Selective transmission of the seedling yellows-type genotypic variants of Citrus tristeza virus by Aphis gossypii in northern Iran

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) has existed in northern Iran for more than five decades. The long-time interaction of different virus genotypes with Aphis gossypii, as the only aphid vector of CTV in northern Iran, has led to the emergence of highly virulent subpopulations, among others, in the established foci. Here, we studied the population structure of the originally established CTV isolates present in Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu) trees imported from Japan, and subisolates thereof, formed following experimental transmission by A. gossypii, as well as those evolved through natural transmission by this aphid species in the groves. Symptoms of the naturally spread and the experimentally aphid-transmitted isolates were similar to those of the Satsuma CTV source isolates for all indicator plants except for sour orange (Citrus aurantium) and grapefruit (Citrus paradisi), with the aphid-transmitted isolates additionally inducing severe seedling yellows and stunting in these two indicators. Studies on the population heterogeneity of these isolates through comparison of their single-strand conformational polymorphism profiles and nucleotide sequences of the 25 kDa capsid protein gene from the predominant haplotypes, and dot-blot hybridization signals, revealed the presence of two major T36- and SY568- (or NUagA-) like genotypes along with a minor poorly characterized one in the originally infected Satsuma trees; in contrast, only a certain genomic variant having the highest similarity to the isolate SY568 (and NUagA) was predominant both in the naturally infected trees and in those infected experimentally by A. gossypii. It seems that transmission by A. gossypii to sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) has led to the preponderance of the CTV genomic variants inducing severe seedling yellows in northern Iran.     

Contribution of uneven distribution of genomic RNA variants of citrus tristeza virus (CTV) within the plant to changes in the viral population following aphid transmission

The population of genomic RNA sequence variants of citrus tristeza virus (CTV) isolates was characterized by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of complementary DNA (cDNA) of the genes p18 and p20. Comparison of field and aphid-transmitted isolates showed that aphid transmission frequently altered the single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) pattern of both genes, indicating changes in the population of genomic RNA variants. SSCP analysis of the cDNA of RNA extracted from small pieces of tissue sampled at different sites of the same plant sometimes yielded different patterns, indicating uneven distribution of the genomic RNA variants within the infected plant. Different SSCP patterns were also obtained when the RNA extracted from individual aphids probing in the same infected leaf was used as a template. Uneven distribution of the genomic RNA variants within the infected plant and sorting of some of these variants by individual aphids probably contribute to changes observed in the CTV population following aphid transmission.     

Two paths of sequence divergence in the citrus tristeza virus complex

ABSTRACT Comparison of a sampling of complementary DNA (cDNA) sequences from the Florida citrus tristeza virus (CTV) isolates T3 and T30 to the sequence of the genome of the Israeli isolate VT showed a relatively consistent or symmetrical distribution of nucleotide sequence identity in both the 5' and 3' regions of the 19.2-kb genome. In contrast, comparison of these sequences to the sequence of isolate T36 showed a dramatic decrease in sequence identity in the 5' proximal 11 kb of the genome. A cDNA probe derived from this region of the T36 genome hybridized to double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) of only 3 of 10 different Florida CTV isolates. In contrast, analogous probes from T3 and T30 hybridized differentially to the seven isolates not selected by the T36 probe. Primers designed from cDNA sequence for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) selectively amplified these 10 isolates, allowing them to be classified as similar to T3, T30, or T36. In contrast, individual cDNA probes derived from the 3' terminal open reading frames of the T3, T30, and T36 genomes all hybridized to dsRNA from all Florida CTV isolates tested, and PCR primers designed from the T36 capsid protein gene sequence amplified successfully from all isolates. Based on these data, we propose the creation of two groups of CTV, exemplified by the VT and T36 isolates, respectively. Isolates in the VT group, which include isolates VT, T3, and T30, have genomic sequence divergence that is relatively constant in proportion and distribution throughout the genome, and candidate isolates for that group could be considered strains of the same virus. The T36 group is differentiated from the VT group by the highly divergent 5' genomic sequence. This 5' region of the CTV genome, thus, can serve as a measure of the extent of sequence divergence and can be used to define new groups and group members in the CTV complex.     

Molecular analysis suggests that recent <Emphasis Type="Italic">Citrus tristeza virus</Emphasis> outbreaks in Italy were originated by at least two independent introductions

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) is the causal agent of the most important virus disease of citrus. Numerous CTV isolates differing in biological and molecular characteristics have been reported worldwide. Recently, CTV was detected in Italy in several citrus crops from three separate areas: (1) Cassibile, province of Syracuse; (2) Massafra, province of Taranto; and (3) Belpasso, province of Catania. CTV isolates from Massafra and Cassibile were mild, whereas isolates from Belpasso induced severe symptoms. To study the genetic variation of CTV populations of these areas, 150 samples per area were examined by single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and nucleotide sequence analysis of CTV gene p20. All isolates from the same area showed the same SSCP pattern whereas for each area a different SSCP pattern was obtained. The Massafra and the Cassibile isolates had a nucleotide identity higher than 99% with a mild isolate from Spain and about 92% with the Belpasso isolates, which were similar (identity higher than 99%) to severe isolates from California and Japan. These results suggest at least two independent introductions of CTV in Italy, probably by import of CTV-infected budwoods. Within each area, the virus population was homogeneous suggesting diffusion of CTV by aphid transmission. The GenBank accession numbers of the sequences reported in this paper are: AY262000, AY263360 and AY263361 corresponding to gene p20 of CTV isolates from Massafra, Cassibile and Belpasso (Italy), respectively.     

Molecular variability of the 5'- and 3'-terminal regions of citrus tristeza virus RNA

ABSTRACT Isolates of citrus tristeza virus (CTV) differ widely in their biological properties. These properties may depend on the structure of viral RNA populations comprising the different isolates. As a first approach to study the molecular basis of the biological variability, we have compared the sequences of multiple cDNA clones of the two terminal regions of the RNA from different CTV isolates. The polymorphism of the 5' untranslated region (UTR) allowed the classification of the sequences into three groups, with intragroup sequence identity higher than 88% and intergroup sequence identity as low as 44%. The variability of an open reading frame (ORF) 1a segment adjacent to the 5' UTR supports the same grouping. Some CTV isolates contained sequences of more than one group. Most sequences from Spanish isolates belonged to group III, whereas a Japanese isolate was composed mostly of sequences of groups I and II. The mildest isolates contained only sequences of group III, whereas the most severe isolates also contained sequences of groups I, II, or both. The most stable secondary structure predicted for the 5' UTR was composed of two stem-loops and remained essentially unchanged as a result of compensatory mutations in the stems and accommodation of most of the variability in the loops. In contrast to the 5'-terminal region, the variability of the 3'-terminal region of CTV RNA was very much restricted, with nucleotide identity values higher than 90%. The presence of a conserved putative "zinc-finger" domain adjacent to a basic region in p23, the predicted product of ORF 11, suggests that this protein might act as a regulatory factor during virus replication.     

Double-stranded RNA: distribution and analysis among isolates of Rhizoctonia solani AG-2 to -13

The occurrence, distribution, and genetic relatedness of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) components from 36 isolates of Rhizoctonia solani belonging to nine anastomosis groups (AGs) were studied using electrophoretic analysis and RNA–RNA blot hybridization. DsRNA was consistently detected in all 36 isolates. The size of the dsRNA components varied considerably, ranging from 0·74 to 23 kb. Two thirds of isolates possessed different size dsRNA components. Only two of the isolates had small size dsRNA between 0·5 and 1·0 kb. The biotin-labelled dsRNA probes provided the sensitivity and specificity required to study genetic relationships of dsRNA. As little as 10 pg of 'hybridizing' dsRNA could be detected using biotin-labelled total dsRNA with no detectable nonspecific-hybridization. Results from several dot-spot as well as RNA–RNA gel hybridization experiments revealed considerable sequence heterogeneity among dsRNA components within each isolate or isolates from the same AG.     

Interspecific Transmission of Double-Stranded RNA and Hypovirulence from Sclerotinia sclerotiorum to S. minor

ABSTRACT Interspecific transmission of a hypovirulence-associated double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and hypovirulent phenotype was attempted from hypovirulent isolate Ss275 of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum to five virulent isolates of S. minor. dsRNA and the hypovirulent phenotype were successfully transmitted to one of the five isolates, Sm10. Three putative converted isolates of Sm10 were slow growing and developed atypical colony morphologies characteristic of the hypovirulent phenotype. These isolates were assayed for virulence and produced significantly smaller lesions than isolate Sm10 on detached leaves of Romaine lettuce. One of these putative converted isolates, designated Sm10T, was tested to confirm interspecific transmission of dsRNA. In northern hybridizations, dsRNA isolated from Sm10T hybridized with a digoxigenin-labeled cDNA probe prepared from dsRNA isolated from Ss275. Random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis confirmed that isolate Sm10T was derived from Sm10 and not from Ss275 or a hybrid of the two species. The dsRNA and hypovirulent phenotype were subsequently transmitted intraspecifically from Sm10T to Sm8. To our knowledge, this is the first report of interspecific transmission of dsRNA and an associated hypovirulent phenotype between fungal plant pathogens by hyphal anastomosis.     

Investigation of biological properties, double-stranded RNA patterns and antigen concentration in citrus species infected with citrus tristeza virus

Biological properties and dsRNA patterns of one Cyprus and three Turkish isolates of citrus tristeza virus (CTV) were investigated. In addition, CTV antigen concentration and effect of tissue sampling time from naturally infected Shamouti sweet orange trees grown in the field of Icel Province, Turkey, were also determined. The Cyprus isolate showed vein clearing symptoms on grapefruit, ‘Madam Vinous’ and Mexican lime and stem pitting symptoms on Mexican lime. The three Turkish isolates showed only vein clearing symptoms on Mexican lime. All four isolates showed a full-length major double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) band of 13.3 × 10⁶ Da mol. wt in extracts from infected Madam Vinous sweet orange trees, and major or minor dsRNA bands with 2.0. 0.8 and 0.5 × 10⁶ mol.wt. All seven different citrus varieties inoculated with the Igdir (D) strain contained full-length dsRNA. The additional two dsRNA of 0.8 and 0.5 × 10⁶ mol.wt were also detected as clearly as full-length dsRNA in these hosts, but were weaker inCitrus exelsa and ‘Interdonat’ lemon. Madam Vinous, rough lemon and Mexican lime were the best hosts for dsRNA analysis. ELISA values were highest in April (OD_405nm =0.476), decreased steadily until August, and then increased gradually through December. ELISA values were lowest in July and August (OD_405nm =0.157 and 0.141, respectively). dsRNA recovery from a field tree infected with isolate Igdir D was good in March, April and May and poor in January and February. No dsRNA band was detected in August or September. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting July 9, 2002.     

Separation and interference of strains from a citrus tristeza virus isolate evidenced by biological activity and double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) analysis

Separation of strains of citrus tristeza virus (CTV), differentiated by their double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) profiles, was obtained by graft-inoculating citron plants from a Mexican lime that had been recently aphid- or graft-inoculated with a mild CTV isolate (T-385). Up to 24 sub-isolates with differing dsRNA profiles were obtained from the aphid-inoculated lime. Some of these sub-isolates induced stronger symptoms in several citrus species than the original T-385 isolate. One sub-isolate, T-385-33, was mild in Mexican lime, but induced stem pitting on sweet orange. Inoculation of this isolate on Mexican lime, sour orange and Eureka lemon induced mild or no symptoms when inoculum was taken from citron, but very severe symptoms when the inoculum was from sweet orange. Mexican lime and sweet orange plants co-inoculated with T-385-33 from sweet orange in combination with the other 23 sub-isolates showed mild symptoms. The results obtained suggest that there is natural cross-protection among sub-isolates in the original T-385 isolate.     

4种柑橘衰退病毒源单蚜传毒分离株CP基因的分子特征

 对4种柑橘衰退病毒源及其31个单蚜传毒分离株的CP基因做了限制性片段长度多态性(RFLP)和单链构象多态性(SSCP)分析,并对其中8个单蚜传毒分离株的CP基因进行了序列分析。实验明确了所研究柑橘衰退病毒(Citrus tristeza virus,CTV)的CPG/Hinf I RFLP组群和CPG/SSCP模式,二者能较好地对应并有效验证了单蚜传毒对CTV毒源的分离纯化作用;CP基因序列分析结果表明,相同CPG/Hinf I RFLP组群的单蚜传毒分离株间具有高度的序列相似性,而不同CPG/Hinf I RFLP组群单蚜传毒分离株间则存在较大差异;通过与已知生物学特性CTV分离株比较,初步建立了上述CP基因分子特征与病毒生物学特性之间的联系。     

Biological and molecular characterization of a distinct Citrus tristeza virus isolate originating from a lemon tree in Greece

A Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) isolate (L192GR) naturally occurring in lemon trees of more than 100 years old in Greece was fully characterized. Virus‐derived small interfering RNAs, induced by Dicer processing of dsRNAs formed during RNA virus replication, were isolated and used as targets for sequencing. Next‐generation high‐throughput sequencing using the Ion Torrent platform was performed. A total of 432 632 sequences, 94·05% of which corresponded to L192GR, were determined. Subsequent bioinformatics analysis enabled the determination of the full‐length 19 251 nt genome of the L192GR isolate (GenBank no. KC262793 ). Comparative analysis of complete genomes revealed molecular homology with CTV‐VT isolate FS2‐2 from Florida (GenBank no. EU937519 ) with 98·2% nucleotide sequence identity. Recombination events were detected in L192GR and they probably contribute to its unique characteristics. Specifically, although most isolates of the CTV‐VT group induce the seedling yellows syndrome and react positively with the monoclonal antibody MCA13, which is typically associated with severe CTV isolates, the MCA13‐positive L192GR gave very mild or even no symptoms in the seedling yellows indicator plants. Furthermore, experimental aphid transmissibility studies revealed a poor transmission efficiency of 20%. This is the first report of a CTV isolate originating from a lemon tree being fully characterized at biological, serological and molecular levels. The present study further confirms that, when the goal is the risk assessment associated with a new pathogen or isolate in a particular area, molecular data have to be combined with the biological properties of the pathogen.     

Analysis of natural populations and possible natural reassortment of Cucumber mosaic virus

Plants naturally infected with Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) were collected and analyzed by electrophoresis of the replicative form of dsRNA and by Northern blot hybridization using CMV RNA-specific probes. Some of the CMV-infected plants, especially winter crops, contained two kinds of RNA 1 segments or RNA 2 segments (or both), suggesting that mixed infections of CMV occurred naturally. Single-aphid-transmitted isolates (SATIs) from the field isolate containing two RNA 1 segments were grouped into three types by the electrophoretic mobility of RNA 1 (i.e., those containing one slow segment, those containing one fast segment, and those containing both). Furthermore, SATIs and single-lesion isolates, generated from the plants inoculated with a mixture of two CMV isolates that could be differentiated by their electrophoretic dsRNA profiles, were analyzed by dsRNA, indicating that nonparental progenies were observed. These results suggested that genetic reassortment of CMV RNA may occur in nature and that this is an important mechanism in CMV evolution.     

6种柑橘类植物对柑橘衰退病毒分离株TR-L514变异的影响

 柑橘衰退病毒(Citrus tristeza virus,CTV)存在复杂的株系分化现象,运用弱毒株交叉保护防治柑橘衰退病时需了解不同类型柑橘对CTV构成的影响。作者将CTV分离株TR-L514嫁接接种到6类柑橘植物上获得了18个亚分离株,并对这18个亚分离株和TR-L514进行了指示植物鉴定,p25基因的限制性片段长度多态性(RFLP)和单链构象多态性(SSCP)分析,p23基因的序列比较。结果表明,CTV株系对不同柑橘类植株的适应性存在差异。TR-L514嫁接到不同柑橘类植株其构成会发生变化,在甜橙上可以同时检测出p25//HinfⅠ RFLP第1和6组群,并具有比在其它4类柑橘上更为复杂的SSCP谱型构成,因此甜橙可能更适宜于CTV的增殖。TR-L514及18个亚分离株的p23基因序列差异可能与不同类柑橘植株的适应性有关。     

Hypovirulence and Double-Stranded RNA in Botrytis cinerea

ABSTRACT Twenty-one strains of Botrytis cinerea isolated from 13 species of plants grown in China were compared for pathogenicity on Brassica napus, mycelial growth on potato dextrose agar, and presence of double-stranded (ds)RNA. The results showed that the strain CanBc-1 was severely debilitated in pathogenicity and mycelial growth, compared with the 20 virulent strains. A dsRNA of approximately 3.0 kb in length was detected in CanBc-1 and 4 hypovirulent single-conidium (SC) isolates of CanBc-1, but was not detected in the 20 virulent strains of B. cinerea and 4 virulent SC isolates of CanBc-1. Results of the horizontal transmission experiment showed that the hypovirulent trait of CanBc-1 was transmissible and the 3.0-kb dsRNA was involved in the transmission of hypovirulence. Analysis of a 920-bp cDNA sequence generated from the 3.0-kb dsRNA of CanBc-1 indicated that the dsRNA element was a mycovirus, designated as B. cinerea debilitation-related virus (BcDRV). Further analyses showed that BcDRV is closely related to Ophiostoma mitovirus 3b infecting O. novo-ulmi, the causal agent of Dutch elm disease. Mitochondria and cytoplasm in hyphal cells of CanBc-1 became degenerated, compared with the virulent isolate CanBc-1c-66 of B cinerea. This is the first report on the occurrence of Mitovirus-associated hypovirulence in B. cinerea.     

A third cryptic virus in beet (Beta vulgaris)

Japanese leaf beet Beta vulgaris var. cicla cv. Fudanso plants were found to contain four double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) components in apparently healthy beet plants. Two were identified as from beet cryptic virus 1 (BCV1), but the other two showed different mobilities on gel electrophoresis and were transcribed into complementary DNA (cDNA) and cloned. Hybridization analysis showed no significant sequence homology between these two dsRNAs and the dsRNA components of BCV1 or the other known cryptic virus of beet, BCV2. Slot- and dot-blot hybridization were used with cDNA clones as probes to identify plants containing these two dsRNA components. Virus particles were purified from these plants and were shown to contain the two new dsRNA components, thus demonstrating the existence of a new beet cryptic virus, which we have called BCV3.     

Incidence and Diversity of Double-Stranded RNAs Occurring in the Chestnut Blight Fungus, Cryphonectria parasitica, in China and Japan

ABSTRACT Isolates of the chestnut blight fungus, Cryphonectria parasitica, were randomly sampled from 10 subpopulations in China and 8 subpopulations in Japan and screened for the presence of double-stranded (ds) RNA using an immunoblot procedure with a monoclonal antibody specific for dsRNA. The overall incidence of dsRNA in C. parasitica was 2 and 6% in China and Japan, respectively, much lower than the 28% found previously in North American populations. Genetic relatedness of dsRNAs within and among populations in China and Japan was examined using RNA-RNA hybridizations with labeled-dsRNA probes. The majority of Chinese and Japanese dsRNAs were members of a single hybridization group, related to Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 (CHV1) from Europe, and are referred to as CHV1-type dsRNAs. No evidence was obtained for genetic differentiation between CHV1-type dsRNAs sampled in China and Japan. Five Japanese isolates contained two genetically distinct dsRNAs. The larger segments (approximately 12 kilobases [kb]) were members of the CHV1 hybridization group, while the smaller segments (approximately 3 kb) did not hybridize with any known dsRNA from C. parasitica including the 2.7-kb dsRNA from isolate NB631 from New Jersey or dsRNA from isolate RC1 from Michigan. Two small dsRNA segments (approximately 1.8 and 2 kb) from one isolate sampled from Liaoning Province in northeastern China did not hybridize with any of the dsRNA probes tested including several described dsRNAs of similar size from C. parasitica in North America. Three dsRNAs from Anhui Province, China, hybridized to Cryphonectria hypovirus 2 (CHV2)-specific probes and are thus referred to as CHV2-type dsRNAs. Sequence analysis of 1,627 base pairs of these three CHV2-type dsRNAs from Anhui revealed that they were identical to each other in the region sequenced and very closely related to CHV2-NB58, isolated from New Jersey. We speculate that CHV2-NB58 may have been introduced into North America from this part of China. This is the first record of a North American C. parasitica dsRNA that is genetically related to a dsRNA from Asia.     

Variability among Spanish citrus tristeza virus isolates revealed by double-stranded RNA analysis

A survey for citrus tristeza virus (CTV) strains, based on double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) analysis, was carried out in five locations on the eastern citrus-growing area of Spain. CTV was recovered from 137 trees of different ages, citrus species and varieties, sampled in 53 orchards. The best months for dsRNA recovery were April, May, September, October, and November, and the highest dsRNA yield was obtained from sweet orange cultivars. Sixteen dsRNA profiles differing by the number and/or position of subgenomic bands were detected. One of these profiles was detected in more than half the trees analysed. Maximum diversity of dsRNA patterns was found in the location with the oldest citrus orchards and the highest CTV incidence (Alzira-Carcaixent). In many instances, several dsRNA profiles were detected in neighbouring trees of the same orchard, notably in Alzira-Carcaixent, where 70% of the plots sampled contained more than one profile. The possible causes for the diversity of CTV isolates found in this specific area are discussed.     

RNA/cDNA hybridization studies of UK isolates of barley yellow mosaic virus

The RNA components of two isolates of BaYMV from Streatley and Wiltshire were analysed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Northern blots of extracts of both isolates analysed with random-primed cDNA probes to RNA1 and 2 of the Streatley isolate showed little or no sequence homologies between the two isolates, confirming other evidence that they should be considered as different viruses.