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Phylogeny of geminiviruses
1Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arizona, Tucson 85721.
The Journal of General Virology
|October 1, 1989
Summary
Phylogenetic analysis of geminivirus proteins reveals distinct evolutionary pressures. Coat proteins correlate with vector specificity, while replication proteins relate to host specificity, aiding in virus classification and origin determination.
Area of Science:
- Plant virology
- Molecular evolution
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Geminiviruses are significant plant pathogens.
- Understanding geminivirus evolution is crucial for disease management.
- Phylogenetic analysis provides insights into viral relationships.
Purpose of the Study:
- To construct phylogenetic trees for geminivirus replication-associated proteins and coat proteins.
- To investigate the evolutionary pressures influencing these proteins.
- To correlate viral protein evolution with vector and host specificities.
Main Methods:
- Alignment of amino acid sequences for 16 replication-associated proteins and 15 coat proteins.
- Utilizing a novel computer program to calculate minimum mutation distances.
- Construction of phylogenetic trees based on comparative sequence analysis.
Main Results:
- Phylogenetic trees of coat proteins showed two main branches correlated with vector specificities.
- Phylogenetic trees of replication-associated proteins also showed two main branches correlated with monocotyledonous or dicotyledonous host specificities.
- Dicot-infecting geminiviruses could be further classified by geographical origin (Old World vs. New World).
Conclusions:
- Evolutionary pressures on geminivirus coat proteins are influenced by vectors.
- Evolutionary pressures on replication-associated proteins are influenced by hosts.
- Phylogenetic analysis aids in determining geminivirus geographical origins and supports the establishment of new taxa.