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Title: Partial Characterization of Maize Rayado Fino Virus Isolates From Ecuador: Phylogenetic Analysis Supports A Central American Origin of the Virus

Author
item CHICAS, MAURICIO - UNIV COSTA RICA SAN JOSE
item CAVIEDES, MARIO - UNIV COSTA RICA SAN JOSE
item Hammond, Rosemarie
item MADRIZ, KENNETH - UNIV COSTA RICA SAN JOSE
item ALBERTAZZI, FEDERICO - UNIV COSTA RICA SAN JOSE
item VILLALOBOS, HEYDI - UNIV COSTA RICA SAN JOSE
item RAMIREZ, PILAR - UNIV COSTA RICA SAN JOSE

Submitted to: Virus Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/9/2007
Publication Date: 6/1/2007
Citation: Chicas, M., Caviedes, M., Hammond, R., Madriz, K., Albertazzi, F., Villalobos, H., Ramirez, P. 2007. Partial Characterization of Maize Rayado Fino Virus Isolates From Ecuador: Phylogenetic Analysis Supports A Central American Origin of the Virus. Virus Research. 126:268-276.

Interpretive Summary: Maize rayado fino virus (MRFV), which causes an important disease in corn resulting in yield losses up to 100%, is widely distributed throughout Latin America and is found in all regions where maize and the insect (leafhopper) that transmits the virus from plant to plant are present. In this study, we have studied the genetic relationships among isolates of MRFV from geographically distinct regions of Latin America and the United States to establish the linkage between geographic location, genetic distance, and virus dispersal. Our results suggest that MRFV originated in Mexico or Guatemala and was dispersed by wind-assisted migrations of the insect from areas where maize is grown year-round to areas where the crop is only seasonal. Our results contribute to an understanding of the factors determining the geographical range of MRFV, its potential emergence in new areas, including the corn belts of the United States, and strategies for control. These findings will benefit plant pathologists, corn breeders, and agronomists by providing valuable information on the epidemiology of MRFV.

Technical Abstract: Maize rayado fino virus (MRFV) infects maize and appears to be restricted to, yet widespread in, the Americas. MRFV was previously unreported from Ecuador. Maize plants exhibiting symptoms of MRFV infection were collected at the Santa Catalina experiment station in Quito, Ecuador. RT-PCR reactions were performed on total RNA extracted from the symptomatic leaves using primers specific for the capsid protein gene and 3’ non-translated region of MRFV and first strand cDNA as a template. Nucleotide sequence comparisons to previously sequenced MRFV isolates from other geographic regions revealed up to 88% sequence identity. Phylogenetic trees constructed using Maximum Likelihood, UPGMA, Minimal Evolution, Neighbor-Joining, and Maximum Parsimony methods separated the MRFV isolates into four groups. These groups may represent geographic isolation generated by the mountainous chains of the American continent. Analysis of the sequences and the genetic distances among the different isolates suggests that MRFV may have originated in Mexico or Guatemala and from there it dispersed to the rest of the Americas.