ABSTRACT
Comoviruses derive their name from the type member, cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV). Each Comovirus appears to be related to at least one other group member, the group forming a network of serologically related viruses. Comoviruses can be transmitted by mechanical inoculation. The ribonucleic acids (RNA) of other Comoviruses which have been investigated also appear to be polyadenylated and contain viral protein groups. Numerous studies have been directed towards gaining an understanding of the genetic functions of the two Comovirus RNA components by the construction and analysis of pseudorecombinants. Although Comoviruses require both RNAs 1 and 2 for infection, it has been shown that inoculation of leaf protoplasts with B particles alone results in the synthesis of some virus- specific polypeptides, but neither of the coat proteins is apparently produced. Sudies on CPMV structure were complicated by the detection of two electrophoretic components in most virus preparations.
