A divergent variant of <it>Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3</it> is present in California

• Main Authors: Seah YeeMey, Sharma Abhineet M, Zhang Siming, Almeida Rodrigo PP, Duffy Siobain
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2012-10-01
• Series: Virology Journal
• Subjects: Ampelovirus; Wine; Mealybug
• Online Access: http://www.virologyj.com/content/9/1/235

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Grapevine leafroll-associated viruses are a problem for grape production globally. Symptoms are caused by a number of distinct viral species. During a survey of Napa Valley vineyards (California, USA), we found evidence of a new variant of <it>Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3</it> (GLRaV-3). We isolated its genome from a symptomatic greenhouse-raised plant and fully sequenced it.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>In a maximum likelihood analysis of representative GLRaV-3 gene sequences, the isolate grouped most closely with a recently sequenced variant from South Africa and a partial sequence from New Zealand. These highly divergent GLRaV-3 variants have predicted proteins that are more than 10% divergent from other GLRaV-3 variants, and appear to be missing an open reading frame for the p6 protein.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This divergent GLRaV-3 phylogroup is already present in grape-growing regions worldwide and is capable of causing symptoms of leafroll disease without the p6 protein.</p>