ARS | Publication request: Characterization of a new Phytoreovirus species infecting the glassy-winged sharpshooter

Submitted to: CDFA Pierce's Disease Control Program Research Symposium
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: November 17, 2008
Publication Date: December 16, 2008
Citation: Stenger, D.C., Sisterson, M.S., Krugner, R., Backus, E.A., Hunter, W.B. 2008. Characterization of a new Phytoreovirus species infecting the glassy-winged sharpshooter [abstract]. CDFA Pierce's Disease Control Program Research Symposium, December 15-17, 2008, San Diego, California; Poster abstracts not published in Proceedings.

Technical Abstract: A new virus species of the genus Phytoreovirus was isolated from glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS; Homalodisca vitripennis Germar, Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in California. Double-shelled isometric virus particles (~53 nm) purified from GWSS adults resembled those observed in thin sections of GWSS salivary glands by transmission electron microscopy. Purified virions contained 12 dsRNA segments that ranged in size from 4,475 to 1,040 bp. Sequence comparisons indicated that the viral dsRNA segments were most closely related (58.5 to 43.7% nt sequence identity) to the corresponding genome segments of Rice dwarf virus (RDV). Terminal nucleotide sequences of viral positive-sense RNAs were similar to other phytoreoviruses (GGCG or GGCA at the 5’-end and UGAU or CGAU at the 3’-end) with adjacent imperfect inverted repeats potentially able to base pair. Phylogenetic analyses of the RNA-directed RNA polymerase (encoded by segment 1) and the outer capsid protein (encoded by segment 8) confirmed placement of new virus species in the genus Phytoreovirus sharing a most recent common ancestor with RDV. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assays revealed that infection of GWSS in California was common and that the virus also occurred in GWSS populations from the Carolinas and Texas.