Identification of a novel waikavirus infecting Pittosporum tobira in China

Abstract A new waikavirus, tentatively named pittosporum tobira waikavirus (PtWV), was identified in Pittosporum tobira plants with symptoms of leaf abnormality and ringspot in Yunnan, China. The complete genome sequence was determined using high-throughput sequencing and rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The RNA genome of PtWV is 12,709 nt in length and contains a large open reading frame (ORF) encoding a polyprotein of 3,669 aa. Furthermore, it includes a smaller ORF that encodes for a 13.2 kDa BVCV-like protein. Phylogenetic analysis and sequence alignment consistently demonstrated that PtWV shares the closest evolutionary relationship and the highest amino acid sequence of the Pro-Pol region identity with Actinidia yellowing virus 1 (AcYV1). This study represents the first report of a novel waikavirus identified in P. tobira.