Genomic characterization of two new viruses infecting Ageratum conyzoides in China.

Abstract

Two new RNA viruses were identified in Ageratum conyzoides in China using high-throughput sequencing, and their genome sequences were determined using PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The new viruses, which have positive-sense, single-stranded RNA genomes, were provisionally named "ageratum virus 1" (AgV1) and "ageratum virus 2" (AgV2). AgV1 has a genome of 3,526 nucleotides with three open reading frames (ORFs) and shares 49.9% nucleotide sequence identity with the complete genome of Ethiopian tobacco bushy top virus (genus Umbravirus, family Tombusviridae). The genome of AgV2 consists of 5,523 nucleotides and contains five ORFs that are commonly observed in members of the genus Enamovirus of the family Solemoviridae. Proteins encoded by AgV2 exhibited the highest amino acid sequence similarity (31.7-75.0% identity) to the corresponding proteins of pepper enamovirus R1 (an unclassified enamovirus) and citrus vein enation virus (genus Enamovirus). Based on their genome organization, sequence, and phylogenetic relationships, AgV1 is proposed to be a new umbra-like virus of the family Tombusviridae, and AgV2 is proposed to be a new member of the genus Enamovirus of the family Solemoviridae.