Complete genome sequence of yam chlorotic necrosis virus, a novel macluravirus infecting yam

The complete genome sequence of a novel member of the genus Macluravirus was determined from yam plants with chlorotic and necrotic symptoms in China. The genomic RNA consists of 8,261 nucleotides (nt) excluding the 3’-terminal poly(A) tail, containing one long open reading frame (ORF) encoding a large putative polyprotein of 2,627 amino acids. Its genomic structure is typical of macluraviruses, which lack the P1 protein, N-terminal HC-Pro, and D-A-G motif for aphid transmission that are found in potyviruses. The virus shares 56.3-63.8% sequence identity at the genome sequence level and 49.7-63.9% at the polyprotein sequence level with other members of the genus Macluravirus. Phylogenetic analysis based on the complete polyprotein sequence of representative members of the family Potyviridae clearly places the virus within the genus Macluravirus. These results suggest that the virus, tentatively named “yam chlorotic necrosis virus” (YCNV), should be considered a member of a novel species in the genus Macluravirus.