A pospiviroid from symptomless portulaca plants closely related to iresine viroid 1

Virus Res. 2015 Jul 2:205:22-6. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2015.05.005. Epub 2015 May 16.

Abstract

In symptomless plants of portulaca a potential new pospiviroid was characterized. Analysis by both double and return PAGE showed the presence of a circular RNA. RT-PCR and sequencing revealed a genome of 351 nt with properties characteristic of members of the genus Pospiviroid and with highest sequence identity (circa 80%) with iresine viroid 1 (IrVd-1). The circular RNA from portulaca was shown to replicate independently in its original host, thus showing that it is indeed a viroid. Based on its molecular characteristics, it should be considered a new species. However, since no biological differences have yet been found with its closest relative IrVd-1, the viroid from portulaca does not fulfil all criteria for species demarcation of the ICTV.

Keywords: IrVd-1; Iresine viroid 1; PoLVd; Portulaca latent viroid; Pospiviroid.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Phylogeny
  • Plant Diseases / virology*
  • Portulaca / virology*
  • RNA, Viral / chemistry
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Viroids / classification
  • Viroids / genetics
  • Viroids / isolation & purification*
  • Viroids / physiology
  • Virus Latency

Substances

  • RNA, Viral