MOVEMENT OF TMV IN THE INFECTED PLANT:
• TMV uses its movement protein to spread from cell to cell
through plasmodesmata.
• Normally, the plasmodesmata are too small for passage of
intact TMV particles.
• The movement protein enlarges the plasmodesmatal
openings so that TMV RNA can move to the adjacent cells.
• TMV moves through plasmodesmata as a long, thin
ribonucleoprotein complex composed of the TMV genomic
RNA and the MP.
• As the virus moves from cell to cell, it reaches the plant’s
vascular system for rapid systemic spread through the
phloem to the roots and tips of the growing plant.