Characterization of mint virus C, a new member of the genus Carlavirus

Arch Virol. 2025 Jan 10;170(2):35. doi: 10.1007/s00705-025-06222-8.

Abstract

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of a new carlavirus causing mosaic on mint plants in Italy, which we have tentatively named "mint virus C" (MVC). Flexuous particles of around 600 nm were observed using transmission electron microscopy, and next-generation sequencing was performed to determine the nucleotide sequence of the MVC genome, which was found to be 8558 nt long, excluding the poly(A) tail, and shows the typical organization of a carlavirus. The putative proteins encoded by MVC are 44-56% identical to the closest matches in the NCBI database, suggesting that MVC should be considered a member of a new species in the genus Carlavirus. MVC was detected in independent mint samples from different regions of Italy, collected in 2023 and 2024. Two MVC isolates, identified in 2023 (Me1) and in 2024 (Me2), have been included in the Plant Virus Italy (PLAVIT) collection.

MeSH terms

  • Carlavirus* / classification
  • Carlavirus* / genetics
  • Carlavirus* / isolation & purification
  • Genome, Viral*
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
  • Italy
  • Open Reading Frames
  • Phylogeny*
  • Plant Diseases* / virology
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • Viral Proteins
  • RNA, Viral