistance to an unrelated virus in tobacco. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Wingerdrolblaar-geassosieerde virus 3 (GLRaV-3) is een van 10 lede van die Closteroviridae wat wingerd kan infekteer. Nege van die virusse is met wingerdrolblaar geassosieer. Die GLRaV-1 en GLRaV-3 is die belangrikste en mees wyd verspreide lede van die rolblaar-geassosieerde Closteroviridae. Lede van die Closteroviridae is uniek in die opsig dat die virusse vir 'n 70 kDa-homoloë hitteresponsproteïen (Hsp70h) kodeer. Die Hsp70 is 'n bewegingsproteïen (MP) wat belangrik is vir die translokasie van die virus deur die plasmodesmata na die naasliggende sel. Breë-spektrum weerstand teen onverwante virusse kan behaal word deur 'n patogeen-afgeleide weerstandstrategie (POR), wat op die uitdrukking van 'n disfunksionele MP wat in plante uitgedruk word, gebaseer is. Die Hsp70hproteïen het twee gebiede. Die N-terminale gebied is In ATPase-gebied en toon hoë homologie met ander ATPase-gebiede van Hsp70h-proteïene van die Closteroviridae, asook die prokariotiese en eukariotiese koninkryke. Gekonserveerde aminosure wat belangrik is vir die posisionering van ATP in die katalitiese domein vir ATP-hidrolise is in die ATPase-gebied gevind. Die C-terminale gebied is variërend en die funksie van die gebied in die Closteroviridae is onbekend. In prokariotiese en eukariotiese Hsp70h-proteïene is die C-terminale gebied belangrik vir proteïenproteïen interaksies. Die nukleotiedvolgorde van die Amerikaanse NY-1-isolaat van GLRaV-3 is al bepaal en POR-strategieë is ook op die kapsiedproteïen, uiteenlopende kapsiedproteïen en die replikasie-proteïen uitgevoer, maar nog nie op 'n disfunksionele vorm van die Hsp70h-geen nie. In hierdie studie is dubbelstring-RNA (dsRNA) van 'n kommersiële wingerd met onbekende virusstatus wat rolblaarsimptome toon, geïsoleer, asook van twee wingerde met 'n bekende virusstatus, een met ligte en een met strawwe simptome. Die GLRaV-3 hsp70h-geen is met hulp van die polimerasekettingreaksie-metode (PKR) vanaf die dsRNA geamplifiseer en die geen se nukleotiedvolgorde is bepaal. Die hsp 70-gene van drie verskillende wingerde het meer as 94% homologie met die NY-1-isolaat getoon. Die gekonserveerde aminosure wat vir ATPase-aktiwiteit belangrik is, was teenwoordig. Die hsp70h-geen van GLRaV-3, wat uit 'n kommersiële wingerd met duidelike rolblaarsimptome in die Stellenbosch-gebied geïsoleer is, is vir verdere navorsing gekies en dit is aan setel-gerigte mutagenese blootgestelom vier mutasies van die geen te bewerkstellig. Die gevolg van hierdie vier mutasies was die verandering van Asn na Asp", Gly na Thr1o, Lys na Glu174 en Asn na Asp197. Die wilde (WT) en veranderde (Mut) vorms van die hsp-gene is in 'n bakteriese uitdrukkingsvektor gekloneer. Uitdrukking van beide die WT- en die Mut-Hspproteïene is behaal, maar die proteïene was in die onoplosbare fraksie geleë. Pogings om die onoplosbare proteïene te isoleer en in 'n aktiewe oplosbare vorm te verkry, was onsuksesvol. Verdere pogings om die proteïene in die oplosbare fraksie van die bakteriese ekspressiesisteem uit te druk, was ook onsuksesvol. As gevolg van die gebrek aan aktiewe proteïen kon biochemiese toetse nie op die ATPaseaktiwiteit van die WT- en Mut-Hsp proteïne gedoen word nie. Die wt- en mut-hsp-gene is ook in In plantekspressievektor gekloneer vir transformasie in tabakplante. Hierdie transformasies was suksesvol en het aanleiding gegee tot 22 kanamisienbestande (Km') en 18 Km' plante vanaf die WT- en Mut-Hspkonstrukte onderskeidelik. Twee plantlyne, M5 en M10, wat met die mut-hsptransgene getransformeer is, het 'n hoë vlak van weerstand teen die infekterende aartappelvirus X getoon in vergelyking met ander plante wat met die virus geïnfekteer is. Daar is dus bewys gelewer dat 'n disfunksionele vorm van die GLRaV-3 Hsp70h weerstand kan bied teen 'n onverwante virus in tabak.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Grapevine leafroll disease (GLD), caused by the members of the family Closteroviridae, is one of the most economic important viral diseases affecting grapevine. Grapevine leafroll associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3), of the genus Ampelovirus, is the most widespread member of the leafroll associated virus family. To prevent the spread of GLD, management strategies such as rogueing and insect vector control are required to limit crop losses. Alternative control strategies based on genetic modification of the grapevine genome, such as pathogen-derived resistance (PDR), is proven to be effective in conferring resistance to several viruses. Therefore, the focus of this study was to evaluate pathogen-derived resistance strategies for GLRaV-3 using the following two approaches; 1) evaluation of transgenic plants expressing a dysfunctional GLRaV-3 heat shock protein 70 homolog (HSP70h) in order to confer resistance against GLRaV-3, and 2) the construction of artificial microRNAs (amiRNAs) to use as a tool for silencing specific sequences of GLRaV-3 in the grapevine host and the development of an amiRNA-mediated silencing validation system. In the first part of this study, six transgenic plant lines (plant lines #1, #3, #9, #14, #15 and #17) as well as a non-modified plant line, were inoculated with GLRaV-3 by grafting buds of each onto GLRaV-3 infected plant material. After approximately five months, GLRaV-3 virus titres of all grafted plants were quantified relative to two reference genes using RT-qPCR. Results were evaluated by comparing the relative virus titre of each transgenic plant line to that of the non-modified control plant line. Results showed that resistance levels of plant line #3 was significantly enhanced (>99%) and remarkably, plant line #14, showed to be more susceptible to the virus. The second part of the study was the construction and validation of amiRNAs targeting GLRaV-3 sequences. Two 21 nt regions of GLRaV-3 were successfully incorporated into miRNA backbone vvi167b of grapevine. Moreover, target constructs were developed by incorporating corresponding GLRaV-3 target sequences into the 3’ UTR of a green fluorescence protein (GFP) gene. Subsequently, the target constructs were co-infiltrated with the constructed amiRNA in Nicotiana benthamiana and GFP expression levels were quantified to determine the silencing efficiency of the amiRNAs. Results showed that the amiRNAs were successful in silencing the GFP target construct, however, they were not specific in silencing exclusively their corresponding target. These amiRNA constructs are ideal for further viral studies to determine the efficiency of silencing GLRaV-3 in GLD infected grapevines. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Wingerd rolblaar siekte (GLD), wat veroorsaak word deur die lede van die familie Closteroviridae, is een van die ekonomies mees belangrike virus siektes van wingerd. Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3), van die genus Ampelovirus, is die mees wydverspreide lid van die rolblaar geassosieerde virus familie. Om die verspreiding van GLD te voorkom, is bestuur strategieë, soos die verwydering van geïnfekteerde plante en insekvektor beheer, ’n vereiste om oes verliese te beperk. Alternatiewe beheer strategieë gebaseer op genetiese modifikasie van die wingerdgenoom, soos patogeen-afgeleide weerstand (PDR), is bewys om effektief te wees in die verlening van weerstand teen verskeie virusse. Daarom was die fokus van hierdie studie om patogeen-afgeleide weerstand strategieë vir GLRaV-3 te evalueer met behulp van die volgende twee benaderings; 1) die evaluering van transgeniese plante wat 'n disfunksionele GLRaV-3 hitte-skok proteïen 70 homoloog (HSP70h) uitdruk, ten einde weerstand te verleen teen GLRaV-3, en 2) die konstruksie van kunsmatige mikroRNAs (amiRNAs) om te gebruik as 'n instrument vir die ondrukking van spesifieke genoomvolgordes van GLRaV-3 in die wingerd gasheer en die ontwikkeling van ’n stelsel om amiRNA-bemiddelde onderdrukking te bevestig. In die eerste deel van hierdie studie, is ses transgeniese plant lyne (plant lyne # 1, # 3, # 9, # 14, # 15 en # 17) sowel as 'n nie-gemodifiseerde gesonde plant lyn, geïnokuleer met GLRaV- 3 deur enting van ogies van elk op GLRaV-3 besmette plantmateriaal. Na ongeveer vyf maande, is GLRaV-3 virus konsentrasies van alle ingeënte plante gekwantifiseer relatief tot twee verwysing gene deur gebruik te maak van tru-transkripsie kwantitatiewe PCR (RTqPCR). Resultate is geëvalueer deur die relatiewe virus konsentrasie van elke transgeniese plant lyn te vergelyk met dié van die nie-gemodifiseerde kontrole lyn. Resultate het getoon dat weerstand vlakke van plant lyn # 3 beduidend verbeter is (> 99%) en merkwaardig is plant lyn # 14 bewys om meer vatbaar vir die virus te wees. Die tweede deel van die studie was die konstruksie en bevestiging van kunsmatige mikroRNAs (amiRNAs) wat GLRaV-3 genoomvolgordes teiken. Twee 21 nt streke van GLRaV-3 is suksesvol geïnkorporeer in die ruggraat van wingerd mikroRNA vvi167b. Verder is teiken konstrukte ontwikkel deur die inkorporering van ooreenstemmende GLRaV-3 teiken genoomvolgordes in die 3'UTR (3’ ongetransleerde area) van 'n groen fluoressensie proteïen (GFP) geen. Daarna is die teiken konstrukte gesamentlik geïnfiltreer met die gekonstrueerde amiRNA in Nicotiana benthamiana en GFP uitdrukkingsvlakke is gekwantifiseer deur die onderdrukkingsdoeltreffendheid van die amiRNAs te bepaal. Resultate het getoon dat die amiRNAs suksesvol was in die onderdrukking van die GFP teiken konstruk, maar hulle was egter nie-spesifiek in die eksklusiewe onderdrukking van die ooreenstemmende teiken. Hierdie amiRNA konstrukte is ideaal vir verdere virus studies om die doeltreffendheid van GLRaV-3 onderdrukking in GLD besmette wingerdstokke te bepaal.

Thesis (PhD (Genetics))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / Includes bibliography / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Grapevine diseases, in particular virus and virus-like diseases, are threatening grapevine industries worldwide; also in South Africa. Grapevine leafroll (GLR) is one of the most important diseases of grapevines, occurring in all grape-producing countries worldwide. Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3) is known to be closely associated with GLR disease and occurs commonly in South African vineyards. In this study three genetic variants of GLRaV-3 were identified in vineyards of the Western Cape, South Africaby single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) profiles generated from a region amplified in ORF5. A specific SSCP profile could be assigned to each variant group and these wereconfirmed by sequencing of the ORF5 regions.These results demonstrated that SSCP analysis on this region in ORF5 provides a fast and reliable indication of the GLRaV-3 variant status of a plant, which in many instances showed mixed infections. The full genome sequence of one representative of each variant group i.e. isolates 621 (group I), 623 (group II) and PL-20 (group III), was determined by sequencing overlapping cloned fragments of these isolates. The sequences of genomic 5’ ends of these isolates were determined by RLM-RACE. Sequence alignment of the 5’UTRs indicated significant sequence and length variation in this region, between the three South African variant groups. Nucleotide sequence alignment of the Hsp70h and CP gene regions of these isolates with those of isolates from elsewhere in the world, followed by phylogenetic analysis, further supported the presence of three GLRaV-3 variants in South Africa, and that two or three additional variant groups occurs elsewhere in the world. We further investigated the prevalence of these three GLRaV-3 variants in mother blocksof different cultivars and from different vine growing regions, using SSCP analysis. The majority of the plants studied, were infected with the group II variant, similar to isolates 623 and GP18. The distribution of the three GLRaV-3 variants within a spatio-temporally recorded cluster of diseased plants was studied by means of SSCP profile analysis. We showed that different GLRaV-3 variants are transmitted to adjacent plants in an infection cluster. Results showed that, in some leafroll disease clusters, the variant that was present in the original GLRaV-3 infected plant of a cluster was transmitted to adjacent plants in a row and across rows. Some plants in the cluster were also infected with variants not present in the original plant. These infections could have been caused by mealybug vectors feeding on plants from surrounding areas and then infecting these plants. The scientific information generated on GLRaV-3 variants in this project contributed to the advancement of our knowledge of genetic variability and provides a basis of further epidemiology and vector-virus studies. The study showed for the first time that different GLRaV-3 variants were transmitted to adjacent plants in a row and across rows in a GLR disease cluster. The diversity detected in the 5’UTR between variants from the three genetic groups provides a platform for the further study of the biological characteristics of GLRaV-3 variants. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Wingerdsiektes, veral virus siektes, bedreig wingerd industrieë wêreldwyd, asook die Suid Afrikaanse wingerdbedryf. Rolbladsiekte is een van die belangrikste siektes op wingerd en kom wêreldwyd voor. Die virus, grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3), word sterk geassosieer met Rolbladsiekte en kom wydverspreid voor in Suid Afrikaanse wingerde. Tydens hierdie studie is drie genetiese variante van GLRaV-3 geïdentifiseer in wingerd moederblokke in die Wes-Kaap. Die GLRaV-3 variante is geïdentifiseer met ‘n tegniek wat ‘single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP)’ genoem word. Die SSCP profiele was gegenereer vanaf PKR produkte van die ORF5 area op die genoom van GLRaV-3. Die geamplifiseerde produk van die ORF5 gebied is gebruik om die SSCP profiele te verkry en DNA-volgorde data in die gebied het die drie SSCP profiele gestaaf. Hierdie metode om virus variasie te bestudeer in plante is vinnig en betroubare resultate is verkry. Gemengde infeksies, wat gereeld in wingerd voorkom, kon ook met die tegniek opgespoor word. Die volledige nukleotied-volgorde van elkeen van die drie GLRaV-3 genome is volledig bepaal. Die isolate wat die drie variant groepe verteenwoordig is isolaat 621 (groep I), 623 (groep II) en PL-20 (groep III). Die nukleotiedvolgorde in die 5’UTR is bepaal met die RLM-RACE tegniek. Wanneer die 5’UTRs van die drie variante vergelyk is, het dit getoon dat daar verskille is in die volgordes en lengtes voorgekom het. Ander dele van die genoom, o.a. die dopproteïen (CP) en Hsp70 areas, is filogeneties vergelyk met isolate van regoor die wêreld. In die filogenetiese analise is bevind dat die drie GLRaV-3 variante saamgegroepeer het met ander isolate in die wêreld en dat daar elders ook twee to drie addisionele variant groepe van GLRaV-3 voorkom. Die verspreiding van die drie GLRaV-3 variante in wingerde is bestudeer in verskillende kultivars en in verskillende verbouingsgebiede. Die meerderheid van die plante in die studie was geïnfekteer met die groep II variant wat dieselfde is as isolate 623 en GP18. Die voorkoms van die drie variante in ‘n siekte cluster is bestudeer d.m.v SSCP. Die studie het gewys dat verskillende GLRaV-3 variante versprei word na aangrensende plante in ‘n ry en tussen rye. In sommige gevalle is die variant wat in die oorspronklik geïnfekteerde plant voorkom, oorgedra na naasliggende plante. Sommige van die plante in the infeksie area was ook met ander GLRaV-3 variante geïnfekteer wat moontlik deur wolluise oorgedra is vanaf naburige geïnfekteerde plante. Die wetenskaplike inligting wat tydens hierdie studie beskryf word aangaande die identifikasie van GLRaV-3 variante, dra by tot die molekulêre kennis van GLRaV-3 en verskaf ‘n basis vir verdure epidemiologiese -en insek oordragingstudies. Die studie het vir die eerste keer bewys dat verskillende GLRaV-3 variante na aanliggende plante in ‘n ry asook oor rye oorgedra word. Die diversiteit tussen die GLRaV-3 variant groepe in die 5’UTR moet verder ondersoek word en die deel van die genoom kan ‘n belangrike rol speel in die biologiese eienskappe van die variante.

Thesis (PhD (Genetics))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / Includes bibliography. / Title page: Dept. of Genetics, Faculty of Science / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3) is the type strain for the genus Ampelovirus, family Closteroviridae. There has been only one report that claimed the complete nucleotide sequence of GLRaV-3 (isolate NY-1, AF037268). Here we report the complete sequence of the South African GLRaV-3, isolate GP18 (EU259806) and show a significantly extended 5’ end. We used RLM-RACE to determine the 5’ end of GP18 and found the 5’ UTR to be 737 nt compared to 158 nt in the NY-1 sequence. This extended UTR was found in all other South African isolates of GLRaV-3 that were tested. In two collaborative studies the existence of the extended 5’ UTR was confirmed and further investigated. In the first study (Coetzee et al., 2010), metagenomic data generated by next generation sequencing (Illumina Genome Analyzer II) was analysed for GLRaV-3 specific sequences. Sequences similar to the GP18 isolate confirmed the sequence of the extended 5’ UTR. In the second study (Jooste et al., 2010), three genetic variants were identified and their respective 5’ UTRs studied. Great diversity was observed between the 5’ UTRs of the different genetic variants, however within a variant the 5’ UTR was found to be highly conserved. Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 is a positive sense, single stranded RNA virus that has been shown, like other closteroviruses, to produce subgenomic (sg) RNAs during replication. These sgRNAs are deployed for the expression of the ORFs on the 3’ half of the genome. In this study a dsRNA blot confirmed the presence of three, 3’ coterminal sgRNAs species [sgRNA(ORF3/4), sgRNA(ORF5) and sgRNA(ORF6)] in GLRaV-3-infected plant material when using a probe directed at the coat protein gene. The specific 5’ terminal nucleotides for these sgRNAs as well as four additional sgRNAs [sgRNA(ORF7), sgRNA(ORF8), sgRNA(ORF9) and sgRNA(ORF10-12)] were determined by RLM-RACE for GLRaV-3 isolate GP18. The construction of a GLRaV-3 mini-replicon, analogous to RNA1 of Lettuce infectious yellows virus, for the evaluation of putative sg-promoters is also described. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3) is ‘n lid van die Closteroviridae familie en die hooflid vir die genus Ampelovirus. Tot dusver was daar net een studie wat die volledige nukleïensuurvolgorde van GLRaV-3 gerapporteer het (isolaat NY-1, AF037268). In hierdie studie rapporteer ons die volledige volgorde van ‘n Suid-Afrikaanse GLRaV-3, isolaat nl. GP18 (EU259806) wat noemenswaardig langer is aan die 5’ kant. RLM-RACE is gebruik om die 5’ eindpunt van GP18 te bepaal en daar is gevind dat die 5’ ongetransleerde streek (UTR) 737 nt lank is in vergelyking met die 158 nt van die NY-1 volgorde. Die verlengde 5’ UTR is gevind in alle Suid-Afrikaanse monsters wat getoets is. Die verlengde 5’ UTR is bevestig en verder bestudeer tydens twee samewerkingsprojekte. In die eerste studie (Coetzee et al., 2010), is metagenomiese data gegenereer deur volgende-generasie volgordebepaling (Illumina Genome Analyzer II) en geanaliseer vir GLRaV-3 spesifieke volgordes. Volgordes soortgelyk aan die GP18 isolaat het die verlengde 5’ UTR volgorde bevestig. In die tweede studie (Jooste et al., 2010), is drie genetiese variante van GLRaV-3 geidentifiseer en hulle onderskeie 5’ UTR volgordes bepaal en bestudeer. Daar is groot diversiteit tussen die 5’ UTRs van die verskillende genetiese variante gevind, maar tussen isolate van dieselfde variant is die volgordes gekonserveerd. Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 is ‘n positiewe-sin, enkelstring RNA virus wat al voorheen bewys is om, soos ander closterovirusse, subgenomiese (sg) RNAs te produseer tydens replisering. Hierdie sgRNAs word ingespan vir die uitdrukking van die ORFs op die 3’ helfte van die virusgenoom. In hierdie studie is ‘n dsRNA klad gebruik om die voorkoms van 3’ ko-terminale sgRNAs [sgRNA(ORF3/4), sgRNA(ORF5) and sgRNA(ORF6)] te bevestig in GLRaV-3 geinfekteerde plantmateriaal deur gebruik te maak van ‘n peiler teen die kapsiedproteïengeen. Die spesifieke 5’ terminale nukleotiedes vir hierdie sgRNAs sowel as vier additionele sgRNAs [sgRNA(ORF7), sgRNA(ORF8), sgRNA(ORF9) and sgRNA(ORF10-12)] is bepaal deur gebruik te maak van RLM-RACE op die GLRaV-3 isolaat GP18. Die konstruksie van ‘n GLRaV-3 mini-repliserings konstruk, analoog aan die RNA1 van Lettuce infectious yellows virus, vir die evaluasie van moontlike sg-promotors word ook beskryf.