Molecular characterization of a new soybean-infecting member of the genus Nepovirus identified by high-throughput sequencing

The complete nucleotide sequence of a new soybean-infecting member of the genus Nepovirus (provisionally named “soybean latent spherical virus” [SLSV]) was identified by high-throughput sequencing of RNAs from soybean leaf samples from North Dakota, USA. The sequences of RNAs 1 (8,190 nt) and 2 (5,788 nt) were completed by rapid amplification of cDNA ends. Each contained a single long open reading frame and a 3’ nontranslated region of greater than 1,500 nt. The predicted amino acid sequences of the two ORFs were most closely related to nepoviruses in subgroup C. Full-length cDNAs of RNAs 1 and 2 were cloned and used to inoculate soybean plants, which did not display obvious symptoms. These results suggest that SLSV represents a new species in the genus Nepovirus.