DNA replication specificity of TYLCV geminivirus is mediated by the amino‐terminal 116 amino acids of the Rep protein

Abstract
Geminiviruses are plant DNA viruses replicating by a rolling circle mechanism. We have investigated the specificity of replication origin recognition of two different isolates of tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV). Here, we show that TYLCV‐Sardinian and ‐Israeli replication proteins display a high degree of specificity for their respective origins. The DNA sequences recognized are located on the left part of the intergenic region whereas the amino‐terminal 116 amino acids of the Rep protein determine the specificity of origin recognition.