Genome characterization of prunus maculavirus 1 (PrMcV-1), a novel member of the genus maculavirus identified in prunus spp.

A novel virus with a (+)ssRNA genome was identified in a symptomless peach tree by high-throughput sequencing. The complete RACE-verified genome of the virus, tentatively named "Prunus maculavirus 1" (PrMcV-1; GenBank accession number PV231830), is 6,664 nucleotides (nt) long, excluding the poly(A) tail, and contains two open reading frames (ORFs). ORF1 (nt 64-5895) encodes a large replication-associated polyprotein, which contains conserved domains associated with methyltransferase (Mtr), papain-like protease (Pro), helicase (Hel), and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). ORF2 (nt 5571-6478) partially overlaps ORF1 and encodes the capsid protein (CP). Phylogenetic analysis based on both ORFs placed PrMcV-1 in a distinct clade within the genus Maculavirus of the family Tymoviridae. Experimental evidence showed that PrMcV-1 is graft-transmissible. This study expands the known host range of maculaviruses to include Prunus species.