Complete genomic sequence of common reed chlorotic stripe virus, a novel member of the family Potyviridae

Common reed ( Phragmites australis ) plants showing chlorotic stripe symptoms on leaves were found in Gansu Province, China. Deep sequencing of small RNAs from symptomatic leaves identified a putative potyvirus, which was named common reed chlorotic stripe virus (CRCSV). The full genome sequence was determined by reverse transcription PCR, rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) PCR, and sequencing. It consists of 9,426 nucleotides, excluding the poly(A) tail, and contains a large open reading frame encoding a polyprotein of 3,014 amino acids. Putative proteolytic cleavage sites were identified. Since CRCSV shared low sequence similarity (35%-37% identity) to any known members of the family Potyviridae and it clustered uniquely in phylogenetic analysis of either the polyprotein or the coat protein, CRCSV is a distinct, previously undescribed member of the family Potyviridae.