Characterization of Pepper yellow leaf curl virus, a tentative new Polerovirus species causing a yellowing disease of pepper

Abstract

Pepper (Capsicum annuum) is an important crop worldwide. In Israel, approximately 2,500 ha are grown all year round for the local and export markets. Herein, we report the identification of a viral pathogen causing a new devastating disease in pepper crops. The disease syndrome includes shortening of stem internodes, interveinal yellowing, and upward rolling of the leaf blade, accompanied by fruit discoloration and size reduction. Virus purification from infected plants yielded isometric particles, 25 nm in diameter. The causal agent of the disease was tentatively named Pepper yellow leaf curl virus (PYLCV). The virus cross-reacted in DAS ELISA with antisera against Cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus and Potato leafroll virus, members of the Polerovirus genus. The partial nucleotide sequence obtained from the cloned viral coat protein and movement protein genes indicated 92% identity at the amino acid level with Tobacco vein distortion virus (TVDV), another member of the Polerovirus genus. However, the host range of PYLCV is significantly different from the host range described for TVDV. Based on our findings, the taxonomic status of PYLCV is discussed.

The Complete Genomic Sequence of Pepper Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (PYLCV) and Its Implications for Our Understanding of Evolution Dynamics in the Genus Polerovirus

“…In a previous study, separation of the viral RNA extracted from purified virions on TBE agarose gels revealed the presence of an RNA fraction with an estimated size of ~6.5 kb [3]. Currently, the PYLCV RNA band was excised from the gel and was sequenced using the NGS SOLiD technology.…”

“…The disease symptoms include shortening of stem internodes, inter-veinal yellowing, upward curling of the leaf blade and small, discolored fruit. The disease-causing agent was tentatively named Pepper yellow leaf curl virus (PYLCV) [1,2,3]. PYLCV is transmitted by grafting and is also transmitted in a persistent manner by two aphid vectors, Aphis gossypii and Myzus persicae [1,2,3].…”

“…The disease-causing agent was tentatively named Pepper yellow leaf curl virus (PYLCV) [1,2,3]. PYLCV is transmitted by grafting and is also transmitted in a persistent manner by two aphid vectors, Aphis gossypii and Myzus persicae [1,2,3]. Reports from Turkey and Tunisia [4] and more recently from India, Indonesia, Mali, Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand [5] inform of pepper crops showing symptoms similar to those found in PYLCV-infected pepper crops.…”

“…Luteoviruses and Poleroviruses are exclusively transmitted by aphids in a persistent (circulative) and nonpropagative manner [6,7]. Serological analysis, the morphology of the virions, disease symptoms and the partial sequences of the coat protein and movement protein indicate that PYLCV is a putative member of the genus Polerovirus (family: Luteoviridae ) [1,2,3]. …”

First outbreak of Pepper vein yellows virus infecting sweet pepper in Italy

“…Poleroviruses are transmitted by aphids in a persistent (circulative) and non-propagative manner (Raccah et al, 2009;Dombrovsky et al, 2010). To our knowledge, this is the first report of PeVYV in Italy.…”