Complete genomic characterization of a potato mop-top virus isolate from the United States

Potato mop-top virus (PMTV; family Virgaviridae) was reported recently in the Pacific Northwestern USA. To better understand the genetic diversity of this virus, the complete genome of an isolate from Washington State (WA), USA, was characterized. Sequence comparisons of the WA isolate with other known sequences revealed that the RNA-Rep-encoded RdRp protein and the RNA-CP-encoded coat protein displayed >99 % amino acid sequence identity to those of two Nordic (RdRp) and several European and North American isolates (CP), respectively. The RNA-TGB-encoded TGB 1 and TGB 3 protein sequences had >99 % amino acid sequence identity to the corresponding proteins of Czech and Danish isolates, whereas the TGB 2 protein is identical to those of Colombian isolates. Phylogenetic analysis of the viral genes of the WA isolate reflected the close relationship between WA and European isolates. RFLP analysis of corresponding DNA of RNA TGB and RNA CP revealed that the WA isolate has the RNA TGB-II and RNA CP-B types, which are prevalent in Europe and other parts of world. This is the first report of the complete genome characterization of PMTV from the Americas.