The cDNA sequence and infectious transcripts of peanut stripe virus

A full-length cDNA clone of the blotch isolate of the peanut stripe potyvirus (PStV) RNA genome was constructed downstream from the bacteriophage SP6 RNA polymerase promoter. The full-length PStV cDNA clone (PStVSF9) was sequenced and compared to the previously published sequence of PStV-B. In vitro-synthesized PStV transcripts capped with m(7)GpppG were infectious in Nicotiana benthamiana plants, and the progeny virus was aphid transmissible. To confirm the origin of infection, a mutant PStV (PStVDAE), with a Gly(14) to Glu mutation in the coat protein-encoding gene, was constructed. Transcripts from PStVDAE produced symptoms indistinguishable from native or PStVSF9 virus, but was not transmitted by aphids.