Characterization of a Pepper Vein Banding Virus from Chili Pepper in India

A survey conducted in pepper-growing tracts of Karnataka State, covering 165 fields in 33 villages, revealed the occurrence of many pepper mosaic diseases. Based on reactions on selected test plants, the viruses were identified as pepper vein banding virus (PVBV), pepper veinal mottle virus, potato virus Y, cucumber mosaic virus, and tobacco mosaic virus. Among these, PVBV was the most prevalent. PVBV was purified from infected leaves of Capsicum annuum cv. California Wonder. Electron microscopy revealed flexuous rod-shaped particles in the purified preparations. The coat protein (CP) molecular weight was 35,000, which is similar to members of the Potyvirus group. As in other potyviruses, the CP underwent proteolytic degradation to a fragment with a molecular weight of 31,000. Both of these bands cross-reacted with antibodies against tobacco etch virus in Western blots. Polyclonal antibodies were produced against PVBV. Cross-reactivity studies with other potyviral antisera showed that PVBV is serologically closer to peanut mottle virus than to peanut stripe virus or sorghum potyvirus. N-terminal sequence analysis of the intact CP and trypsin-resistant core revealed that PVBV is a distinct member of the Potyvirus group.