Identification and characterization of a novel geminivirus with a monopartite genome infecting apple trees.
A novel circular DNA virus sequence has been identified through next-generation sequencing and in silico assembly of small RNAs of 21-24 nt from an apple tree grown in China. The virus genome was cloned using two independent approaches and sequenced. With a size of 2932 nt, it showed the same genomic structure and conserved origin of replication reported for members of the family Geminiviridae. However, the low nucleotide and amino acid sequence identity with known geminiviruses indicated that it was a novel virus, for which the provisional name apple geminivirus (AGV) is proposed. Rolling circle amplification followed by RFLP analyses indicated that AGV was a virus with a monopartite DNA genome. This result was in line with bioassays showing that the cloned viral genome was infectious in several herbaceous plants (Nicotiana bethamiana, Nicotiana glutinosa and Solanum lycopersicum), thus confirming it was complete and biologically active, although no symptoms were observed in these experimental hosts. AGV genome structure and phylogenetic analyses did not support the inclusion of this novel species in any of the established genera in the family Geminiviridae. A survey of 165 apple trees grown in four Chinese provinces showed a prevalence of 7.2% for AGV, confirming its presence in several cultivars and geographical areas in China, although no obvious relationship between virus infection and specific symptoms was found.
State Key Laboratory of Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yuanmingyuan West Road No. 2, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, PR China.|College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Yuanmingyuan West Road No. 2, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, PR China.
Pengbo
P
Liang
Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile delle Piante, UOS Bari, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IPSP-CNR), Via Amendola, 70126 Bari, Italy.
Beatriz
B
Navarro
State Key Laboratory of Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yuanmingyuan West Road No. 2, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, PR China.
Zhixiang
Z
Zhang
College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Yuanmingyuan West Road No. 2, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, PR China.
Hongqing
H
Wang
State Key Laboratory of Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yuanmingyuan West Road No. 2, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, PR China.
Meiguang
M
Lu
State Key Laboratory of Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yuanmingyuan West Road No. 2, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, PR China.
Hong
H
Xiao
School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, Anhui, PR China.
Qingfa
Q
Wu
State Key Laboratory of Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yuanmingyuan West Road No. 2, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, PR China.
Xueping
X
Zhou
Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile delle Piante, UOS Bari, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IPSP-CNR), Via Amendola, 70126 Bari, Italy.
Francesco
F
Di Serio
State Key Laboratory of Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yuanmingyuan West Road No. 2, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, PR China.
Shifang
S
Li
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D002681:China; D017791:Geminiviridae / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016679:Genome, Viral; D027845:Malus / Q000821:virology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000821:virology*; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D014764:Viral Proteins