Detection and genome characterization of a novel member of the genus Polerovirus from zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) in China.

Here, we report a novel member of the genus Polerovirus, zucchini aphid-borne yellows virus (ZABYV), which was identified in zucchini grown for seed production in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. The complete nucleotide sequence of the ZABYV genome was determined and found to be 5,792 nucleotides in length, and like those of other poleroviruses, to contain seven open reading frames (ORFs). Multiple sequence alignments and phylogenetic analysis indicated that ZABYV is a new member of the genus Polerovirus, although several regions of its genome are closely related to chickpea chlorotic stunt virus (CpCSV). Further comparative analysis suggested that ZABYV originated from a recombination event between CpCSV and another unknown virus in the genus Polerovirus.