Characterization of a new potyvirus isolated from peanut (Arachis hypogaea)

During a survey of viruses of peanuts in South Africa a mechanically transmissible virus was isolated from a plant exhibiting chlorotic ringspots and blotches on the leaves. Typical potyvirus-like flexuous particles were detected by electron microscope examination. Pinwheel-shaped and laminated inclusions in ultrathin sections, reaction with a monoclonal antibody directed to a potyvirus common epitope, a single 33 kDa coat protein and aphid transmission using Myzus persicae all confirmed that the virus was a subdivision II member of the Potyviridae. Host range studies suggested that the virus was none of the previously reported potyviruses of peanuts or of subdivision II potyviruses. The serological relationships of the virus were studied using a range of 17 antisera to potyviruses in ELISA and immunosorbent electron microscopy (ISEM). The isolate reacted weakly with antisera to plum pox virus and bean yellow mosaic virus in ISEM only. Nucleotide sequence of a 624 bp DNA product was obtained following immuno-capture with a potyvirus common epitope antiserum, cDNA synthesis and PCR amplification with potyvirus specific primers which amplify the 3' untranslated region and a part of the coat protein gene. The sequence was only distantly related to a number of potyviruses, whether amino acid or nucleotide sequences were used for comparisons. It is proposed that the virus be named peanut chlorotic blotch virus and be accepted as a new member of the genus Potyvirus in the family Potyviridae.     

A simple and rapid method for processing tissue infected with plum pox potyvirus for use with specific 3’non-coding region RT-PCR assays1

A rapid, simple method for preparing plant tissue infected with plum pox potyvirus (PPV) using a commercial product known as Gene Releaser is described. The Gene Releaser polymeric matrix method produces plant extracts suitable for PCR amplification without the use of organic solvents, ethanol precipitation, or additional nucleic acid purification techniques. We also describe the development of a PPV-specific amplification assay based on the unique 220 nucleotides present in the 3’non-coding region of the PPV genome. This paper demonstrates the simplicity of the Gene Releaser method combined with the accuracy of the PCR assay for the detection of multiple PPV strains from Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Germany, Egypt, Hungary, and Romania. Amplification of the 3’non-coding region of potato Y potyvirus (PVY) using primers for the 3’non-coding region of the PVY genome was also possible with Gene Releaser preparation of viruliferous Myzus persicae to demonstrate the potential usefulness of this work for PPV detection from aphids.     

Significance of the heterologous encapsidation of zucchini yellow mosaic potyvirus in transgenic plants expressing plum pox potyvirus capsid protein1

Transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana plants expressing the coat protein of an aphid-transmissible strain of plum pox potyvirus (PPV-D) were infected with an aphid non-transmissible strain of another potyvirus, zucchini yellow mosaic potyvirus (ZYMV-NAT). Non-viruliferous Myzus persicae could acquire and transmit ZYMV-NAT from these plants but not from infected N. benthamiana control plants (not transformed, or transformed by the vector alone). Immunosorbent electron microscopy experiments using the decoration technique revealed that ZYMV-NAT virus particles in the infected transgenic plants expressing the PPV coat protein could be coated not only with ZYMV antibodies but also, on segments of the particles, with PPV antibodies. This suggests that aphid transmission of ZYMV-NAT occurred through heterologous encapsidation, and reveals a potential risk of releasing genetically engineered plants expressing viral coat proteins into the environment.     

Characterisation of a maize-infecting potyvirus from Spain

In order to characterise and classify an unknown maize-infecting potyvirus isolated from fields in northeast Spain, the entire coat protein gene and the C-terminal twothirds of the large nuclear inclusion protein (NIb) gene were cloned and sequenced. Protein sequencing enabled the cleavage site between the two proteins to be deduced and also revealed that on storage the viral coat protein undergoes a specific degradation in which the N-terminal 39 amino acids are removed. Comparison of the nucleotide sequence of the 3 non-coding region of the viral RNA and the predicted amino acid sequence of the coat protein with the equivalent regions of other members of the potyvirus group revealed that the Spanish virus is closely related to maize dwarf mosaic virus strain A.     

Identification of potyviruses infecting vanilla by direct sequencing of a short RT-PCR amplicon

A simple one-tube one-step RT-PCR assay with degenerate primers followed by direct sequencing of a 327 bp coat protein gene fragment was used to identify the potyviruses infecting vanilla. With this technique, unambiguous species allocation was achieved for 34 potyvirus-infected vanilla samples collected in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific areas between 1997 and 2005. Virus identification relied on blast homology and nucleotide identities of 162 to 327 nt fragments with known potyvirus sequences. Species allocation was confirmed by neighbour-joining of the 149 nt common to 32 vanilla sequences and 51 known potyviruses. Subject to further identification, these data revealed four additional Potyvirus species that may infect vanilla: Bean yellow mosaic virus , Cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus , Ornithogalum mosaic virus and Wisteria vein mosaic virus . The procedure was rapid, cost-effective, easy to use and showed a good taxonomic discriminating value. It also enabled the identification of potyviruses in adjacent weeds and should thus aid the understanding of outbreaks of potyviruses occurring in varied epidemiological circumstances.     

Cross reactions of an antiserum to plum pox potyvirus1

In the early spring of 1992, plum pox-like viruses (PPLVs) were detected by standard ELISA in some Prunus species. The isolates reacted positively with plum pox potyvirus (PPV) antisera in immunosorbent electron microscopy and Western blot analysis. In Western blot analyses, bands associated with the coat protein subunits of the PPLVs were 48–56 kDa, whereas bands associated with the coat protein subunits of known PPV isolates were 32–37 kDa in size. Also, the PPLVs differed from known PPV isolates in their symptoms on woody and herbaceous indicators, and in their herbaceous host range. None of these PPLVs appears to be an isolate of PPV.     

A potyvirus isolated from Senna occidentalis

A potyvirus causing severe mosaic symptoms was isolated from Senna occidentalis (syn. Cassia occidentalis ) in the Yemen Republic and Ethiopia. It was transmitted mechanically and by Myzus persicae in a non-persistent manner. The flexuous, rod-shaped particles had a mean length of 830 nm, and pinwheels and scrolls were observed by electron microscopy of thin sections of infected Nicotiana clevelandii leaves. Its host range was narrow with only a few legume species, Nicotiana clevelandii and N. benthamiana susceptible to experimental infection. This virus was purified from N. clevelandii and the coat protein had a molecular mass of 34-5 kDa. It reacted positively in ELISA with monoclonal antibody 197 that is specific for potyviruses, but was not decorated by antibodies to any other potyvirus tested when examined by electron microscopy. The virus has been tentatively named cassia severe mosaic potyvirus.     

Production of plants of Nicotiana benthamiana and Prunus domestica transgenic for plum pox potyvirus coat protein,and demonstration of PPV resistance in transformed N. benthamiana1

Leaf discs of Nicotiana benthamiana plants were transformed with Agrobacterium tumefaciens and transgenic plants expressing plum pox potyvirus (PPV) coat protein (CP) were generated. Homozygous R₂ progeny from these plants were inoculated with PPV. Plants were scored for the appearance of symptoms and tested for infection by DAS-ELISA. Various levels of resistance were obtained after an initial stage in which PPV was able to multiply in all the transgenic plants. Within 2–3 weeks after inoculation, the transgenic resistant plants fully recovered from virus infection. Conversely, control and susceptible transgenic lines developed severe symptoms and high virus titres. Prunus domestica (plum) was transformed by inoculating hypocotyl slices with A. tumefaciens containing a binary plasmid which included the NPTII, GUS, and PPV CP genes within its T-DNA region. Transgenic shoots were rooted and established in the glasshouse. Analysis of selected transformants by PCR showed that the engineered foreign genes had been integrated, including that for PPV CP. Histological assays on young leaves of these putative transformants gave a positive reaction. This suggests that all genes transferred are expressed in these transformed plums.     

Detection of plum pox potyvirus using monoclonal antibodies to structural and non-structural proteins1

Eleven monoclonal antibodies specific to plum pox potyvirus (PPV) coat protein were obtained by hybridoma technology from Spanish PPV isolates. In addition, two monoclonal antibodies specific for PPV cylindrical inclusions (CIP non-structural proteins) were obtained. The monoclonal antibodies specific for PPV coat protein were assayed by DASI ELISA against 81 PPV isolates. At least nine different epitopes were found and 21 distinct serological patterns of reaction (serogroups) were established using nine selected monoclonal antibodies against the collection of PPV isolates, indicating the high variability of coat protein among PPV isolates. Changes in epitope composition were observed after aphid and mechanical transmission, indicating the occurrence of mixtures of isolates in field trees. Monoclonal antibody 5B reacted with all PPV isolates assayed, with very high affinity, using DASI ELISA. This method was compared with immunocapture-PCR on field samples in spring, and showed very good coincidence of results. The efficiency of PPV detection can be slightly increased using monoclonal antibodies specific to cylindrical inclusions mixed with monoclonal antibodies against structural proteins, and using mixtures of monoclonal antibodies against different epitopes of coat protein. ELISA-I and immunoprinting-ELISA were able to detect CIP and PPV in extracts and tissue section, respectively, of woody plants. Two monoclonal antibodies offer the possibility of distinguishing between Marcus and Dideron PPV types (M or D). These D-specific monoclonal antibodies can be used in routine tests with high affinity.     

Non-structural plum pox potyvirus proteins detected by immunogold labelling

Plum pox potyvirus (PPV) induces in infected Nicotiana clevelandii cells characteristic crystalline inclusions known as nuclear inclusions (NI) when located in the nucleus and as dense material (Dm) when located in the cytoplasm. Crystalline inclusions contain protease (NIa) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (NIb) proteins. It is now well established for all potyviruses that cylindrical inclusions contain CI helicase ATPase protein (Martin et al., 1992). The intracellular location of other non-structural PPV proteins remains unknown. Using Escherichia coli expression vectors, specific antibodies were obtained against P1, P3, 6K2 and NIb PPV proteins for which antibodies were not yet available. As expected, NIb antiserum labelled crystalline inclusions. P1, P3 and 6K2 proteins were present in both types of crystalline inclusions found in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm of PPV-infected leaves of N. clevelandii, suggesting that nuclear inclusions and dense material were composed of the same proteins. This composition is discussed.     

Characterization of a potyvirus from eggplant (Solanum melongena) as a strain of potato virus Y by N-terminal serology and sequence relationships

A potyvirus (eggplant mottle virus, EMoV) causing mosaic mottling in eggplant ( Solanum melongena ) was characterized on the basis of biological, serological and partial nucleotide sequence properties. EMoV infected Chenopodium amaranticolor and members of the Solanaceae. Polyclonal antiserum against EMoV showed antigenic relationship with henbane mosaic potyvirus (HMV) and potato Y potyvirus (PVY). Virus-specific antibodies directed to the N-terminal region of EMoV cross-reacted only with PVY. Determination and comparison of nucleotide sequence of the coat protein (CP) and the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of EMoV with other potyviruses showed that the level of homology was highest with PVY isolates. Comparative sequence analyses of the CP amino acid and 3'-UTR sequences with distinct PVY isolates placed EMoV within the PVY^O subgroup.     

New potyvirus isolated from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptotaenia japonica</Emphasis>

 A potyvirus, for which the name Japanese hornwort mosaic virus (JHMV) is proposed, was isolated from Japanese hornwort plants (Cryptotaenia japonica) with mosaic disease symptoms. The virus was used to inoculate mechanically 34 plants belonging to 33 species of 10 families. Of these species seven from two families were infected. Faint chlorotic spots appeared on the inoculated leaves of Chenopodium quinoa and C. amaranticolor, but no systemic infection occurred in these plants. JHMV systemically infected only Umbelliferae plants; they did not infect 26 other species in eight families. JHMV was transmitted in a nonpersistent manner by aphids (Myzus persicae). The virus was a flexuous rod-shaped particle about 750 nm in length. Sequencing the nucleotides in the 3′ terminal region of JHMV revealed that the coat protein contains 280 amino acids with a molecular mass of 32.2 kDa. The nucleotide sequence of the coat protein of JHMV had the highest similarity with that of Zantedeschia mosaic virus (83.3%) compared to those of other potyviruses (57.0%–64.9%). An antiserum against JHMV reacted strongly with JHMV and weakly with Potato virus Y. These results indicate that JHMV is a new potyvirus. Received: September 9, 2002 / Accepted: November 7, 2002 RID="*" ID="*" The nucleotide sequence determined in this work appears in the DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank nucleotide sequence databases with the accession number AB081518     

Characterization of a strain of clover yellow vein potyvirus infecting borage (Borago officinalis L.) in Spain

A disease of borage ( Borago officinalis ) in Spain, characterized by severe mosaic and deformation of the leaves, was shown to be caused by a potyvirus. The borage-infecting potyvirus was characterized biologically by the symptoms induced in 23 indicator species and was shown to be transmitted experimentally by the aphid Myzus persicae in a non-persistent manner. In order to classify the borage-infecting potyvirus we have cloned and sequenced the entire coat protein gene and 3' non-coding region of the viral RNA. By comparing this nucleotide sequence with those of other members of the Potyviridae , we can identify the Spanish borage-infecting potyvirus as an isolate of clover yellow vein virus (CYVV), a virus so far only known to cause important diseases in forage legumes. This is the first record of CYVV in Spain and of CYVV infecting a natural host of the Boraginaceae.     

Identification and characterization of a potyvirus causing chlorotic spots on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phalaenopsis</Emphasis> orchids

A putative virus-induced disease showing chlorotic spots on leaves of Phalaenopsis orchids was observed in central Taiwan. A virus culture, phalaenopsis isolate 7-2, was isolated from a diseased Phalaenopsis orchid and established in Chenopodium quinoa and Nicotiana benthamiana. The virus reacted with the monoclonal antibody (POTY) against the potyvirus group. Potyvirus-like long flexuous filament particles around 12–15 × 750–800 nm were observed in the crude sap and purified virus preparations, and pinwheel inclusion bodies were observed in the infected cells. The conserved region of the viral RNA was amplified using the degenerate primers for the potyviruses and sequence analysis of the virus isolate 7-2 showed 56.6–63.1% nucleotide and 44.8–65.1% amino acid identities with those of Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV), Beet mosaic virus (BtMV), Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) and Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV). The coat protein (CP) gene of isolate 7-2 was amplified, sequenced and found to have 280 amino acids. A homology search in GenBank indicated that the virus is a potyvirus but no highly homologous sequence was found. The virus was designated as Phalaenopsis chlorotic spot virus (PhCSV) in early 2006. Subsequently, a potyvirus, named Basella rugose mosaic virus isolated from malabar spinach was reported in December 2006. It was found to share 96.8% amino acid identity with the CP of PhCSV. Back-inoculation with the isolated virus was conducted to confirm that PhCSV is the causal agent of chlorotic spot disease of Phalaenopsis orchids in Taiwan. This is the first report of a potyvirus causing a disease on Phalaenopsis orchids.     

Detection of four calla potyviruses by multiplex RT-PCR using nad5 mRNA as an internal control

Dasheen mosaic virus (DsMV), Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV), Konjac mosaic virus (KoMV) and Zantedeschia mild mosaic virus (ZaMMV) are important potyviruses previously identified in calla lily plants in Taiwan. In order to save time and cost of virus detection, a multiplex RT-PCR assay was developed for these calla potyviruses. Specific primers for each virus were designed based on the sequences of 3′ terminal region of respective viruses. To prevent false negative results, a primer pair specific to plant mitochondrial nad5 mRNA was used to produce a 185-bp fragment as an internal control of RT-PCR. The specificities of primers were confirmed by means of simplex and multiplex PCR assays. Optimal primer concentration ratio was identified by multiplex PCR assay. Total RNAs purified from virus-infected plants were used directly or mixed in different combinations, and then tested by multiplex RT-PCR. The result indicated that the expected RT-PCR products could be specifically amplified and identified on the basis of their molecular sizes. The detection sensitivity of multiplex RT-PCR was 25–625 times higher than that of indirect-ELISA (I-ELISA) depending on the virus. When applied to field surveys, multiplex RT-PCR could detect more single as well as mixed infection samples than I-ELISA. Accordingly, our multiplex RT-PCR assay provides a simple, rapid and reliable method for multiple potyvirus detection in calla lily.     

Serological characterization of Italian isolates of plum pox potyvirus1

An Italian isolate of plum pox potyvirus (PPV) from apricot, Ispave 17, was used as antigen for production of monoclonal antibodies. Six clones secreting specific antibodies to PPV were obtained. All these monoclonal antibodies were used to test a collection of different Italian PPV isolates, collected from plum, apricot and peach orchards, and other European isolates (including PPV-D and PPV-M serotypes), using DAS-ELISA, SDS-PAGE, western blot and GIEM. In western blot analysis, the PPV-M and PPV-D coat protein, detected directly from crude peach GF305 extracts, showed different electrophoretic mobility, the coat protein of PPV-M being slightly larger than that of PPV-D. ELISA tests, performed with fixed dilutions of antibodies and limiting dilutions of clarified samples, showed with some monoclonal antibodies a marked difference between PPV-M and PPV-D strains, at ratios greater than 1:40 (w/v). Also in GIEM some monoclonal antibodies gave a good labelling reaction only with PPV-D serotype. With the help of this differentiation, it was found that all Italian isolates tested were of the D serotype and none of the severe M strain of PPV, which has not been reported in Italy.     

Pfaffia mosaic virus: a new potyvirus found infecting Pfaffia glomerata in Brazil

In Brazil plants of Pfaffia glomerata with mosaic symptoms were found to be infected with a previously undescribed potyvirus, Pfaffia mosaic virus (PfMV). Virus particles were long and flexuous, c.  10 × 700–800 nm, and cylindrical inclusions typical of potyviruses were present in cells of infected tissue. Partial host-range studies revealed that in addition to P. glomerata , PfMV infected only Chenopodium amaranticolor and Chenopodium quinoa . It was efficiently transmitted by the aphids Aphis gossypii and Myzus persicae . Polyclonal antiserum produced against the PfMV coat protein (CP) reacted with Potato virus Y (PVY), but not with four other potyviruses in PTA-ELISA. The similarity of the nucleotide sequence of the PfMV coat-protein gene ( CP ) varied from 7 to 76% when compared with other members of the family Potyviridae . Similarity of the 3' NTR sequence varied from 4 to 23%. In both cases the highest similarity was with PVY. These data indicate that PfMV is a new species in the genus Potyvirus .     

Variability among turnip mosaic potyvirus isolates

ABSTRACT Eight turnip mosaic potyvirus (TuMV) isolates from the Campania region of Italy were characterized. Experiments based on host range and symptomatology indicated that the isolates were biologically different. In addition, the isolates, with the exception of ITA1 and ITA3, were distinguished from each other by using a combination of monoclonal antibodies recognizing the coat protein. Single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of the coat protein gene revealed that each isolate produced a specific SSCP profile, except for isolates ITA1 and ITA3. This study indicates that (i) even in a small geographical region, there is a great deal of variation in TuMV isolates; (ii) the use of a set of four differential hosts does not always specify the same pathotype in different environments; (iii) the TuMV isolates with the same pathotype on Brassica napus test lines can still differ in host range, symptoms, serology, and SSCP; and (iv) there was perfect correlation between the panel of antibodies and SSCP in differentiating among the isolates; ITA1 and ITA3 were indistinguishable by either assay.