Molecular characterization of the Cassava brown streak virus coat protein

A partial sequence of 1114 nucleotides of a virus from cassava brown streak diseased (CBSD) material was obtained. Alignment of the predicted amino acid sequence with those of other members of the Potyviridae showed closest identity with the coat protein of Sweet potato mild mottle virus (genus Ipomovirus ). The predicted amino acid sequence has one open reading frame with a 3' untranslated region of 144 nucleotides and a poly(A) tail. The expressed protein was shown to cross-react with an antiserum raised previously to a virus isolated from CBSD material. Evidence presented suggests that CBSD is caused by Cassava brown streak virus , a tentative member of the genus Ipomovirus , as this virus is consistently found associated with CBSD.