Population genetics of cucumber mosaic virus infecting medicinal, aromatic and ornamental plants from northern Italy

Genetic Characterization of Raspberry Bushy Dwarf Virus Isolated from Red Raspberry in Kazakhstan

Raspberry bushy dwarf virus (RBDV) is an economically significant pathogen of raspberry and grapevine, and it has also been found in cherry. Most of the currently available RBDV sequences are from European raspberry isolates. This study aimed to sequence genomic RNA2 of both cultivated and wild raspberry in Kazakhstan and compare them to investigate their genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships, as well as to predict their protein structure. Phylogenetic and population diversity analyses were performed on all available RBDV RNA2, MP and CP sequences. Nine of the isolates investigated in this study formed a new, well-supported clade, while the wild isolates clustered with the European isolates. Predicted protein structure analysis revealed two regions that differed between α- and β-structures among the isolates. For the first time, the genetic composition of Kazakhstani raspberry viruses has been characterized.

Development of an In-Field Real-Time LAMP Assay for Rapid Detection of Tomato Leaf Curl New Delhi Virus

Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) represents a threat to economically important horticultural crops. A real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for in-field ToLCNDV detection was developed, coupled to a rapid sample preparation method, and tested both in field and laboratory conditions on zucchini squash, tomato, and pepper samples. A set of six LAMP primers was designed for specific ToCLNDV detection, targeting a 218-nucleotide sequence within the AV1 gene. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the real-time LAMP assay and comparison with canonical PCR were evaluated. The real-time LAMP assay developed was about one-thousand times more sensitive than the conventional PCR method, detecting a total of 4.41 × 10² genome copies as minimum target; no cross-reactivity was detected with the other geminiviruses used as the outgroup. The rapid sample preparation method allows for a reliable detection with a low reaction delay (≈2-3 min) compared to canonical DNA extraction, providing results in less than 45 min. Lastly, an increase in ToLCNDV-positive sample detection was observed compared to PCR, in particular for asymptomatic plants (85% and 71.6%, respectively). The real-time LAMP assay developed is a rapid, simple, specific, and sensitive technique for ToLCNDV detection, and it can be adopted as a routine test, for both in-field and laboratory conditions.

Development of a Real-Time Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay for the Rapid Detection of Olea Europaea Geminivirus

A real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was developed for simple, rapid and efficient detection of the Olea europaea geminivirus (OEGV), a virus recently reported in different olive cultivation areas worldwide. A preliminary screening by end-point PCR for OEGV detection was conducted to ascertain the presence of OEGV in Sicily. A set of six real-time LAMP primers, targeting a 209-nucleotide sequence elapsing the region encoding the coat protein (AV1) gene of OEGV, was designed for specific OEGV detection. The specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy of the diagnostic assay were determined. The LAMP assay showed no cross-reactivity with other geminiviruses and was allowed to detect OEGV with a 10-fold higher sensitivity than conventional end-point PCR. To enhance the potential of the LAMP assay for field diagnosis, a simplified sample preparation procedure was set up and used to monitor OEGV spread in different olive cultivars in Sicily. As a result of this survey, we observed that 30 out of 70 cultivars analyzed were positive to OEGV, demonstrating a relatively high OEGV incidence. The real-time LAMP assay developed in this study is suitable for phytopathological laboratories with limited facilities and resources, as well as for direct OEGV detection in the field, representing a reliable method for rapid screening of olive plant material.

Molecular analysis of Greek isolates of cucumber mosaic virus from vegetables shows a low prevalence of satellite RNAs and suggests the presence of host-associated virus strains

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is a generalist pathogen that infects many economically important crops in Greece. The present study was designed to evaluate the genetic variability of Greek CMV isolates in combination with their satellite RNAs (satRNAs). To achieve this goal, 77 CMV isolates were collected from symptomatic Greek vegetables, mainly tomatoes and cucurbits, alongside their neighboring crops, during a four-year period from 2015 to 2018. Phylogenetic analysis of a partial coat protein (CP) gene segment revealed that all of the isolates belong to CMV subgroups IA and IB and that they are closely related to previously reported Greek isolates. It should be noted, however, that the latter mainly included tomato isolates. Network analysis of the evolutionary relationships among the CP sequences of the Greek isolates in comparison to the corresponding sequences obtained from the GenBank database indicated two predominant common ancestors and at least three differentiated peripherals, and possibly host-associated (tomatoes, legumes, cucurbits) haplogroups (strain groups). More specifically, host-adaptive evolution can be postulated regarding the tomato isolates in subgroup IB. Necrogenic or non-necrogenic satRNAs were detected in four samples from tomato and melon, and this is the first report of non-necrogenic satRNAs in CMV in Greece.

Geographically distant isolates of the persistent southern tomato virus (STV) show very low genetic diversity in the putative coat protein gene

Southern tomato virus (STV) from genus Amalgavirus (Family Amalgaviridae) is a persistent virus infecting tomato crops worldwide. Information on genetic diversity and evolutionary mechanisms for plant persistent viruses are very scarce in comparison with plant acute viruses. In this work, the putative coat protein gene of worldwide STV isolates was analyzed showing very low nucleotide diversity (< 0.0100). Phylogenetic analysis separated STV isolates into two clades, but no correlation was found between genetic and geographic distances. Also, no recombination events among STV isolates were detected. Comparison of synonymous and nonsynonymous substitutions indicated negative selection at the amino acid level.

Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification: Principles and Applications in Plant Virology

In the last decades, the evolution of molecular diagnosis methods has generated different advanced tools, like loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). Currently, it is a well-established technique, applied in different fields, such as the medicine, agriculture, and food industries, owing to its simplicity, specificity, rapidity, and low-cost efforts. LAMP is a nucleic acid amplification under isothermal conditions, which is highly compatible with point-of-care (POC) analysis and has the potential to improve the diagnosis in plant protection. The great advantages of LAMP have led to several upgrades in order to implement the technique. In this review, the authors provide an overview reporting in detail the different LAMP steps, focusing on designing and main characteristics of the primer set, different methods of result visualization, evolution and different application fields, reporting in detail LAMP application in plant virology, and the main advantages of the use of this technique.

Evolutionary timescale and geographical movement of cucumber mosaic virus, with focus on Iranian strains

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is a geographically widespread plant virus with a very broad host range. The virus has been detected in diverse crops all over Iran. In this study, we estimated the timescale of the evolution of CMV subgroup I and the geographical movement of the virus with a focus on Iranian strains. Analyses using the MP and CP genes and their concatenation revealed that the CMV population within subgroup I had a single ancestor dating back to about 450-550 years ago. The Iranian strains formed three clusters in a maximum-clade-credibility phylogenetic tree. It was found that the most recent common ancestor of the Iranian strains within each cluster dates back to less than 100 years ago. Our results also suggest that both short- and long-distance migration of Iranian CMV strains has occurred in the last 100 years.

Characterization of cucumber mosaic virus infecting coleus (Plectranthus barbatus) in Karnataka

Plectranthus barbatus also known by the synonym Coleus forskohlii it is called as forskohlii and Indian coleus. It is a tropical perennial herb belongs to the family Lamiaceae widely cultivated in India used as traditional medicinal crop. Its tuberous roots produce forskolin, an extract useful for pharmaceutical preparations and research in cell biology. The incidence of mosaic with dark and light green patches, mottling, leaf distortion and reduction growth was noticed in commercial cultivation of coleus. For identification of the virus, the infected leaf sample extract was mechanically inoculated to different hosts such as chilli, tobacco, tomato, cucumber, cowpea and Chenopodium amaranticolor. Host range studies revealed that the virus showed severe mosaic symptoms on Nicotiana spp. and Cucumis spp. The virus produced systemic and local lesion symptoms in a different host. The Leaf dip preparation of virus infected leaf extract was observed under an electron microscope showed the presence of isometric particles of 28 nm in size. The healthy and infected samples were tested using DAC-ELISA against antibodies of CMV, GBNV and TSV the infected samples showed strong positive reaction with 1.85 optical density to CMV antibodies indicated the presence of CMV. For molecular identification, total RNA was isolated and used for RT-PCR amplification using CMV specific primers. RT-PCR resulted in the positive amplification in virus infected samples but not from a healthy control. The complete genome of CMV RNA-1 consists of 3360 nucleotides (nt) encoding replicase gene of 807 amino acids (aa). The CMV RNA-2 was 2983 nt in length containing 2a (859 aa) encoding RNA dependent RNA polymerase protein and 2b encoding viral silencing suppressor (112 aa), while RNA-3 encoding 3a movement protein (280 aa) and coat protein (219 aa) was 2223 nt in length. Phylogenetic analyses of nucleotide sequences of coleus CMV isolate is closely related to subgroup IB than to subgroup IA or II with other CMV isolates. In recombination analysis, the recombination event occurs between the subgroups of I, II as well as IA and IB in RNA 1, RNA2 and RNA3 of coleus isolate with other CMV isolates. To best of our knowledge, this is the first report of CMV infection in coleus.

Cucumber mosaic virus Isolates from Greek Legumes are Associated with Satellite RNAs that are Necrogenic for Tomato

Worldwide, Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is the causal agent of many economically important diseases. Based on immunological or molecular analysis, three distinct subgroups of CMV isolates can be identified (IA, IB, and II). In addition, some CMV isolates are associated with satellite RNAs (satRNAs), a type of noncoding transcript that may alter the symptoms of CMV infections. This study presents an analysis of CMV isolates occurring in legumes in Greece in respect to their genetic diversity, and the presence and diversity of their satRNA. Phylogenetic analysis of the CMV coat protein sequence of 18 legume and 5 tomato CMV isolates collected throughout Greece classified them within subgroups IA and IB, with a limited genetic diversity. The CMV satRNAs found in nine field legumes exhibiting mild symptoms and in one tomato with a necrotic syndrome contained a functional necrogenic motif; therefore, they were grouped within the necrogenic group of CMV-satRNAs. The necrotic phenotype was expressed in all legume CMV isolates containing necrogenic satRNAs when mechanically inoculated onto tomato plants. To our knowledge, this is the first observation that legumes host necrogenic CMV-satRNAs. The possible role of legumes in the epidemiology of CMV and necrogenic satRNA complex is discussed.

Ecogenomic survey of plant viruses infecting Tobacco by Next generation sequencing

BACKGROUND

The invasion of plant by viruses cause major damage to plants and reduces crop yield and integrity. Devastating plant virus infection has been experienced at different times all over the world, which are attributed to different events of mutation, re-assortment and recombination occurring in the viruses. Strategies for proper virus management has been mostly limited to eradicating the vectors that spreads the plant viruses. However, development of prompt and effective diagnostic methods are required to monitor emerging and re-emerging diseases that may be symptomatic or asymptomatic in the plant as well as the genetic variation and evolution in the plant viruses. A survey of plant viruses infecting field-grown Tobacco crop was conducted in Anhui Province of China by the deep sequencing of sRNAs.

METHODS

Survey of plant viruses infecting Tobacco was carried based on 104 samples collected across the province. Nine different sRNA libraries was prepared and custom-made bioinformatics pipeline coupled with molecular techniques was developed to sequence, assemble and analyze the siRNAs for plant virus discovery. We also carried out phylogenetic and recombination analysis of the identified viruses.

RESULTS

Twenty two isolates from eight different virus species including Cucumber mosaic virus, Potato virus Y, Tobacco mosaic virus, Tobacco vein banding Mosaic virus, Pepper mottle virus, Brassica yellow virus, Chilli venial mottle virus, Broad bean wilt virus 2 were identified in tobacco across the survey area. The near-complete genome sequence of the 22 new isolates were determined and analyzed. The isolates were grouped together with known strains in the phylogenetic tree. Molecular variation in the isolates indicated the conserved coding regions have majorly a nucleotide sequence identity of 80-94 % with previously identified isolates. Various events of recombination were discovered among some of the isolates indicating that two or more viruses or different isolates of one virus infect the same host cell.

CONCLUSION

This study describes the discovery of a consortium of plant viruses infecting Tobacco that are broadly distributed in Anhui province of China. It also demonstrates the effectiveness of NGS in identifying plant viruses without a prior knowledge of the virus and the genetic diversity that enhanced mixed infection.

Molecular genetic analysis of cucumber mosaic virus populations infecting pepper suggests unique patterns of evolution in Korea

Studying genetic structure and diversity of viruses is important to understand the evolutionary mechanisms that generate and maintain variations in viral populations. Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is endemic in most pepper fields in Korea. Currently, no effective methods for control of CMV are available due to many environmental and biological factors such as the extensive evolutionary capacity of CMV. Thus, analyzing the genetic structure of CMV populations may facilitate the development of strategies for the control of CMV. In this study, 252 pepper (Capsicum annuum) samples showing virus symptoms were collected by field surveys performed throughout Korea in 2007. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analyses revealed that, in total, 165 collected samples were infected with CMV. Forty-five CMV isolates were randomly selected within each regional subpopulation and analyzed by full-genome sequencing. Analyses of genetic diversity showed that the 2b gene of CMV is under weaker purifying selection than the other genes. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of RNA1, the CMV isolates from pepper were divided into three clusters in subgroup I. Our full-genome sequence-based molecular analyses of the CMV Korean population suggest that the subpopulations of CMV have been geographically localized in pepper fields in Korea.

Global analysis of population structure, spatial and temporal dynamics of genetic diversity, and evolutionary lineages of Iris yellow spot virus (Tospovirus: Bunyaviridae)

Thrips-transmitted Iris yellow spot virus is an economically important viral pathogen of Allium crops worldwide. A global analysis of known IYSV nucleocapsid gene (N gene) sequences was carried out to determine the comparative population structure, spatial and temporal dynamics with reference to its genetic diversity and evolution. A total of 98 complete N gene sequences (including 8 sequences reported in this study) available in GenBank and reported from 23 countries were characterized by in-silico RFLP analysis. Based on RFLP, 94% of the isolates could be grouped into NL or BR types while the rest belonged to neither group. The relative proportion of NL and BR types was 46% and 48%, respectively. A temporal shift in the IYSV genotypes with a greater incremental incidence of IYSVBR was found over IYSVNL before 2005 compared to after 2005. The virus population had at least one evolutionarily significant recombination event, involving IYSVBR and IYSVNL. Codon substitution studies did not identify any significant differences among the genotypes of IYSV. However, N gene codons were minimally positively selected, moderately negatively selected denoting the action of purifying selection, thus rejecting the theory of neutral mutation in IYSV population. However, one codon position (139) was found to be positively selected in all the genotypes. Population selection statistics in the IYSVBR, IYSVNL genotypes and in the population as a whole also revealed the action of purifying selection or population expansion, whereas IYSVother displayed a decrease in population size. Genetic differentiation studies showed inherent differentiation and infrequent gene flow between IYSVBR and IYSVNL genotypes corroborating the geographical confinement of these genotypes. Taken together the study suggests that the observed diversity in IYSV population and temporal shift in IYSVBR genotype is attributable to genetic recombination, abundance of purifying selection, insignificant positive selection and population expansion. Restricted gene flow between the two major IYSV genotypes further emphasizes the role of genetic drift in modeling the population architecture, evolutionary lineage and epidemiology of IYSV.

Genetic variation and possible mechanisms driving the evolution of worldwide fig mosaic virus isolates

Fig mosaic virus (FMV) is a multipartite negative-sense RNA virus infecting fig trees worldwide. FMV is transmitted by vegetative propagation and grafting of plant materials, and by the eriophyid mite Aceria ficus. In this work, the genetic variation and evolutionary mechanisms shaping FMV populations were characterized. Nucleotide sequences from four genomic regions (each within the genomic RNAs 1, 2, 3, and 4) from FMV isolates from different countries were determined and analyzed. FMV genetic variation was low, as is seen for many other plant viruses. Phylogenetic analysis showed some geographically distant FMV isolates which clustered together, suggesting long-distance migration. The extent of migration was limited, although varied, between countries, such that FMV populations of different countries were genetically differentiated. Analysis using several recombination algorithms suggests that genomes of some FMV isolates originated by reassortment of genomic RNAs from different genetically similar isolates. Comparison between nonsynonymous and synonymous substitutions showed selection acting on some amino acids; however, most evolved neutrally. This and neutrality tests together with the limited gene flow suggest that genetic drift plays an important role in shaping FMV populations.