Detection and Genomic Analysis of Viroid-like RNA Molecules Isolated from Korean Peonies

한국산 작약에서 분리한 바이로이드 유사 RNA 분자의 확인과 유전자 분석

Low moleuclar weight (LMW) RNAs were isolated form Korean peonies which expressed symptoms of stunt and epinasty. The LMW plant RNAs were purified by Qiagen column chromatography which could separate viroid specific nucleic acid at differential salt concentration. After the inoculation of the purified RNAs from the peonies, the inoculated tomatoes (cv. Rutgers) expressed the symptoms of stunt and epinasty. Also the same molecular weight RNAs with viroid-like RNAs were isolated from the inoculated tomatoes. Double-stranded cDNA were synthesized by the methods of reverse transcription (RT) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with the purified RNA and primers. The same cDNAs associated with viroid-like RNAs wre cloned from the inoculated tomatoes. The cDNA has been sequenced and its 375-nucleotides were arranged into secondary structure. The cloned cDNA showed 47~54% homology compared with other viroids. The sequence homology of the cloned cDNA were partially high with plant genomic RNAs.