A D Serotype of Satellite Virus specifically associated with a D Serotype of Tobacco Necrosis Virus

Abstract

Kassanis and Nixon¹ and Kassanis² reported that the Rothamsted strain of tobacco necrosis virus (RTNV) contains two serologically unrelated viruses with different sized particles; one with smaller particles (17 mµ) called “satellite virus” caused no lesions on beans and multiplied detectably only when present in mixed infections with the large particle (27 mµ) TNV. Tobacco mosaic, lucerne mosaic, carnation ringspot, and tomato bushy stunt viruses failed to make the small particles multiply¹. All strains of TNV, except strain D, were reported to induce multiplication of satellite although some strains apparently were more effective than others³. Several strains of TNV were classified into two serotypes, A and D³. Strains A, B, C, F and S which supported multiplication of satellite are in serotype A. Strain E, which was also reported to support multiplication feebly, and strain D, which did not, are in serotype D. Babos and Kassanis³ concluded that the ability of these strains to induce the multiplication of satellite was not related to their antigenic composition. We have found, however, that the satellites associated with different serotypes of TNV are serologically distinct, as are the virus strains with which they are associated.