Discovery of two small circular ssDNA viruses associated with the whitefly Bemisia tabaci
The complete genome sequences of two novel small circular DNA viruses isolated from sweet-potato whiteflies collected in Central-West (AdDF) and Southeast (AdO) regions of Brazil were determined by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), and confirmed by cloning and Sanger sequencing. The genomes are 2,199 and 2,211 nt-long, respectively, encoding a putative coat protein (CP) and a replication-associated protein (Rep) and showing a genomic organization typical of viruses from the family Genomoviridae. Phylogenetic analysis with deduced amino acid sequences of Rep indicates that the virus from AdO is closely related to other members of the genus Gemycircularvirus, while the virus from AdDF is related to those of the genus Gemyduguivirus. These new genomoviruses are tentatively named bemisia-associated genomovirus AdO and bemisia-associated genomovirus AdDF.
Ed Rybicki’s insight:
I would be willing to bet some serious money that this is why my good friend Hanokh Czosnek and colelagues have persistently claimed that TYLCV replicates in whiteflies: the promiscuity of Rep-DNA interactions among ssDNA viruses could allow low-level replication of the geminiviral genome by the genomovirus Rep??
Discovery of two small circular ssDNA viruses associated with the whitefly Bemisia tabaci
Source: Virology News
