NUCLEOTIDE-SEQUENCE AND PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF A BAMBOO MOSAIC POTEXVIRUS ISOLATE FROM COMMON BAMBOO (BAMBUSA-VULGARIS MCCLURE)

The complete cDNA sequence corresponding to the genomic RNA of an isol ate bamboo mosaic potexvirus (BaMV-V) from common bamboo (Bambusa vulg aris McClure) was determined. This isolate is the first potexvirus wit h which a satellite RNA has been associated. The genome organization o f BaMV-V, similar to those of other potexviruses, contained five open reading frames (ORFs 1-5) coding for polypeptides with molecular weigh t of 156 kDa, 28 kDa, 13 kDa, 6 kDa, and 25 kDa, respectively. Nucleot ide sequence analysis showed a 10.0% difference from the BaMV-O isolat e previously described whereas the amino acid comparison showed a diff erence of 3.2%. When three conservative domains of RNA dependent RNA p olymerase (RdRp) were used for phylogenetic analysis, the greatest var iation between two strains of each virus was only 12.8% of that betwee n the two closest members of the potexvirus group. The grouping of pot exviruses distinct from other groups of plant viruses was also confirm ed by a comparision of three conservative motifs of RdRp.