Genetic analysis of maize streak virus isolates from Uganda reveals widespread distribution of a recombinant variant
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Date
2007
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of general virology
Abstract
Maize streak virus (MSV) contributes significantly to the problem of extremely low African maize
yields. Whilst a diverse range of MSV and MSV-like viruses are endemic in sub-Saharan Africa
and neighbouring islands, only a single group of maize-adapted variants – MSV subtypes A1–A6 –
causes severe enough disease in maize to influence yields substantially. In order to assist in
designing effective strategies to control MSV in maize, a large survey covering 155 locations was
conducted to assess the diversity, distribution and genetic characteristics of the Ugandan MSV-A
population. PCR–restriction fragment-length polymorphism analyses of 391 virus isolates
identified 49 genetic variants. Sixty-two full-genome sequences were determined, 52 of which
were detectably recombinant. All but two recombinants contained predominantly MSV-A1-like
sequences. Of the ten distinct recombination events observed, seven involved inter-MSV-A
subtype recombination and three involved intra-MSV-A1 recombination. One of the intra-MSV-A1
recombinants, designated MSV-A1UgIII, accounted for .60% of all MSV infections sampled
throughout Uganda. Although recombination may be an important factor in the emergence of
novel geminivirus variants, it is demonstrated that its characteristics in MSV are quite different
from those observed in related African cassava-infecting geminivirus species.
Description
Keywords
Maize streak virus, Uganda, Genetic analysis, Recombinant variant
Citation
Owor, BE, Martin, DP, Shepherd, DN, Edema, R., Monjane, AL, Rybicki, EP, ... & Varsani, A. (2007). Genetic analysis of maize streak virus isolates from Uganda reveals widespread distribution of a recombinant variant. Journal of general virology , 88 (11), 3154-3165. DOI 10.1099/vir.0.83144-0