Complete genome analysis of a novel phenui-like virus in Morus alba.

Mulberries (genus Morus) are important to sericulture. Due to interspecific hybridization and the existence of various cultivars, the virome of many Morus species is still unknown. In this study, we identified a novel negative-sense phenui-like virus in Morus alba and determined its genome sequence. The virus possesses three linear single-stranded negative-sense RNA segments: RNA1 (7,329 nt), RNA2 (1,276 nt), and RNA3 (1,222 nt). Each of the three segments contains an open reading frame (ORF), encoding the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP), the movement protein (MP), and the nucleocapsid protein (N), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis placed this virus within a clade including members of the genus Rubodvirus (family Phenuiviridae, order Hareavirales, class Bunyaviricetes) with raspberry rubodvirus 1, grapevine Muscat rose virus, and apple rubbery wood virus 2 being the closest relatives. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) sequencing data suggested that the virus replicates in Morus alba. Our study provides the first report of a rubodvirus in Morus alba.