Complete nucleotide sequence of a putative new cytorhabdovirus infecting lettuce

The full-length nucleotide sequence of the genomic RNA of a new cytorhabdovirus infecting lettuce was determined. Six open reading frames were found in the antigenomic sequence of the 12,926-nt negative-sense viral RNA genome. The genomic organisation was similar to that of lettuce necrotic yellows virus (LNYV), the type member of the genus Cytorhabdovirus: 3'-N-P-3-M-G-L-5', where N is the capsid protein gene, P the putative phosphoprotein gene, 3 a gene coding for a putative protein of unknown function, M the putative matrix protein gene, G the glycoprotein gene, and L the putative polymerase gene. Amino acid sequence comparison with the corresponding sequences of other rhabdoviruses revealed the closest relationship to LNYV, with identities ranging from 41% for the matrix proteins and 65% for the L polymerase proteins. These results indicate that this virus may be a member of a new cytorhabdovirus species, for which the name Lettuce yellow mottle virus (LYMoV) is proposed.