The complete nucleotide sequence and genomic organization of a novel victorivirus with two non-overlapping ORFs, identified in the plant-pathogenic fungus Phomopsis vexans

Abstract

In this study, a novel virus designated Phomopsis vexans RNA virus 1 (PvRV1) was identified in a strain of Phomopsis vexans. The complete genomic nucleotide sequence was determined and analyzed. Sequence analysis indicated that PvRV1 is closely related to viruses in the genus Victorivirus of the family Totiviridae. Two open reading frames (ORF1 and 2) were found in the PvRV1 sequence, and these showed significant similarity to the capsid protein (CP) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), respectively, of members of the family Totiviridae. The two ORFs were spaced 98 nt apart, which is unique to PvRV1 and different from the overlapping arrangement in most victoriviruses. The expression strategies of the CP and RdRp are discussed based on in silico RNA secondary structure analysis.