First Report of Bidens mottle virus Infecting Calendula in Taiwan

In March of 2010, calendula (Calendula officinalis L.), a perennial herb known as the pot marigold, showing chlorotic spots on leaves, chlorosis, and stunting were collected from Puli Township, Nantou County, Taiwan. The disorder occurred in more than 50% of the calendula plants in the field. A virus culture isolated from one of the symptomatic calendulas was established in Chenopodium quinoa through triple single-lesion isolation and designated as TwCa1. With transmission electron microscopy (TEM), negatively stained flexuous filamentous virions approximately 12 × 720 nm were observed in the crude sap of TwCa1-infected C. quinoa leaves and pinwheel inclusion bodies were found in the infected cells. On the basis of the sizes of the viral particles and inclusion bodies, isolate TwCa1 was a suspected potyvirus. By reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and potyvirus degenerate primers (Hrp5/Pot1) (1,2), a 0.65-kb DNA fragment, which included the 3′-end of the NIb gene and the 5′-end of coat protein (CP) gene of the virus, was amplified from total RNA isolated from TwCa1-infected plants. The amplified DNA fragment was cloned and sequenced. A homology search indicated that the new calendula-infecting virus in Taiwan might belong to Bidens mottle virus (BiMoV) because its partial genomic sequence shared 94.9 to 97.3% nucleotide and 96.6 to 98.1% amino acid identity with 11 BiMoV isolates available in NCBI GenBank. Primer pairs Hrp5/oligo d(T) were used to amplify the 3′-end genome of BioMV TwCa1 including the 3′-end of the NIb gene, the full-length CP gene, and the 3′-nontranslatable region of the virus. The 807-nt CP gene of TwCa1 (Accession No. HQ117871) shared 97.3 to 98.6% nucleotide and 98.5 to 98.9% amino acid identity with those of 11 BiMoV isolates available in GenBank. Results from TEM observations and CP gene sequence analysis indicated that TwCa1 is an isolate of BiMoV. BiMoV was later detected by RT-PCR in eight symptomatic calendulas collected from the same field. To our knowledge, this is the first report of BiMoV infecting calendula in Taiwan. This newly identified calendula-infecting BiMoV could have a direct impact on the economically important vegetable and floral industry in Taiwan. References: (1) C. C. Chen et al. Bot. Stud. 947:369, 2006. (2) D. Colinet and J. Kummert. J. Virol. Methods 45:149, 1993.

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First Report of Pepper veinal mottle virus in Tomato and Pepper in Taiwan

Plant Disease ◽

10.1094/pdis-93-1-0107a ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 93 (1) ◽

pp. 107-107 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Y. H. Cheng ◽

R. Y. Wang ◽

C. C. Chen ◽

C. A. Chang ◽

F.-J. Jan

Keyword(s):

Amino Acid ◽

Mosaic Virus ◽

Polyclonal Antibodies ◽

Amino Acid Identity ◽

Mottle Virus ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Acid Identity ◽

First Report ◽

Cp Gene ◽

Pepper Veinal Mottle Virus

In May of 2006, samples from tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Known-you 301) exhibiting necrotic symptoms on stems, petioles, and leaves were collected from Chiayi County, Taiwan. Double-antibody sandwich-ELISAs were performed using Cucumber mosaic virus, Tomato mosaic virus, Potato virus Y, Watermelon silver mottle virus, and Chilli veinal mottle virus (ChiVMV) polyclonal antibodies. Three of eight samples reacted with antibodies against ChiVMV but not with the others. Using the potyvirus degenerate primers (Hrp 5/Pot 1) (2), an expected 1.5-kb DNA fragment including the 3′-end of the NIb gene, the complete coat protein (CP) gene, and the 3′-nontranslatable region of the virus was amplified from total RNA isolated from these three samples by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. A homology search in GenBank indicated that the new tomato-infecting virus in Taiwan belongs to Pepper veinal mottle virus (PVMV) since they shared >90% amino acid identity in the CP gene. A virus culture (Tom1) isolated from one of the diseased tomatoes was then established in Chenopodium quinoa and Nicotiana benthamiana and the CP gene was amplified and sequenced (GenBank Accession No. EU719647). Comparisons of the 807-nt CP gene with those of five PVMV isolates available in GenBank showed 81.5 to 93.1% nucleotide and 90.0 to 97.8% amino acid identity. Tom1 induced irregular necrotic lesions on stems, petioles, and leaves of tomato while inducing only mild mottle symptoms on pepper. Serological cross reaction between ChiVMV and PVMV has been observed previously (1,3) and also found in this study. To differentiate these two potyviruses by RT-PCR, primer pair CPVMVup/dw (5′-TATTC(T/C)TCAGTGTGG(A/T/C)T(T/C)CCACCAT and 5′-(T/C)C(A/T)C(A/T)(A/T/G)(A/T)AA(A/G)CCATAA(A/C)(A/C)ATA(A/G)T(T/C)T) was designed on the basis of the comparison of the CP gene and the 3′-nontranslatable region of the PVMV and ChiVMV. DNA fragments of 171 and 259 bp are expected to be amplified from ChiVMV and PVMV, respectively, by RT-PCR with primers CPVMVup/dw. In a field survey done in 2006, samples from diseased peppers (Capsicum annuum) that reacted with the polyclonal antibodies against ChiVMV were further identified by RT-PCR with primers CPVMVup/dw, indicating that both ChiVMV and PVMV infected pepper crops (Capsicum spp.) in Taiwan. A pepper isolate (Pep1) of PVMV was obtained from Nantou County through three times of single lesion passages on C. quinoa and then propagated on N. benthamiana. The CP gene of Pep1 was amplified and sequenced (GenBank Accession No. EU719646) and found to share 99.1% nucleotide and 100% amino acid identity with that of Tom1. Pep1 caused mild mottle symptoms on leaves of both tomato and pepper. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the presence of PVMV in Taiwan as well as in East Asia. References: (1) B. Moury et al. Phytopathology 95:227, 2005. (2) S. S. Pappu et al. Plant Dis. 82:1121, 1998. (3) W. S. Tsai et al. Plant Pathol. 58:408, 2008.

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First Report of Capsicum chlorosis virus Infecting Tomato in Taiwan

Plant Disease ◽

10.1094/pdis-04-10-0275 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 94 (10) ◽

pp. 1263-1263 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

C.-H. Huang ◽

Y.-X. Zheng ◽

Y.-H. Cheng ◽

W.-S. Lee ◽

F.-J. Jan

Keyword(s):

Amino Acid ◽

Amino Acid Identity ◽

N Gene ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Degenerate Primers ◽

Tomato Plants ◽

Acid Identity ◽

First Report ◽

Conserved Region ◽

Capsicum Chlorosis Virus

In December 2009, two samples from tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Known-you 301) showing symptoms of chlorosis and necrosis on leaves were collected from two different fields that exhibited 5% disease incidence in Wufeng Township, Taichung County. Reverse transcription (RT)-PCR was applied to detect the presence of potential viruses in collected samples using three degenerate primers (3), gL3637/gL4435c for tospoviruses, Tob-Uni1/Tob-Uni2 for tobamoviruses, and Hrp5/Pot1 for potyviruses, and one specific primer, FJJ2001-7/FJJ2001-8, for the coat protein gene of Cucumber mosaic virus (3). An 816-nt DNA fragment was amplified from each of these two field samples by RT-PCR with the tospovirus degenerate primers, gL3637/gL4435c, designed from the conserved region of L RNA. One of the amplified fragments was cloned and sequenced. A homology search indicated that the new tomato-infecting virus in Taiwan might belong to Capsicum chlorosis virus (CaCV) since the partial L RNA shared more than 87% nucleotide and 99.6% amino acid identity with two CaCV isolates from Thailand (GenBank Accession Nos. DQ256124 and NC_008302). A virus culture isolated from the symptomatic tomato was established in Chenopodium quinoa through triple single-lesion isolation and designated as TwTom1. The partial L RNA and full-length nucleocapsid (N) gene of TwTom1 were obtained by RT-PCR with primer pairs gL3637/gL4435c and FJJ 2010-2 (5′-TTAAAT(C/T)ACAC(C/T)TCTATAGA)/N3534c (1), respectively. The 816-nt L RNA conserved region of TwTom1 (Accession No. HM021140) also shared 87% nucleotide and 99.6% amino acid identity with those of the above mentioned two CaCV isolates available in GenBank. The 828-nt N gene of TwTom1 (Accession No. HM021139) shared 85 to 98.1% nucleotide and 92 to 100% amino acid identity with those of 26 CaCV isolates available in GenBank. TwTom1 shared the highest N gene nucleotide and amino acid identity, 98.1 and 100%, respectively, with a gloxinia isolate (Accession No. AY312061). Sequence analysis results indicated that TwTom1 is an isolate of CaCV. The TwTom1 isolate was back inoculated onto three tomato (cv. Known-you 301) plants for pathogenicity test. The inoculated tomato plants showed symptoms of chlorosis at 13 days postinoculation (dpi) and symptoms of chlorosis plus necrosis on leaves at 20 dpi, which were similar to that observed in the field. A protein band measuring approximately 30 kDa in the crude sap of the TwTom1-infected tomato was observed in western blotting using the antiserum against the N protein of CaCV. In addition, CaCV was later detected by RT-PCR in two symptomatic tomato samples collected from another field. CaCV was first found in Australia, then Thailand, Taiwan, China, and India (2). Although CaCV was found to infect several species of ornamental crops in Taiwan, to our knowledge, this is the first report of CaCV that could naturally infect tomato, a nonornamental plant in Taiwan. References: (1) Y. H. Lin et al. Phytopathology 95:1482, 2005. (2) H. R. Pappu et al. Virus Res. 141:219, 2009. (3) Y.-X. Zheng et al. Plant Dis. 94:920, 2010.

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Occurrence and Molecular Characterization of Three Pineapple Mealybug Wilt-Associated Viruses in Pineapple in Taiwan

Plant Disease ◽

10.1094/pdis-93-2-0196c ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 93 (2) ◽

pp. 196-196 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

B. N. Shen ◽

Y. X. Zheng ◽

W. H. Chen ◽

T. Y. Chang ◽

H.-M. Ku ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amino Acid ◽

Molecular Characterization ◽

Amino Acid Identity ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Acid Identity ◽

Cp Gene ◽

Mealybug Wilt ◽

Pineapple Mealybug Wilt ◽

Pineapple Mealybug

Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is one of the major fruit crops in Taiwan, accounting for 275 million U.S. dollars in 2006, following betel nut and citrus production in crop value. Tainung No. 17 is the most important cultivar, accounting for more than 70% of pineapples planted. Mealybug wilt of pineapple (MWP) is one of the most destructive diseases of pineapple. Pineapple mealybug wilt-associated virus-1 (PMWaV-1), PMWaV-2, and PMWaV-3 were identified as three distinct species in Ampelovirus from diseased Hawaiian pineapple (1,2). In November of 2007, pineapples (cv. Tainung No. 17) planted in Pingtung County of southern Taiwan showed symptoms similar to MWP. Mealybugs (Dysmicoccus brevipes) were also found. Three primer pairs, 225/226, 223/224, and 263/264 described previously specific for the HSP70h genes of PMWaV-1 (1), -2, and -3 (2), respectively, were used to detect the presence of these three viruses by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. Expected DNA fragments of 590, 610, and 499 nt were obtained from the total RNA isolated from the leaves of diseased pineapples with primer pairs 225/226, 223/224, and 263/264, respectively. The RT-PCR amplified fragments were cloned, sequenced, and analyzed. The 590-nt fragment (Accession No. EU769113) shared 91.6 to 99.5% nucleotide and 96.8 to 99.5% amino acid identity to those of five isolates of PMWaV-1 available in the GenBank; one each from Hawaii (Accession No. AF414119) and Thailand (Accession No. EF620774) and three from Australia (Accession Nos. EF488752, EF467923, and EF467925). The 610-nt fragment (Accession No. EU769115) showed 98.7 and 99.7% nucleotide and 98% and 100% amino acid identity to those of PMWaV-2 from Hawaii (Accession No. AF283103) and Thailand (Accession No. EU016675), respectively. The 499-nt fragment (Accession No. FJ209047) shared 86.8 to 99.0% nucleotide and 94.0 to 100.0% amino acid identity to those of five PMWaV-3 isolates available in the GenBank; one from Hawaii (Accession No. DQ399259) and four from Australia (Accession Nos. EF467918, EF467919, EF488754, and EF488755). Using primer pairs FJ08-1 (5′-ATGGCTGATTCGAGC)/FJ08-2 (5′-TTATTTGCGTCCACC), FJ08-7 (5′-AGTGAGATTGATCGT)/FJ08-8 (5′-TGCAGGTATCCGCTG), and FJ08-35 (5′-AACGACCGAACTCGC)/FJ08-36 (5′-ATACTACAGATATTG) specific to the coat protein (CP) genes of PMWaV-1, -2, and -3, respectively, expected DNA fragments of 774, 909, and 789 nt were amplified by RT-PCR. The 774-nt CP gene of PMWaV-1 (Accession No. EU769114) shared 99% nucleotide and 98.4% amino acid identity to those of Hawaiian isolate (Accession No. AF414119). The 909-nt CP gene of PMWaV-2 (Accession No. EU769116) shared 99.0 and 99.1% nucleotide identity with isolates from Hawaii (Accession No. AF283103) and Cuba (Accession No. DQ225114), respectively, and 99.3% amino acid identity with both. The 789-nt CP gene of PMWaV-3 (Accession No. FJ209048) shared 99.1% nucleotide and 98.1% amino acid identity to those of the Hawaiian isolate (Accession No. DQ399259). One to two viruses among PMWaV-1, -2, and -3 were detected in all 40 samples collected from diseased pineapples. To our knowledge, this is the first report to identify three PMWaVs in the most important and widely planted pineapple cultivar in Taiwan, Tainung No. 17, by molecular characterization of the HSP70h and CP genes. References: (1) D. M. Sether et al. Plant Dis. 85:856, 2001. (2) D. M. Sether et al. Plant Dis. 89:450, 2005.

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First Report of Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 5 in Spain

Plant Disease ◽

10.1094/pdis-07-10-0508 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 94 (12) ◽

pp. 1507-1507 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

C. V. Padilla ◽

E. Cretazzo ◽

I. Hita ◽

N. López ◽

V. Padilla ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Amino Acid ◽

The United States ◽

Amino Acid Identity ◽

Wine Industry ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Acid Identity ◽

First Report ◽

Virus Indexing ◽

Homologous Genes

Grapevine leafroll-associated viruses (GLRaVs) cause significant reductions in yield and quality in the wine industry worldwide. At least nine different GLRaVs have been found in different regions of the world. In the process of virus indexing of candidate grapevine clones for certification, which includes grafting of scions onto rootstocks, we observed strong leafroll symptoms 1 year after grafting with one vine of cv. Estaladina in Castilla y León, Spain and one vine of cv. Tempranillo in La Rioja, Spain, collected in 2008 and 2007, respectively. Both vines tested positive by real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR with TaqMan probes specific for Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 5 and double-antibody sandwich (DAS)-ELISA with a mix of monoclonal antibodies that recognizes GLRaV-4, 5, 6, 7, and 9 (Bioreba, Reinach, Switzerland). RNA extracts of both GLRaV-5 positive vines were analyzed by conventional RT-PCR with a pair of consensus degenerated primers derived from GLRaV-5 hsp70 sequences available in GenBank: LR5HYF (5′-TGGGATGAAYAARTTCAATGC-3′) and LR5HYR (5′-TGAAATTCCTCATRTARGAGC-3′) that amplified a 250-bp fragment. Amplicons were cloned and the comparison of the amino acid sequences (Estaladina isolate, Est110: Accession No. HM208622; Tempranillo isolate, Tem020: Accession No. HM208618) showed in the case of the Est110 isolate, 100 and 82.6% identity, respectively, with the homologous genes of one GLRaV-5 isolate from the United States (AF233934 [3]) and Argentina (EU815935 [2]). For isolate Tem020, the hsp70 gene showed 97.1 and 81.2% amino acid identity with the homologous hsp70 genes of the United States and Argentina isolates. The coat protein (cp) genes of both isolates were also amplified and cloned using the specific GLRaV-5 primers, LR53413 (5′-CGTGATACAAGGTAGGACAACCGT-3′) and LR53843 (5′-CTTGCACTATCGCTGCCGTGAAT-3′), designed according to the sequence of AF233934. Fragments were of the expected size (430 bp) and the nucleotide sequences were obtained (Est110: Accession No. HM363522; Tem020: Accession No. HM363523) and used for pairwise nucleotide comparisons. The Est110 isolate showed 96.7 and 97.5% amino acid identity with the isolates from the United States and Argentina, respectively, while the Tem020 isolate showed 94.8 and 95.6% identity, respectively. Amino acid identity of Est110 and Tem020 cp genes was 100% when compared with the homologous genes of isolates AF233934 and EU815935. To our knowledge this is the first report of GRLaV-5 in Spain. Since 2008, we have detected eight additional vines positive for this virus in 200 clones analyzed for certification, suggesting that the incidence of GLRaV-5 in Spain could be widespread. This research indicates that virus indexing for GLRaV should be included in certification schemes for grapevine candidate clones (1) in Spain. References: (1) Anonymous. OEPP/EPPO Bull. 38:422, 2008. (2) S. Gomez Talquenca et al. Virus Genes 38:184, 2009. (3) F. Osman et al. J. Virol. Methods 141:22, 2007.

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First Report of Zantedeschia mosaic virus Infecting a Zantedeschia sp. in New Zealand

Plant Disease ◽

10.1094/pdis-92-8-1253a ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 92 (8) ◽

pp. 1253-1253 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

T. Wei ◽

M. N. Pearson ◽

D. Cohen ◽

J. Z. Tang ◽

G. R. G. Clover

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Amino Acid ◽

Mosaic Virus ◽

Amino Acid Identity ◽

Cut Flowers ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Acid Identity ◽

Virus Particles ◽

Blast Search ◽

Cp Gene

In February 2004, leaf yellowing, mottling, and mosaics were observed on a few plants of a Zantedeschia sp. (calla lily) growing in Rangiora, Canterbury, New Zealand. Zantedeschia spp. are known to be susceptible to at least 13 virus species (1). No symptoms were observed on Chenopodium amaranticolor, C. quinoa, Cucumis sativus, Gomphrena globosa, Nicotiana benthamiana, N. clevelandii, N. occidentalis, or N. tabacum when inoculated with sap from symptomatic plants. However, electron microscopy of crude sap preparations from a symptomatic Zantedeschia sp. and inoculated N. clevelandii plants revealed the presence of flexuous, filamentous virus particles approximately 700 nm long and 12 nm wide. No virus particles were seen in the other inoculated indicator species. Nucleic acid was extracted from leaves of the infected Zantedeschia sp. and N. clevelandii plants and tested in reverse transcription (RT)-PCR using published potyvirus-specific primers (4). PCR amplicons of the expected size (327 bp) were obtained from both plant species and sequenced directly. The products were identical, and a BLAST search in GenBank showed 99% nucleotide identity with a Taiwanese isolate of the species Zantedeschia mosaic virus (ZaMV) (GenBank Accession No. AY026463). A product of 1,531 bp (GenBank Accession No. EU544542) was amplified from symptomatic Zantedeschia by RT-PCR using novel forward (5′-GCACGGCAGATAAACACGAC-3′) and reverse (5′-GTGGGCAACCTTCAACTGTG-3′) primers designed to amplify the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR), coat protein (CP), and partial nuclear inclusion b protein (NIb) genes. The product was sequenced and had 94% nucleotide identity with a South Korean ZaMV isolate (GenBank Accession No. AB081519), with 95% nucleotide (97% amino acid) identity in the CP gene. A second crop of Zantedeschia spp. in Tauranga, New Zealand (approximately 700 km north of Rangiora) was observed to have similar disease symptoms. Symptomatic plants tested positive in ELISA using a potyvirus-specific monoclonal antibody (Agdia Inc., Elkhart, IN). Nucleic acid was extracted from leaves of symptomatic plants and tested in RT-PCR using potyvirus-specific primer pairs, PV2I/T7 and D335 and U335 and PV1/SP6, which amplify overlapping regions within the 3′UTR, CP, and NIb genes (2,3). The products were sequenced and a consensus sequence of 1,793 bp was generated (GenBank Accession No. EU532065). A BLAST search showed that the sequence had 78% nucleotide (88% amino acid) identity with Zantedeschia mild mosaic virus (ZaMMV) (GenBank Accession No. AY626825). However, the sequences had only 73% nucleotide (79% amino acid) identity in the CP gene, and therefore, this second virus may be a distinct species. To our knowledge, this is the first report of ZaMV in New Zealand. Cut flowers are an increasingly important commodity in New Zealand and Zantedeschia is one of the most important crops; in 2005, exports of rhizomes and cut flowers of the genus were worth NZ$10.9 million. These viral diseases may require management to ensure that the quality of production is maintained. References: (1) C. H. Huang et al. Plant Pathol. 56:183, 2007. (2) S. A. Langeveld et al. J. Gen. Virol. 72:1531, 1991. (3) A. M. Mackenzie et al. Arch. Virol. 143:903, 1998. (4) V. Marie-Jeanne et al. J. Phytopathol. 148:141, 2000.

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Re-emergence of Cassava Brown Streak Disease in Uganda

Plant Disease ◽

10.1094/pd-91-0024 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 91 (1) ◽

pp. 24-29 ◽

Cited By ~ 121

Author(s):

T. Alicai ◽

C. A. Omongo ◽

M. N. Maruthi ◽

R. J. Hillocks ◽

Y. Baguma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amino Acid ◽

Amino Acid Identity ◽

Cassava Mosaic Disease ◽

Streak Virus ◽

Sequence Comparisons ◽

Acid Identity ◽

Cp Gene ◽

Cassava Brown Streak Virus ◽

Cassava Brown Streak Disease ◽

Brown Streak

During November 2004, veinal chlorosis on mature cassava leaves, typical of cassava brown streak disease (CBSD), was observed at Mukono in central Uganda. Five out of 11 cultivars at the site showed CBSD symptoms (incidence range 4 to 64%). In a survey of farmers' fields, CBSD was observed in Wakiso and Mukono districts. Incidence of cassava mosaic disease was also recorded and averaged 60% for landraces (range 16.7 to 100%) and 20% for resistant varieties (range 0 to 65%). Leaf samples of plants with CBSD symptoms produced an amplicon of 222 bp using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction with primers that amplify a fragment of the coat protein (CP) gene of Cassava brown streak virus. Sequence comparisons based on the amplified CP gene fragment indicated that the isolates have 77 to 82.9% nucleotide and 43.9 to 56.8% amino acid identity with those from Mozambique and Tanzania. There was 95.9 to 99.5% nucleotide and 85.1 to 90.5% amino acid identity among the Ugandan isolates. These results confirm the re-emergence of CBSD in Uganda after it was first observed in the 1930s in cassava introduced from Tanzania and controlled by eradication. Prior to this report, CBSD was known to be restricted to the coastal lowlands of East Africa.

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First report of cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus (CCYV) infecting pumpkin in India

Plant Disease ◽

10.1094/pdis-07-21-1473-pdn ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ashwini Kumar ◽

Bichhinna Maitri Rout ◽

Shakshi Choudhary ◽

Amish K. Sureja ◽

V. K. Baranwal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amino Acid ◽

Amino Acid Sequence ◽

Amino Acid Sequence Identity ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Specific Primers ◽

First Report ◽

Virus Particles ◽

Sequence Identity ◽

Cp Gene ◽

Cucurbit Chlorotic Yellows Virus

Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata), a member of the family Cucurbitaceae, is widely cultivated throughout the world including India. During August 2020 to January 2021, stunted pumpkin plants (cv. Pusa Vishwas), showing chlorotic patches, mosaic, and vein banding on leaves (e-Xtra Fig.1), were observed in the experimental fields of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, India. Leaf-dip electron microscopy (EM) of the symptomatic plants (12 out of 37 samples) revealed the association of long flexuous virus particles measuring 650-950nm×10-12nm, suggestive of the presence of either crinivirus or potyvirus or both. Subsequently, a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed on RNA extracted from the samples that had long flexuous virus particles using generic primers for criniviruses i.e. CriniPol-F: GCY CCS AGR GTK AAT GA and CriniPol-R: ACC TTG RGA YTT RTC AAA targeting partial RNA-dependent RNA polymerase coding region (Martin et al. 2003) and specific primers for papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) targeting a part of 3’ NIb and full coat protein (CP) gene (Basavaraj et al., 2019) separately. All tested samples were positive for both crinivirus and PRSV as expected size amplicons were obtained, accounting for about 32% prevalence. As PRSV is a well-studied virus infecting cucurbits, further work was not carried on this virus and only the RT-PCR amplicon indicative of crinivirus (~515 bp) was cloned into the pGEM-T easy cloning vector (Promega, Madison, WI) and sequenced for further confirmation of the virus presence. The obtained sequence (GenBank accession No MZ318672) shared up to 90% nucleotide and 100% amino acid sequence identity with the corresponding genomic region of a cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus (CCYV) isolate from Greece (LT841297). To confirm the identity of the crinivirus species present in the same pumpkin sample, the CP gene (753bp) was amplified and sequenced using CCYV CP gene-specific primers CP-F (5’-ATG GAG AAG ACY GAC AAT AAA CAA AAT GAT GA-3’) and CP-R (5’-TTA TTT ACT ACA ACC TCC CGG TGC CAA C-3’) (modified from Kheireddine et al. 2020). Sequence analysis using the BioEdit tool (version 2.0) revealed that the crinivirus present in pumpkin (KC577202) shared 95 to 100% nucleotide (and 98 to 100% amino acid) sequence identity with the corresponding gene sequences of CCYV isolates originating from cucurbitaceous hosts from diverse locations. The presence of CCYV was further validated by a whitefly transmission-based bioassay followed by RT-PCR confirmation. The bioassay was performed by the whitefly species Bemisia tabaci (biotype Asia II7) using the acquisition access period and inoculation access period of 24 hours each. Six whitefly individuals per plant were used for inoculating ten pumpkin plants (cv. Pusa Vishwas) at the first true leaf stage grown in pots containing soilrite as the medium in insect-proof cages. All ten plants inoculated using whiteflies exhibited chlorosis and stunting symptoms 12-15 days post-inoculation (e-Xtra Fig.2) and were found positive for CCYV in RT-PCR assay performed using CCYV CP gene-specific primers. Though CCYV had been reported worldwide (Tzanetakis et al. 2013), its occurrence had not been reported from India. Results of the present study confirm the infection of pumpkin plants by CCYV and constitute the first report of its presence in India. Further, there is a need to investigate the extent of its spread and impact of this virus on the production of cucurbitaceous crops in the country.

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First Report of Zucchini yellow mosaic virus in Watermelon in Serbia

Plant Disease ◽

10.1094/pdis-08-11-0664 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 96 (1) ◽

pp. 149-149 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A. Vučurović ◽

A. Bulajić ◽

I. Stanković ◽

D. Ristić ◽

D. Nikolić ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amino Acid ◽

Mosaic Virus ◽

Sandwich Elisa ◽

Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus ◽

Yellow Mosaic Virus ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Total Rna ◽

First Report ◽

Cp Gene ◽

Negative Controls

During a survey of cucurbit viruses in the Gornji Tavankut locality (North Backa District), Serbia in June 2011, field-grown (a surface of 1.8 ha) watermelon plants (Citrullus lanatus [Thunb.] Matsum and Nakai) with mild mosaic symptoms were observed. Large numbers of Aphis gossypii were colonizing the crop. A total of 26 samples, six from plants exhibiting mosaic and 20 from asymptomatic plants, were analyzed by double-antibody sandwich-ELISA using polyclonal antisera virus (Bioreba AG, Reinach, Switzerland) against three cucurbit-infecting viruses known to infect Cucurbita pepo in Serbia: Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), Cucumber mosaic virus, and Watermelon mosaic virus (3). Commercial positive and negative controls were included in ELISA analysis. Only six symptomatic samples tested positive for ZYMV, but no other tested viruses were found. The virus was mechanically transmitted from a representative ELISA-positive watermelon sample (550-11) to five plants of C. pepo ‘Ezra F1’ and severe mosaic was noticed 10 days after inoculation. For further confirmation of ZYMV infection, total RNA from a naturally infected watermelon plant and symptomatic C. pepo ‘Ezra F1’ plants were extracted with the RNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany). Reverse transcription (RT)-PCR was performed with the One-Step RT-PCR Kit (Qiagen) using primer pair ZY-2 and ZY-3 (2). Total RNA obtained from a Serbian isolate of ZYMV from pumpkin (GenBank Accession No. HM072432) and healthy watermelon plants were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. The expected sizes of the RT-PCR products (1,186 bp) were amplified from naturally and mechanically infected symptomatic samples, but not from healthy tissues. The amplified product that derived from isolate 550-11 was purified (QIAquick PCR Purification Kit, Qiagen), sequenced in both directions, deposited in GenBank (Accession No. JN561294), and subjected to sequence analysis using MEGA4 software. Sequence comparisons revealed a high nucleotide identity of 99.9 to 99.8% and 100 to 99.6% amino acid identity for the CP gene with Serbian ZYMV isolates from C. pepo (Accession Nos. JF308188, HM072431, and HM072432). The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the entire CP gene (837 nt) of the Serbian ZYMV isolate from watermelon shared 99.9 to 93.7% and 100 to 96.8% identity, respectively, with innumerous isolates of ZYMV deposited in the GenBank (e.g., Accession Nos. AJ420012–17 and FJ705262). To our knowledge, this is the first report of ZYMV spreading its host range to watermelon in Serbia. ZYMV infection has been responsible for severe epidemics on cucurbits throughout the world (1). The presence of ZYMV on watermelon could therefore represent a serious threat for this valuable crop in Serbia, especially considering that it is prevalent in other cucurbit crops in the country and the vectors are widespread. References: (1) H. Lecoq et al. Virus Res. 141:190, 2009. (2) K. G. Thomson et al. J. Virol. Methods 55:83, 1995. (3) A. Vučurović et al. Pestic. Phytomed. (Belgrade) 24:85, 2009.

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First Report of the Carbapenemase Gene blaOXA-499 in Acinetobacter pittii

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.02676-16 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 61 (5) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Roshan D'Souza ◽

Naina Adren Pinto ◽

Paul G. Higgins ◽

Insik Hwang ◽

Dongeun Yong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amino Acid ◽

Clinical Isolate ◽

Amino Acid Identity ◽

Content Type ◽

Acid Identity ◽

First Report ◽

Carbapenemase Gene ◽

Acinetobacter Pittii ◽

Encoding Gene ◽

First Time

ABSTRACT We identified the carbapenemase gene bla OXA-499, a variant of bla OXA-143, from a clinical isolate of Acinetobacter pittii for the first time. OXA-499 shared 93.1% amino acid identity with OXA-143, and the gene was located on the chromosome. By cloning the OXA-499-encoding gene into the pWH1266 vector and transforming it into susceptible Acinetobacter spp., we were able to show that OXA-499 confers resistance to carbapenems.

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First Report on the Occurrence of Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 7 and 9 in Chilean Grapevines

Plant Disease ◽

10.1094/pdis-92-8-1252c ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 92 (8) ◽

pp. 1252-1252 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

E. A. Engel ◽

P. Escobar ◽

C. Montt ◽

S. Gómez-Talquenca ◽

P. D. T. Valenzuela

Keyword(s):

Amino Acid ◽

Mixed Infection ◽

Amino Acid Identity ◽

Microarray Hybridization ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Specific Primers ◽

Hybridization Pattern ◽

Acid Identity ◽

Pcr Product ◽

Plant Pathol

Grapevine is one of the oldest horticultural crops and represents a highly valuable agricultural commodity. So far, nine distinct Grapevine leafroll-associated viruses (GLRaVs) within the Closteroviridae family have been found to be associated with grapevine leafroll disease (3). Previous studies have demonstrated a high incidence of GLRaV-1, -2, and -3 in Chile (2). To determine if other GLRaVs were present, 21 dormant cane samples were screened with a comprehensive 70-mer oligonucleotide microarray designed to simultaneously detect all grapevine viruses with total or partial genomic sequence available. The array contained 570 unique probes designed against specific regions of more than 40 viral genomes (E. Engel et al., 15th ICVG [Abstr.], 2006). One sample (cv. Black Seedless) showing a microarray hybridization pattern compatible with a mixed infection of GLRaV-7 and GLRaV-1 was analyzed by ELISA using GLRaV-7 specific antibodies (Agritest, Valenzano, Italy) and reverse transcription (RT)-PCR using virus-specific primers LR7-F: 5′- TAT ATC CCA ACG GAG ATG GC -3′ and LR7-R: 5′- ATG TTC CTC CAC CAA AAT CG -3′ (based on GenBank Accession No. Y15987). The serological analysis confirmed the presence of GLRaV-7 with further confirmation by the RT-PCR product of 502 bp corresponding to a fragment of the HSP70h gene that was cloned and sequenced. The Chilean GLRaV-7 sequence (GenBank Accession No. EU334662) showed 94% nucleotide and 95% amino acid identity when compared with a corresponding region of another GLRaV-7 isolate from Albania (GenBank Accession No. Y15987). GLRaV-1 infection was confirmed by ELISA (Bioreba AG, Reinach, Switzerland) and RT-PCR. A second sample (cv. Tintorera) showing microarray hybridization pattern compatible with a mixed infection of GLRaV-9 and Grapevine virus A (GVA) was analyzed by RT-PCR using virus-specific primers LR9-F: 5′- CGG CAT AAG AAA AGA TGG CAC -3′ and LR9-R: 5′- TCA TTC ACC ACT GCT TGA AC -3′ (1). The RT-PCR product of 393 bp corresponding to a fragment of the HSP70h gene was cloned and sequenced (GenBank Accession No. EU334663), showing 94% nucleotide and 95% amino acid identity when compared with a corresponding region of another GLRaV-9 isolate from the United States (GenBank Accession No. AY297819). Since there are no commercial antibodies available for GLRaV-9 detection, a second pair of primers, LR9-F1: 5′- AAA GGT TTC TGC TGG TTA CC -3′ and LR9-R1: 5′- CTT TCA GAA CAG TCC TCC TC -3′ that amplified a fragment of ORF1a was also used. The 301-bp product was cloned and sequenced (GenBank Accession No. EU588989) showing 93.7% nucleotide and 98% amino acid identity when compared with a corresponding region of another GLRaV-9 isolate (GenBank Accession No. AY297819). GVA infection was confirmed by ELISA (Bioreba AG) and RT-PCR. To our knowledge, this is the first report of GLRaV-7 and GLRaV-9 in Chile. Further studies will help determine the effect and incidence of these viruses in Chilean grapevines. References: (1) R. Alkowni et al. J. Plant Pathol. 86:123, 2004. (2) N. Fiore et al. J. Plant Pathol. 90:125, 2008. (3) G. P. Martelli and E. Boudon-Padieu. Options Méditerr. B55, 2006.

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