The Nucleotide Sequence of Blackberry chlorotic ringspot and Strawberry necrotic shock viruses

Authors: TZANETAKIS, I - OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY; Martin, Robert; SCOTT, S - CLEMSON UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/10/2007
Publication Date: 6/1/2007
Citation: Tzanetakis, I.E., Martin, R.R., Scott, S. 2007. The nucleotide sequence of Blackberry chlorotic ringspot and Strawberry necrotic shock viruses. Phytopathology. 97. Available: http://meeting.apsnet.org/cfa/ssPresentationView.cfm?PresentationID=2499&

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Small fruit crops were thought to be infected with distinct stains of Tobacco streak virus (TSV) for more than 50 years. Two novel ilarviruses, Blackberry chlorotic ringspot virus (BCRV) and Strawberry necrotic shock virus (SNSV) were found to infect small fruit crops. Using TSV specific molecular detection, this virus was not identified in Rubus or Fragaria species, questioning the ability of TSV to infect these hosts. Since BCRV and SNSV are closely related to TSV, we completed the genomic sequences of both viruses to determine if they should be considered distinct species. Both viruses have a genome organization similar to that of TSV with the replicase encoded in RNA 1, the polymerase and an RNA silencing suppressor found in RNA 2. RNA 3 encodes the movement and coat proteins of the viruses. BCRV and SNSV are very closely related in RNA 1 and 2 where they share aa sequence similarities of about 90% while RNA 3 is more diverse and the similarities between the two viruses is under 70%. The nucleotide identity of BCRV and SNSV with TSV is about 70% indicating that they are distinct viruses and not strains of TSV. Thus, it may be that TSV does not infect small fruit crops since all tests performed in the past used immunology, which can be misleading since SNSV and TSV antisera cross react with TSV and SNSV, respectively.