A novel, multipartite, negative-strand RNA virus is associated with the ringspot disease of European mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia L.).

Four RNAs from a new plant-pathogenic virus, which we have tentatively named European mountain ash ringspot-associated virus (EMARAV), were identified and sequenced completely. All four viral RNAs could be detected in previous double-stranded RNA preparations. RNA 1 (7040 nt) encodes a protein with similarity to the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of different members of the Bunyaviridae, a family containing five genera with viruses infecting invertebrates, vertebrates and plants. RNA 2 (2335 nt) encodes a 75 kDa protein containing a conserved motif of the glycoprotein precursor of the genus Phlebovirus. Immunological detection indicated the presence of proteins with the expected size of the precursor and one of its processing products. The amino acid sequence of protein p3 (35 kDa) encoded by RNA 3 shows similarities to a putative nucleocapsid protein of two still unclassified plant viruses. The fourth viral RNA encodes a 27 kDa protein that has no significant homology to any known protein. As is typical for members of the family Bunyaviridae, the 5' and 3' ends of all viral RNAs are complementary, which allows the RNA to form a panhandle structure. Comparison of these sequences demonstrates a conserved terminal part of 13 nt, similar to that of the bunyaviral genus Orthobunyavirus. Despite the high agreement of the EMARAV genome with several characteristics of the family Bunyaviridae, there are a few features that make it difficult to allocate the virus to this group. It is therefore more likely that this plant pathogen belongs to a novel virus genus.