Identification and genomic characterization of a new virus (Tymoviridae family) associated with citrus sudden death disease.
Citrus sudden death (CSD) is a new disease that has killed approximately 1 million orange trees in Brazil. Here we report the identification of a new virus associated with the disease. RNAs isolated from CSD-affected and nonaffected trees were used to construct cDNA libraries. A set of viral sequences present exclusively in libraries of CSD-affected trees was used to obtain the complete genome sequence of the new virus. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that this virus is a new member of the genus Marafivirus. Antibodies raised against the putative viral coat proteins allowed detection of viral antigens of expected sizes in affected plants. Electron microscopy of purified virus confirmed the presence of typical isometric Marafivirus particles. The screening of 773 affected and nonaffected citrus trees for the presence of the virus showed a 99.7% correlation between disease symptoms and the presence of the virus. We also detected the virus in aphids feeding on affected trees. These results suggest that this virus is likely to be the causative agent of CSD. The virus was named Citrus sudden death-associated virus.
Maccheroni
Walter
W
Alellyx Applied Genomics, Techno Park (Rod. Anhanguera Km 104), Rua James Clerk Maxwell 320, 13069-380 Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Alegria
Marcos C
MC
Greggio
Christian C
CC
Piazza
João Paulo
JP
Kamla
Rachel F
RF
Zacharias
Paula R A
PR
Bar-Joseph
Moshe
M
Kitajima
Elliot W
EW
Assumpção
Laura C
LC
Camarotte
Giovana
G
Cardozo
Jussara
J
Casagrande
Elaine C
EC
Ferrari
Fernanda
F
Franco
Sulamita F
SF
Giachetto
Poliana F
PF
Girasol
Alessandra
A
Jordão
Hamilton
H
Silva
Vitor H A
VH
Souza
Leonardo C A
LC
Aguilar-Vildoso
Carlos I
CI
Zanca
Almir S
AS
Arruda
Paulo
P
Kitajima
João Paulo
JP
Reinach
Fernando C
FC
Ferro
Jesus A
JA
da Silva
Ana C R
AC
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001042:Aphids / Q000821:virology; D001483:Base Sequence; D001938:Brazil; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D002957:Citrus / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D016679:Genome, Viral; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000821:virology; D046830:Tymoviridae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity
D036022:Capsid Proteins; D004279:DNA, Viral