Sequences of Tobacco Rattle Viruses from Potato

The RNA2 of the tobacco rattle virus (TRV) isolate 'Rostock' (TRV-R), and the coat protein gene (CP) of TRV isolate 'Mirow' (TRV-M) were sequenced. Both were isolated from potato. Sequence analysis revealed a 5' noncoding-region (NCR) and a CP gene, which are among the shortest of any tobravirus RNA2 sequenced so far. Downstream of the CP open reading frame (ORF) there was an ORF for a 8 k protein, that is probably a truncated 9 k protein, followed by an ORF for a 16 k protein and the 3' NCR. The 16 k protein and the 3' NCR showed a considerable sequence identity with the 3' end of TRV RNA1 and RNA2 from other TRV isolates. The high identity in the amino acid sequences of the CPs from TRV-R and TRV-M as well as other TRV isolates suggested that they are related to the TCM group of the genus Tobravirus and belong serologically to the RQ-serotype. This could be confirmed using a rabbit antiserum that was prepared against recombinant TRV-R CP expressed in bacteria. This serum was found to be suitable for differentiation of TRV-isolates.