Discovery and characterization of a novel insect-specific reovirus isolated from Psammotettix alienus

Abstract

A novel double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) virus designated Psammotettix alienus reovirus (PARV) was found in the leafhopper Psammotettix alienus in China. Spherical particles approximately 70 nm in diameter arranged in a crystalline array were observed in the salivary gland tissues of infected leafhoppers by transmission electron microscopy. Some viral particles were also encased in tubules, similar to those of previously described reoviruses. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that the dsRNA genome of PARV consists of 29 569 nucleotides (nt) divided into 10 segments ranging from 4403 to 1476 nt, with low G+C content (29.5–36.5 %). All segments contained conserved terminal sequences (5′AAC…GUCA3′) and specific panhandle structures formed by inverted terminal repeats in the noncoding regions. Phylogenetic analysis based on the deduced RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) revealed that PARV was in the fijivirus clade, but in a monophyletic lineage with an unassigned insect reovirus (Hubei insect virus 2, HBIV-2), although PARV and HBIV-2 are distinct enough to represent a new group within the genus Fijivirus. Biological assays showed that PARV infects P. alienus but not wheat plants, implying that it is a new insect-specific reovirus in the leafhopper. Given these features, PARV should be considered as a new species in the genus Fijivirus, family Reoviridae.

Diversity and infectivity of the RNA virome among different cryptic species of an agriculturally important insect vector: whitefly Bemisia tabaci

“…A number of ISVs have been discovered in hematophagous insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas due to their medical importance. Several ISVs have recently been reported in some important plant virus vectors: an iflavirus in a planthopper 9 , nege/kita-like viruses in aphids 10 , and a reovirus in a leafhopper 11 . However, considering their abundance in hematophagous insects, there has been comparatively little investigation into the diversity of ISVs in plant virus vectors 12 .…”

Insights Into Insect Vector Transmission and Epidemiology of Plant-Infecting Fijiviruses

“…Eight plant-infecting fijiviruses (Table 1) and one insect-specific fijivirus, Nilaparvata lugens reovirus, have been acknowledged by The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses, ICTV) (Attoui et al, 2012). Recently, another insect specific fijivirus, Psammotettix alienus reovirus, was also reported (Fu et al, 2020). Common plant hosts include flatsedge (Juncellus serotinus [Rottb.]…”

An RNA Virome Analysis of the Pink-Winged Grasshopper Atractomorpha sinensis

“…Negeviruses inhibit the replication of several Alphaviruses during coinfection of mosquito cells [ 9 ]. For sap-sucking insects, including planthoppers, whiteflies, aphids, and leafhoppers, IRVs have been extensively investigated, and some IRVs appeared to be host-specific, indicating a long-term co-evolution between IRVs and host insects [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. IRVs are thought to mediate sex ratio and increase pupal duration and fecundity in the host insect [ 14 , 15 ].…”