Characterization of a novel member of the family Caulimoviridae infecting Dioscorea nummularia in the Pacific, which may represent a new genus of dsDNA plant viruses

PLoS One. 2018 Sep 12;13(9):e0203038. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203038. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

We have characterized the complete genome of a novel circular double-stranded DNA virus, tentatively named Dioscorea nummularia-associated virus (DNUaV), infecting Dioscorea nummularia originating from Samoa. The genome of DNUaV comprised 8139 bp and contained four putative open reading frames (ORFs). ORFs 1 and 2 had no identifiable conserved domains, while ORF 3 had conserved motifs typical of viruses within the family Caulimoviridae including coat protein, movement protein, aspartic protease, reverse transcriptase and ribonuclease H. A transactivator domain, similar to that present in members of several caulimoviridae genera, was also identified in the putative ORF 4. The genome size, organization, and presence of conserved amino acid domains are similar to other viruses in the family Caulimoviridae. However, based on nucleotide sequence similarity and phylogenetic analysis, DNUaV appears to be a distinct novel member of the family and may represent a new genus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Caulimoviridae / classification*
  • Caulimoviridae / genetics
  • Caulimoviridae / physiology*
  • Dioscorea / virology*
  • Genomics
  • Open Reading Frames / genetics
  • Pacific Ocean
  • Phylogeny
  • Viral Proteins / chemistry
  • Viral Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • Viral Proteins

Grants and funding

This research was supported through the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)-funded project PC/2010/065. AS is a John Allwright Fellowship recipient.