Genomic analysis of Grapevine leafroll associated virus-5 and related viruses

The grapevine leafroll-associated viruses (GLRaVs)(Closteroviridae)represent an emerging threat to world grape production. One group of GLRaVs within the genus Ampelovirus, the GLRaV-4-like viruses (GLRaV-4LV5), contains a fragmented collection of seven viruses only two of which (GLRaV-Pr and GLRaCV) are fully sequenced. Here in reporting the sequence of GLRaV-5, a member of GLRaV-4LV5, we identify genomic elements common to the GLRaV-4LV group. Exclusive properties include a highly conserved p5 gene product and phylogenies for complete genes that, except for the p23 gene, are reliably monophyletic. In comparison with other members of the genus Ampelovirus, GLRaV-4LVs form a tight cluster for all genes analyzed. In addition, they all possess a conserved AlkB domain which is most similar to the more distantly related GLRaV-3, suggesting recombination. In silica RNA structural analyses revealed a conserved five stem-loop structure at the 3' untranslated region that extends to all GLRaV-4LV5, and the ampeloviruses Pineapple mealybug wilt-associated virus 1 and Pineapple mealybug wilt-associated virus 3. A conserved G-U rich stem loop was also found upstream of the ORF1a stop and 1b start codons. Taken together, this work allows for a more thorough contextualization of GLRaV-5 and the GLRaV-4LVs as a group within the genus Ampelovirus. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.