The complete nucleotide sequence and genome organization of tomato chlorosis virus

Summary. The crinivirus tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) was discovered initially in diseased tomato and has since been identified as a serious problem for tomato production in many parts of the world, particularly in the United States, Europe and Southeast Asia. The complete nucleotide sequence of ToCV was determined and compared with related crinivirus species. RNA 1 is organized into four open reading frames (ORFs), and encodes proteins involved in replication, based on homology to other viral replication factors. RNA 2 is composed of nine ORFs including genes that encode a HSP70 homolog and two proteins involved in encapsidation of viral RNA, referred to as the coat protein and minor coat protein. Sequence homology between ToCV and other criniviruses varies throughout the viral genome. The minor coat protein (CPm) of ToCV, which forms part of the “rattlesnake tail” of virions and may be involved in determining the unique, broad vector transmissibility of ToCV, is larger than the CPm of lettuce infectious yellows virus (LIYV) by 217 amino acids. Among sequenced criniviruses, considerable variability exists in the size of some viral proteins. Analysis of these differences with respect to biological function may provide insight into the role crinivirus proteins play in virus infection and transmission.