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Title: MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF CITRUS YELLOW MOSAIC VIRUS

Author
item Huang, Qi
item Hartung, John

Submitted to: International Society of Citriculture Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/7/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Citrus yellow mosaic virus (CYMV) causes citrus mosaic disease commonly occurring in India. CYMV belongs to plant badnavirus group because it has non-enveloped bacilliform particles and a double-stranded DNA genome. We have cloned the CYMV genome and determined its complete nucleotide sequence. The genome is 7499 bp in length and contains 6 putative open reading frames (ORFs) capable of encoding proteins larger than 10 kDa. All of the ORFs are present on the plus-strand and may encode proteins involved in viral movement, capsid synthesis and replication. The genome also contains a tRNA Methionine - binding site that may serve as a primer for minus-strand synthesis. The sequence information has been compared with sequences in GenBank to determine phylogenetic relationships between CYMV and badnaviruses from other host plants. We also are investigating genetic variability among strains of CYMV, and whether CYMV sequences are present in the citrus genome. We have found sequence variants of CYMV within individual graft propagated citrus plants. These studies are important steps toward not only a better understanding of this exotic plant pathogen for quarantine purposes but also the development of this double-stranded DNA virus into a useful tool in biotechnology.