General Information about Tobacco Mosaic Virus :
When Tobacco Mosaic Virus infects a tobacco plant, the virus enters mechanically (For example through a ruptured plant cell wall) and replicates. After its multiplication, it enters the neighboring cells through plasmodesmata. For its smooth entry, Tobacco Mosaic Virus produces a 30,000 dalton protein called P30 which tends to enlarge the plasmodesmata. TMV most likely moves from cell-to-cell as a complex of the RNA, P30, and replicase proteins.
The first symptom of this virus disease is a light green coloration between the veins of young leaves. This is followed quickly by the development of a mosaic or mottled pattern of light and dark green areas in the leaves. These symptoms develop quickly and are more pronounced on younger leaves. Mosaic does not result in plant death, but if infection occurs early in the season, plants are stunted. Lower leaves are subjected to mosaic burn especially during periods of hot and dry weather. In these cases, large dead areas develop in the leaves.
This constitutes one of the most destructive phases of tobacco mosaic virus infection. Infected leaves may be crinkled, puckered, or enlongated.
Consumption of tobacco products infected with the Tobacco Mosaic Virus has been found to have no effect on humans.