Characterization of a new badnavirus from Wisteria sinensis.

The complete genome sequence of a previously undescribed badnavirus isolated from a wisteria plant exhibiting mosaic and crinkle symptoms in Beijing, China, was determined. The circular double-stranded DNA genome of this virus was 7362 bp in size with four open reading frames (ORFs 1 to 4) on the plus strand. Sequence analysis showed that this virus shared the highest (69%) nucleotide (nt) sequence identity with pagoda yellow mosaic associated virus (PYMAV). In the RT-RNase H region of the ORF-3 encoded polyprotein, this virus shared 74% nt sequence identity with PYMAV. Phylogenetic analysis provided further evidence that the virus identified in this study is a member of a new species in the genus Badnavirus. The name wisteria badnavirus 1 (WBV1) is proposed for this new virus.

Characterization of apple stem grooving virus and apple chlorotic leaf spot virus identified in a crab apple tree.

Apple stem grooving virus (ASGV), apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV), and prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) were identified in a crab apple tree by small RNA deep sequencing. The complete genome sequence of ACLSV isolate BJ (ACLSV-BJ) was 7554 nucleotides and shared 67.0%-83.0% nucleotide sequence identity with other ACLSV isolates. A phylogenetic tree based on the complete genome sequence of all available ACLSV isolates showed that ACLSV-BJ clustered with the isolates SY01 from hawthorn, MO5 from apple, and JB, KMS and YH from pear. The complete nucleotide sequence of ASGV-BJ was 6509 nucleotides (nt) long and shared 78.2%-80.7% nucleotide sequence identity with other isolates. ASGV-BJ and the isolate ASGV_kfp clustered together in the phylogenetic tree as an independent clade. Recombination analysis showed that isolate ASGV-BJ was a naturally occurring recombinant.

One-step reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification for the detection of Maize chlorotic mottle virus in maize.

Maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV) is spreading in many regions worldwide, causing maize lethal necrosis when co-infected with a potyvirid. In this study, one-step reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay was developed to detect MCMV in maize. A set of four specific primers was designed based on the conserved coat protein gene sequences of MCMV. The RT-LAMP could be completed within 60min under isothermal condition at 63°C. The sensitivity test showed that the RT-LAMP was about 10-fold more sensitive than RT-PCR and no cross-reactivity was detected with other viral pathogens infecting maize in China. Moreover, the results of RT-LAMP could be visually inspected by SYBR Green I staining in a closed-tube, facilitating high-throughput application of MCMV detection. This method was further verified by testing field-collected samples. These results suggested that the developed MCMV RT-LAMP technique is a rapid, efficient and sensitive method which could be used as a routine screen for MCMV infection.

Synergistic infection of two viruses MCMV and SCMV increases the accumulations of both MCMV and MCMV-derived siRNAs in maize.

The co-infection of Maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV) and Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) can cause maize lethal necrosis. However, the mechanism underlying the synergistic interaction between these two viruses remains elusive. In this study, we found that the co-infection of MCMV and SCMV increased the accumulation of MCMV. Moreover, the profiles of virus-derived siRNAs (vsiRNAs) from MCMV and SCMV in single- and co-infected maize plants were obtained by high-throughput sequencing. Our data showed that synergistic infection of MCMV and SCMV increased remarkably the accumulation of vsiRNAs from MCMV, which were mainly 22 and 21 nucleotides in length. The single-nucleotide resolution maps of vsiRNAs revealed that vsiRNAs were almost continuously but heterogeneously distributed throughout MCMV and SCMV genomic RNAs, respectively. Moreover, we predicted and annotated dozens of host transcript genes targeted by vsiRNAs. Our results also showed that maize DCLs and several AGOs RNAs were differentially accumulated in maize plants with different treatments (mock, single or double inoculations), which were associated with the accumulation of vsiRNAs. Our findings suggested possible roles of vsiRNAs in the synergistic interaction of MCMV and SCMV in maize plants.

The first complete genome sequence of iris severe mosaic virus.

The first complete genome sequence of ISMV was determined by deep sequencing of a small RNA library constructed from ISMV-infected samples and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) PCR. The ISMV genome consists of 10,403 nucleotides excluding the poly(A) tail and contains a large open reading frame encoding a polyprotein of 3316 amino acids. Putative proteolytic cleavage sites were identified by BLAST analysis. The ISMV polyprotein showed highest amino acid sequence identity to that encoded by onion yellow dwarf virus. Phylogenetic analysis of the polyprotein amino acid sequence confirmed that ISMV forms a cluster with shallot yellow stripe virus, Cyrtanthus elatus virus A, narcissus degeneration virus and onion yellow dwarf virus. These results confirm that ISMV is a distinct member of the genus Potyvirus.

Characterization of siRNAs derived from cucumber green mottle mosaic virus in infected cucumber plants.

Virus-derived small interfering RNAs (vsiRNAs) of cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV), a member of the genus Tobamovirus, were characterised in cucumber plants by deep sequencing. CGMMV vsiRNAs of 21-22 nt in length predominated, suggesting that there might be a conserved mechanism of DCL2 and DCL4 involvement in the biogenesis of vsiRNAs, as well as a common RNA silencing pathway in CGMMV-infected cucumber plants. The 5'-terminal base of vsiRNAs was biased towards C/A/U, suggesting that CGMMV vsiRNAs might be loaded into diverse AGO-containing RISCs to disturb the gene expression of host plants. Possible targets for some of the vsiRNAs were also predicted.

Comparison of three magnetic-bead-based RNA extraction methods for detection of cucumber green mottle mosaic virus by real-time RT-PCR.

To determine the efficiency of RNA extraction methods based on magnetic beads, three different bead-based methods (one using silica-coated magnetic beads [SMNP], one using immunomagnetic beads conjugated to a specific antibody [IMB], and one using magnetic beads to nonspecifically adsorb virions [MNP]) were compared with the TRIzol method for the extraction of cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) RNA from cucumber leaves by real-time RT-PCR. The results indicated that the extraction efficiency of the SMNP method was 10 times higher than those of the IMB and MNP methods and 100 times higher than that of the TRIzol method. Therefore, the SMNP method could be considered for use in quarantine measures for the prevention and control of the disease caused by CGMMV.

Application of carboxyphenylboronic acid-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles for extracting nucleic acid from seeds.

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles functionalized with 4-carboxyphenylboronic acid (CPBA-MNPs) were developed for extracting genomic DNA, total RNA and nucleic acids from seeds. The seed samples were genetically-modified maize seeds and unmodified soybean seeds infected by bean pod mottle virus and tobacco ringspot virus. The total nucleic acids, genomic DNA, and RNA could be separately extracted from these seeds with high qualities using CPBA-MNPs under different conditions. Furthermore, the results of real-time quantitative qPCR and real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR indicated that the nucleic acids extracted from these seeds using CPBA-MNPs were suitable for the detection of genetically-modified seeds and seed-borne viruses.

[Application of screening microarray technology in genus level for detection of Pospiviroid].

The aim was to establish an effective screening microarray at genus level for Pospiviroid. We analyzed nucleotide sequences from Pospiviroid viroid and designed 19 probes with genus identification characteristics. The standards of these probes included the characters of (i) a GC content between 40 and 60%, (ii) less than 50% of single nucleotide, (iii) less than 4 continuous mononucleotides, and (iv) less than 6 nucleotides in the inner hairpin. We synthesized microarrays by using these probes on glass slides. The validation results of microarray probes show effective signals from chrysanthemum stunt viroid and tomato planta macho viroid standard samples hybridization. The sensitivity results show that the microarray detected 200 pg/microL of total RNA. The microarray can be used to screen Pospiviroid viroid.

Extraction of total nucleic acid based on silica-coated magnetic particles for RT-qPCR detection of plant RNA virus/viroid.

In this study, a nucleic acid extraction method based on silica-coated magnetic particles (SMPs) and RT-qPCR assay was developed to detect Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV), Lily symptomless virus (LSV), Hop stunt viroid (HSVd) and grape yellow speckle viroid 1 (GYSVd-1). The amplification sequences of RT-qPCR were reversely transcribed in vitro as RNA standard templates. The standard curves covered six or seven orders of magnitude with a detection limit of 100 copies per each assay. Extraction efficiency of the SMPs method was evaluated by recovering spiked ssRNAs from plant samples and compared to two commercial kits (TRIzol and RNeasy Plant mini kit). Results showed that the recovery rate of SMPs method was comparable to the commercial kits when spiked ssRNAs were extracted from lily leaves, whereas it was two or three times higher than commercial kits when spiked ssRNAs were extracted from grapevine leaves. SMPs method was also used to extract viral nucleic acid from15 ArMV-positive lily leaf samples and 15 LSV-positive lily leaf samples. SMPs method did not show statistically significant difference from other methods on detecting ArMV, but LSV. The SMPs method has the same level of virus load as the TRIzol, and its mean virus load of was 0.5log10 lower than the RNeasy Plant mini kit. Nucleic acid was extracted from 19 grapevine-leaf samples with SMPs and the two commercial kits and subsequently screened for HSVd and GYSVd-1 by RT-qPCR. Regardless of HSVd or GYSVd-1, SMPs method outperforms other methods on both positive rate and the viroid load. In conclusion, SMPs method was able to efficiently extract the nucleic acid of RNA viruses or viroids, especially grapevine viroids, from lily-leaf or grapevine-leaf samples for RT-qPCR detection.

[Detection of Plasmodium falciparum by using magnetic nanoparticles separation-based quantitative real-time PCR assay].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a magnetic nanoparticles separation-based quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR) assay for fast and accurate detection of Plasmodium falciparum and providing a technical support for improving the control and prevention of imported malaria. METHODS: According to the conserved sequences of the P. falciparum genome 18SrRNA, the species-specific primers and probe were designed and synthetized. The RT-PCR was established by constructing the plasmid standard, fitting the standard curve and using magnetic nanoparticles separation. The sensitivity and specificity of the assay were evaluated. RESULTS: The relationship between the threshold cycle (Ct) and logarithm of initial templates copies was linear over a range of 2.5 x 10(1) to 2.5 x 10(8) copies/µl (R2 = 0.999). Among 13 subjects of entry frontier, a P. falciparum carrier with low load was detected by using the assay and none was detected with the conventional examinations (microscopic examinations and rapid tests). CONCLUSION: This assay shows a high sensitivity in detection of P. falciparum, with rapid and accurate characteristics, and is especially useful in diagnosis of P. falciparum infectors with low parasitaemia at entry-exit frontier ports.

Optimization of influencing factors of nucleic acid adsorption onto silica-coated magnetic particles: application to viral nucleic acid extraction from serum.

We present a detailed study of nucleic acid adsorption onto silica-coated magnetic particles in the presence of guanidinium thiocyanate, and extraction of nucleic acid from two important transfusion-transmitted viruses using these particles. Silica-coated magnetic particles were prepared by encapsulating Fe3O4 nanoparticles with tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) hydrolysis. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) were used for particle characterization. The results indicate that silica-coated magnetic particles are spheroid with a narrow hydrodynamic size distribution of about 500nm. VSM data indicates that these particles display paramagnetic behavior with saturation magnetization of about 30emu/g. The adsorption capacities were evaluated with DNA from salmon sperm and RNA of Escherichia coli strain JM109 in the presence of guanidinium thiocyanate. The maximum of adsorption is up to 10.6mg DNA or 7.7mg RNA per 1g of silica-coated magnetic particles with 4M guanidinium thiocyanate (GTC) at pH 5.5 without adding ethanol. The influencing factors were analyzed in term of the adsorption of nucleic acids onto silica-coated magnetic particles. The adsorption capacity in acidic condition is found to be larger than that in alkaline condition and increases with adding equivalent volume of ethanol. A simple method was therefore established to extract nucleic acids of two important transfusion-transmitted viruses from serum and compared with the commercial kits. The results indicate that the extraction method based on silica-coated magnetic particles can be adapted to rapidly and facilely isolate viral nucleic acid for diagnosis of viral infection from serum within 30min, irrespective of genome compositions of virus.

A novel method of real-time reverse-transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification developed for rapid and quantitative detection of human astrovirus.

A one-step, real-time reverse-transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (rRT-LAMP) method targeting the 5' end of the capsid gene for rapid and quantitative detection of human astrovirus serotype 1 (HAstV 1) was developed. The assay is highly sensitive and comparable to real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR), with a detection limit of ∼100 RNA copies per assay. The specificity of the method was validated by the absence of any cross-reaction with RNA samples of HAstV 2-8 and other gastroenteritis viruses, followed by nucleotide sequencing of the amplified product. Fecal specimens (n=120) obtained from children under five years of age with gastroenteritis were tested by rRT-LAMP, rRT-PCR and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Six (5%) of these samples were determined to be positive by both rRT-LAMP and rRT-PCR assay, and these two nucleic acid amplification methods resulted in a 200% increase in detection rates for HAstV infection compared with TEM alone. Furthermore, the rRT-LAMP assay is much more rapid than rRT-PCR and generates results in less than 20min for positive samples. The quantitation of viral load in stool specimens was determined from the standard curve plot of time-of-positivity versus initial RNA concentration. Most viral loads were determined to be within the range of 10(5)-10(8) copies. The results highlight the significance of the rapid rRT-LAMP method as a diagnostic and routine screening tool for the analysis of stool samples in hospital laboratories.