Sequence analysis within the RNA 3 of seven Spanish tomato isolates of Parietaria mottle virus (PMoV-T) reveals important structural differences with the parietaria isolates (PMoV)

The genomic regions encoding the putative movement protein (MP), coat protein (CP) and intergenic region (IGR) of seven Spanish isolates of the Parietaria mottle virus which infects tomato plants (PMoV-T) were sequenced. Values for the genetic diversity of the PMoV-T isolates were 0.056, 0.047 and 0.013 for the CP, MP genes and IGR, respectively. Nucleotide and amino acid sequence comparison of the seven PMoV-T isolates with those of PMoV revealed significant differences. All of them had a cytosine deletion at position 1366, also confirmed in an Italian tomato isolate, which involves a start codon for the CP gene different from that for the PMoV sequence, resulting in a CP 16 amino acids shorter than the PMoV CP. The certainty of a cytosine deletion only associated to the tomato isolates or the possibility of a mistake in the PMoV published sequence are the two hypotheses that could explain this difference. Structural motifs highly conserved in Ilarviruses were identified in PMoV-T MP and CP. A stable hairpin structure is proposed for IGR, by the initiation site for subgenomic RNA 4 synthesis. Phylogenetic analysis of CP and MP amino acid sequences showed that Spanish PMoV-T isolates form a separate group from PMoV and other members of the Ilarvirus genus. Comparative analysis with different PMoV isolates including tomato isolates from other regions and isolates from different hosts are necessary to confirm this differentiation.     

Characterisation of black locust isolates of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Peanut stunt virus</Emphasis> (PSV) from the Pannon ecoregion show the frequent occurrence of the fourth taxonomic PSV subgroup

Biological and molecular characterisation of ten Peanut stunt virus (PSV) isolates from Robinia pseudoacacia was carried out. The host range of these isolates was similar to that of the previously described PSV strains in most cases, but on Pisum sativum and Lens culinaris latent infection was induced. Variability in systemic symptoms was observed only on Nicotiana glutinosa. The partial RNA3 sequences were determined, including the carboxyl terminal region of the movement protein gene, the intergenic region, the entire coat protein gene and the 3′ untranslated region. Nucleotide sequence comparison of the coat protein genes showed 77.6–84.2% identity with most of the known PSV strains and 96.3–98.0% identity with PSV-Rp the typical member of subgroup IV. Phylogenetic analysis indicated the presence of the ancient homologous recombination in all of the examined black locust isolates and all the isolates were members of the fourth PSV subgroup. These results showed that the isolates of the fourth subgroup are widely distributed in black locust in this region.     

黄瓜绿斑驳花叶病毒基因组全序列分析及病害的田间调查

为明确近年来在浙江省葫芦科作物上发生的黄瓜绿斑驳花叶病毒(Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus,CGMMV)基因组特征及其发生分布情况,从浙江省及上海地区的甜瓜、西瓜和瓠瓜上采集疑似样品进行RT-PCR鉴定,通过分段扩增测序的方法拼接获得基因组全序列并进行系统进化分析,利用特异性引物扩增获得CGMMV外壳蛋白(coat protein,CP)基因序列,制备CGMMV CP抗血清进行Western-blot和Dot-ELISA检测。结果显示,来自甜瓜、西瓜和瓠瓜的3个CGMMV分离物基因组全序列均具有烟草花叶病毒属典型基因组结构特征,全部由6 423 nt构成;3个全序列间的核苷酸同源性高达99.11%~99.67%,编码的CP氨基酸同源性为100%。系统进化分析发现,CGMMV不同分离物形成2个进化相关群体,3个浙江的CGMMV分离物均位于第I组内,与已报道的中国CGMMV分离物和韩国CGMMV分离物亲缘性较高。Western-blot检测表明CGMMV CP抗血清可以与感病植株中的病毒发生特异性反应,可用于CGMMV鉴定;Dot-ELISA检测发现CGMMV在浙江省和上海市的葫芦科作物上普遍存在。     

Molecular characterization of Cucumber mosaic virus strain causing severe mosaic disease on petunia in India

Severe mosaic, yellowing and stunting symptoms were observed on petunia (Petunia hybrida L.) growing in pots at NBRI and in various gardens of Lucknow, India. The association of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) with the mosaic disease was detected based on positive bioassay on susceptible hosts, isometric cored virus particles of ~28?nm during electron microscopic observations in leaf dip preparations and positive amplification of expected size (~650?bp) during RT-PCR using coat protein gene specific primers. Further, the complete RNA 3 genomic fragment of virus isolate was amplified by RT-PCR using RNA 3 specific primers. The obtained amplicons of ~2.2 Kb were cloned and sequenced. The analysis of sequence data of RNA 3 revealed highest sequence identities (96%) with several CMV strains which belong to subgroup IB. The virus isolate also showed closest phylogenetic relationships with banana strain of CMV of subgroup IB (Acc. EF178298) reported from India. To the best of our knowledge, we report the first molecular characterization of CMV strain of subgroup IB causing severe mosaic disease on petunia in India.     

侵染牡丹的烟草脆裂病毒的检测鉴定及序列分析

为明确江苏省牡丹上烟草脆裂病毒(Tobacco rattle virus,TRV)的发生情况,利用ELISA和RT-PCR方法对采集自扬州市的40份牡丹叶片样品进行了检测鉴定,测定了其中一个分离物Peony-11中TRV RNA1分子的部分蛋白编码区序列,并结合Gen Bank中已报道的相关序列对其进行了多样性和系统发生分析。结果显示,江苏省扬州市牡丹上TRV的检出率高达62.5%;序列分析表明本研究获得的TRV牡丹分离物Peony-11与Gen Bank中其它63个分离物的核苷酸序列一致率为90.5%~99.7%;系统发生和遗传距离分析表明TRV可以分成2个组10个亚组,组间、亚组间具有较为清晰的地理和寄主特异性,其中Peony-11分离物位于亚组I-1。     

Leonotis nepetaefolia: An important plant virus reservoir in central Mexico

The presence of viruses in the weedLeonotis nepetaefolia in central México is reported from two field surveys.L. nepetaefolia, with viral-like symptoms such as mosaic, leaf deformation and calico, was observed growing next to cultivated fields in the Valley of Atlixco, Puebla, an important agricultural region in Mexico. The viruses harbored by this plant were characterized biologically, serologically and by molecular methods. The viruses detected wereAlfalfa mosaic virus (AMV),Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), a satellite RNA of CMV (CMV satRNA) andTobacco mosaic virus (TMV). This last one was detected only during the first survey. CMV was the predominant virus found in both surveys, and was associated mostly to mosaic symptom. Phylogenetic analysis based on the coat protein gene sequence of CMV indicated that this isolate belongs to subgroup IA and confirmed that it is a mosaic-inducing isolate, whereas AMV belongs to subgroup II. Finally, CMV satRNA was found to be a non-necrogenic ameliorative variant, both by symptomatology and by phylogenetic analysis. Our results suggest thatL. nepetaefolia is a reservoir for several viruses in central Mexico, and given its wide distribution in several parts of the world, its role as a virus reservoir could be more general. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Aug. 31, 2005.     

Comparison of the minor coat protein gene sequences of aphid-transmissible and -nontransmissible isolates of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Citrus tristeza virus</Emphasis>

The nucleotide sequences for the minor coat protein (CPm) gene and its deduced amino acid sequences for two aphid-transmissible and two nontransmissible isolates of Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) from symptomless orchard trees of Miyagawa satsuma [Citrus unshiu (Macf.) Marc.] on trifoliate orange [Poncirus trifoliate (L.) Raf.] and declining Washington navel [C. sinensis (L.) Osb.] trees on sour orange (C. aurantium L.) rootstocks were analyzed and compared with those of highly transmissible CTV strains available in GenBank. The isolates produced severe symptoms on indicator plants and their aphid transmissibility was assayed through acquisition by A. gossypii of CTV and subsequent inoculation feeding on young Mexican lime seedlings. The CPm gene nucleotides and coded amino acid sequences were very similar among the nontransmissible isolates and among the transmissible. Five of 73 nucleotide substitutions that existed between CPm gene nucleotide sequence of nontransmissible and transmissible isolates caused changes in the deduced amino acid sequences of the nontransmissible isolates. Two nucleotide substitutions yielded new amino acids with similar properties. However, the three remaining mutations led to substitution of new amino acids with a different charge and polarity at positions 14, 238 and 239. The last two mutations occurred at the C-terminal region of the CPm, which is implicated in the formation of a salt bridge that helps to maintain the protein’s tertiary structure. Amino acid substitutions can affect aphid transmission efficiency by altering the conformation of the proteins or masking motifs involved in the interaction between CPm and aphid stylets.     

East Adriatic—a reservoir region of severe <Emphasis Type="Italic">Citrus tristeza virus</Emphasis> strains

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) represents one of the major threats to citrus production worldwide. In the East Adriatic region, CTV symptoms are mostly absent due to traditional citrus grafting on trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata), a CTV-tolerant rootstock. Therefore, the virus has been continuously spreading by the propagation of infected material. The genetic variability of CTV was studied on nineteen citrus samples, collected from orchards in the coastal region of Croatia, Montenegro and Albania, that previously tested positive by ELISA and immunocapture RT-PCR. Single-strand conformation polymorphism of the amplified coat protein gene demonstrated the presence of different CTV variants in each amplicon, while sequence analysis of cloned CP gene variants confirmed their clustering into six out of the seven phylogenetic groups so far delineated. Four of these groups include sequences of severe quick decline, seedling yellows and stem-pitting (SP) isolates, thought to be found only rarely in the Mediterranean region. Regardless of the lack of symptoms in the field, CTV isolates from the East Adriatic displayed high genetic variability and pathogenic potential, additionally confirmed by biological characterisation. The high percentage of mixed infections suggest the potential for further diversification and a greater risk of severe variants spreading into new areas.     

Simultaneous detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Japanese yam mosaic virus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Yam mild mosaic virus</Emphasis> from yam leaves using a tube capture reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay

To detect Japanese yam mosaic virus (JYMV) and Yam mild mosaic virus (YMMV) in yam plants in Japan, we developed a duplex RT-PCR assay consisting of a tube-capture procedure followed by one-step RT-PCR with two primer pairs. A 241-bp fragment of the coat protein region of JYMV and a 174-bp fragment of the nuclear inclusion protein b region of YMMV were amplified, thus identifying the two viruses from yam plants cultivated in Yamaguchi Prefecture in 2007. All water yam plants examined were infected with YMMV alone. All the Japanese yam and Chinese yam plants were infected with either JYMV alone or both JYMV and YMMV, suggesting that YMMV and JYMV are prevalent among field-grown yam plants.     

Complementation of CMV Subgroup IA Strains in Replicase-mediated Resistant Tobacco Plants after Co-inoculation with Different Cucumoviruses

Replicase-mediated tobacco plants are highly resistant to the Fny strain of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and closely related subgroup IA strains. Two of these subgroup IA strains, Fny- and M-CMV, were co-inoculated with different resistance breaking cucumoviruses to nontransformed and transformed tobacco plants. RT-PCR analyses of single CMV RNAs were performed to study potential complementation of the subgroup IA strains by the resistance breaking cucumoviruses. After co-inoculation of M-CMV with PII-CMV, RNAs 1, 2 and 3 from M-CMV were detected in systemically infected leaves of control plants, whereas in noninoculated parts of replicase-mediated resistant plants only M-CMV RNAs 1 and 3 were found. Western blot studies confirmed the expression of M-CMV coat protein after co-inoculation with PII-CMV in leaves of transgenic plants. These plants also exhibited M-CMV typical yellow spots. M-CMV/TAV co-inoculated transgenic plants contained only M-CMV RNA 3, but no M-CMV RNAs 1 and 2. No M-CMV typical yellow spots were observed in these plants. Our data suggest different types of complementation of M-CMV in replicase-mediated resistant plants by PII-CMV and TAV in trans potentially leading to new RNA combinations in transformed plants compared to nontransformed plants.     

Characterization of Citrus tristeza virus isolates in northern Iran

The biological and molecular properties of four Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) isolates isolated from infected Satsuma trees imported from Japan, and growing in citrus groves in northern Iran (Mahdasht orchards, Mazandaran Province), were investigated. CTV-infected samples were collected from sweet orange trees and grafted onto Alemow (Citrus macrophylla Wester) seedlings. On indicator plants, these isolates produced various symptoms including vein clearing and stem pitting on Mexican lime, Alemow, and Citrus hystrix, and yellowing and stunting on sour orange and grapefruit seedlings. Citrus samples were also surveyed for CTV using serological tests. The coat protein (CP) gene of these isolates was amplified using specific primers, yielding an amplicon of 672 bp for all isolates. Sequence analysis showed 98%–99% sequence homology of Iranian isolates with the Californian CTV severe stem-pitting isolate SY568 and 97%–98% homology with the Japanese seedling yellows isolate NUagA. The Iranian isolates were compared by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the CP amplicon for further classification.     

Molecular characterization of a Cucumber mosaic virus isolate associated with mosaic disease of banana in India

Severe mosaic accompanied by leaf and fruit deformation symptoms was observed on banana plants growing in three banana farms of Uttar Pradesh, India. The disease incidence was approximately 18–25% at these locations during the three successive years from 2005 to 2007. The occurrence of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) was initially detected by bioassay, electron microscopic observations, Western blot immunoassay and RT-PCR. For molecular identification of virus, the RNA 1a, RNA 2b and RNA 3 genomic fragments were amplified by RT-PCR and sequenced. The sequence analysis of these genomic fragments revealed its highest identities and close relationships with Indian strains of CMV of subgroup IB; therefore, virus associated with the mosaic disease of banana was identified as an isolate of CMV of subgroup IB. In the limited reports existing from India, which provided preliminary serological or only coat protein-based identification of CMV infecting banana but the comprehensive studies were lacking. In the present communication, we present a detailed biological, serological and molecular characterization of CMV-Banana for the first time from India.     

Partial characterisation of a novel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tobamovirus</Emphasis> infecting <Emphasis Type="Italic">Actinidia chinensis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">A. deliciosa</Emphasis> (Actinidiaceae) from China

Actinidia chinensis and A. deliciosa plants from China, showing a range of symptoms, including vein clearing, interveinal mottling, mosaics and chlorotic ring spots, were found to contain ~300 nm rod-shaped virus particles. The virus was mechanically transmitted to several herbaceous indicators causing systemic infections in Nicotiana benthamiana, N. clevelandii, and N. occidentalis, and local lesions in Chenopodium quinoa. Systemically- infected leaves reacted with a Tobacco mosaic virus polyclonal antibody in indirect ELISA. PCR using generic and specific Tobamovirus primers produced a 1,526 bp sequence spanning the coat protein (CP), movement protein (MP), and partial RNA replicase genes which showed a maximum nucleotide identity (88%) with Turnip vein clearing virus and Penstemon ringspot virus. However, when the CP sequence alone was considered the highest CP sequence identity (96% nt and 98% aa) was to Ribgrass mosaic virus strain Kons 1105. The morphological, transmission, serological and molecular properties indicate that the virus is a member of subgroup 3 of the genus Tobamovirus.     

Note: Occurrence and distribution ofCucumber mosaic virus infecting danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) in China

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) has resulted in much damage to Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge) crops in China. A 5-year survey was conducted in Hebei, Shandong, Sichuan, Shanxi, Henan and Gansu Provinces, all major Danshen-growing areas. A total of 156 Danshen plant samples with CMV symptoms were collected and tested for the presence of CMV by a double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA) using polyclonal antibodies against CMV and a positive control, according to the supplier’s instructions (Agdia). They were confirmed to be CMV by amplification of complete coat protein gene and analysis of the gene sequence. The results showed that 122 samples were infected by CMV and all of these CMV isolates belonged to subgroup IB. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting May 19, 2008. Joint first authors.