| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication: | 2007 |
| Authors: | I. E. Tzanetakis, Postman, J. D., Martin, R. R. |
| Journal: | Arch Virol |
| Volume: | 152 |
| Pagination: | 2027–33 |
| Date Published: | Jan |
| Keywords: | Animals, Aphids, DNA Primers, Flexiviridae, Mentha, Molecular Sequence Data, Phylogeny, Plant Diseases, Plant Leaves, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Sequence Analysis: DNA |
| Abstract: | Mentha x gracilis 'Variegata' is an ornamental clone with a phenotype caused by virus infection. Several clones were ordered from mail-order nurseries in an attempt to identify a virus consistently associated with symptoms. One of these clones did not exhibit typical 'Variegata' symptoms, and steps were taken to identify any agents causing the 'off-type' symptoms. One of the viruses identified in the atypical 'Variegata' clone is a previously unknown virus, a member of the family Flexiviridae. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis indicate that the virus, designated as mint virus-2, is related to members of the species Grapevine virus A, Grapevine virus B and Heracleum latent virus, placing it in the genus Vitivirus. A detection protocol for the virus has been developed, and the mint aphid (Ovatus crataegarius) was able to transmit the virus in the presence of a helper virus but not from single infected plants. |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s00705-007-1030-1 |