Nucleotide Sequence Assessment of Four ORFs of Citrus Tristeza Virus: Evidence of Recombination

Citrus Tristeza Virus(CTV),usually occurs in nature as a mixture of genotypes.Six naturally infected citrus(Citrus sinensis)trees grafted on sour orange rootstock were collected from three citrus growing governorates in Egypt(Sharqia,Qalyubia and Garbia).In this study,RT-PCR,Single-Strand Conformation Polymorphism(SSCP)and nucleotide sequence analysis were used for four independent CTV genomic regions(p65,p18,p20,and p23)to detect and assess the sequence and genetic variabilities among CTV Egyptian isolates.RTPCR products(650 bp)for the CTV p23 gene obtained from the selected isolates were used for the SSCP analysis and DNA sequencing.SSCP patterns of p23 gene for individual isolates yielded different complex haplotype patterns.Nucleotide sequence analysis of p23 region amplified from six isolates under study revealed that p23 shared high nucleotide identity 98.7%with T36 isolate from USA,Florida.Phylogenetic analysis of p23 gene indicated a close evolutionary relationship between all examined isolates and Qaha isolate(T36 isolate group),suggesting that they may have originated from closely related ancestors.Nucleotide sequence analysis of the three genes located on CTV 3′-coterminal overhang,p18,p20 and p65,amplified from isolate A3,Sharqia governorate,revealed that the p18,p65,and p20 genes were related to the T3-KB isolate from South Africa with 99%–100%sequence homology.Phylogenetic relationship analysis for p65,p18 and p20 ORFs clustered the current A3 isolate with T3 genotype group.The recombination analysis identified three of six isolates from Sharqia,and Garbia as potential recombinant for p23 gene.The isolates T36 and T3 were identified as major donors for recombination events in isolate A3.Our results concluded that p23 ORF likely to be as a hotspot region for recombination and originated through recombination event.The current study indicated that recombination is an important factor for the origin of CTV strains in Egypt.

Genetic Diversity and Global Distribution of Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) Strains

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV), the most devastating viral pathogen in citrus, causes tremendous economic losses to citrus industry worldwide. The CTV isolates exhibit variable pathogenicities on their hosts indicating a mixed population of the CTV in nature. Several fragments within the CTV genome have been used for studying the genetic diversity of the CTV, however, the best region for rapid the CTV strain differentiation is still absent at present. In present study, a systemic analysis was carried out to evaluate the best region within the CTV genome for rapid CTV strain differentiation. Results of our study showed that the major coat protein (CP) coding region was the best region for this purpose. Using pair-wise distance frequency distribution plot, a reasonable genetic distance cut-off value was set for the CTV CP gene for the CTV strain differentiation. Using this criterion, eight CTV strains, including seven well characterized and a new strain, were successfully differentiated using 537 CTV isolates reported from 38 countries. The global strain distribution pattern was then determined and discussed. Our results also provided a new insight into the evolution and spreading of the virus, as well as the information for developing proper disease management strategy.

Monoclonal antibody-based serological methods for detecting Citrus tristeza virus in citrus groves

Citrus tristeza virus(CTV) is one of the most economically important citrus viruses and harms the citrus industry worldwide.To develop reliable and effective serological detection assays of CTV,the major capsid protein(CP) gene of CTV was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) using the expression vector p ET-28 a and purified through Ni^+-NTA affinity chromatography.The recombinant protein was used to immunize BALB/c mice.Four hybridoma cell lines(14B10,14H11,20D5,and20G12) secreting monoclonal antibodies(MAbs) against CTV were obtained through conventional hybridoma technology.The titers of MAb-containing ascitic fluids secreted by the four hybridoma lines ranged from 10-6 to 10-7 in indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Western blots showed that all four MAbs could specifically react with CTV CP.Using the prepared MAbs,dot-ELISA,Tissue print-ELISA,and triple antibody sandwich(TAS)-ELISA were developed to detect CTV in tree nurseries and epidemiological studies.The developed dot-ELISA and TAS-ELISA methods could detect CTV in crude extracts of infected citrus leaves with dilutions of 1:2560 and1:10,240(w/v,g/m L),respectively.Tissue print-ELISA was particularly useful for large-scale field sample detection,mainly owing to its simplicity and lack of sample preparation requirements.The field survey revealed that CTV is prevalent on citrus trees in the Chongqing Municipality,Jiangxi Province,and Zhejiang Province of China.The coincidence rate of serological and RT-PCR test results reached more than 99.5%.The prepared MAbs against CTV and established sensitive and specific serological assays have a significant role in the detection and prevention and control of CTV in our country.

Overview of Strain Characterization in Relation to Serological and Molecular Detection of Citrus tristeza Closterovirus

Tristeza is a devastating viral disease in all the citrus growing countries throughout the world and has killed millions of citrus trees in severely affected orchards.The citrus species grafted on sour orange rootstock are affected by this disease.Predominantly,the sweet orange,grapefruit and lime trees grafted on sour orange exhibit severe symptoms like quick decline,vein clearing,pin holing,bark scaling and degeneration leading to variable symptoms.Symptomatic expression of Citrus tristeza virus(CTV)in different hosts has been attributed to virus isolates which are from severe to mild.Different serological and molecular assays have been deployed to differentiate the strains of CTV.Citrus tristeza virus is diversified towards its strains on the basis of biological,serological and molecular characterization.Phenotypic expression is due to genetic alteration and different molecular basis have now been adopted for strain differentiation.This review will give a brief idea about the different CTV isolates,their characterization based on nucleic acid and serological assays.Different methods along with salient features for strain characterization has also been reviewed.This review will also open the new aspects towards formulation of management strategies through different detection techniques.