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RTM3, Which Controls Long-Distance Movement of Potyviruses, Is a Member of a New Plant Gene Family Encoding a Meprin and TRAF Homology Domain-Containing Protein
Restriction of long-distance movement of several potyviruses in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) is controlled by at least three
dominant restricted TEV movement (RTM) genes, named RTM1, RTM2, and RTM3. RTM1 encodes a protein belonging to the
jacalin family, and RTM2 encodes a protein that has similarities to small heat shock proteins. In this article, we describe the
positional cloning of RTM3, which encodes a protein belonging to an undescribed protein family of 29 members that has a
meprin and TRAF homology (MATH) domain in its amino-terminal region and a coiled-coil domain at its carboxy-terminal
end. Involvement in the RTM resistance system is the first biological function experimentally identified for a member of this
new gene family in plants. Our analyses showed that the coiled-coil domain is not only highly conserved between RTM3-
homologous MATH-containing proteins but also in proteins lacking a MATH domain. The cluster organization of the RTM3
homologs in the Arabidopsis genome suggests the role of duplication events in shaping the evolutionary history of this gene
family, including the possibility of deletion or duplication of one or the other domain. Protein-protein interaction experiments
revealed RTM3 self-interaction as well as an RTM1-RTM3 interaction. However, no interaction has been detected involving
RTM2 or the potyviral coat protein previously shown to be the determinant necessary to overcome the RTM resistance. Taken
together, these observations strongly suggest the RTM proteins might form a multiprotein complex in the resistance
mechanism to block the long-distance movement of potyviruses.Copyrighted by the American Society of Plant Biologists