Capsicum Chlorosis Virus Research Articles

First Report of Tomato yellow ring virus (Tospovirus, Bunyaviridae) Infecting Tomato in Kenya.

Tomato (Lycoperscion esculentum) is one of the most popular vegetables and a major source of nutrition and income for smallholders in Africa. Thrips-transmitted tospoviruses are among the economically important pathogens of tomatoes that cause significant crop losses worldwide (3). In surveys for Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) in the major tomato production areas of Kenya between March 2010 and January 2012, tomato fruits with chlorotic ring spots on fruits with stem and leaf necrosis were observed frequently. The symptoms were more evident in the dry seasons and disease incidence ranged from 28 to 42%. The pathogen did not react with antiserum specific to TSWV (Agdia Biofords, Ervy, France) in double-antibody sandwich (DAS)-ELISA. Furthermore, the pathogen did not react with antiserum specific to Capsicum chlorosis virus (CaCV), Chrysanthemum stem necrosis virus (CSNV), Groundnut ring spot virus (GRSV), Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV), Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV), and Watermelon silver mottle virus (WSMoV) (Agdia Biofords and DSMZ, Germany) in DAS-ELISA, but reacted positively to antiserum specific to Tomato yellow fruit ring virus (TYFRV) (DSMZ, AS0526). The nucleocapsid (N) gene specific primers (TFfor: 5'-ACTCATTAAAATGCATCGTTCT-3' and TFrev: 5'-CTAAGTAAACACCATGGCTACC-3' as forward and reverse primers, respectively) were designed by choosing six conserved regions of the N gene sequences of known TYFRV and Tomato yellow ring virus (TYRV) sequences available from GenBank. Using these primers, TYRV infection of tomatoes collected from Loitokitok, Kenya (2.73°S, 37.51°E) was confirmed by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. PCR products of approximately 912-bp were obtained from six out of 11 symptomatic tomato samples tested, but not from healthy and water controls. Amplicons were gel-purified using QuickClean II Gel Extraction Kit (GenScript, UK) and sequenced using TFfor and TFrev primers. A consensus sequence was generated using Geneious Pro 5.5.6 Software (Biomatters Ltd., Auckland, NZ). The BLAST revealed that the N-gene sequence of the Kenyan tomato isolate (GenBank Accession No. JQ955615) had sequence identity with the Cineraria isolate (98.5%) (Accession No. DQ788693.1) and the Anemone isolate (98.1%) (Accession No. DQ788694.1) of TYRV (4) from Fars Province, Iran; an Alstroemeria isolate (98.4%) (Accession No. HQ154130.1) and two tomato isolates (98.3%) (Accession Nos. HQ154131.1 and AY686718.1) of TYRV from northern Khorasan Province, Iran, and a tomato isolate (98.1%) (Accession No. AJ493270.1) of TYFRV from Varamin, Iran. The Kenyan tomato isolate differed from a TYFRV potato isolate (87.5%) from Iran (Accession No. EU126931.1) (1), a TYRV potato isolate (87.5%) from Iran (Accession No. JF836812.1); a soybean isolate of TYRV (87.4%) from Iran (Accession No. DQ462163.1) (2), and showed significant divergence from that of Polygonum ringspot virus from Italy (81%) (Accession No. EF445397.1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of TYRV infecting tomatoes in Kenya. Further surveys and monitoring of TYRV incidence and distribution in the region, vector competence of thrips species, and impact on the crop yield are in progress.

Scientific Opinion on the pest categorisation of the tospoviruses

The European Commission requested EFSA's Panel on Plant Health to perform the pest categorisation for the 24 viruses of the Tospovirus genus for the EU territory. The following tospoviruses were analysed: Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV), Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV), Polygonum ringspot virus (PolRSV), Groundnut ringspot virus (GRSV), Tomato chlorotic spot virus (TCSV), Alstroemeria necrotic streak virus (ANSV), Chrysanthemum stem necrosis virus (CSNV), Melon severe mosaic virus (MSMV), Tomato yellow (fruit) ring virus (TYRV), Tomato zonate spot virus (TZSV), Groundnut yellow spot virus (GYSV), Groundnut chlorotic fan-spot virus (GCFSV), Groundnut bud necrosis virus (GBNV), Zucchini lethal chlorosis virus (ZLCV), Capsicum chlorosis virus (CaCV), Watermelon bud necrosis virus (WBNV), Watermelon silver mottle virus (WSMoV), Tomato necrotic ringspot virus (TNRV), Calla lily chlorotic spot virus (CCSV), Melon yellow spot virus (MYSV), Soybean vein necrosis associated virus (SVNaV), Bean necrotic mosaic virus (BeNMV) and Pepper necrotic spot virus (PNSV). In reaching its conclusions, the Panel considered four parameters to be of critical importance in the risk assessment area: (i) the presence of a tospovirus, (ii) the existence of host plants, (iii) the existence of thrips vector species and (iv) the potential for damage to crops grown in Europe. Based on its analysis, the Panel concluded that the 24 viruses analysed could be allocated to four different risk groups. Seven viruses (GRSV, TCSV, ANSV, CSNV, MSMV, TYRV, TZSV) for which both thrips species vectors and natural or experimental hosts crops are present in the EU territory were considered by the Panel to represent the highest risk to the EU territory. In contrast, three viruses (INSV, IYSV and PolRSV) already present in the risk assessment area were not considered by the Panel to pose a risk justifying the development of full risk assessments.

First Report of Groundnut bud necrosis virus in Tomato in Bangladesh

An unusual disease of tomato characterized by leaf mottling and necrotic streaks on veins, shortened internodes, necrosis of terminal buds, and concentric rings on fruits was observed during 2010 to 2011 surveys in tomato growing regions of Godagari Upzila, Rajshahi district, Bangladesh. Disease incidence in popularly grown F1 hybrid cultivars, which include Sobal, Abhiruchi, Salamat, Bangobir, and BARI hybrid tomato-5 and -6 in about 40 commercial fields, ranged from 40 to 90%. Extracts from the field samples (n = 10) reacted with polyclonal antiserum to Groundnut bud necrosis virus (GBNV) in direct antigen coated ELISA, suggesting the association of a tospovirus antigenically related to serogroup IV topsovirus (1). To identify whether the tospovirus was a distinct virus species, ELISA-positive samples were subjected to total RNA extraction with an RNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen, Chatsworth, CA) followed by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR with tospovirus-specific primers (5'-ATGGTTGAAAAGAGCAAGAATGATGC-3') and degenerate primer (5'-CTTCTTATGAAGTGTACTCACCATAAGTCATCC-3') derived from the conserved sequences of GBNV, Watermelon bud necrosis virus (WBNV), and Capsicum chlorosis virus (CaCV) (2). The RT-PCR product was cloned into pGEM-T Easy vector (Promega, Madison, WI) and sequenced at Department of Biochemistry, University of Delhi, South Campus, Delhi, India (GenBank Accession No. JQ692083). The sequences of cloned fragments were assembled. Analysis of the 477-bp region of the nucleocapsid protein (N) gene revealed that the tomato tospovirus shared maximum identity both at the nucleotide (96%) and amino acid (97%) levels with the corresponding region of GBNV. In contrast, only 78 to 81% and 85 to 87% identity at nucleotide and amino acid levels, respectively, was observed with the corresponding region of the N genes of CaCV, WBNV, and Watermelon silver mottle virus. These results suggested the association of GBNV with the diseased tomato samples. To our knowledge, this is the first report of GBNV infecting tomato in Bangladesh and regular surveys are necessary to ascertain the prevalence and incidence of GBNV in other crops.

In Vitro expression of NSs protein of Melon yellow spot virus infecting melon in Thailand and serological activity of NSs antibody in virus diagnosis

Melon yellow spot virus (MYSV) is one of the most devastating plant viruses in the genus Tospovirus and adversely affects productivity, and quality of cucumber and melon. The locally made polyclonal antibody against nucleocapsid (N) protein of Thai isolate of MYSV has been previously used for the diagnosis of tospovirus species in serogroup IV as well as MYSV, therefore, causing problems for specific MYSV diagnosis. In this research, polyclonal antibody against MYSV- non structural (NSs) protein was produced and evaluated for use in MYSV diagnosis. The N and NSs genes were directly amplified by RT-PCR from MYSV-infecting melon and cloned. Analysis of N gene indicated MYSV infection in diseased melon (designated as isolate MYSV-SUT). The cloned NSs gene of MYSV-SUT is composed of 1,410 nucleotides which encoded for 470 amino acid residues. In vitro protein expression of NSs gene inserted in pQE80L expression vector yielded a recombinant 6xHis-NSs polypeptide. The rabbit polyclonal antibodies against the expressed 6xHis-NSs protein (PAb-MYSV-NSs) had titer up to 1:12,800 when tested with 3 μg/ml of the 6xHis-NSs protein by DAC-ELISA. This antibody reacted positively to crude sap from MYSV-infected melon and cucumber leaf tissue by nitrocellulose ELISA (NCM-ELISA), and not to crude sap of symptomatic plants infected with Watermelon silver mottle virus (WSMoV), Capsicum chlorosis virus (CaCV) and Tomato necrotic ring spot virus (TNRV) isolates from Thailand. However, crude sap of MYSV-infected melon from fields did not react with PAb-MYSV-NSs in the DAC-ELISA conditions used in this study.

DETECTION OF EIGHT DIFFERENT TOSPOVIRUS SPECIES BY A MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY AGAINST THE COMMON EPITOPE OF NSS PROTEIN

Rabbit antisera against the nucleocapsid protein (NP) have been commonly used for detection of tospoviruses and classification into serogroups or serotypes. Mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) with high specificity to the NPs have also been widely used to identify tospovirus species. Recently, a serogroup-specific MAb against the NSs protein of Watermelon silver mottle virus (WSMoV) was produced by our laboratory to react with five members of WSMoV serogroup, i.e., WSMoV, Capsicum chlorosis virus (CaCV), Calla lily chlorotic spot virus (CCSV), Peanut bud necrosis virus (PBNV) and Watermelon bud necrosis virus (WBNV). The epitope recognized by the NSs MAb was determined and the comparison with the reported sequences of tospoviral NSs proteins revealed that the epitope is highly conserved at the N-terminal region of NSs proteins among members of WSMoV and Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV) serogroups, and Melon yellow spot virus (MYSV) serotype. When the NSs MAb was further used to react with the crude antigens of MYSV serotype, IYSV and Tomato yellow ring virus (TYRV) of IYSV serogroup, strong serological reactions, both in ELISA and western blotting, were observed. Thus, our results indicated that the NSs MAb is a useful and convenient tool for detection of the eight tospovirus species. It is also suggested that these eight Asian-type tospoviruses, i.e., WSMoV, CaCV, CCSV, PBNV, WBNV, MYSV, IYSV and TYRV, may share a common evolutionary ancestor.

IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THREE NEW PHALAENOPSIS ORCHID-INFECTING VIRUSES

A postulated so-called “Taiwan virus”-causing symptoms of chlorotic spots with centric necrosis or chlorotic ringspots on Phalaenopsis orchid leaves has been observed in Taiwan for several years. In 2002, a virus culture (91-orchid-1) was isolated from leaves of a Phalaenopsis orchid bearing chlorotic and necrotic spots from central Chinese Taipei. This virus was biologically, serologically and molecularly characterized. Results indicated that the virus is an isolate of Capsicum chlorosis virus (CaCV), designated as CaCV-Ph. In 2004, another virus-like symptom of chlorotic spots was observed on leaves of Phalaenopsis orchids in the central part of Chinese Taipei. A virus culture, Phalaenopsis isolate 7-2, was isolated from a symptomatic Phalaenopsis orchid. The causal agent was biologically and serologically characterized and shown to be a potyvirus that shares less than 70% amino acid identities with those of 18 other potyviruses that shared highest sequence identity in GenBank. Results from our study suggest that this is a new potyvirus and is designated as Phalaenopsis chlorotic spot virus (PhCSV). In 2003, a virus culture, 92-orchid-1, isolated from a Phalaenopsis orchid bearing chlorotic ring symptoms reacted with an antiserum to Carnation mottle virus (CarMV) in ELISA and its isometric particles measuring about 32 nm were observed. Sequence analyses of the CP gene showed that 92-orchid-1 is an isolate of CarMV and is therefore designated as CarMV-Ph. Specific antisera against CaCV-Ph, PhCSV and CarMV-Ph, and specific primers for RT-PCR were developed and successfully used for detection of these viruses. The occurrence of these three viruses in Phaelenopsis orchids has direct implication for the economically important nursery and floral industry in Chinese Taipei.

An optimized mRFP-based bimolecular fluorescence complementation system for the detection of protein–protein interactions in planta

An existing bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) system, based on a monomeric red fluorescent protein (mRFP), has been optimized for the investigation of protein–protein interactions in planta. The expression plasmids, encoding the N-terminal amino acids (aa) 1–168 and the C-terminal aa 169–225 of the mRFP, allow N- or C-terminal fusion of a split mRFP, with the genes of interest. Two major improvements over the original vectors have been made. Firstly, the coding sequence of a GGGSGGG-linker has been integrated between mRFP sequences and the genes of interest. Secondly, a modified mini binary vector (∼3.5kb) was introduced as the backbone for the plant expression plasmids. Based on the results of yeast two-hybrid studies with plant viral proteins, interaction of viral proteins was tested in Nicotiana benthamiana plants and monitored by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Plum pox virus coat protein and mutants thereof served as controls. The system was validated using the N-protein of Capsicum chlorosis virus for which a self-interaction was shown for the first time, the Tobacco mosaic virus coat protein and BC1 and BV1 of the Tomato yellow leaf curl Thailand virus. This optimized BiFC system provides a convenient alternative to other BiFC, as well as yeast two-hybrid assays, for detecting protein–protein interactions.

Importance and Genetic Diversity of Vegetable-Infecting Tospoviruses in India

A survey for Peanut bud necrosis virus (PBNV), Watermelon bud necrosis virus (WBNV), Capsicum chlorosis virus (CaCV), and Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV) was conducted between 2002 and 2009 in the major vegetable-growing areas in India. PBNV was documented widely in tomato and chili peppers in 14 states representing southern, north-western, north-eastern, and central regions and WBNV was predominantly detected in watermelons and cucurbits in all except north-eastern regions. In addition, the expanded host range of PBNV to watermelons and other cucurbits and WBNV to tomato and chili peppers was observed leading to natural mixed infection of the two viruses. IYSV was found in onion in southern, central, and north-eastern regions and CaCV in tomato and chili peppers in northern and southern regions, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the nucleocapsid gene revealed segregation of field isolates of PBNV and WBNV into two distinct subclades, whereas isolates of CaCV and IYSV each clustered into a single clade. A proposal for establishing WBNV as a distinct tospovirus species is made based on the molecular characterization of small- (S) and medium- (M) RNA segments.

First Report of Carnation mottle virus in Phalaenopsis Orchids

In November 2003, two Phalaenopsis orchids from two different nurseries with symptoms of chlorotic rings on leaves were observed in Changhua County of central Taiwan. Symptomatic plants were collected and examined for the presence of viruses. Electron microscopic examination of ultrathin sections of leaf tissues from the symptomatic orchids found isometric virions of 32 nm in diameter. Subsequently, an isolate (herein designated as '92-orchid-1') with particles of similar size were isolated from one symptomatic orchid and established in Chenopodium quinoa (3). After indirect ELISA tests using antisera against Carnation mottle virus (CarMV), Cucumber mosaic virus, Cymbidium ringspot virus, Tomato bushy stunt virus, Capsicum chlorosis virus, Impatiens necrotic spot virus, Tomato spotted wilt virus, Tomato ringspot virus, and Lisianthus necrosis virus, this isolate reacted positively with the antiserum produced against CarMV (1). CarMV-TW-infected and healthy C. quinoa were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. To further characterize this virus, the conserved region of the polymerase gene (ORF1RT) of Carmoviruses was amplified with degenerate primer pairs, FJJ2003-17 (5'-TATATCTCGAGCAA(A/C)TAGGGG(G/T)GCCT) and FJJ2003-18 (5'-TATAGGATCCCC(C/T)A(A/T)(A/G)GC(A/T)GTGTTCA), by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR using the total RNA isolated from the leaves of 92-orchid-1-, CarMV-TW-infected, and healthy C. quinoa (3). The 894-nt ORF1RT conserved region of isolate 92-orchid-1 (GenBank Accession No. HQ117873) shared 97.1, 65.6, 61.7, and 63.5% nucleotide identities and 98.3, 70.2, 66.1, and 64.7% amino acid identities with those of CarMV (X02986), Pelargonium flower break virus (NC_005286), Saguaro cactus virus (NC_001780), and Angelonia flower break virus (NC_007733), respectively. The sequence comparison of the ORF1RT conserved region indicated that 92-orchid-1 was a carmovirus related to CarMV. Sequence analyses of the coat protein (CP) gene (GenBank Accession No. HQ117872) amplified with the specific CP primer pairs of CarMV (FJJ2004-53: 5'-ACTGCGCTCGAGCTACTCTGTTGACAGTTCTA, and 2004-54: 5'-ATATATGGATCCCGTCCCGCCGTGTGTGTCTA) showed the isolate shared 95.8 to 98.8% nucleotide identities and 96.8 to 98.9% amino acid identities with those of 40 CarMV isolates. Furthermore, the CP gene shared 96.9, 97.0, and 98.8% nucleotide identities and 98.0, 95.7, and 98.3% amino acid identities with isolates from carnation (GenBank Accession No. AY383566) (1), calla lily (GenBank Accession No. HQ117870) (2), and lisianthus (GenBank Accession No. FJ843021), respectively, in Taiwan. These results suggested that this isolate was CarMV but distinct from the above-mentioned three isolates and designated CarMV-Ph. From 2004 to 2007, a further survey of 280 symptomatic Phalaenopsis plants by ELISA using CarMV polyclonal antibodies (1) found that approximately 4% of those tested were infected. To our knowledge, this is the first report of CarMV in Phalaenopsis orchids and the occurrence has substantial implications for the important nursery and floral industry in Taiwan.

Complete nucleotide sequence of capsicum chlorosis virus isolated from Phalaenopsis orchid and the prediction of the unexplored genetic information of tospoviruses

Phalaenopsis orchids are popular ornamentals all over the world. A tospovirus, capsicum chlorosis virus (CaCV-Ph) had been identified as the cause of chlorotic ringspots on leaves of Phalaenopsis orchids in Taiwan. The tripartite genome of CaCV-Ph was found to contain 3608, 4848 and 8916 nt of S, M and L RNAs, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the nucleocapsid (N) protein confirmed that CaCV-Ph is a member of the watermelon silver mottle virus (WSMoV) serogroup in the genus Tospovirus. Based on the relations among the nonstructural protein (NSs), glycoprotein (GnGc), thrips genera, host and geographical distribution, tospoviruses and thrips could be classified into two major types: WSMoV-Thrips-Asian and Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV)-Frankliniella-EuroAmerican. The proline (P(459)) of all tospoviral Gn proteins was indispensable for thrips transmission, but the RGD motif, which is maintained by only six tospoviruses, may not be required for thrips transmission. An RdRp catalytic domain found in the conserved region of the L protein may recognize the typically conserved sequences on the 5' and 3' terminal regions (5' AGAGCAAU 3').

Tomato necrotic ringspot virus, a new tospovirus isolated in Thailand

A new tospovirus isolated from naturally infected tomato plants grown in Nakhon Pathom province (Thailand) was characterized. Infected plants showed symptoms consisting of necrotic spots, necrotic ringspots and stem necrosis. This virus was detected using general antibodies that could recognize watermelon silver mottle virus (WSMoV), capsicum chlorosis virus (CaCV) and melon yellow spot virus (MYSV). However, it did not react with specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to WSMoV and CaCV or a specific MAb to MYSV. The complete nucleotide sequences of S and M RNAs of the virus were determined. They were 3,023 and 4,716 nucleotides in length, respectively, and contained two ORFs in an ambisense arrangement. Sequence analysis indicated that amino acid sequence of the N protein shared 58.2%, 56.0% and 51.8% identity with those of CaCV, WSMoV and MYSV, respectively. The virus was experimentally transmitted by Thrips palmi and Ceratothripoides claratris. Based on our results, we conclude that this tospovirus isolate should be considered a member of a new species. The name tomato necrotic ringspot virus (TNRV) is proposed for this tospovirus.

First Report of Capsicum chlorosis virus Infecting Tomato in Taiwan.

In December 2009, two samples from tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Known-you 301) showing symptoms of chlorosis and necrosis on leaves were collected from two different fields that exhibited 5% disease incidence in Wufeng Township, Taichung County. Reverse transcription (RT)-PCR was applied to detect the presence of potential viruses in collected samples using three degenerate primers (3), gL3637/gL4435c for tospoviruses, Tob-Uni1/Tob-Uni2 for tobamoviruses, and Hrp5/Pot1 for potyviruses, and one specific primer, FJJ2001-7/FJJ2001-8, for the coat protein gene of Cucumber mosaic virus (3). An 816-nt DNA fragment was amplified from each of these two field samples by RT-PCR with the tospovirus degenerate primers, gL3637/gL4435c, designed from the conserved region of L RNA. One of the amplified fragments was cloned and sequenced. A homology search indicated that the new tomato-infecting virus in Taiwan might belong to Capsicum chlorosis virus (CaCV) since the partial L RNA shared more than 87% nucleotide and 99.6% amino acid identity with two CaCV isolates from Thailand (GenBank Accession Nos. DQ256124 and NC_008302). A virus culture isolated from the symptomatic tomato was established in Chenopodium quinoa through triple single-lesion isolation and designated as TwTom1. The partial L RNA and full-length nucleocapsid (N) gene of TwTom1 were obtained by RT-PCR with primer pairs gL3637/gL4435c and FJJ 2010-2 (5'-TTAAAT(C/T)ACAC(C/T)TCTATAGA)/N3534c (1), respectively. The 816-nt L RNA conserved region of TwTom1 (Accession No. HM021140) also shared 87% nucleotide and 99.6% amino acid identity with those of the above mentioned two CaCV isolates available in GenBank. The 828-nt N gene of TwTom1 (Accession No. HM021139) shared 85 to 98.1% nucleotide and 92 to 100% amino acid identity with those of 26 CaCV isolates available in GenBank. TwTom1 shared the highest N gene nucleotide and amino acid identity, 98.1 and 100%, respectively, with a gloxinia isolate (Accession No. AY312061). Sequence analysis results indicated that TwTom1 is an isolate of CaCV. The TwTom1 isolate was back inoculated onto three tomato (cv. Known-you 301) plants for pathogenicity test. The inoculated tomato plants showed symptoms of chlorosis at 13 days postinoculation (dpi) and symptoms of chlorosis plus necrosis on leaves at 20 dpi, which were similar to that observed in the field. A protein band measuring approximately 30 kDa in the crude sap of the TwTom1-infected tomato was observed in western blotting using the antiserum against the N protein of CaCV. In addition, CaCV was later detected by RT-PCR in two symptomatic tomato samples collected from another field. CaCV was first found in Australia, then Thailand, Taiwan, China, and India (2). Although CaCV was found to infect several species of ornamental crops in Taiwan, to our knowledge, this is the first report of CaCV that could naturally infect tomato, a nonornamental plant in Taiwan.

First Report of Tomato spotted wilt virus in Sweet Pepper in Taiwan.

A new disorder on pepper showing symptoms of chlorosis and chlorotic spots on leaves was observed in sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum cv. Andalus) fields in Ren-Ai Township, Nantou County in July, 2009. The disorder occurred in more than 30% of the pepper plants, with a height of approximately 40 cm (1.5 feet), which was approximately one-half the size of the asymptomatic ones. Symptomatic plants bore much smaller fruits with abnormal shapes. Three symptomatic sweet pepper plants were collected and tested for potential viruses. Reverse transcription (RT)-PCR was performed for the detection using three degenerate primer pairs, gL3637/gL4435c for tospoviruses (2), Hrp5/Pot1 for potyviruses (1,3), and Tob-Uni1/Tob-Uni2 for tobamoviruses (4), and specific primers, FJJ2001-7/FJJ2001-8 (5'-TATGTCCATGGACAAATCCGAATCA and 5'-TCTCTGGATCCACGAGTTCAAACTGGGAG) for the coat protein gene of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). An 819-nt DNA fragment containing the partial L RNA of tospovirus was amplified from the total RNA isolated from each of these three samples by RT-PCR with primer pair gL3637/gL4435c. One amplified fragment was cloned and sequenced. A homology search in GenBank indicated that the new pepper-infecting virus in Taiwan was Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) since the partial L RNA shared more than 94.5% nucleotide and 98.2% amino acid identity with five TSWV isolates (Accession Nos. AB190813, AB198742, AY070218, D10066, and NC_002052). No DNA fragment was obtained by RT-PCR using primer pairs for CMV, potyviruses, or tobamoviruses. A virus culture (TwPep1) isolated from one of the symptomatic sweet pepper plants was then established in Nicotiana tabacum cv. White Burley and N. benthamiana through triple single-lesion isolation. TWPep1 reacted positively only to the antiserum against TSWV by indirect-ELISA but not to those of Watermelon silver mottle virus, Capsicum chlorosis virus, Tobacco mosaic virus, Tomato mosaic virus, and CMV. Partial L RNA and the full-length nucleocapsid (N) gene of TWPep1 were obtained by RT-PCR with primer pairs gL3637/gL4435c and FJJ2002-74/FJJ2002-75 (5'-GCGCGCGGATCCTAATTTAACTTACARCTGCT 5'-TGCTGCCTCGAGCATACGGTCAAAGCATATAA), respectively. The 819-nt L RNA conserved region of TwPep1 (Accession No. GU222652) shared 94.4 to 97.7% nucleotide and 98.2 to 100% amino acid identity with those available in GenBank. The 777-bp N gene of TwPep1 (Accession No. GU222651) shared 96.7 to 99.1% nucleotide and 97.3 to 99.6% amino acid identity with 37 TSWV isolates available in GenBank. Sequence comparisons indicated that TwPep1 is an isolate of TSWV. TSWV was later detected by RT-PCR in all 10 symptomatic samples of sweet pepper plants collected from five fields in August 2009. To our knowledge, this is the first report of TSWV in sweet pepper in Taiwan. This is also the first demonstration of isolation and characterization of TSWV in Taiwan although TSWV was once detected in lisianthus (Eustoma rusellianum) by RT-PCR (1) but the isolation was not successful then. The occurrence of TSWV in pepper will have a direct economic impact on the important vegetable and floral industry in Taiwan because TSWV reportedly comprises a wide host range.

Improved multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to detect and identify five tospovirus species simultaneously

We improved a one-step multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (multi-PCR) method previously published for the simultaneous identification of five tospovirus species that mainly occur on Solanaceae and Compositae plants. The multi-PCR system is composed of a universal degenerate primer and five virus-species-specific primers that amplify bands unique to Iris yellow spot virus (837 bp), Tomato spotted wilt virus (709 bp), Impatiens necrotic spot virus (589 bp), Chrysanthemum stem necrosis virus (485 bp), and Capsicum chlorosis virus (366 bp). This technique is potentially useful for epidemiological studies of several tospoviruses that have recently been detected in previously uninfected fields of ornamental crops.

Serological relationship between Melon yellow spot virus and Watermelon silver mottle virus and differential detection of the two viruses in cucurbits

Melon yellow spot virus (MYSV), a tentative member of the genus Tospovirus, is considered a distinct serotype due to the lack of a serological relationship with other tospoviruses in its nucleocapsid protein (NP). Recently, a virus isolate collected from diseased watermelon in central Taiwan (MYSV-TW) was found to react with a rabbit antiserum (RAs) prepared against the NP of Watermelon silver mottle virus (WSMoV), and a monoclonal antibody (MAb) prepared against the common epitope of the NSs proteins of WSMoV-serogroup tospoviruses, but not with the WSMoV NP-specific MAb, in both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blotting. In this investigation, both RAs and MAb against MYSV-TW NP were produced. Results of serological tests revealed that the RAs to MYSV-TW NP reacted with the homologous antigen and the crude antigens of members of the WSMoV serogroup, including members of the formal species WSMoV and Peanut bud necrosis virus, and members of three tentative species, Watermelon bud necrosis virus, Capsicum chlorosis virus and Calla lily chlorotic spot virus. The MAb to MYSV-TW NP reacted only with the homologous antigen and the other geographic isolates of MYSV from Japan (JP) and Thailand (TH). Our results of reciprocal tests indicate that the NP and the NSs protein of MYSV are serologically related to those of WSMoV-serogroup tospoviruses. Furthermore, we show that both the MYSV NP MAb and the WSMoV NP MAb are reliable tools for identification of MYSV and WSMoV from single or mixed infection in field surveys, as verified using species-specific primers in reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

Biological and molecular characterization of Capsicum chlorosis virus infecting chilli and tomato in India

Two isolates of Capsicum chlorosis virus (CaCV, genus Tospovirus) from tomato (CaCV-To-Ind) and chilli (CaCV-Ch-Pan), collected from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh states of northern India respectively, were compared. A comparison of the amino acid sequences of their N genes revealed more than 96% identity, confirming that the virus isolates in India have a high degree of sequence conservation and are closely related to Australian isolates. Analysis of the host range of CaCV revealed no biological difference between the isolates, but they differed from CaCV-Australia. The nucleotide sequences of S, M and L RNA of CaCV-Ch-Pan were determined. The S RNA contains 3,105 nucleotides (nt), with NSs and N genes of 1,320 and 828 nt, respectively. The M RNA consists of 4,821 nt, with an NSm gene of 927 nt and a Gn/Gc gene of 3,366 nt. The intergenic regions of S and M RNA contain 824 and 425 nt, respectively. The L RNA consists of 8,912 nt, with an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene of 8,634 nt.

First Report of Capsicum chlorosis virus Infecting Amaryllis and Blood Lily in Taiwan.

Capsicum chlorosis virus (CaCV), a thrips-transmitted, tentative species in the genus Tospovirus, family Bunyaviridae, was first identified in solanaceous crops, but also infects several ornamental crops such as orchid (4), gloxinia (3), and calla lily (1). From 2005 to 2007, virus-like yellow ringspots were observed on the leaves of amaryllis (Hippeastrum hybridum Hort.) and blood lily (Haemanthus multiflorus Martyn.) plants cultured in screenhouses and a private garden, respectively. Three of several hundred amaryllis plants in screenhouses from two places were observed as showing yellow ringspot symptoms and one of six blood lily plants was observed as showing similar yellow ringspot symptoms. Sap extracts from symptomatic leaves were inoculated to Chenopodium quinoa Willd. and the resulting local lesions were passaged three successive times to C. quinoa for virus isolation. Using the tospovirus genus-specific primers gL3637 and gL4435c designed from the conserved region in the L RNA (2), DNA fragments of the expected size of 800 bp were amplified by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR from field samples and local lesions from C. quinoa. Extracts from the diseased plants and local lesions of C. quinoa reacted strongly with antiserum against the nucleocapsid (N) protein of CaCV in ELISA and western blotting. To confirm the identity of this virus, we amplified the N gene from three amaryllis and one blood lily source using primer pair WN2328 and WN3534 designed from the S RNA of Watermelon silver mottle virus (1), and these products were cloned and sequenced. The sequence from each virus isolate was determined from three independent clones. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of N genes for the blood lily isolate (GenBank Accession No. EF101344) and three amaryllis isolates (GenBank Accession Nos. EF101343, EF137177, and FJ185170) had identities greater than 97% with that of a CaCV isolate infecting Capsicum spp. found in Australia (GenBank Accession No. AY036057). Phylogenetic analysis using maximum parsimony showed that these sequences clustered with CaCV. These results show that the virus identified from amaryllis and blood lily that were expressing yellow ringspot symptoms are isolates of CaCV. To our knowledge, this is the first report of CaCV naturally infecting amaryllis and blood lily and it could become an important threat to ornamental production in Taiwan.

Inheritance of vector competence by the thripsCeratothripoides claratris(Shumsher) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

The thrips Ceratothripoides claratris is an efficient vector of the Capsicum chlorosis virus (CaCV). Transmission studies with a natural population of C. claratris found in a greenhouse ‘GH’ and a ‘colony’ derived from this ‘GH’ population by selection and inbreeding resulted in lowering the percentage of viruliferous individuals within the ‘colony’. After passing through approximately 20 generations, the ‘colony’ lost the ability to transmit the CaCV. When either viruliferous or non-viruliferous virgin females reproduced parthenogenetically, 81% of F1 arrhenotokous males inherited their viruliferous status from their mothers, whilst, no viruliferous offspring arose from non-viruliferous virgin mothers. Crosses between viruliferous and non-viruliferous individuals suggest that the competence of the thrips C. claratris as a vector for this virus is probably a heritable trait controlled by a recessive allele.

Capsicum chlorosis virus (Genus Tospovirus) Infecting Chili Pepper (Capsicum annuum) in India.

Chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the most important spice crops in India. In October of 2006, symptoms indicative of tospovirus infection were noticed in several commercial fields of chili pepper near Bangalore in Karnataka State. Chlorotic and necrotic spots and rings on leaves, apical necrosis, and leaf distortion were observed. Disease incidence was more than 20%. Mechanical inoculation with sap extracts from these symptomatic plants showed that the host range and symptomatology of the virus was similar to those described for Capsicum chlorosis virus (CaCV) (1,3). The virus reacted with antisera specific to Groundnut bud necrosis virus (GBNV) and Watermelon silver mottle virus of serogroup IV tospoviruses in antigen-coated plate ELISA. It did not react with antisera specific to Tomato spotted wilt virus, Impatiens necrotic spot virus, or Iris yellow spot virus in double-antibody sandwich-ELISA. Immunosorbent electron microscopy of infected sap using GBNV antiserum revealed the presence of strongly decorated quasi-spherical virus particles. Reverse transcription (RT)-PCR was conducted to further identify the virus. No amplification was observed from extracts of symptomatic plants (n = 10) by RT-PCR using GBNV-specific primers (4), indicating that the diseased chili was not infected with GBNV. However, a DNA fragment of approximately 850 bp was amplified by using primers specific to the nucleocapsid (N) gene of CaCV (CaCF 5'-CTATAGAWGTACTAGGCTTTGAGC-3' and CaCR 5'-CATGTCTAACGTCAGGCAACTTAC-3'). Direct sequencing of the amplicon (GenBank Accession No. EF625227) revealed a nucleotide sequence identity ranging from 85.5% with isolates from Thailand (GenBank Accession Nos. AY846366, AY647437, and AF134400) and China (GenBank Accession No. DQ355974) to 98.1% with isolates from Australia (GenBank Accession Nos. AY036057 and AY036058). Phylogenetic analysis of the N protein sequences showed that the chili pepper isolate from India formed a cluster with those from Australia. This cluster was distinct from the one formed by the peanut isolates from Thailand and a tomato isolate from India (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of CaCV infection of chili pepper in India. The potential impact of CaCV on tomato and chili pepper production in India remains to be seen.

Biological and molecular characterization of tospoviruses in Thailand

Twenty-eight isolates of tospoviruses associated with tomato, pepper, cucurbits, peanut, and Physalis plants collected from fields in different regions of Thailand were characterized. On the basis of N gene and protein sequence relationships, three tospoviruses were identified, namely Watermelon silver mottle virus (WSMoV), Capsicum chlorosis virus (CaCV), and Melon yellow spot virus (MYSV). CLUSTAL analysis of selected N protein sequences showed different isolates of CaCV in three distinct clades. Based on necrosis symptoms on tomato and their 93% identity to CaCV isolates in the other two clades, CaCV-TD8, CaCV-AIT and CaCV-KS16-Thailand tomato tospovirus were designated as CaCV-tomato necrosis strain. A phylogenetic tree based on the 413-amino-acid Gc fragment of the CaCV-Pkk isolate supported the existence of three distinct CaCV clades. Vigna unguiculata produced concentric rings useful for discriminating the Thai CaCV peanut isolates from tomato or pepper isolates. By using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction with species-specific primers, the three tospoviruses could be detected in mixed infections in watermelon and Physalis, as well as in the bodies of thrips vectors, Thrips palmi and Scirtothrips dorsalis, collected from fields.