Identification and genome sequencing of RNA viruses in the eucalyptus snout beetle Gonipterus spp. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Arch Virol. 2020 Dec;165(12):2993-2997. doi: 10.1007/s00705-020-04814-0. Epub 2020 Sep 25.

Abstract

The genomes of two putative new RNA viruses (macula-like virus and bunya-like virus) were identified in total RNA extracted from dead eucalyptus snout beetles (Gonipterus spp.) from a laboratory colony. However, only bunya-like virus was detected in field-collected insects. The macula-like virus has a monopartite single-stranded RNA genome that contains three open reading frames (ORFs) encoding an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), a capsid protein (CP), protein with unknown function. The bunya-like virus genome was predicted to consist of two RNA segments: a large segment (L) encoding a single protein (RdRp) and a small segment (S) encoding a putative nucleocapsid protein.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Genome, Viral*
  • Open Reading Frames
  • Phylogeny*
  • RNA Viruses / classification*
  • RNA Viruses / isolation & purification
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / genetics
  • Weevils / virology*

Substances

  • RNA, Viral
  • Viral Proteins
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase