Molecular Characterization of the Coat Protein Gene of Greek Apple Stem Pitting Virus Isolates: Evolution through Deletions, Insertions, and Recombination Events.

A RT-PCR assay developed to amplify the full coat protein (CP) gene of apple stem pitting virus (ASPV) was evaluated using 180 Greek apple and pear samples and showed a broad detection range. This method was used to investigate the presence of ASPV in quince in Greece and showed a high incidence of 52%. The sequences of 14 isolates from various hosts with a distinct RFLP profile were determined. ASPV population genetics and the factors driving ASPV evolution were analyzed using the Greek ASPV sequences, novel sequences from Brazilian apple trees and Chinese botanical Pyrus species, and homologous sequences retrieved from GenBank. Fourteen variant types of Greek, Brazilian and botanical isolates, which differ in CP gene length and presence of indels, were identified. In addition, these analyses showed high intra- and inter-group variation among isolates from different countries and hosts, indicating the significant variability present in ASPV. Recombination events were detected in four isolates originating from Greek pear and quince and two from Brazilian apples. In a phylogenetic analysis, there was a tendency for isolates to cluster together based on CP gene length, the isolation host, and the detection method applied. Although there was no strict clustering based on geographical origin, most isolates from a given country tended to regroup in specific clusters. Interestingly, it was found that the phylogeny was correlated to the type, position, and pattern of indels, which represent hallmarks of specific lineages and indicate their possible role in virus diversification, rather than the CP size itself. Evidence of recombination between isolates from botanical and cultivated species and the clustering of isolates from botanical species and isolates from cultivated species suggest the existence of a possible undetermined transmission mechanism allowing the exchange of ASPV isolates between the cultivated and wild/ornamental hosts.

Cryotherapy by encapsulation-dehydration is effective for in vitro eradication of latent viruses from 'Marubakaido' apple rootstock.

Apple stem pitting virus (ASPV), Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV) and Apple stem grooving virus (ASGV) are several major viral pathogens of apple trees, responsible for substantial damage to the world's apple industry. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the encapsulation-dehydration cryopreservation technique to eradicate these viral pathogens from in vitro shoot tips excised from 'Marubakaido' apple rootstock cultures. Axillary shoot tips were excised from in vitro cultures, encapsulated in alginate beads, precultured in MS salts, dehydrated in a laminar flow hood, immersed in liquid nitrogen, then warmed and recovered on medium. After LN exposure, in vitro rooting and acclimatization, recovered 'Marubakaido' plants exhibited 52% survival and 35% regrowth without callus formation. After 8 months of regrowth, PCR analyses revealed that all the plants were free of ACLSV and ASPV, but 2 out of 20 recovered plants were still infected with ASGV. This is the first report in Brazil of the application of cryotherapy to eradicate viral complexes in Malus. Cryotherapy can facilitate the production of virus-free plants by producing high quality plant material.

Serological and Molecular Detection of Latent Viruses in the Apple Germplasm Bank of Santa Catarina

Abstract The Apple Germplasm Bank (AGB) of Santa Catarina Agricultural Research and Rural Extension Company - Epagri, AGB-Epagri, is the largest of the genus Malus in Brazil. Twenty-eight main accessions of this bank were virus screened through DAS-ELISA, RT-PCR and IC-RT-PCR during two consecutive reproductive cycles, and each accession showed latent mixed infection by at least two species, among ASGV, ASPV and ACLSV. The combined use of diagnostic methods helped overcome inconsistencies commonly found in apple virus detection and was shown essential for the AGB-Epagri can be safely used as a source of genetic variability and for the exchange of virus-free propagative material.

Molecular variants of Grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus infecting grapevines (Vitis spp.) in Brazil / Variantes moleculares de Grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus infectando videiras (Vitis spp.) no Brasil

ABSTRACT: Grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus (GRSPaV) is one of the most common viruses of grapevine. It is involved in the graft-transmissible disease rupestris stem pitting of the rugose wood complex. The objective of the research was to perform the molecular characterization of the coat protein (CP) gene of sixteen Brazilian GRSPaV isolates aiming to determine the occurrence of molecular variants (strains) of this virus. Nine grapevine samples were evaluated, from which dsRNA was extracted. Nucleotide sequences were generated by Next generation sequencing (NGS). Fifteen complete sequences of the GRSPaV CP gene were obtained and phylogenetically analyzed. Multiple alignments of the sequences showed identities of nucleotides ranging from 82% to 99%, suggesting high variability among the CPs of Brazilian isolates. The study revealed that genetic variability of GRSPaV comprising three molecular variants is also present in Brazilian grapevine genotypes.

RESUMO: O GRSPaV é um dos vírus mais comuns da videira. Está associado à doença transmissível por enxertia denominada caneluras de rupestris que compõe o complexo do lenho rugoso. O objetivo do trabalho foi realizar a caracterização molecular do gene da proteína capsidial (CP) de 16 isolados brasileiros de GRSPaV visando determinar a ocorrência de variantes moleculares desse vírus. Nove amostras de videira foram avaliadas das quais foi extraído dsRNA. As sequências de nucleotídeos foram geradas pelo sequenciamento de nova geração (NGS). Quinze sequências completas do gene CP de GRSPaV foram obtidas e filogeneticamente analisadas. Os alinhamentos múltiplos entre as sequências mostraram identidades de nucleotídeos variando de 82% a 99%, sugerindo alta variabilidade entre as CPs de isolados brasileiros. O estudo revelou que a variabilidade genética de GRSPaV compreendendo três variantes moleculares também está presente nos genótipos de videira no Brasil.

Absolute quantification of viruses by TaqMan real-time RT-PCR in grapevines / Quantificação absoluta de vírus por RT-PCR em tempo real (TaqMan) em videiras

ABSTRACT: The absolute quantification determines the absolute amount of a targeted nucleic acid expressed as a copy number or concentration. The knowledge of virus concentrations in commercial crops possesses high relevance to ensure a reliable diagnosis. The objective of this study was to perform an absolute quantification of five viruses in infected grapevines (Vitis spp.). Different known amounts of the standard sample (cloned viral cDNA or in vitro transcribed viral RNA) were quantified by TaqMan RT-qPCR. Based on these data, standard curves were generated plotting Ct values (threshold cycle) against the log of the standard sample amount. Infected grapevine samples were evaluated to determine virus titers, which were highly variable. This result may contribute to improve virus diagnosis by accurately quantifying virus titre variations in grapevines.

RESUMO: A quantificação absoluta determina a quantidade absoluta de um ácido nucleico alvo expressa como número de cópias ou concentração. O conhecimento das concentrações virais em culturas comerciais tem grande relevância para assegurar um diagnóstico confiável. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar uma quantificação absoluta de cinco vírus em videiras infectadas (Vitis spp.). Diferentes quantidades conhecidas da amostra padrão (cDNA viral clonado ou RNA viral transcrito in vitro) foram quantificadas por RT-qPCR TaqMan. A partir destes dados, curvas padrão foram geradas plotando-se os valores de Ct (ciclo limiar) contra o log da quantidade da amostra padrão. Amostras de videiras infectadas foram avaliadas visando-se determinar os títulos virais que foram bastante variáveis. Este resultado contribui para melhorar o diagnóstico viral ao quantificar com precisão variações no título viral em videiras.

Incidência de vírus em videiras no Nordeste brasileiro e caracterização molecular parcial de isolados virais locais / Incidence of viruses in grapevines in the Brazilian Northeast and partial molecular characterization of local virus isolates

Os objetivos deste trabalho foram identificar as espécies virais presentes em vinhedos comerciais de duas regiões do Nordeste do Brasil e realizar a caracterização molecular parcial de isolados de três espécies virais. A diagnose foi realizada por meio de RT-PCR em tempo real para a detecção de Grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus (GRSPaV), Grapevine virus A (GVA), Grapevine virus B (GVB), Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 2, 3 e 4 (GLRaV-2, -3 e -4), Grapevine fleck virus (GFkV), Grapevine rupestris vein feathering virus (GRVFV) e Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV). Exceto para GFLV, os vírus avaliados estão amplamente disseminados nas áreas amostradas, frequentemente em altas incidências e em infecções múltiplas, de até 98% e 76,4%, na Zona da Mata e no Vale do São Francisco, respectivamente. Isolados locais de GVA, GVB e GLRaV-3 foram parcialmente caracterizados com base na sequência completa de nucleotídeos do gene da proteína capsidial e apresentaram alta porcentagem de identidade de nucleotídeos com outros isolados brasileiros: 91,2% (GVA), 99,8% (GVB) e 99,7% (GLRaV-3).

The objectives of this study were to identify viral species infecting commercial vineyards in two regions of Northeastern Brazil and perform partial molecular characterization of isolates of three virus species. The diagnosis was performed by real time RT-PCR for detection of GRSPaV, GVA, GVB, GLRaV-2, GLRaV-3, GLRaV-4, GFkV, GRVFV and GFLV. Except for GFLV, the evaluated viruses are widespread in the sampled areas, often in high incidences and in multiple infections, up to 98% and 76.4%, in the Zona da Mata and in the Vale do São Francisco regions, respectively. Local isolates of GVA, GVB and GLRaV-3, partially characterized by complete coat protein gene nucleotide sequencing, showed high percentage of nucleotide identities with other Brazilian isolates of these viruses: 91.2% (GVA), 99.8% (GVB) and 99.7% (GLRaV-3).

Detection and partial molecular characterization of Grapevine fleck virus, Grapevine virus D, Grapevine leafroll-associated virus -5 and -6 infecting grapevines in Brazil / Detecção e caracterização molecular parcial de Grapevine fleck virus, Grapevine virus D, Grapevine leafroll-associated virus -5 e -6 que infectam videiras no Brasil

Grapevine fleck, rugose wood and leafroll are three grapevine viral diseases whose causal agents (or associated viruses) respectively are Grapevine fleck virus (GFkV), Grapevine virus D (GVD) and Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 5 and 6 (GLRaV-5 and -6). The objective of this work was to perform a partial molecular characterization of local isolates of these four viral species that infect grapevines. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of complete genes of the coat protein (CP) (of GFkV), the CP and the RNA binding protein (of GVD), the CP and the partial hHSP70 gene (of GLRaV-5) and the partial hHSP70 gene (of GLRaV-6) were aligned and compared in silico with other isolates. These data extend the available information about Brazilian isolates of GFkV, GLRaV-5 and -6, and reports for the first time the GVD occurrence in Brazil.

Mancha das nervuras, lenho rugoso e enrolamento das folhas são três doenças virais da videira, cujos agentes causais (ou vírus associados) são o Grapevine fleck virus (GFkV), o Grapevine virus D (GVD) e os Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 5 e 6 (GLRaV-5 e -6), respectivamente. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar a caracterização molecular parcial de isolados locais dessas quatro espécies virais que infectam videira. As sequências de nucleotídeos e de aminoácidos deduzidos dos genes completos da proteína capsidial (CP) (do GFkV), da CP e da RNA binding protein (do GVD), da CP do GLRaV-5 e parte do gene codificador da hHSP70 do GLRaV-5 e -6 foram alinhadas e comparadas in silico com sequências de outros isolados. Os dados obtidos expandem a informação existente sobre isolados brasileiros de GFkV, GLRaV-5 e - 6 e relatam pela primeira vez a ocorrência do GVD no Brasil.

Detecção e caracterização molecular dos genes da proteína capsidial de ilarvírus e ampelovírus que infectam fruteiras temperadas / Detection and molecular characterization of ilarvirus and ampelovirus coat protein genes infecting temperate fruit trees

Dentre os principais patógenos que incidem em fruteiras temperadas, destacam-se o Prune dwarf virus (PDV), o Apple mosaic virus (ApMV) e o Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1 (GLRaV-1). Neste trabalho foram realizadas a detecção e a caracterização molecular dos genes da proteína capsidial de isolados destas três espécies virais. RNAs totais foram extraídos de amostras de folhas de pessegueiros, macieiras e videiras e, nas reações de RT-PCR, foram utilizados oligonucleotídeos específicos para cada espécie viral. Os cDNAs amplificados foram clonados e sequenciados. Foram verificadas altas identidades entre as sequências de nucleotídeos dos genes da proteína capsidial dos isolados brasileiros de PDV, ApMV e GLRaV-1 e isolados de outros países, independente da origem geográfica e da hospedeira. O peso molecular da proteína capsidial destes vírus foi estimado por meio de Western blot em cerca de 24kDa (PDV), 26kDa (ApMV) e 39kDa (GLRaV-1).

Among the main pathogens infecting temperate fruit trees are Prune dwarf virus, Apple mosaic virus and Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1. In this work the detection and molecular characterization of the coat protein genes of isolates from these viral species were carried out. Total RNA was extracted from peach, apple and grapevine leaves and RT-PCR reactions were performed using specific primers to each virus. The amplified cDNA fragments were cloned and sequenced. High identities were observed between coat protein nucleotide sequences of Brazilian isolates of PDV, ApMV and GLRaV-1 and isolates from other countries, independently from geographic origin and host. Coat protein molecular weights of these viruses were estimated by Western blot to be ca. 24kDa (PDV), 26kDa (ApMV) and 39kDa (GLRaV-1).

Detecção e identificação molecular de vírus associados a videiras sintomáticas e assintomáticas / Molecular detection and identification of virus associated with symptomatic and symptomless grapevines

A propagação vegetativa da videira favorece infecções virais múltiplas, com expressão diferencial de sintomas em função da combinação da cultivar ou espécie da hospedeira com a espécie viral. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram detectar e identificar as espécies virais presentes em duas espécies/cultivares de videira: uma sintomática e outra assintomática. DsRNA de ambas as amostras foi submetido à RT-PCR com 17 pares de oligonucleotídeos específicos para a detecção de Grapevine virus A (GVA), Grapevine virus B (GVB), Grapevine virus D (GVD), Grapevine fleck virus (GFkV), Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV), Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV), Grapevine chrome mosaic virus (GCMV), Rupestris stem pitting-associated virus (RSPaV), Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1 a 4 (GLRaV-1 a -4), além de três pares de oligonucleotídeos degenerados. Pelo menos um fragmento amplificado, por par de oligonucleotídeos, foi clonado e sequenciado. Plantas sintomáticas e assintomáticas mostraram infecções múltiplas por RSPaV, GLRaV-2 e/ou GLRaV-3. As sequências de nucleotídeos obtidas para sete isolados de RSPaV, três de GLRaV-2 e dois de GLRaV-3 apresentaram identidades superiores a 90 por cento com espécies homólogas e permitiram a definição das possíveis estirpes presentes nas amostras infectadas. Esses resultados evidenciam a necessidade da diagnose viral baseada em testes específicos para determinar a condição sanitária da videira.

The vegetative propagation of grapevine facilitates multiple viral infections, with different symptoms which vary according to combinations of cultivar or host species with viral species. The aims of this research were to detect and identify the viral species infecting two grapevine species/cultivars: one symptomatic and one symptomless. DsRNA from both samples was assayed by RT-PCR using 17 pairs of specific primers for detection of the Grapevine virus A (GVA), Grapevine virus B (GVB), Grapevine virus D (GVD), Grapevine fleck virus (GFkV), Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV), Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV), Grapevine chrome mosaic virus (GCMV), Rupestris stem pitting-associated virus (RSPaV) and Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1-4 (GLRaV-1 to -4), besides three degenerate primer pairs. For each primer pair at least one amplicon was cloned and sequenced. Symtomatic and symptomless plants were multiple infected by RSPaV, GLRaV-2 and/or GLRaV-3. The nucleotide sequences of seven isolates of RSPaV, three of GLRaV-2 and two of GLRaV-3 showed identities higher than 90 percent with the homologous viral species and allowed to identify possible viral strains in infected samples. These results highlight the necessity of viral diagnosis based on specific assays to determine grapevine sanitary status.

Produção de antissoro policlonal utilizando a proteína capsidial recombinante do Rupestris stem pitting-associated virus / Production of polyclonal antiserum using recombinant coat protein of Rupestris stem pitting -associated virus

O Rupestris stem pitting-associated virus (RSPaV) é o agente causal das caneluras do lenho da videira. Este trabalho teve como objetivo produzir antissoro policlonal a partir da proteína capsidial (CP) recombinante do RSPaV e avaliar a sua especificidade e sensibilidade. O gene da CP do RSPaV, com 780pb, foi previamente caracterizado. Esse gene foi subclonado no sítio de restrição EcoRI, no vetor de expressão pRSET-B e o plasmídeo recombinante foi utilizado para induzir a expressão da CP em Escherichia coli. A CP, ligada a uma cauda de seis histidinas, foi purificada por meio de cromatografia de afinidade em coluna de Ni-NTA a partir do extrato de proteínas totais extraídas de E. coli. A identidade da proteína purificada foi confirmada em SDS-PAGE e Western blot, utilizando-se anticorpos comerciais contra a cauda de seis histidinas. A CP recombinante expressada in vitro apresentou massa molecular de cerca de 31kDa. A proteína purificada foi quantificada e 2,55mg foram utilizados para a imunização de um coelho. O antissoro policlonal obtido reagiu com diferentes isolados deste vírus, extraídos de videiras em ELISA indireto.

RSPaV is the causal agent of pitting in the grapevine woody cylinder. The aim of this research was to produce polyclonal antiserum against recombinant RSPaV coat protein (CP) and evaluate its specificity and sensibility. The CP gene (780bp) of RSPaV was previously characterized. This gene was subcloned into the EcoRI site of the pRSET-B expression vector and the recombinant plasmid was used to induce the expression of the CP in E. coli cells. The CP, fused to a 6-His-tag, was purified from E. coli total protein extract by affinity chromatography using Ni-NTA resin. Identity of the purified protein was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot, using antibodies against the histidine tail. The in vitro-expressed recombinant CP presented a MW of ca. 31kDa. The purified protein was quantified and 2.55mg used for the immunization of a rabbit. The obtained polyclonal antiserum reacted with different RSPaV isolates extracted from grapevines in indirect ELISA.