Citrus Bright Spot Virus: A New Dichorhavirus, Transmitted by Brevipalpus azores, Causing Citrus Leprosis Disease in Brazil

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Chabi-Jesus, Camila ; Ramos-Gonzalez, Pedro Luis ; Tassi, Aline Daniele ; Rossetto Pereira, Laura ; Bastianel, Marines ; Lau, Douglas ; Canale, Maria Cristina ; Harakava, Ricardo ; Novelli, Valdenice Moreira ; Kitajima, Elliot Watanabe ; Freitas-Astua, Juliana

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLANTS-BASEL; v. 12, n. 6, p. 15-pg., 2023-03-01.

Abstract

Citrus leprosis (CL) is the main viral disease affecting the Brazilian citriculture. Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) trees affected by CL were identified in small orchards in Southern Brazil. Rod-like particles of 40 x 100 nm and electron lucent viroplasm were observed in the nucleus of infected cells in symptomatic tissues. RNA extracts from three plants, which proved negative by RT-PCR for known CL-causing viruses, were analyzed by high throughput sequencing and Sanger sequencing after RT-PCR. The genomes of bi-segmented ss(-)RNA viruses, with ORFs in a typical organization of members of the genus Dichorhavirus, were recovered. These genomes shared 98-99% nt sequence identity among them but <73% with those of known dichorhavirids, a value below the threshold for new species demarcation within that genus. Phylogenetically, the three haplotypes of the new virus called citrus bright spot virus (CiBSV) are clustered with citrus leprosis virus N, which is a dichorhavirus transmitted by Brevipalpus phoenicis sensu stricto. In CiBSV-infected citrus plants, B. papayensis and B. azores were found, but the virus could only be transmitted to Arabidopsis plants by B. azores. The study provides the first evidence of the role of B. azores as a viral vector and supports the assignment of CiBSV to the tentative new species Dichorhavirus australis. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/50222-0 - Understanding the molecular biology and ecology of plant-virus-vector relationships: towards sustainable, integrated virus management strategies
• Grantee: Juliana de Freitas Astúa
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/15413-2 - Putative glycoproteins from Brevipalpus mite- transmitted viruses and their role in the formation of the viral structure
• Grantee: Camila Chabi de Jesus
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 19/02137-0 - P61 from cilevirus: biochemical and functional characterization
• Grantee: Gabriella Dias Arena
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 18/12252-8 - Interaction between citrus leprosis C cilevirus and clerodendrum chlorotic spot dichorhavirus with their vector Brevipalpus yothersi and the possible implications in the management of cile- and dichorhaviruses
• Grantee: Aline Daniele Tassi
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 17/50334-3 - Institutional research development plan (PDIp): modernization and adequacy of strategic multi-user units of the Instituto Biológico
• Grantee: Ana Eugênia de Carvalho Campos
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - State Research Institutes Modernization Program
• FAPESP's process: 19/25078-9 - Genomics and trascriptome of virus-vector-host plant relationship in the pathosytem of Brevipalpus transmitted viruses; systematic and evolution of Brevipalpus mites and their endosymbionts; new strategies to manage citrus Leprosis in the S. Paulo State
• Grantee: Elliot Watanabe Kitajima
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants