High genetic diversity in the coat protein and 3′ untranslated regions among geographical isolates ofCardamom mosaic virus from south India

Complete genome sequence of a divergent strain of cardamom mosaic virus

Cardamom mosaic virus (CdMV; genus Macluravirus), which causes mosaic (katte) disease in cardamom, is a highly variable member of the family Potyviridae. So far, the complete genome sequence of one isolate from Karnataka (KS) has been reported. In the present study, we determined the complete genome sequence of a CdMV isolate from Kerala (KI) and the complete CP gene sequences of nine isolates of CdMV from Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, India. The complete genome of CdMV (KI) consists of 8255 nucleotides (nt) with two open reading frames (ORFs). The large ORF, potentially coding for a polyprotein of 2638 amino acids (aa), is further processed into nine mature proteins at eight cleavage sites. The second ORF, PIPO (pretty interesting Potyviridae ORF) starting with a C(A)6 motif, encodes a small protein of 56 aa. The viral genome contains an additional 13 nt in the 5' untranslated region (UTR) and 6 nt in the CP gene, as well as a deletion of 13 nt at the 3' UTR in comparison to the KS isolate of CdMV. The complete viral genome and polyprotein share 76% and 85% sequence identity with the KS isolate of CdMV, indicating that the present isolate is highly divergent from the KS isolate. Sequencing and analysis of the CP sequences of 16 CdMV isolates from different regions revealed high heterogeneity among them, suggesting that they should be considered members of more than one species.

The first complete genomic sequence of cardamom mosaic virus, a member of the genus Macluravirus (family Potyviridae)

The complete genome sequence of the KS isolate of cardamom mosaic virus (CdMV) was determined using transcriptome sequencing data from CdMV-infected Elettaria cardamomum as well as from overlapping cDNA clones made from RNA extracted from viral particles. The viral genome consists of 8249 nucleotides (nt) and encodes a large polyprotein of 2636 amino acids (aa). The polyprotein of CdMV shared 48.9%-67.4% aa sequence identity with other reported macluraviruses. Similar to the other members of genus Macluravirus, the genome of CdMV lacks the P1 coding region and the N-terminus of the HC-Pro coding region. The putative small open reading frame, PIPO, embedded within the P3 cistron, is preceded by a C(A)₆ motif instead of G(A)₆. Phylogenetic analysis based on the complete genome sequence aided the grouping of CdMV along with all other macluraviruses and showed that it is closely related to alpinia oxyphylla mosaic virus (AloMV). Among CdMV isolates, the KS isolate is most similar to the Appangala isolate based on disease symptoms and phylogeny.

Recombinant helical plant virus-based nanoparticles for vaccination and immunotherapy

Plant virus-based nanoparticles (PVNs) are self-assembled capsid proteins of plant viruses, and can be virus-like nanoparticles (VLPs) or virus nanoparticles (VNPs). Plant viruses showing helical capsid symmetry are used as a versatile platform for the presentation of multiple copies of well-arrayed immunogenic antigens of various disease pathogens. Helical PVNs are non-infectious, biocompatible, and naturally immunogenic, and thus, they are suitable antigen carriers for vaccine production and can trigger humoral and/or cellular immune responses. Furthermore, recombinant PVNs as vaccines and adjuvants can be expressed in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems, and plant expression systems can be used to produce cost-effective antigenic peptides on the surfaces of recombinant helical PVNs. This review discusses various recombinant helical PVNs based on different plant viral capsid shells that have been developed as prophylactic and/or therapeutic vaccines against bacterial, viral, and protozoal diseases, and cancer.

Detection of Cardamom mosaic virus and Banana bract mosaic virus in cardamom using SYBR Green based reverse transcription-quantitative PCR

Cardamom being perennial, propagated vegetatively, detecting viruses in planting material is important to check the spread of viruses through infected material. Thus development of effective and sensitive assay for detection of viruses is need of the time. In this view, assay for the detection of Cardamom mosaic virus (CdMV) and Banana bract mosaic virus (BBrMV), infecting cardamom was developed using SYBR Green one step reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The RT-qPCR assay amplified all isolates of CdMV and BBrMV tested but no amplification was obtained with RNA of healthy plants. Recombinant plasmids carrying target virus regions corresponding to both viruses were quantified, serially diluted and used as standards in qPCR to develop standard curve to enable quantification. When tenfold serial dilutions of the total RNAs from infected plants were tested through RT-qPCR, the detection limit of the assay was estimated to be 16 copies for CdMV and 10 copies for BBrMV, which was approximately 1,000-fold higher than the conventional RT-PCR. The RT-qPCR assay was validated by testing field samples collected from different cardamom growing regions of India. This is the first report of RT-qPCR assay for the detection of CdMV and BBrMV in cardamom.

Survey and RT-PCR Based Detection of Cardamom mosaic virus Affecting Small Cardamom in India

Mosaic or marble or katte disease caused by Cardamom mosaic virus (CdMV) is an important production constraint in all cardamom growing regions of the world. In the present study, 84 cardamom plantations in 44 locations of Karnataka and Kerala were surveyed. The incidence of the disease ranged from 0 to 85%. The incidence was highest in Madikeri (Karnataka) while no incidence was recorded in Peermade (Kerala). In general, incidence and severity of the disease was higher in cardamom plantations of Karnataka. A procedure for total RNA isolation from cardamom and detection of CdMV through reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using primers targeting the conserved region of coat protein was standardized and subsequently validated by testing more than 50 field cardamom samples originating from Karnataka and Kerala states. The method can be used for indexing the planting material and identifying resistant lines/cultivars before either they are further multiplied in large scale or incorporated in breeding.