Occurrence of yellowing viruses (Beet pseudo-yellows virus, Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus and Cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus) affecting cucurbits in Greece

A survey of the incidence of yellowing viruses in Greek glasshouse (and occasional field) cucumber and melon crops was carried out during 2000–03. In most cases disease incidence ranged from 50 to 80%. Simplex RT-PCR was used for the detection of Beet pseudo-yellows virus (BPYV) and Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV), and DAS-ELISA for the detection of Cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus (CABYV). The results showed that BPYV was the predominant virus in cucumber and melon crops, whereas CYSDV, reported for first time in Greece, was isolated only in three regions of southern Greece: Rhodes, Crete and Arkadia. CABYV was detected only in three cucumber glasshouses in Pella (Macedonia). A simplified triplex RT-PCR method using a simple sample-preparation protocol was developed to allow rapid, sensitive and simultaneous detection of the three viruses. Sequence comparisons of the PCR products of BPYV and CYSDV revealed 98·7 and 100% amino acid identity, respectively, with previously reported sequences. The arable weed species Amaranthus retroflexus , Selosia cristata , Sonchus oleraceus and Sonchus sp. were identified as potential BPYV reservoirs.     

Tomato chlorosis virus: a new whitefly-transmitted, Phloem-limited, bipartite closterovirus of tomato

ABSTRACT Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) is the second whitefly-transmitted, phloem-limited, bipartite closterovirus described infecting tomato. ToCV is distinct from tomato infectious chlorosis virus (TICV), based on lack of serological and nucleic acid cross-reactions and differences in vector specificity. TICV is transmitted only by the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum), whereas ToCV is transmitted by the greenhouse whitefly, the banded-wing whitefly (T. abutilonea), and Bemisia tabaci biotypes A and B (B. argentifolii). Double-stranded (ds) RNA analyses of ToCV show two prominent dsRNAs of approximately 7,800 and 8,200 bp, with several small dsRNAs. Digoxigenin-11-UTP-labeled riboprobes derived from cDNA clones representing portions of RNAs 1 and 2 were used in Northern blot hybridizations to detect two large nonhomologous dsRNAs and a subset of smaller dsRNAs. These probes were used in dot blot hybridizations to detect ToCV in infected tomato. Inclusion bodies and cytoplasmic vesicles were consistently observed in phloem tissues of ToCV-infected Nicotiana clevelandii. Computer-assisted sequence analysis showed significant homology between ToCV clones that hybridize specifically with RNAs 1 and 2 and the lettuce infectious yellows virus methyltransferase of RNA 1 and the HSP70 heat shock protein homolog of RNA 2, respectively. Thus, ToCV is another member of the growing subgroup of bipartite closteroviruses transmitted by whiteflies.     

Criniviruses associated with cucurbit yellows disease in Greece and Cyprus: an ever-changing scene

Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV), Cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus (CCYV) and Beet pseudo-yellows virus (BPYV) are whitefly-transmitted criniviruses that cause foliar interveinal yellowing symptoms and result in high economic losses for cucurbit production. CYSDV and CCYV are transmitted by Bemisia tabaci, whereas BPYV is transmitted by Trialeurodes vaporariorum. During 2012–2017, an extensive survey was conducted to identify the viruses causing cucurbit yellows disease in Greece and Cyprus. The study sampled the main cucurbits and alternative hosts in these regions to determine crinivirus incidence, to identify the whitefly species present in the two countries and to characterize molecularly the virus populations. Results showed that CYSDV was the most widespread virus in Greece (49.9%), followed by CCYV (20.3%) and BPYV (18.4%). Bemisia tabaci and T. vaporariorum were identified in 54.5% and 45.6% of whitefly samples, respectively. In Cyprus, CYSDV was predominant (96.7%), followed by CCYV (19.2%), while no BPYV infection was detected. Approximately 15% of weed samples from 17 different species that belong to 12 botanical families were identified as hosts for one or more of these criniviruses. Finally, sequencing of the capsid protein gene of the crinivirus isolates revealed very low levels of genetic diversity, further supporting the genetic stability of crinivirus populations. The results of this long-lasting epidemiological study in two countries of the eastern Mediterranean revealed substantial changes in the relative incidence and distribution of cucurbit-infecting criniviruses and their whitefly vectors over the past 15 years, suggesting the need for adoption of novel management strategies.     

Use of Degenerate Primers in a RT-PCR Assay for the Identification and Analysis of Some Filamentous Viruses, with Special Reference to Clostero- and Vitiviruses of the Grapevine

RT-PCR with degenerate primers was used for the screening of the genome of some members of the Closterovirus, Vitivirus and Trichovirus genera. Two sets of primers, targeted to conserved sequences of the heat shock protein 70 homologue of closteroviruses or to the RNA dependent RNA polymerase genes of tricho- and vitiviruses, amplified the expected fragments from total RNA extracts or double-stranded RNAs of infected plants. Amplified cDNAs were cloned, sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed. Results support the allocation of grapevine viruses A, B, D and heracleum latent virus (HLV) in the genus Vitivirus, whereas, the detection of a HSP70 homologue in grapevine leafroll-associated viruses agrees with their assignment in the genus Closterovirus. The use of degenerate primers for the identification of grapevine viruses belonging to Vitivirus and Closterovirus genera is envisaged.     

Occurrence of Cucurbit Yellow Stunting Disorder Virus (CYSDV) and Beet Pseudo-yellows Virus in Cucurbit Crops in Spain and Transmission of CYSDV by Two Biotypes of Bemisia tabaci

The relative occurrence in Spain of two whitefly transmitted closteroviruses causing similar yellowing diseases in melon and cucumber greenhouse crops was studied. Based on a RT-PCR assay, a 1994–1997 survey of Spanish greenhouses showed that the recently described Bemisia tabaci-transmitted cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV) has displaced the Trialeurodes vaporariorum-transmitted beet pseudo-yellows virus (BPYV), a virus that was present in the area since the late 1970s. The CYSDV transmission rates by each of the two biotypes of B. tabaci present in Spain were compared. The results showed that the ubiquitous B biotype and the resident Q biotype (found in Spain and Portugal) were able to transmit CYSDV with similar efficiency.     

北方四省区番茄褪绿病毒的分子鉴定

2015-2016年间,在山西省、内蒙古自治区、辽宁省、吉林省采集到疑似感染番茄褪绿病毒Tomato chlorosis virus(ToCV)的番茄植株。利用扩增ToCV外壳蛋白(coat protein,CP)和类热激蛋白(heat shock protein 70homolog,HSP70h)基因片段的两对特异性引物,通过RT-PCR对疑似样品进行分子检测,得到970bp和1 864bp的特异条带,经测序、比对确定为ToCV。序列分析表明,山西晋中分离物SXJZ(KX853540)的CP核苷酸序列与河南安阳分离物HNAYHX(KP264983)相似性为99.7%,内蒙古呼和浩特分离物NMHHHT(KU204709)和辽宁大连分离物LNDL(KU204707)的CP核苷酸序列与国内已报道的山东寿光分离物SDSG(KC709510)相似性分别为99.5%和99.7%,吉林长春分离物JLCC(KU306111)的CP核苷酸序列与山东聊城分离物SDLC(KC812622)的相似性为99.8%。而HSP70h核苷酸序列的相似性分析表明,山西晋中分离物SXJZ(KX853539)与日本分离物Tochigi(AB513442)相似性为99.4%,内蒙古呼和浩特分离物NMHHHT(KU204710)、辽宁大连分离物LNDL(KU204708)和吉林长春分离物JLCC(KX880384)与山东寿光分离物SDSG(KC709510)相似性分别为99.7%、99.8%和99.7%。试验结果明确了番茄褪绿病毒已蔓延传播到我国山西、内蒙古及东北地区。     

Biology of a new virus isolated from Lupinus nootkatensis plants in Alaska

A new virus named Nootka lupine vein-clearing virus (NLVCV) was isolated from Lupinus nootkatensis plants that were confined to a relatively small area in the Talkeetna mountains of south-central Alaska. Annual surveys (2000–03) consistently found leaf symptoms of pronounced vein clearing and mosaic on 3- to 4-week-old plants in late June. Spherical particles ≈30 nm in diameter were isolated from these leaves. Virions contained a single-stranded RNA of ≈4·0–4·2 kb and one species of capsid protein estimated to be ≈40 kDa. The double-stranded RNA profile from naturally infected leaves consisted of three major bands ≈4·2, 1·9 and 1·5 kbp. Protein extractions from either sap or virions of diseased plants reacted to polyclonal antiserum made against the virions in Western blot assays. A predicted PCR product ≈500 bp was synthesized from virion RNA using primers specific to the carmovirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RDRP) gene. The nucleotide sequence of the amplified DNA did not match any known virus, but contained short regions of identity to several carmoviruses. Only species belonging to the Fabaceae were susceptible to NLVCV by mechanical inoculation. Based on dsRNA profile, size of virion RNA genome and capsid protein, and similarity of the RDRP gene to that of other carmoviruses, it is suggested that NLVCV is a member of the family Tombusviridae , and tentatively of the genus Carmovirus . As the host range, RDRP gene and dsRNA profile of NLVCV are different from those of known viruses, this is a newly described plant virus.     

Yellowing disease in zucchini squash produced by mixed infections of Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus and Cucumber vein yellowing virus

Zucchini squash is host to Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV), a member of the genus Crinivirus, and Cucumber vein yellowing virus (CVYV), a member of the genus Ipomovirus, both transmitted by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci. Field observations suggest the appearance of new symptoms observed on leaves of zucchini squash crops when both viruses were present. When infected during controlled experiments with CYSDV only, zucchini plants showed no obvious symptoms and the virus titer decreased between 15 and 45 days postinoculation (dpi), after which it was no longer detected. CVYV caused inconspicuous symptoms restricted to vein clearing on some of the apical leaves and the virus accumulated progressively between 15 and 60 dpi. Similar accumulations of virus followed single inoculations with the potyvirus Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) and plants showed severe stunting, leaf deformation, and mosaic yellowing. However, in mixed infections with CYSDV and CVYV, intermediate leaves showed chlorotic mottling which evolved later to rolling, brittleness, and complete yellowing of the leaf lamina, with exception of the veins. No consistent alteration of CVYV accumulation was detected but the amounts of CYSDV increased ≈100-fold and remained detectable at 60 dpi. Such synergistic effects on the titer of the crinivirus and symptom expression were not observed when co-infected with ZYMV.     

Partial Nucleotide Sequence and Genome Organization of a Canadian Isolate of Little cherry virus and Development of an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay-Based Diagnostic Test

ABSTRACT Approximately 12.4 kb of the genome of a mealybug-transmissible, North American isolate of Little cherry virus (LChV-3, previously designated LChV-LC5) has been cloned and sequenced. The sequenced portion of the genome contains 10 open reading frames (ORFs) and, based on sequence comparisons, encodes a putative RNA helicase (HEL), RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (POL), two coat proteins (CPs), a homologue of HSP70, a 53K protein (p53) that is similar to an equivalent-size protein in other closteroviruses, and a 22K (p22) protein of unknown function. The genome also potentially encodes two small proteins (p5 and p6), one of which is similar to the small hydrophobic proteins of other closteroviruses. Phylogenetic analyses utilizing sequences of the HEL, POL, and HSP70 homologue suggest that LChV-3 is most similar to other mealybug-transmitted closteroviruses. Further comparisons between LChV-3 and a 4.7-kb region of the recently described Little cherry virus-2 (LChV-2) reveals 77% nucleotide sequence identity. Based on this low sequence identity, we propose that LChV-3 be considered a separate species, designated LChV-3. Unexpectedly, the LChV-3 CP duplicate ORF was found to lie upstream of the HSP70 ORF; therefore, the genome organization of LChV-3 is distinct from that of other closteroviruses. Polyclonal antiserum raised to bacterially expressed LChV-3 CP was useful for detection of LChV-diseased trees in the cherry-growing districts of British Columbia, Canada.     

Gentian Kobu-sho-associated virus: a tentative, novel double-stranded RNA virus that is relevant to gentian Kobu-sho syndrome

A virus-like dsRNA of about 23 kbp was detected in gentian plants showing Kobu-sho syndrome including stunting, shortened internodes, and tumors on stems, nodes and roots. Nucleotide sequence analysis has suggested that this dsRNA is related to Pestivirus species but not to any other plant viruses. It was protected from externally added RNase, suggesting that the dsRNA is encapsidated. The dsRNA was co-extracted in a crude homogenate of glutaraldehyde-fixed tissue with the virus-like particles that have been associated previously with Kobu-sho syndrome in gentian (Usugi et al. Jpn J Phytopathol 76:21–24, 2010). The RNA sequence was detected in more than 99 % of Kobu-sho gentian individuals but in less than 20 % of apparently healthy gentian individuals from fields affected with Kobu-sho. Thus, we propose naming the virus Gentian Kobu-sho-associated virus.     

侵染广东番茄的番茄褪绿病毒分子鉴定

在广东番茄上发现一种新病害,病株表现为叶片褪绿,叶脉颜色变深及叶片增厚等症状。利用番茄褪绿病毒Tomato chlorosis virus(ToCV)HSP70基因的两对特异引物对番茄病样进行RT-PCR检测,结果表明,从所采集的6份病样中均扩增到预期大小的DNA特异片段。对其中1份样品的扩增片段进行克隆与序列分析,结果表明,扩增片段包括1个长度为1 665个核苷酸的完整病毒基因,其核苷酸序列与已报道的ToCV HSP70基因有较高的同源性,表明广东番茄受到了ToCV的侵染。但ToCV广东番茄分离物的HSP70序列与国内外已报道的各分离物的同源性均低于82%,存在较大差异,其中与塞浦路斯tomato、约旦JU_20分离物的同源性最高,为81.8%。这是ToCV在广东发生的首次报道,也是该病毒HSP70基因序列存在显著差异分离物的首次发现。     

河南甜樱桃病毒病害调查及病原检测

在河南省郑州市、巩义市、荥阳市、新郑市选择具有代表性的甜樱桃生产园对病毒病发生情况进行调查,采集表现为疑似病毒病症状的样本65份,利用7种病毒引物进行RT-PCR检测。5种病毒检测结果呈阳性,分别是李属坏死环斑病毒(Prunus necrotic ringspot virus,PNRSV)、李矮缩病毒(Prune dwarf virus,PDV)、樱桃绿环斑驳病毒(Cherry green ring mottle virus,CGRMV)、樱桃坏死锈斑病毒(Cherry necrotic rusty mottle virus,CNRMV)及樱桃病毒A(Cherry virus A,CVA);序列分析结果表明,5种病毒扩增片段与GenBank中注册的相应病毒核苷酸序列均具有较高的一致性;样本病毒检出率为100%,其中13份样本为单独侵染,其余52份样本均为多病毒复合侵染,占比高达80%,复合侵染比例随着侵染病毒种类的增多逐渐降低;病毒侵染组合与叶片表型症状无明显对应关系。     

Purification and some properties of Papaya meleira virus, a novel virus infecting papayas in Brazil

'Meleira', or 'sticky disease', is currently the most damaging papaya disease in the mid-eastern Brazilian growing regions. Consistent disease transmission via latex injection, presence of similar isometric particles in the laticiferous vessels of diseased plants, and detection of double-stranded DNA in naturally and experimentally infected papaya trees suggest that a virus is the causal agent. Conclusive evidence for viral aetiology was previously lacking, mostly because every attempt to purify the putative virus from infected papayas had failed. Following the successful purification and partial characterization of the meleira virus, healthy papaya seedlings injected with purified virus particles later developed typical symptoms of the disease. Negatively stained, isometric, full and 'empty' purified virus particles measured 42 and 38 nm, respectively. The viral genome was a single dsRNA molecule of about 12 kbp. Several capsid proteins, ranging in size from 14·4 to 45 kDa, were consistently revealed by PAGE. Papaya meleira virus (PMeV) appears to represent a novel group of viruses, with no known similar counterpart among known plant-, vertebrate-, invertebrate- or prokaryote-infecting viruses.     

马铃薯4种病毒多重PCR检测体系的建立

我国马铃薯病毒主要有马铃薯Y病毒(PVY)、马铃薯X病毒(PVX)、马铃薯S病毒(PVS)、马铃薯卷叶病毒(PLRV),常发生复合侵染。根据GenBank中4种马铃薯病毒的外壳蛋白(coat protein,CP)基因全长设计引物,通过RT-PCR扩增得到4种病毒CP基因全长片段,测序结果显示序列同源性96%以上;针对4种病毒CP基因的保守序列分别设计引物,在一个PCR体系中同步对4种病毒进行扩增,得到421、202、516、330bp的特异性条带,优化建立了能同步检测PVY、PVX、PVS和PLRV的多重RT-PCR检测体系。检测结果证明优化后的多重RT-PCR体系能在田间样品中快速、高效地检测出4种病毒。