A novel negative-stranded RNA virus of the order Bunyavirales identified in Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinensis

Here, we report the full-length genome sequence of a novel cogu-like virus identified in Brassica campestris L. ssp. Chinensis (B. campestris), an economically important vegetable in China. This virus, tentatively named Brassica campestris chinensis coguvirus 1 (BCCoV1), has a bipartite genome that consists of two RNA molecules (RNA1 and RNA2). The negative-stranded (ns) RNA1 is 6757 nt in length, encoding the putative RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), and the ambisense RNA2 is 3061 nt long, encoding the putative movement protein (MP) and nucleocapsid protein (NP). A homology search of the RdRp, MP, and NP showed that they are closely related to five other recently discovered negative-stranded RNA (nsRNA) viruses infecting plants, belonging to the new genus Coguvirus. Phylogenetic analysis of the 252-kDa RdRp confirmed the classification of this virus, showing that BCCoV1 possibly belongs to the genus Coguvirus, family Phenuiviridae, order Bunyavirales. The present study improves our understanding of the viral diversity in B. campestris and the evolution of nsRNA viruses.

Automated summary

This study reported the full-length genome sequence of a novel cogu-like virus identified in Brassica campestris in China. The virus, named Brassica campestris chinensis coguvirus 1 (BCCoV1), possesses a bipartite genome composed of two RNA molecules. The RdRp, MP, and NP of this virus are closely related to other negative-stranded RNA viruses, belonging to the new genus Coguvirus. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the classification of BCCoV1 possibly belonging to the genus Coguvirus, family Phenuiviridae, order Bunyavirales.