Molecular cloning and characterization of a complete DNA copy of potato spindle tuber viroid RNA.

Double-stranded cDNA has been synthesized from RNA of a severe strain of potato spindle tuber viroid using a synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotide as a primer. Upon cloning in bacteriophage M13mp9, two recombinant phages were selected to construct a pBR322-derived plasmid containing a complete viroid DNA copy. Elucidation of the nucleotide sequence revealed four differences with the previously established sequence of another PSTV strain, three of which were base exchanges and one a deletion.