Complete nucleotide sequence of wheat yellow mosaic bymovirus genomic RNAs

Summary.  The complete sequences of wheat yellow mosaic bymovirus (WYMV) RNA1 and RNA2 were determined. RNA1 is 7 636 nucleotides long [excluding the 3′-poly(A)], and codes for a 269 kDa polyprotein of 2 404 amino acids which contains the capsid protein (CP) at the C terminus and seven putative non-structural proteins. RNA2 is 3 659 nucleotides long and codes for a polyprotein of 904 amino acids which contains a 28 kDa putative proteinase and a 73 kDa polypeptide. These functional proteins are arranged as in RNA1 and RNA2 of barley yellow mosaic bymovirus (BaYMV). Comparisons with the sequence reported for the 3′ half of RNA1 of wheat spindle streak mosaic bymovirus (WSSMV) from Southern France show that WYMV and WSSMV have a similar genetic organization. However, WYMV and WSSMV share only 77% amino acid sequence identity in their deduced CPs in spite of their close serological relationship, and 74% nucleotide sequence identity in their 3′ non-coding regions. Thus, the sequence data indicate that WYMV and WSSMV are not strains of the same virus, which has long been suggested, but are distinct virus species within the genus Bymovirus of the family Potyviridae. Accepted December 19, 1997 Received November 14, 1997