Studies on biology and genomic characterization of a caulimo-like virus associated with a leaf distortion disease of Lamium maculatum.

A virus associated with leaf distortion of Lamium maculatum had features characteristic of caulimoviruses. The viral genome (Genbank accession number: EU554423) is 7,713 bp in size, with six open reading frames similar in size and organization to those of known caulimoviruses. Phylogenetic analyses based on the conserved ORF V polyprotein coding region indicated that the Lamium virus is a possible new member of the genus Caulimovirus. The virus was not transmitted by mechanical or graft inoculation, or by Myzus persicae. Because proof of pathogenicity remains to be demonstrated, the virus was named provisionally Lamuim leaf distortion-associated virus (LLDAV).