Genome sequences of novel iflaviruses in the gray lawn leafhopper, an experimental vector of corn stunt spiroplasma

Authors: Andreason, Sharon; LAHEY, ZACHARY - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE); AYALA-ORTIZ, CHRISTIAN - Oklahoma State University; Simmons, Alvin

Submitted to: Microbiology Resource Announcements
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/5/2022
Publication Date: 7/18/2022
Citation: Andreason, S.A., Lahey, Z., Ayala-Ortiz, C., Simmons, A.M. 2022. Genome sequences of novel iflaviruses in the gray lawn leafhopper, an experimental vector of corn stunt spiroplasma. Microbiology Resource Announcements. https://doi.org/10.1128/mra.00446-22.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/mra.00446-22

Interpretive Summary: The gray lawn leafhopper is a pest of economically important cereal grasses. It has the ability to transmit plant pathogens to plants. In a study on how the leafhopper responds to acquiring a plant pathogen, sequences of two previously unidentified viruses were discovered. Here, the genome sequences of new insect-infecting viruses were assembled, described, and found to be similar to some other insect-infecting viruses with varying effects on their hosts. This new discovery will be of interest to the scientific community and may be studied further to determine if the viruses can be used for pest management purposes.

Technical Abstract: Two novel iflaviruses were detected in the metatranscriptome of the gray lawn leafhopper, Exitianus exitiosus (Uhler), an experimental vector of the corn stunt spiroplasma. The assembled genome sequence of Exitianus exitiosus virus 1 was 9,862 nucleotides (nt) long and encodes a 3,083-amino-acid (aa) polyprotein. Exitianus exitiosus virus 2 was 10,220 nt long and encodes a 2,946 aa polyprotein. A phylogenetic analysis placed the novel viruses in separate clades within Iflaviridae, both including iflaviruses discovered in other deltocephaline leafhoppers.