Pepper mottle virus
Encyclopedia
Pepper mottle virus is a plant pathogenic virus in the genus Potyvirus
and the virus family Potyviridae
. Like other members of the Potyvirus genus, PepMV is a monopartite strand of positive-sense, single-stranded RNA surrounded by a capsid made for a single viral encoded protein. The virus is a filamentous particle that measures about 737 nm in length. Isolates of this virus has been completely sequenced and its RNA is 9640 nucleotides long.
This virus is transmitted by several species of aphids in a nonpersitant manner and by mechanical inoculation.
(TEV) and Potato virus Y
(PVY). By 1975 it was clear that a third potyvirus, PepMoV (PeMV), was contributing to crop losses in pepper growing areas of the United States. It has also been found in California, New Mexico, Texas, and in Central America (El Slavador) (3). In 2003, it was reported in C. annuum in Japan.
This virus infects many species of Solanaceae
, including several species of Capsicum
(i.e. C. annuum, C. frutescens), Datura
spp., Lycopersicon esculentum, Physalis
floriana, tobacco (Nicotiana
spp.) and nightshade (Solanum
sp.) (2,4). It was its reaction on C. frutescens (Tabasco pepper
) that alerted researchers to the presence of a new virus in peppers.
Surveys have shown that PepMoV can often occur in mixed infections with TEV and/or PVY so a technique such as ELISA
must be used to differentiate these three virus in pepper. Antiserum is available for all three potyviruses, as are primers for PCR tests and sequencing.
Interestingly PepMoV makes two types of inclusions in infected cells, the typical cylindrical inclusions (CI) and an amorphous inclusion (AI). Thus leaf strips stained with the protein stain, OG, and the nucleic acid stain, AA, can be used to identify this virus in pepper. The CI only stains in OG while the AI stains in both stains.
Symptoms and Inclusions of PepMoV in Capsicum annum
Potyvirus
Potyviruses infect plants and belong to the family Potyviridae. The genus is named after the type virus - Potato Virus Y.The Potyvirus, like the Begomoviruses, have ~30% of the currently known plant viruses and have at least 180 definitive and possible members...
and the virus family Potyviridae
Potyviridae
The Potyviridae are a family of plant viruses. They are . Their genome is composed of positive-sense RNA which is surrounded by a protein coat made up of a single viral encoded protein called a capsid. All induce the formation of virus inclusion bodies called in their hosts...
. Like other members of the Potyvirus genus, PepMV is a monopartite strand of positive-sense, single-stranded RNA surrounded by a capsid made for a single viral encoded protein. The virus is a filamentous particle that measures about 737 nm in length. Isolates of this virus has been completely sequenced and its RNA is 9640 nucleotides long.
This virus is transmitted by several species of aphids in a nonpersitant manner and by mechanical inoculation.
Geographic Distribution and Host Range
Pepper mottle was first recognized as an new strain of PVY infecting peppers in Arizona in 1969. In the early 1970s an "atypical" PVY isolate was also found in a survey of pepper fields in central Florida. Up until then, the two most important potyviruses infecting peppers in the US were Tobacco etch virusTobacco etch virus
Tobacco etch virus is a plant pathogenic virus in the genus Potyvirus and the virus family Potyviridae. Like other members of the Potyvirus genus, TEV is a monopartite strand of positive-sense, single-stranded RNA surrounded by a capsid made for a single viral encoded protein. The virus is a...
(TEV) and Potato virus Y
Potato virus Y
Potato virus Y is a plant pathogenic virus of the family Potyviridae, and one of the most important plant viruses affecting potato production....
(PVY). By 1975 it was clear that a third potyvirus, PepMoV (PeMV), was contributing to crop losses in pepper growing areas of the United States. It has also been found in California, New Mexico, Texas, and in Central America (El Slavador) (3). In 2003, it was reported in C. annuum in Japan.
This virus infects many species of Solanaceae
Solanaceae
Solanaceae are a family of flowering plants that include a number of important agricultural crops as well as many toxic plants. The name of the family comes from the Latin Solanum "the nightshade plant", but the further etymology of that word is unclear...
, including several species of Capsicum
Capsicum
Capsicum is a genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family, Solanaceae. Its species are native to the Americas where they have been cultivated for thousands of years, but they are now also cultivated worldwide, used as spices, vegetables, and medicines - and have become are a key element in...
(i.e. C. annuum, C. frutescens), Datura
Datura
Datura is a genus of nine species of vespertine flowering plants belonging to the family Solanaceae. Its precise and natural distribution is uncertain, owing to its extensive cultivation and naturalization throughout the temperate and tropical regions of the globe...
spp., Lycopersicon esculentum, Physalis
Physalis
Physalis is a genus of plants in the nightshade family , native to warm temperate and subtropical regions throughout the world. The genus is characterised by the small orange fruit similar in size, shape and structure to a small tomato, but partly or fully enclosed in a large papery husk derived...
floriana, tobacco (Nicotiana
Nicotiana
Nicotiana is a genus of herbs and shrubs of the nightshade family indigenous to North and South America, Australia, south west Africa and the South Pacific. Various Nicotiana species, commonly referred to as tobacco plants, are cultivated and grown to produce tobacco. Of all Nicotiana species,...
spp.) and nightshade (Solanum
Solanum
Solanum, the nightshades, horsenettles and relatives, is a large and diverse genus of annual and perennial plants. They grow as forbs, vines, subshrubs, shrubs, and small trees, and often have attractive fruit and flowers. Many formerly independent genera like Lycopersicon or Cyphomandra are...
sp.) (2,4). It was its reaction on C. frutescens (Tabasco pepper
Tabasco pepper
The tabasco pepper is a variety of chili pepper species Capsicum frutescens. It is best known through its use in Tabasco sauce, followed by peppered vinegar....
) that alerted researchers to the presence of a new virus in peppers.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Symptoms of PepMoV on pepper include dark green vein banding, mottle/mosaic, puckered or crinkled leaves, and misshapen fruit. Plants infected early in the growing season can be stunted and the virus can decrease yield significantly. ( See pictures of symptoms)Surveys have shown that PepMoV can often occur in mixed infections with TEV and/or PVY so a technique such as ELISA
ELISA
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay , is a popular format of a "wet-lab" type analytic biochemistry assay that uses one sub-type of heterogeneous, solid-phase enzyme immunoassay to detect the presence of a substance in a liquid sample."Wet lab" analytic biochemistry assays involves detection of an...
must be used to differentiate these three virus in pepper. Antiserum is available for all three potyviruses, as are primers for PCR tests and sequencing.
Interestingly PepMoV makes two types of inclusions in infected cells, the typical cylindrical inclusions (CI) and an amorphous inclusion (AI). Thus leaf strips stained with the protein stain, OG, and the nucleic acid stain, AA, can be used to identify this virus in pepper. The CI only stains in OG while the AI stains in both stains.
Symptoms and Inclusions of PepMoV in Capsicum annum