ARS | Publication request: PARTIAL GENOMIC SEQUENCE AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A NOVEL CARLAVIRUS ISOLATED FROM PHLOX DIVARICATA

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: March 30, 2006
Publication Date: June 1, 2006
Citation: Hammond, J., Reinsel, M.D. 2006. Partial genomic sequence and characterization of a novel carlavirus isolated from Phlox divaricata. Phytopathology. 96:S45.

Technical Abstract: A carlavirus in Phlox divaricata ‘White Perfume’ (WP) was detected by PCR using a primer pair that amplifies the 3’-terminal region of carla- and potexviruses. The sequence of the PCR product was related to, but clearly distinct from characterized carlaviruses. Upstream regions were cloned using a combination of virus-specific primers, and degenerate primers designed from conserved carlavirus amino acid sequences. About 5kb of the 3’ end of the genome has been cloned, and extension to the 5’-end continues. BLAST analysis of the partial replicase (RdRP) protein; triple gene block proteins TGBp1, TGBp2, TGBp3; the coat protein (CP); and ORF 6 protein reveal greatest similarity (less than 70% amino acid identity) to those of Chrysanthemum virus B (CVB), CVB; CVB, Helenium virus S, CVB, and Garlic latent virus respectively. Assays with antisera against seven characterized carlaviruses revealed no cross-reactions. The ‘WP carlavirus’ was distinct from a novel carlavirus from Phlox stolonifera by sequence, host range, and lack of serological relationship. Local infection of several species by mechanical transmission of the ‘WP carlavirus’, and systemic infection of foxglove and snapdragon, was confirmed by virus-specific PCR yielding a 919bp product. The phlox WP source plants were also infected with an unknown potyvirus, detected by potyvirus group-specific PCR and ELISA.