COMPLETE NUCLEOTIDE-SEQUENCE OF SUGARCANE STREAK MONOGEMINIVIRUS

The complete nucleotide sequence of the genome of the Monogeminivirus sugarcane streak virus (SSV) was determined from cloned replicative fo rm DNA. The genome is contained in one DNA circle of 2 7 58 nucleotide s, and has four open reading frames with the potential to encode prote ins of MW > 10 kDa: two in the viral ( + ) sense and two in the comple mentary ( - ) sense. Each open reading frame has a counterpart among t he open reading frames reported for other Monogeminiviruses. A potenti al binding site for a DNA replication primer and potential transcripti onal control sequences were identified on the (+) strand, and a possib le intron on the (-) strand. Phylogenetic analysis of coat protein and replication-associated protein sequences of SSV and other grass-infec ting geminiviruses indicate that SSV, although distinct from any other virus, is part of an ''African streak virus subgroup'' of Mono gemini viruses.