Mediterranean and central-eastern European countries host viruses of two different clades of plum pox virus strain M

Update on Distribution and Genetic Variability of Plum pox virus Strains in Bulgaria

Field surveys for Plum pox virus (PPV) infection were conducted in stone fruit orchards all over Bulgaria. In total, 1168 out of 3020 leaf samples from cultivated Prunus spp. and wildly growing P. cerasifera trees reacted positive for PPV in DASI-ELISA with the universal monoclonal antibody (MAb) 5B. Further ELISA analyses showed that 987 and 127 isolates belonged to PPV-M and PPV-D serotypes, respectively. The plum and P. cerasifera showed 82.0% and 50.5% levels of infection, respectively followed by the peach (40.0%) and the apricot (32.0%). Five hundred fifty one PPV isolates were further typed by IC-RT-PCR with PPV-Rec, -M and -D-specific primers, targeting (Cter)NIb-(Nter) CP genome region, as 125 isolates were sequenced. The results revealed the presence of PPV-Rec, PPV-M and PPV-D and mixed infections of these strains. PPV-Rec was the most prevalent strain (49.0%), followed by PPV-M (40.1%), while PPV-D was the less spread strain (8.2%). PPV-Rec was the most common strain in plums, including the eight "old-aged" trees from the region of the first Sharka discovery. PPV-M was the most prevalent strain in peach and apricot. Phylogenetic analyses on (Cter)NIb-(Nter)CP of the isolates were performed. PPV-Rec isolates formed a homogeneous group, while PPV-M isolates split into PPV-Ma and PPV-Mb subgroups. Five separated clades were formed by the analyzed PPV-D isolates. Nucleotide sequences of the partial CP coding region of the analyzed isolates revealed a slightly higher intra-strain genetic variability in PPV-Rec and PPV-M isolates, while that of PPV-D strain isolates was higher from the reported for these strains.

SNaPshot and CE-SSCP: Two Simple and Cost-Effective Methods to Reveal Genetic Variability Within a Virus Species

The multiplex SNaPshot and the capillary electrophoresis-single-strand conformation polymorphism (CE-SSCP) procedures are here used for rapid and high-throughput description of the molecular variability of viral populations. Both approaches are based on (1) standard amplification of genomic sequence(s), (2) labeled primers or labeled single-stranded DNA, and (3) migration of fluorescent-labeled molecules in capillary electrophoresis system. The SNaPshot technology was used to describe the diversity of 20 targeted single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) selected from alignment of viral genomic sequences retrieved from public database. The CE-SSCP procedure was applied to identify the polymorphisms of two small (<500 bases in length) genomic regions of viral genomes. The different steps of SNaPshot and CE-SSCP setup procedures are presented using Potato virus Y (PVY, Potyvirus) and Plum pox virus (PPV, Potyvirus) RNA viruses as molecular targets, respectively.

Plum pox virus and sharka: a model potyvirus and a major disease

TAXONOMIC RELATIONSHIPS

Plum pox virus (PPV) is a member of the genus Potyvirus in the family Potyviridae. PPV diversity is structured into at least eight monophyletic strains.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION

First discovered in Bulgaria, PPV is nowadays present in most of continental Europe (with an endemic status in many central and southern European countries) and has progressively spread to many countries on other continents.

GENOMIC STRUCTURE

Typical of potyviruses, the PPV genome is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA (ssRNA), with a protein linked to its 5' end and a 3'-terminal poly A tail. It is encapsidated by a single type of capsid protein (CP) in flexuous rod particles and is translated into a large polyprotein which is proteolytically processed in at least 10 final products: P1, HCPro, P3, 6K1, CI, 6K2, VPg, NIapro, NIb and CP. In addition, P3N-PIPO is predicted to be produced by a translational frameshift.

PATHOGENICITY FEATURES

PPV causes sharka, the most damaging viral disease of stone fruit trees. It also infects wild and ornamental Prunus trees and has a large experimental host range in herbaceous species. PPV spreads over long distances by uncontrolled movement of plant material, and many species of aphid transmit the virus locally in a nonpersistent manner.

SOURCES OF RESISTANCE

A few natural sources of resistance to PPV have been found so far in Prunus species, which are being used in classical breeding programmes. Different genetic engineering approaches are being used to generate resistance to PPV, and a transgenic plum, 'HoneySweet', transformed with the viral CP gene, has demonstrated high resistance to PPV in field tests in several countries and has obtained regulatory approval in the USA.

Sharka: the past, the present and the future

Members the Potyviridae family belong to a group of plant viruses that are causing devastating plant diseases with a significant impact on agronomy and economics. Plum pox virus (PPV), as a causative agent of sharka disease, is widely discussed. The understanding of the molecular biology of potyviruses including PPV and the function of individual proteins as products of genome expression are quite necessary for the proposal the new antiviral strategies. This review brings to view the members of Potyviridae family with respect to plum pox virus. The genome of potyviruses is discussed with respect to protein products of its expression and their function. Plum pox virus distribution, genome organization, transmission and biochemical changes in infected plants are introduced. In addition, techniques used in PPV detection are accentuated and discussed, especially with respect to new modern techniques of nucleic acids isolation, based on the nanotechnological approach. Finally, perspectives on the future of possibilities for nanotechnology application in PPV determination/identification are outlined.