COMPARATIVE SEQUENCE-ANALYSIS OF THE COAT PROTEINS OF BIOLOGICALLY DISTINCT CITRUS-TRISTEZA CLOSTEROVIRUS ISOLATES

The genome of citrus tristeza closterovirus (CTV) consists of a 20 kb single-stranded RNA encapsidated in a 2000 nm long flexuous particle. Double-stranded (replicative form) RNAs purified from CTV-infected tissue were used to prepare complementary DNA libraries that involved initial first-strand cDNA synthesis followed by selective amplification of the coat protein gene. CTV-specific antisera were used to select clones expressing the coat protein. The coat protein genes of seven Florida and four exotic isolates that differ in their biological properties were cloned and sequenced. The gene is 669 base pairs long and encodes a 223 amino acid protein. There was a greater than 80% homology at both nucleotide and amino acid levels among all the isolates examined. However, comparisons showed that each isolate was found to have several unique amino acid residues. Several blocks of amino acid residues were conserved among all the isolates. A cluster dendrogram showed greater similarities among groups of mild and severe Florida isolates that, differed significantly from those of the geographically distinct, exotic CTV isolates.