Sequencing of the Tamus red mosaic virus genome: further evidence that it is a distinct species of the genus Potexvirus.

In 1993, a virus causing red mosaic and leaf distortion has been isolated from black bryony (Tamus communis) in Italy. Based on particle properties and serology, the virus was assigned to the genus Potexvirus and named Tamus red mosaic virus (TRMV), pending a genome sequence. The original Italian TRMV isolate was submitted to the DSMZ plant virus collection (PV-0397). To confirm the taxonomic status of the virus, the entire genome sequence was determined comprising 6,495 nucleotides excluding the poly(A)-tail. Five putative open reading frames (ORFs) in an arrangement typical for potexviruses were predicted. TRMV is closely related to but distinct from Clover yellow mosaic virus and Allium virus X. In addition to previous morphological and serological characterization, the results presented in this study further reinforce the classification of TRMV as a distinct virus species of the genus Potexvirus.