The complete genome sequence of a novel cytorhabdovirus identified in strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch.)

A cytorhabdovirus, tentatively named “strawberry-associated virus 1” (SaV1), was identified in strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch.), and its complete genome sequence was determined. Its negative-sense single-stranded RNA genome is composed of 14,159 nucleotides and contains eight open reading frames (ORFs) in the canonical order 3′-N-P-P3-M-G-P6-P7-L-5. The ORFs are separated by conserved intergenic sequences, and the genome coding region is flanked by 3ʹ and 5ʹ untranslated regions of 179 and 856 nt, respectively. SaV1 N and L genes shares 32–57% and 38–64% amino acid sequence identity with those of nine reported cytorhabdoviruses, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that SaV1 clustered with high confidence with representative cytorhabdoviruses and is most closely related to tomato yellow mottle-associated virus. There are two additional small genes of unknown function between the G and L genes. We propose that SaV1 should be considered a member of a novel species in the genus Cytorhabdovirus, family Rhabdoviridae.