|
GERRY A. PRODY
Associate Professor
Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, & Environmental Chemistry
 |
|
Department of Chemistry
Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA 98225-9150
Office: CB444
Lab: CB410
Tel: (360) 650-3156
Fax: (360) 650-2826
gerry@chem.wwu.edu
|
|
Course Materials
|
Education
B.S. University of California, Davis.
Ph.D. University of California, Davis.
Research Interests
My major areas of research deal with the molecular biology
of plant viruses, in particular, tobacco ringspot virus (TobRV)
and barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV). When it is coincubated
with TobRV, a satellite RNA of this virus (sTobRV) replicates
extensively and is encapsidated in TobRV coat protein. The
approximately 360 base of sTobRV RNA lacks messenger activity,
does not increase when applied alone to TobRV hosts, and does
not share nucleotide sequences or terminal structures with the
two TobRV genomic RNAs. The presence of sTobRV RNA results in
dramatic reduction of viral symptoms in coinfected plants. High
molecular weight, mutimeric forms of sTobRV have been detected
in virus particles and infected tissue. These polymeric forms of
satellite RNA are self-processing: they spontaneously convert to
biologically active monomeric sTobRV RNA in a reaction that
occurs independently of any enzyme action, and is reversible.
In addition, RNA synthesized in vitro which is complementary to
sTobRV RNA retains the property of reversible autolysis.
Back to Top
|
