Rubus Canadensis Virus 1, a Novel Betaflexivirus Identified in Blackberry

Abou Ghanem-Sabanadzovic, N., Tzanetakis, I. E., & Sabanadzovic, S. (2013). Rubus Canadensis Virus 1, a Novel Betaflexivirus Identified in Blackberry. Archives of Virology. 158(2), 445-449. DOI:10.1007/s00705-012-1484-7.

Flexuous filaments, resembling flexivirus virions, were observed in partially purified blackberry preparations showing mild virus-like symptoms. Further tests revealed the presence of a novel betaflexivirus that is phylogenetically related to foveaviruses. The putative virus-encoded proteins shared limited similarity with orthologs of known members of the genus, indicating that the virus, provisionally named Rubus canadensis virus 1 (RuCV-1), represents a novel member of the taxon. Results of a survey in several U.S. states suggest that RuCV-1 is not widespread in the blackberry germplasm.