Complete genome sequence and intracellular protein localization of Datura yellow vein nucleorhabdovirus

Novel Betanucleorhabdoviruses Infecting Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.): Genome Characterization and Genetic Variability

The genus Betanucleorhabdovirus includes plant viruses with negative sense, non-segmented, single-stranded RNA genomes. Here, we characterized putative novel betanucleorhabdoviruses infecting a medically important plant, elderberry. Total RNA was purified from the leaves of several plants, ribodepleted and sequenced using the Illumina platform. Sequence data analysis led to the identification of thirteen contigs of approximately 13.5 kb, showing a genome structure (3'-N-P-P3-M-G-L-5') typical of plant rhabdoviruses. The detected isolates showed 69.4 to 98.9% pairwise nucleotide identity and had the highest identity among known viruses (64.7-65.9%) with tomato betanucleorhabdovirus 2. A detailed similarity analysis and a phylogenetic analysis allowed us to discriminate the elderberry isolates into five groups, each meeting the sequence-based ICTV demarcation criterion in the Betanucleorhabdovirus genus (lower than 75% identity for the complete genome). Hence, the detected viruses appear to represent five novel, closely related betanucleorhabdoviruses, tentatively named Sambucus betanucleorhabdovirus 1 to 5.

Identification, molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of a novel nucleorhabdovirus infecting Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis

A novel betanucleorhabdovirus infecting Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis, tentatively named Paris yunnanensis rhabdovirus 1 (PyRV1), was recently identified in Yunnan Province, China. The infected plants showed vein clearing and leaf crinkle at early stage of infection, followed by leaf yellowing and necrosis. Enveloped bacilliform particles were observed using electron microscopy. The virus was mechanically transmissible to Nicotiana bethamiana and N. glutinosa. The complete genome of PyRV1 consists of 13,509 nucleotides, the organization of which was typical of rhabdoviruses, containing six open reading frames encoding proteins N-P-P3-M-G-L on the anti-sense strand, separated by conserved intergenic regions and flanked by complementary 3'-leader and 5'-trailer sequences. The genome of PyRV1 shared highest nucleotide sequence identity (55.1%) with Sonchus yellow net virus (SYNV), and the N, P, P3, M, G, and L proteins showed 56.9%, 37.2%, 38.4%, 41.8%, 56.7%, and 49.4% amino acid sequence identities with respective proteins of SYNV, suggesting RyRV1 belongs to a new species of the genus Betanucleorhabdovirus.

Complete genome sequence of daphne virus 1, a novel cytorhabdovirus infecting Daphne odora

A novel cytorhabdovirus was identified in Daphne odora in South Korea using high-throughput sequencing. The virus, tentatively named "daphne virus 1" (DV1), has a full-length genome sequence of 13,206 nucleotides with a genome organization comparable to that of unsegmented plant rhabdoviruses and contains seven antisense putative genes in the order 3'-leader-N-P'-P-P3-M-G-L-5'-trailer. The coding region of the genome is flanked by a 3' leader and a 5' trailer sequence, 261 and 151 nucleotides long, respectively. The DV1 genome shares 33.74%-57.44% nucleotide sequence identity with other cytorhabdoviruses. The DV1-encoded proteins share the highest amino acid sequence identity with homologues from Asclepias syriaca virus 1. Phylogenetic analysis showed that DV1 clustered with representative cytorhabdoviruses. We propose classifying DV1 in a new species within the genus Cytorhabdovirus, family Rhabdoviridae.

Complete genome sequence of cnidium virus 1, a novel betanucleorhabdovirus infecting Cnidium officinale

The complete genomic sequence of a plant rhabdovirus that was identified in Cnidium officinale in Yeongyang-dun, South Korea, is reported here. The virus, tentatively named "cnidium virus 1" (CnV1), has a negative-sense RNA genome of ~ 14 kb, and its organization most closely resembles that of unsegmented plant rhabdoviruses, containing six antisense open reading frames (ORFs) in the order 3'-N-P-P3-M-G-L-5'. Intergenic regions containing conserved sequences separate the genes. The genome of CnV1 is 37.8-56% identical in its complete nucleotide sequence to betanucleorhabdoviruses and other related rhabdoviruses. Therefore, based on the sequence similarity criteria for species demarcation, its genome organization, and its phylogenetic position, CnV1 should be classified as a new member of the genus Betanucleorhabdovirus in the family Rhabdoviridae. CnV1 is the first rhabdovirus found in C. officinale.

A novel Actinidia cytorhabdovirus characterized using genomic and viral protein interaction features

A novel cytorhabdovirus, tentatively named Actinidia virus D (AcVD), was identified from kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) in China using high-throughput sequencing technology. The genome of AcVD consists of 13,589 nucleotides and is organized into seven open reading frames (ORFs) in its antisense strand, coding for proteins in the order N-P-P3-M-G-P6-L. The ORFs were flanked by a 3' leader sequence and a 5' trailer sequence and are separated by conserved intergenic junctions. The genome sequence of AcVD was 44.6%-51.5% identical to those of reported cytorhabdoviruses. The proteins encoded by AcVD shared the highest sequence identities, ranging from 27.3% (P6) to 44.5% (L), with the respective proteins encoded by reported cytorhabdoviruses. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that AcVD clustered together with the cytorhabdovirus Wuhan insect virus 4. The subcellular locations of the viral proteins N, P, P3, M, G, and P6 in epidermal cells of Nicotiana benthamiana leaves were determined. The M protein of AcVD uniquely formed filament structures and was associated with microtubules. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays showed that three proteins, N, P, and M, self-interact, protein N plays a role in the formation of cytoplasm viroplasm, and protein M recruits N, P, P3, and G to microtubules. In addition, numerous paired proteins interact in the nucleus. This study presents the first evidence of a cytorhabdovirus infecting kiwifruit plants and full location and interaction maps to gain insight into viral protein functions.

Mining of the water hyssop (Bacopa monnieri) transcriptome reveals genome sequences of two putative novel rhabdoviruses and a solendovirus

The genomes of three putative novel viruses, tentatively named "Bacopa monnieri virus 1" (BmV1), "Bacopa monnieri virus 2" (BmV2), and "Bacopa monnieri virus 3" (BmV3) were identified in the transcriptome dataset of a medicinally important herb - water hyssop (Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst.). The BmV1 and BmV2 genomes resemble those of plant rhabdoviruses. The 13.3-kb-long BmV1 genome contains eight antisense ORFs in the order 3' l-N-P2'-P-P3-M-G-P6-L-t 5', with P2' ORF overlapping with P, while the 13.2-kb BmV2 genome contains six interspersed ORFs in the antisense orientation (3' l-N-P-P3-M-G-L-t 5'). The 8-kb BmV3 genome possesses five overlapping ORFs, with ORFs 2 to 5 being similar to those of solendoviruses. Based on genome organization, sequence similarity, and phylogeny, BmV1, BmV2, and BmV3 can be regarded as new members of the genera Cytorhabdovirus, Betanucleorhabdovirus, and Solendovirus, respectively.

The Plant Negative-Sense RNA Virosphere: Virus Discovery Through New Eyes

The use of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) for virus diagnostics, as well as the importance of this technology as a valuable tool for discovery of novel viruses has been extensively investigated. In this review, we consider the application of HTS approaches to uncover novel plant viruses with a focus on the negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virosphere. Plant viruses with negative-sense and ambisense RNA (NSR) genomes belong to several taxonomic families, including Rhabdoviridae, Aspiviridae, Fimoviridae, Tospoviridae, and Phenuiviridae. They include both emergent pathogens that infect a wide range of plant species, and potential endophytes which appear not to induce any visible symptoms. As a consequence of biased sampling based on a narrow focus on crops with disease symptoms, the number of NSR plant viruses identified so far represents only a fraction of this type of viruses present in the virosphere. Detection and molecular characterization of NSR viruses has often been challenging, but the widespread implementation of HTS has facilitated not only the identification but also the characterization of the genomic sequences of at least 70 NSR plant viruses in the last 7 years. Moreover, continuing advances in HTS technologies and bioinformatic pipelines, concomitant with a significant cost reduction has led to its use as a routine method of choice, supporting the foundations of a diverse array of novel applications such as quarantine analysis of traded plant materials and genetic resources, virus detection in insect vectors, analysis of virus communities in individual plants, and assessment of virus evolution through ecogenomics, among others. The insights from these advancements are shedding new light on the extensive diversity of NSR plant viruses and their complex evolution, and provide an essential framework for improved taxonomic classification of plant NSR viruses as part of the realm Riboviria. Thus, HTS-based methods for virus discovery, our ‘new eyes,’ are unraveling in real time the richness and magnitude of the plant RNA virosphere.

Specificity of Plant Rhabdovirus Cell-to-Cell Movement

Positive-stranded RNA virus movement proteins (MPs) generally lack sequence-specific nucleic acid-binding activities and display cross-family movement complementarity with related and unrelated viruses. Negative-stranded RNA plant rhabdoviruses encode MPs with limited structural and functional relatedness with other plant virus counterparts, but the precise mechanisms of intercellular transport are obscure. In this study, we first analyzed the abilities of MPs encoded by five distinct rhabdoviruses to support cell-to-cell movement of two positive-stranded RNA viruses by using trans-complementation assays. Each of the five rhabdovirus MPs complemented the movement of MP-defective mutants of tomato mosaic virus and potato X virus. In contrast, movement of recombinant MP deletion mutants of sonchus yellow net nucleorhabdovirus (SYNV) and tomato yellow mottle-associated cytorhabdovirus (TYMaV) was rescued only by their corresponding MPs, i.e., SYNV sc4 and TYMaV P3. Subcellular fractionation analyses revealed that SYNV sc4 and TYMaV P3 were peripherally associated with cell membranes. A split-ubiquitin membrane yeast two-hybrid assay demonstrated specific interactions of the membrane-associated rhabdovirus MPs only with their cognate nucleoproteins (N) and phosphoproteins (P). More importantly, SYNV sc4-N and sc4-P interactions directed a proportion of the N-P complexes from nuclear sites of replication to punctate loci at the cell periphery that partially colocalized with the plasmodesmata. Our data show that cell-to-cell movement of plant rhabdoviruses is highly specific and suggest that cognate MP-nucleocapsid core protein interactions are required for intra- and intercellular trafficking.IMPORTANCE Local transport of plant rhabdoviruses likely involves the passage of viral nucleocapsids through MP-gated plasmodesmata, but the molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. We have conducted complementation assays with MPs encoded by five distinct rhabdoviruses to assess their movement specificity. Each of the rhabdovirus MPs complemented the movement of MP-defective mutants of two positive-stranded RNA viruses that have different movement strategies. In marked contrast, cell-to-cell movement of two recombinant plant rhabdoviruses was highly specific in requiring their cognate MPs. We have shown that these rhabdovirus MPs are localized to the cell periphery and associate with cellular membranes, and that they interact only with their cognate nucleocapsid core proteins. These interactions are able to redirect viral nucleocapsid core proteins from their sites of replication to the cell periphery. Our study provides a model for the specific inter- and intracellular trafficking of plant rhabdoviruses that may be applicable to other negative-stranded RNA viruses.

Discovery of Four Novel Viruses Associated with Flower Yellowing Disease of Green Sichuan Pepper (Zanthoxylum Armatum) by Virome Analysis

An emerging virus-like flower yellowing disease (FYD) of green Sichuan pepper (Zanthoxylum armatum v. novemfolius) has been recently reported. Four new RNA viruses were discovered in the FYD-affected plant by the virome analysis using high-throughput sequencing of transcriptome and small RNAs. The complete genomes were determined, and based on the sequence and phylogenetic analysis, they are considered to be new members of the genera Nepovirus (Secoviridae), Idaeovirus (unassigned), Enamovirus (Luteoviridae), and Nucleorhabdovirus (Rhabdoviridae), respectively. Therefore, the tentative names corresponding to these viruses are green Sichuan pepper-nepovirus (GSPNeV), -idaeovirus (GSPIV), -enamovirus (GSPEV), and -nucleorhabdovirus (GSPNuV). The viral population analysis showed that GSPNeV and GSPIV were dominant in the virome. The small RNA profiles of these viruses are in accordance with the typical virus-plant interaction model for Arabidopsis thaliana. Rapid and sensitive RT-PCR assays were developed for viral detection, and used to access the geographical distributions. The results revealed a correlation between GSPNeV and the FYD. The viruses pose potential threats to the normal production of green Sichuan pepper in the affected areas due to their natural transmission and wide spread in fields. Collectively, our results provide useful information regarding taxonomy, transmission and pathogenicity of the viruses as well as management of the FYD.

Characterisation of a novel nucleorhabdovirus infecting alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

Background

Nucleorhabdoviruses possess bacilliform particles which contain a single-stranded negative-sense RNA genome. They replicate and mature in the nucleus of infected cells. Together with viruses of three other genera of the family Rhabdoviridae, they are known to infect plants and can be transmitted by arthropod vectors, during vegetative propagation, or by mechanical means. In 2010, an alfalfa (Medicago sativa) plant showing virus-like symptoms was collected from Stadl-Paura, Austria and sent to Julius Kühn Institute for analysis.

Methods

Electron microscopy (EM) of leaf extracts from infected plants revealed the presence of rhabdovirus-like particles and was further used for ultrastructural analyses of infected plant tissue. Partially-purified preparations of rhabdovirus nucleocapsids were used for raising an antiserum. To determine the virus genome sequence, high throughput sequencing (HTS) was performed. RT-PCR primers were designed to confirm virus infection and to be used as a diagnostic tool.

Results

EM revealed bacilliform virions resembling those of plant-infecting rhabdoviruses. HTS of ribosomal RNA-depleted total RNA extracts revealed a consensus sequence consisting of 13,875 nucleotides (nt) and containing seven open reading frames (ORFs). Homology and phylogenetic analyses suggest that this virus isolate represents a new species of the genus Nucleorhabdovirus (family Rhabdoviridae). Since the virus originated from an alfalfa plant in Austria, the name alfalfa-associated nucleorhabdovirus (AaNV) is proposed. Viroplasms (Vp) and budding virions were observed in the nuclei of infected cells by EM, thus confirming its taxonomic assignment based on sequence data.

Conclusions

In this study, we identified and characterised a new nucleorhabdovirus from alfalfa. It shared only 39.8% nucleotide sequence identity with its closest known relative, black currant-associated rhabdovirus 1. The virus contains an additional open reading frame (accessory gene) with unknown function, located between the matrix protein and the glycoprotein genes. Serological and molecular diagnostic assays were designed for future screening of field samples. Further studies are needed to identify other natural hosts and potential vectors.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12985-019-1147-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Molecular characterization of Morogoro maize-associated virus, a nucleorhabdovirus detected in maize (Zea mays) in Tanzania

RNAtag-seq of maize samples collected in Tanzania revealed the presence of a previously undescribed nucleorhabdovirus, tentatively named "Morogoro maize-associated virus" (MMaV), in three samples. The MMaV genome is 12,185-12,187 nucleotides long and shares a 69-70% nucleotide sequence identity with taro vein chlorosis virus. Annotation of the genomes showed a typical nucleorhabdovirus gene organization. PCR was unable to detect the same virus in the remaining 35 samples collected in the region.

Plant rhabdoviruses-their origins and vector interactions

Classical plant rhabdoviruses infect monocot and dicot plants, have unsegmented negative-sense RNA genomes and have been taxonomically classified in the genera Cytorhabdovirus and Nucleorhabdovirus. These viruses replicate in their hemipteran vectors and are transmitted in a circulative-propagative mode and virus infection persists for the life of the insect. Based on the discovery of numerous novel rhabdoviruses in arthropods during metagenomic studies and extensive phylogenetic analyses of the family Rhabdoviridae, it is hypothesized that plant-infecting rhabdoviruses are derived from insect viruses. Analyses of viral gene function in plants and insects is beginning to reveal conserved and unique biology for these plant viruses in the two diverse hosts. New tools for insect molecular biology and infectious clones for plant rhabdoviruses are increasing our understanding of the lifestyles of these viruses.

Gene expression and population polymorphism of maize Iranian mosaic virus in Zea mays, and intracellular localization and interactions of viral N, P, and M proteins in Nicotiana benthamiana

Maize Iranian mosaic virus (MIMV; Mononegavirales, Rhabdoviridae, Nucleorhabdovirus) infects maize and several other poaceous plants. MIMV encodes six proteins, i.e., nucleocapsid protein (N), polymerase cofactor phosphoprotein (P), putative movement protein (P3), matrix protein (M), glycoprotein (G), and large RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (L). In the present study, MIMV gene expression and genetic polymorphism of an MIMV population in maize were determined. N, P, P3, and M protein genes were more highly expressed than the 5' terminal G and L genes. Twelve single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified across the genome within a MIMV population in maize from RNA-Seq read data pooled from three infected plants indicating genomic variations of potential importance to evolution of the virus. MIMV N, P, and M proteins that are known to be involved in rhabdovirus replication and transcription were characterized as to their intracellular localization and interactions. N protein accumulated exclusively in the nucleus and interacted with itself and with P protein. P protein accumulated in both the nucleus and cell periphery and interacted with itself, N and M proteins in the nucleus. M protein was localized in the cell periphery and on endomembranes, and interacted with P protein in the nucleus. MIMV proteins show a distinctive combination of intracellular localizations and interactions.

Identification and Characterization of Wheat Yellow Striate Virus, a Novel Leafhopper-Transmitted Nucleorhabdovirus Infecting Wheat

A new wheat viral disease was found in China. Bullet-shaped viral particles within the nucleus of the infected wheat leave cells, which possessed 180-210 nm length and 35-40 nm width, were observed under transmission electron microscopy. A putative wheat-infecting rhabdovirus vectored by the leafhopper Psammotettix alienus was identified and tentatively named wheat yellow striate virus (WYSV). The full-length nucleotide sequence of WYSV was determined using transcriptome sequencing and RACE analysis of both wheat samples and leafhoppers P. alienus. The negative-sense RNA genome of WYSV contains 14,486 nucleotides (nt) and seven open reading frames (ORFs) encode deduced proteins in the order N-P-P3-M-P6-G-L on the antisense strand. In addition, WYSV genome has a 76-nt 3' leader RNA and a 258-nt 5' trailer, and the ORFs are separated by conserved intergenic sequences. The entire genome sequence shares 58.1 and 57.7% nucleotide sequence identity with two strains of rice yellow stunt virus (RYSV-A and RYSV-B) genomes, respectively. The highest amino acid sequence identity was 63.8% between the L proteins of the WYSV and RYSV-B, but the lowest was 29.5% between the P6 proteins of these viruses. Phylogenetic analysis firmly established WYSV as a new member of the genus Nucleorhabdovirus. Collectively, this study provided evidence that WYSV is likely the first nucleorhabdovirus described infecting wheat via leafhopper P. alienus transmission.

Molecular characterization of a novel rhabdovirus infecting blackcurrant identified by high-throughput sequencing

A large contig with sequence similarities to several nucleorhabdoviruses was identified by high-throughput sequencing analysis from a black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) cultivar. The complete genome sequence of this new nucleorhabdovirus is 14,432 nucleotides long. Its genomic organization is very similar to those of unsegmented plant rhabdoviruses, containing six open reading frames in the order 3'-N-P-P3-M-G-L-5. The virus, which is provisionally named "black currant-associated rhabdovirus", is 41-52% identical in its genome nucleotide sequence to other nucleorhabdoviruses and may represent a new species in the genus Nucleorhabdovirus.

Completed sequence and corrected annotation of the genome of maize Iranian mosaic virus

Maize Iranian mosaic virus (MIMV) is a negative-sense single-stranded RNA virus that is classified in the genus Nucleorhabdovirus, family Rhabdoviridae. The MIMV genome contains six open reading frames (ORFs) that encode in 3΄ to 5΄ order the nucleocapsid protein (N), phosphoprotein (P), putative movement protein (P3), matrix protein (M), glycoprotein (G) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (L). In this study, we determined the first complete genome sequence of MIMV using Illumina RNA-Seq and 3'/5' RACE. MIMV genome ('Fars' isolate) is 12,426 nucleotides in length. Unexpectedly, the predicted N gene ORF of this isolate and of four other Iranian isolates is 143 nucleotides shorter than that of the MIMV coding-complete reference isolate 'Shiraz 1' (Genbank NC_011542), possibly due to a minor error in the previous sequence. Genetic variability among the N, P, P3 and G ORFs of Iranian MIMV isolates was limited, but highest in the G gene ORF. Phylogenetic analysis of complete nucleorhabdovirus genomes demonstrated a close evolutionary relationship between MIMV, maize mosaic virus and taro vein chlorosis virus.

Cytorhabdovirus P protein suppresses RISC-mediated cleavage and RNA silencing amplification in planta

Plant viruses have evolved to undermine the RNA silencing pathway by expressing suppressor protein(s) that interfere with one or more key components of this antiviral defense. Here we show that the recently identified RNA silencing suppressor (RSS) of lettuce necrotic yellows virus (LNYV), phosphoprotein P, binds to RNA silencing machinery proteins AGO1, AGO2, AGO4, RDR6 and SGS3 in protein-protein interaction assays when transiently expressed. In planta, we demonstrate that LNYV P inhibits miRNA-guided AGO1 cleavage and translational repression, and RDR6/SGS3-dependent amplification of silencing. Analysis of LNYV P deletion mutants identified a C-terminal protein domain essential for both local RNA silencing suppression and interaction with AGO1, AGO2, AGO4, RDR6 and SGS3. In contrast to other viral RSS known to disrupt AGO activity, LNYV P sequence does not contain any recognizable GW/WG or F-box motifs. This suggests that LNYV P may represent a new class of AGO binding proteins.