| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3429064 | Virus Research | 2011 | 6 Pages |
A new, symptomless virus was identified in blueberry. The dsRNA genome of the virus, provisionally named Blueberry latent virus (BBLV), codes for two putative proteins, one without any similarities to virus proteins and an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. More than 35 isolates of the virus from different cultivars and geographic regions were partially or completely sequenced. BBLV, found in more than 50% of the material tested, has high degree of homogeneity as isolates show more than 99% nucleotide identity between them. Phylogenetic analysis clearly shows a close relationship between BBLV and members of the Partitiviridae, although its genome organization is related more closely to members of the Totiviridae. Transmission studies from three separate crosses showed that the virus is transmitted very efficiently by seed. These properties suggest that BBLV belongs to a new family of plant viruses with unique genome organization for a plant virus but signature properties of cryptic viruses including symptomless infection and very efficient vertical transmission.
Research highlights▶ A new virus that bridges the Partitiviridae with the Totiviridae. ▶ A new family needs to be established including Blueberry latent and relative viruses. ▶ Widespread – more than 50% samples tested were infected with Blueberry latent virus. ▶ Very efficient transmission by seed. ▶ Minimal sequence diversity: less than 1% between 37 isolates.
