Archives of Virology (2005) 150, 1607-1619

F. Fonseca, J.D. Neto, V. Martins and G. Nolasco (2005)
Genomic variability of Prune dwarf virus as affected by agricultural practice
Archives of Virology 150 (8), 1607-1619
Abstract: Twelve new sequences of the coat protein gene of Prune dwarf virus (PDV) variants, obtained from almond trees, are presented. Comparison with previously reported sequences of the same region, obtained from other hosts (plum, cherry and peach) revealed not only the existence of a wider range of variants of PDV than formerly predicted, but also the frequent presence of a mixture of variants in each sample. In spite of the heterogeneity found in almond, the amino acid composition of the domain at the N terminus of the coat protein maintained the potential to form an amphipathic helix, and hence the capacity to serve the previously suggested function of binding the viral RNA during particle formation.
Except for synonymous substitutions, measures of nucleotide diversity calculated for the two groups, respectively 13 sequences from almond and 14 sequences from other hosts, were found to be significantly different, with the almond group showing a much higher variability. Analysis of the dendrogram constructed based in all 27 PDV CP sequences did not reveal host specificity, in agreement with previous findings. However, a clear divergence between almond and other hosts sequences could be found. It is discussed that the observed differences between almond and other hosts variants may derive from differences in agricultural practices.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Filomena Fonseca, Gustavo Nolasco

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
molecular biology - genes
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Prune dwarf virus	Almond (Prunus dulcis)
	Prune dwarf virus	Cherry (Prunus avium - Prunus cerasus)
	Prune dwarf virus	Peach/nectarine (Prunus persica)
	Prune dwarf virus	Plum/prune (Prunus domestica)