Genetic variability and evolutionary dynamics of atypical Papaya ringspot virus infecting Papaya

PLoS One. 2021 Oct 12;16(10):e0258298. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258298. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Papaya ringspot virus biotype-P is a detrimental pathogen of economically important papaya and cucurbits worldwide. The mutation prone feature of this virus perhaps accounts for its geographical dissemination. In this study, investigations of the atypical PRSV-P strain was conducted based on phylogenetic, recombination and genetic differentiation analyses considering of it's likely spread across India and Bangladesh. Full length genomic sequences of 38 PRSV isolates and 35 CP gene sequences were subjected to recombination analysis. A total of 61 recombination events were detected in aligned complete PRSV genome sequences. 3 events were detected in complete genome of PRSV strain PK whereas one was in its CP gene sequence. The PRSV-PK appeared to be recombinant of a major parent from Bangladesh. However, the genetic differentiation based on full length genomic sequences revealed less frequent gene flow between virus PRSV-PK and the population from America, India, Colombia, other Asian Countries and Australia. Whereas, frequent gene flow exists between Pakistan and Bangladesh virus populations. These results provided evidence correlating geographical position and genetic distances. We speculate that the genetic variations and evolutionary dynamics of this virus may challenge the resistance developed in papaya against PRSV and give rise to virus lineage because of its atypical emergence where geographic spread is already occurring.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions / genetics
  • Base Sequence
  • Carica / genetics*
  • Carica / virology*
  • Evolution, Molecular*
  • Gene Flow
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Genome, Viral
  • Likelihood Functions
  • Phylogeny
  • Plant Diseases / genetics*
  • Potyvirus / genetics*
  • Recombination, Genetic
  • Statistics as Topic

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions

Supplementary concepts

  • Papaya ringspot virus

Grants and funding

We are greatly thankful to Higher Education Commission Pakistan (HEC) for funding this work as well as for supporting the research carried out under International Research Support Initiative program (IRSIP).The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.