Agave associated crinivirus A: a novel monopartite crinivirus homolog isolated from agave

TL;DR

Scientists discovered a new virus, agave associated crinivirus A, in an agave plant using sequencing techniques.

Contribution

The discovery of a novel monopartite crinivirus genome with unique open reading frames.

Findings

AaCA's genome is 16,161 bp and includes hallmark proteins of the Closteroviridae family.

Two ORFs downstream of CPm are unique to AaCA.

Phylogenetic analysis shows AaCA clusters basally with existing criniviruses.

Abstract

We describe the complete genome of the first monopartite and putative member of the genus Crinivirus which we propose naming agave associated crinivirus A (AaCA). AaCA was identified by high-throughput sequencing in an Agave tequilana leaf sample during a routine metagenomic screening of Agave plants from California. The 16,161 bp genome contains the protein hallmarks of the family Closteroviridae, the HSP70h and the three coat protein homologs (CPh, CP, CPm), along with the open reading frames (ORFs) unique to criniviruses. Two ORFs downstream of the CPm are unique to AaCA. The monopartite nature of the genome was verified by PCR and Sanger sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis of the HSP70h gene clusters AaCA basally with existing criniviruses.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00705-026-06580-x.

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