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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Salinas, California » Crop Improvement and Protection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #177170
Title: THE COMPLETE NUCLEOTIDE SEQUENCE AND GENOME ORGANIZATION OF TOMATO CHLOROSIS VIRUS

Author
item Wintermantel, William - Bill
item WISLER, GAIL - UNIV. FLORIDA
item Anchieta, Amy
item Liu, Hsing Yeh
item KARASEV, ALEXANDER - THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIV.
item TZANETAKIS, IOANNIS - OREGON STATE UNIV.

Submitted to: Archives of Virology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/28/2005
Publication Date: 7/8/2005
Citation: Wintermantel, W.M., Wisler, G.C., Anchieta, A.G., Liu, H., Karasev, A.V., Tzanetakis, I.E. 2005. The complete nucleotide sequence and genome organization of tomato chlorosis virus. Archives of Virology. DOI 10.1007/s00705-005-0571-4

Interpretive Summary: The crinivirus, tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV), was discovered initially in diseased tomato and has since been identified as a serious problem for tomato production in many parts of the world, particularly in the United States, Europe and Southeast Asia. The genome of Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) was cloned and the complete nucleotide sequence of the virus determined and compared with related crinivirus species. RNA 1 is organized into 4 open reading frames (ORFs), and encodes genes involved in replication of viral RNA based on homology to other viral replication factors. RNA 2 is composed of 9 ORFs encoding a HSP70 homolog and two proteins involved in packaging of viral RNA, referred to as the coat protein and minor coat protein. Sequence similarity between ToCV and other criniviruses varies throughout the viral genome. The ORF encoding the minor coat protein of ToCV, which forms part of the 'rattlesnake tail' of virions and may be involved in determining the unique, broad vector transmissibility of ToCV, is larger than the comparable LIYN gene by 651 nucleotides. Among criniviruses sequenced, considerable variability exists in the size of some viral proteins. Analysis of these differences with respect to biological function may provide insights into the role crinivirus proteins play in virus infection and transmission.

Technical Abstract: The crinivirus, tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV), was discovered initially in diseased tomato and has since been identified as a serious problem for tomato production in many parts of the world, particularly in the United States, Europe and Southeast Asia. The complete nucleotide sequence of Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) was determined and compared with related crinivirus species. RNA 1 is organized into four open reading frames (ORFs), and encodes proteins involved in replication, based on homology to other viral replication factors. RNA 2 is composed of nine ORFs including genes that encode a HSP70 homolog and two proteins involved in encapsidation of viral RNA, referred to as the coat protein and minor coat protein. Sequence homology between ToCV and other criniviruses varies throughout the viral genome. The minor coat protein (CPm) of ToCV, which forms part of the 'rattlesnake tail' of virions and may be in involved in determining the unique, broad vector transmissibility of ToCV, is larger than the CPm of Lettuce infectious yellows virus by 217 amino acids. Among sequenced criniviruses, considerable variability exists in the size of some viral proteins. Analysis of these differences with respect to biological function may provide insight into the role crinivirus proteins play in virus infection and transmission.