Biological and sequence comparisons of Potato virus Y isolates associated with potato tuber necrotic ringspot disease

The biological and molecular relationships between a large number of Potato virus Y (PVY) isolates were examined, concentrating mainly on isolates associated with potato tuber necrotic ringspot disease (PTNRD). Following detailed analysis of the coat-protein gene, four main groups were identified which broadly corresponded to the phenotype of the different isolates. The groups comprised the ordinary strain (PVY^O), the necrotic strain (PVY^N), the C strain (PVY^C) and a group of recombinant (between ordinary and necrotic) isolates. In the latter group, all members were associated with PTNRD. However, four nonrecombinant isolates were also identified which were associated with PTNRD or tuber necrosis. Three were from tubers showing PTNRD symptoms in the field, while the fourth originated from symptomless tubers, but could cause necrotic rings on tubers under glasshouse conditions. The results show that although coat-protein recombination is always found associated with the PTNRD phenotype, some nonrecombinant isolates have very similar biological properties.     

Molecular characterization of potato virus YN isolates by PCR-RFLP

Based on the sequence polymorphism in the 5 terminal part of the viral genome, a range of PVY^N isolates were characterized by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Three pairs of primers selected in the 5 non-translated and P1 protein region were tested. Two of them yielded PCR products of about 1Kb from all isolates tested. Restriction analysis of the PCR products gave two distinct electrophoretic patterns, whichever of the three enzymes was used. In this way, the 18 isolates were separated into two easily identifiable subgroups. All tuber necrosing isolates (PVY^NTN) were clustered in the same subgroup.     

Nucleotide Sequence Variability at the 5′-UTR of Potato PVY Isolates

Potato virus Y (PVY) isolates from potato were divided into two major groups – I and II – on the basis of nucleotide sequence variability at the 5′-UTR of the virus genome. In this paper, a consensus sequence for each group was compiled by examining PVY isolates of potato. The consensus sequences of the two groups differed from each other by as much as 31% of nucleotide sequence divergence. However, sequences of most individual members within each group (except for one, the 605 strain) were conserved and varied by less than 1% in group II and up to 6% in group I. These results confirm that the two virus groups are markedly distinct but that the 5′-UTR sequence of individual members within each group is highly conserved. These findings imply that the 5′-UTR can be reliably applied for major grouping of isolates but that its use for discrimination among individual isolates within each group is limited. Isolates of both group I and II included members of the O/N-NTN virus types. Classification of PVY isolates in potato is discussed.     

Potato Virus Y from Petunia can cause Symptoms of Potato Tuber Necrotic Ringspot Disease (PTNRD)

A potyvirus known to be an important agent involved in causing a disease of trailing petunias, was identified as being a member of the necrotic strain of potato virus Y (PVY) using a number of monoclonal antibodies. The sequence of the coat protein gene for the PVY isolate was determined and when compared with sequences for other PVY strains it was shown to cluster closely with isolates of PVY^NTN and to have a recombination point present within the coat protein common with other isolates of PVY^NTN. When inoculated onto potato tuber necrotic ringspot disease (PTNRD) susceptible potato cultivars the petunia isolate was found to be capable of causing necrotic tuber symptoms, consistent with those caused by other isolates of PVY^NTN. Due to the number of similarities it is thought the petunia isolate belongs to the PVY^NTN group of isolates. Out of 24 species of bedding and pot plant crops tested, 19 were shown by mechanical inoculation to be susceptible to PVY, highlighting not only a clear risk to a number of commercially important plant species from PVY^NTN infected trailing petunias, but also other susceptible crops grown in these areas.