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tobacco mosaic virus

plant virus
Also known as: TMV

Quick Summary

The tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) is a single-stranded RNA virus that causes mosaic disease in plants like tobacco and tomatoes. It is rod-shaped and can be crystallized. TMV is composed of approximately 2,130 protein molecules surrounding a single-stranded RNA genome. This virus is of significant economic importance as it infects many crop and ornamental plants. TMV is primarily spread mechanically through infected sap. Symptoms of TMV infection can include color streaks, dwarfing, and tissue distortion in plants.123

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