Abstract
BackgroundBegomoviruses are whitefly-transmitted geminiviruses with genomes that consist of either two components (known as DNA A and DNA B) or a single component (homologous to the DNA A component of bipartite begomoviruses). Monopartite begomoviruses are often associated with a symptom-modulating DNA satellite (collectively known as betasatellites). Both bipartite and monopartite begomoviruses with associated satellites have previously been identified in chillies showing leaf curl symptoms in Pakistan.ResultsA chilli plant (Capsicum annum) with chilli leaf curl disease symptoms was found to contain a begomovirus, a betasatellite and the DNA B component of Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV). The begomovirus consisted of 2747 nucleotides and had the highest sequence identity (99%) with Pepper leaf curl Lahore virus (PepLCLV-[PK: Lah:04], acc. no. AM404179). Agrobacterium-mediated inoculation of the clone to Nicotiana benthamiana, induced very mild symptoms and low levels of viral DNA, detected in systemically infected leaves by PCR. No symptoms were induced in Nicotiana tabacum or chillies either in the presence or absence of a betasatellite. However, inoculation of PepLCLV with the DNA B component of ToLCNDV induced leaf curl symptoms in N. benthamiana, N. tabacum and chillies and viral DNA accumulated to higher levels in comparison to plants infected with just PepLCLV.ConclusionsBased on our previous efforts aimed at understanding of diversity of begomoviruses associated with chillies, we propose that PepLCLV was recently mobilized into chillies upon its interaction with DNA B of ToLCNDV. Interestingly, the putative rep-binding iterons found on PepLCLV (GGGGAC) differ at two base positions from those of ToLCNDV (GGTGTC). This is the first experimental demonstration of the infectivity for a bipartite begomovirus causing chilli leaf curl disease in chillies from Pakistan and suggests that component capture is contributing to the emerging complexity of begomovirus diseases in the region.
Highlights
Begomoviruses are whitefly-transmitted geminiviruses with genomes that consist of either two components or a single component
Detection of begomovirus components in chilli samples showing leaf curl symptoms We have previously shown that chillies with leaf curl symptoms are associated with both monopartite begomoviruses along with a betasatellite as well as Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) [12]
To confirm the presence of a begomovirus in the symptomatic sample collected, diagnostic primer pairs were used in PCR amplifications with total nucleic acids extracted from the plant
Summary
Begomoviruses are whitefly-transmitted geminiviruses with genomes that consist of either two components (known as DNA A and DNA B) or a single component (homologous to the DNA A component of bipartite begomoviruses). Monopartite begomoviruses are often associated with a symptom-modulating DNA satellite (collectively known as betasatellites) Both bipartite and monopartite begomoviruses with associated satellites have previously been identified in chillies showing leaf curl symptoms in Pakistan. Chilli leaf curl betasatellite (ChLCB) has been identified in a large collection of chilli samples with leaf curl symptoms from all over the Pakistan [9]. Analysis of a large collection of chilli samples from Pakistan showed that diverse begomoviruses may infect chillies [7]. Another distinct begomovirus, Pepper leaf curl Lahore (PepLCLV), has been identified in chilli in Pakistan the infectivity of the virus to chillies was not established experimentally [13]
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