Complete genome sequence supports bell pepper mottle virus as a species of the genus Tobamovirus

Biological properties and the complete genome sequence of bell pepper mottle virus (BPeMV) were determined. The full genome of BPeMV consists of 6375 nucleotides. The BPeMV genomic RNA has four open reading frames (ORFs) encoding proteins of M(r) 126, 181, 30 and 18 kDa from the 5' to the 3' end, respectively. The lengths of the 5' nontranslated region (NTR) and the 3' NTR are 71 and 198 nucleotides, respectively. Overall identities for the four ORFs of BpeMV, at the nucleotide and amino acid levels, respectively, ranged from 36.0 to 80.6% and from 32.1 to 90.9%, compared to those of 22 other tobamoviruses. The CP gene of BPeMV displayed 43.5-73.5% and 32.1-82.4% identity to those of 22 other tobamoviruses at the nucleotide and amino acid levels, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses of four viral proteins clearly supported the conclusion that BPeMV-encoded proteins were related to those of members of the Solanaceae-infecting tobamoviruses. BPeMV was closely related to tomato mosaic virus, and tobacco mosaic virus and different from other tobamoviruses. Western blot analysis showed that BPeMV cross-reacted strongly with antibodies against members of Solanaceae-infecting tobamoviruses. These data represent the first molecular evidence supporting BPeMV as a separate species of the genus Tobamovirus.